14 DAY TRIAL // Today, mobile phone carrier Sprint announced that a new Android-based device should soon become available for purchase on its airwaves, the Motorola i1. The first ever handset to put together iDEN connectivity and Google's Android operating system inside the same device, the Motorola i1 is set to become available for purchase via Sprint direct ship sales channels on Sunday with a price tag of $149.99 attached to it upon the signing of a two-year service agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate. All other channels should make the device available for purchase on August 8.
The first Android-based smartphone in the world to boast support for the carrier's iDEN network comes with a designed aimed at those who work and play hard. The handset runs under Google's Android 1.5 operating system, while boasting automatically syncing and integration of office and personal information, including emails, calendar and contacts. Featuring push-to-talk service, the Motorola i1 has been already released on the United States market, and can be purchased via Boost Mobile, a Sprint subsidiary.
“Motorola i1 is the only Android device to offer Nextel Direct Connect as well as the latest smartphone features and the ability to withstand some of the harshest environments,” said Fared Adib, vice president - Product Development, Sprint. “This phone brings a new level of smartphone to our Nextel customers making it one of the most efficient devices to get work done, and our customers who rely on Direct Connect will appreciate this feature-packed phone that doesn't miss on must-have features like Wi-Fi and a 5 megapixel camera.”
The features list of Motorola i1 includes support for business and entertainment applications that can be downloaded from the Android Market, Facebook connectivity, customizable Twitter apps, built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, preloaded business apps like Xora, TeleNavTrack or Sprint Mobile Locator, Microsoft Document Viewer, the Swype virtual keyboard, the latest Opera Mini 5 browser, and other more. Not to mention that those who will purchase the Motorola i1 would benefit from the new Sprint Free Guarantee option. More on Motorola i1 can be found here.