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Sprint Preparing Itself for an iPhone Launch?

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Recent changes to Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G flagship Android smartphone television commercials observed by Beatweek suggests that the Now Network may be preparing itself for an iPhone launch in the future. The EVO 4G commercial was recently seen amended with the quote the EVO was a superior option to the iPhone 4 removed.

Rival Verizon Wireless had in the past fired antagonistic commercials at Apple and rival carrier AT&T. However, leading up to the iPhone 4’s announcement on the carrier’s network, Verizon’s response to the iPhone has been more neutral, stating that it was willing to embrace the Apple smartphone whenever Apple was ready. Sprint’s recent action to neutralize its antagonistic commercial against the iPhone is seen by some industry insiders as laying the groundwork to adopt the popular iPhone on its network.

However, in the past, despite Sprint’s jabs at the iPhone and AT&T’s network in terms of speed and reliability, the carrier hasn’t been shy to leverage Apple’s popularity in promoting its own products. Before Verizon Wireless had bundled the WiFi model of the iPad with its own MiFi unit for mobile broadband access for the tablet, Sprint was promoting a “4G iPad” through the use of its Overdrive, a mobile hotspot router similar in concept to Novatel’s MiFi, and giving away free iPad cases with a pocket for an Overdrive.

As Apple had stated that it has signed a multi-year non-exclusive deal with Verizon in offering the CDMA iPhone 4, perhaps Sprint’s more neutral marketing change will help the carrier land an iPhone on its network in the future. A 3G CDMA iPhone could be quickly configured for Sprint as Sprint and Verizon operates similar CDMA networks for 3G. However, a 4G-capable iPhone would be more difficult as Sprint has adopted WiMax for 4G while Verizon and AT&T are both committed to LTE as the 4G protocol of choice.

If Sprint doesn’t land the iPhone, it will be in a similar position with T-Mobile and must rely on Android and other operating systems for growth. Through its WiMax technology, which is backed by Intel, the carrier may also be the most open to MeeGo, which is jointly developed by Intel and Nokia, as an emerging mobile OS. The carrier already has a number of BlackBerry smartphones, was a launch partner for webOS, and will be supporting Windows Phone 7 in the future.

Via: PPC Geeks

26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    01/25/2011 at 7:31 pm

    An iPhone on Sprint and T-Mobile would be nice. That would open the way for unlocked iPhones. Also, Sprint is heavily involved in MeeGo and I’m looking forward to hear more about that also.

  2. Anonymous

    01/26/2011 at 7:14 am

    If possible, don’t miss an iPhone user! iPhone is so fantastic! now ,i am a iPhone user , i use my iPhone playing games, whach movies, sending e-mail ect. i maily use my iPhone to enjoy movies, as i am a movie fan, i purchase a Aneesoft iPhone video converter , i watch videos everyday and i never go to the cinema. More info about iPhone: https://www.aneesoft.com/tutorials/iphone/index.html

  3. mnarvaez07

    02/02/2011 at 6:01 am

    I own an Android phone and could care less for the iPhone.

    • bobshoelace

      04/13/2011 at 11:38 pm

      If you could care less, then that means you care a lot.

    • Michaelmilanww

      05/18/2011 at 11:53 am

      Ii sooooo agree… The iphone is just an iphone. I don’t see what it does so different then an android……

    • Tifosi2012

      08/16/2011 at 8:22 am

      I too have an Android based phone (Evo) and love it, but must admit the iPhone is the pinnacle of cellular phone tech…. besides if you could care less, then why are you reading and responding to the above article.

  4. Kingpitbull83

    02/03/2011 at 6:47 am

    ill say this to sum it up if Sprint does not get an iPhone you can bet you best dollar big red and at&t will both be kings and ill be ditching Sprint im sorry but the HTC evo is boring,wack,and just lame and it a big pos hands down worst phone I owe next to a berry so sprint if your reading ppl’s post get a dam iPhone or kick rocks plan and simple cause evo is lame step your game up really and no more berries and web OS and a win7 phone who cares.

    • AC518

      02/04/2011 at 7:34 pm

      Coming from someone who can barely get by using the English language… How about you learn how to spell before bashing on ANY phone, regardless of what carrier or what device. *shakes head*

    • Liliceman77

      02/18/2011 at 5:45 pm

      Soo only have the iPhone? Have you even had a WebOs phone? Look at the new Palm Pre 3 Aka HP Pre 3. It has a 1.4ghz processor! a bigger 3.5 from the previous 3.1 screen. Now glass not plastic. A 5mp camera with auto focus. And don’t forget, multitasking like no other.

    • Tifosi2012

      08/16/2011 at 8:32 am

      Okay let’s try this… I have a firm grasp of our written language and will back almost everything the above poster has stated. Just one exception though, the EVO is a great phone on an even better platform. As for the webOS… it’s trash. A reader below mentioned the Palm Pre and webOS. Both are absolute rubbish. I had the Pre just last year and even if they improved every issue on an absolutely boring and flawed phone it would not come close to the iPhone. The OS is even more hopeless. As for Sprint they need to do what they can and join the Apple parade. Customers are leaving in droves and experts are citing the lack of a particular apple product as the cause.

  5. Josephlepp

    02/08/2011 at 4:25 am

    I have been a sprint customer for over 10 years and ever sense the iPhone came out I have wanted one. If sprint decides to offer the iPhone I think they will profit off new customers and satisfy the exsisting ones by offering the most popular phone out on the market, I’m tired of waiting at&t service sucks I refuse to go there however Verizon offers excillent coverage if sprint does not get the iPhone I will leave. I’m sorry can’t wait for ever for sprint to make a smart business decision, it’s a no brainer.

    • matt

      04/10/2011 at 3:22 am

      Well said!! I agree 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Dude Spoons

      05/17/2011 at 8:52 pm

      I agree. I have also been with sprint 10+ years I have been using Android phones and have had WebOS  I never liked my Palm phones. I have an iPod Touch and if the phone is anything like it I’m all in.

  6. Patti

    02/10/2011 at 3:01 am

    I had a call from Sprint Customer Satisfaction after I made some changes to my account including an upgrade offer. When asked why I did not want the upgrade, I told them that I was just biding my time until my contract expired so I could get and iPhone. They tried to sell me an Android….no thank you. Then, in a (what I believe to be a last ditch effort) she said “we’re getting the iPhone this year!” Uh huh. I’ll believe it when I see it.

    • Alexa

      03/01/2011 at 11:36 pm

      lol that’s hilarious Patti. I too am with Sprint and biding my time. I think once I see what’s coming out at CTIA, I’ll make a decision.

  7. JasonBeasly

    02/27/2011 at 12:27 am

    Whatever they do, I hope they make it GiveMeApps.com ready.

  8. Todd

    04/28/2011 at 6:41 pm

    I too am just waiting, I really dislike sprint after being stuck with the Insta-crap. I lost friends due to that phone horrible design.

    • Maaama

      06/10/2011 at 11:49 am

      You lost friends because of a phone? Trust me, tool bag, it wasn’t the phone.

  9. Bs2

    07/06/2011 at 9:33 pm

    It would be nice to see the iphone for sprint, I would most likely to purchase one when it comes out….

  10. Joe Harper

    07/31/2011 at 4:55 pm

    Some positive opportunities for Sprint include what he thinks is a 70% chance the company gets Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone this fall,”
    https://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2011/07/29/sprint-street-awaits-further-transformation/

  11. Lucille

    08/26/2011 at 3:44 am

    Well I gave up my EVO for the IPhone I been regretting it since, phone bill has doubled for one i have to constantly take it in to be serviced or swapped and apparently I’m not the only one with these problems with the iphone, the iPhone don’t do nothing that I couldn’t do with the EVO I know how to work a phone, it’s all about the name & Apple know that!

  12. Crazygurl_600

    09/06/2011 at 4:36 am

    i will like to have it !! but not sure though.. since my contract will be renewed !!:(

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