What's this? An invitation-only event with Sprint CEO Dan Hesse in New York City on Feb. 7? And illusionist David Blaine's going to be there, too? Count us in. Heck, we don't even care if there's any Android fare to be found (though it'd be a nice plus). OK, OK. We care about Android fare. And so we'll pack our bags for NYC and report back. Cause that's what we do.
224 Comments
He's going to magically make GPS work on a Samsung Galaxy S device.
it'd still just be an illusion
A new Sprint Android phone!!!!!!
That seems the most plausible. It's for all those premier customers to upgrade from Evo.
Hope it's some dual core Atrix-like love.
Please no Iphone.
I suspect Sprint will shake the wireless industry by restructering their plans to "Good " "Better" and "Best". If they were going to introduce a new phone it would've happened last week in Vegas
HTC 7 Pro, Since it's being held on the 7th. Windows 7 phone makes it as my best guess.
I think if that were the case then wpcentral would have been invited or at least bragging about it....so far all i have seen is android bloggers invited
My guess is either Sprint iPhone (mixed feelings about that) or the announcement of an Evo 2.
i doubt it's an iPhone if AC got an invite.
as "another industry first", it may be a 4G android tablet, since we know the xoom on verizon won't be 4G til later in the year
Sprint iphone was my first thought too but it says in the flyer, another industry first, would I want an sprint iphone, hell yeah but I'm thinking either an evo 2 or the announcement of Sprint going to lte for 4g...
COULD BE A 4G IPHONE.
Not gonna happen... I believe apple said "design changes" were needed to make the iPhone 4 a 4G phone and they were not willing to do that.
to make a lte iphone will need changes he the not say wimax iphone..
sprint going to LTE for 4G? ..... Did you really just type that?
What's wrong with what he wrote? Sprint doesn't have LTE. In fact they are the only major provider that are not on LTE. They are on WiMax for there 4G network.
Bc the post is saying Sprint being first in the industry in w/e this announcement is. How could LTE be it if its already on 2 carriers?
Now Sprint bringin LTE and having an Iphone that works on the network... or Releasing an IPhone thats on its Current 4G network... possible, but highly unlikely... I think the BB Playbook release seems more feasible.... but well see in 3-4 weeks
Sprint has already announced the Playbook. I doubt they would hold an event for something they have already said is coming to Sprint. http://now.sprint.com/playbook/
Why not? Sprint has mentioned they are not closed out to the idea of LTE.
i really want it to be the evo 2 with a tegra 2 4.5 inch (cause i like big screens...evo ftw!) and to make it a industry first...this http://3dradar.techradar.com/3d-tech/htc-aiming-be-first-3d-android-phon...
...
Sprint is getting the iPhone also!!!
This is the first thing I thought of as well. If it were to happen, I honestly think due to the 69.99 plan Sprint offers, that more would migrate towards Sprint than Verizon. Not sure if that is a good thing or not though. Good for Sprint, not really sure how it would be for customers.
They're referring to it as "another industry first". Getting the iPhone wouldn't qualify (unless it's a 4g iPhone, of course).
Very true statement. So what "Industry First" could they be talking about? Seemingly it would be specific service but it would likely be tied to a new device.
"I don't care. Do you have the white one?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg&feature=player_embedded
I like how you think Sprint getting the iPhone "ALSO", could possibly, in any shape or form, resemble an industry first.
Considering their lackluster performance at CES, I really hope this is something good. I'm a little skeptical about the David Blaine gimmick...
A+ on this comment, I agree they better make this memorable! I'm counting on you Sprint. Also it would be nice if they announce more cities getting 4G(my city already has it, Providence).
Please introduce new HTC phones, I don't give a monkeys uncle about Samsung or LG.
CES? Sprint dont need no stinkin' CES!
They make their own conference. Win.
Well.. in that respect verizon already won..
Well unless it's an iPhone they are making an announcement that won't have long in the mass media spotlight for long thanks to the Verizon iPhone coming 3 days later. I love sprint but phone launches and announcements near iPhone events just aren't good marketing
I don't think it's an iPhone, but an argument can be made that having a Sprint iPhone announcement just prior to the Verizon release might keep some folks from bolting to V, because they want the iPhone but don't want AT&T.
Last time Sprint did anything for CES we got the original Palm Pre and we all know how much that sucked donkey balls. I think between this conference, MWC and CTIA I think we'll all have a better idea of what Sprint has up their sleeves.
Hope it's something good as well. They had a very weak presence at the CES this year.
I was thinking the same thing, that they probably have the iphone coming out too. I mean how hard would it be to just take the same Verizon iphone, and optimize it for sprint? It's the same CDMA technology, nothing to it really, right?
I have a feeling that they'll be showcasing something more than just a new cell phone.
Or if they will be showing a new cell phone, it'll do something that any other phone doesnt. Sprint likes to be FIRST at a lot of things and JUST a phone won't cut it. Not this time.
I cant wait!
Its a webOS "device". Enough said.
CDMA version PlayStation phone to be novel enough to be considered an industry first. It is a not a new webOS device as HP has a big press event on the 9th of February to confirm its upcoming hardware lineup
No way does it have anything to do with webOS. HP is holding their big webOS shin dig on Feb. 9th -- no way would HP let Sprint announce anything webOS 2 days early.
One thing that hints that's not an iPhone the more I read it, the invite mentions the unveiling of another industry first although that could very well mean first iphone with 4G. Who the hell knows. I'm very interested in what they'll announce though.
IPhone? Highly doubtful. Maybe they're repealing the $10 data fee?!?!
we could only wish
or maybe just the $10 fee now applies to EVERYONE to pay off their debt.
First carrier to be 4g nationwide. By end of 2011?
Hmmmmm I'm thinking some sort of network changes to 4G along with maybe an Iphone announcement!! They said they were considering something other than 4g.. HSPDA??
If they're saying its an industry first, it can't be the iPhone. I'm thinking a new 4G webOS phone, and perhaps a webOS tablet?
It's also worth mentioning that Verizon has no exclusivity contract with Apple. So to sell the CDMA device to Sprint makes good business sense for Apple!
First carrier to be 4g nationwide. By end of 2011?
Even if that were the case, it wouldn't include all markets. The Swiftel controlled South Dakota and Iowa area can't even legitimately get EVO, EVO Shift, or Epic yet. Because of some "business negotiations" that have been going for nearly a year now. With Verizon's LTE stuff coming online in Sioux Falls, SD by the end of 2011, you would think Swiftel would want to get off their butts and actually get parity with Sprint corporate. Idiots.
Ok, all better now. :)
I feel your pain. Sounds a lot like the iPCS situation we had to deal with for far too long. Thankfully that is finally behind us (acquisition).
Don't think they'd claim an industry first if it was an iPhone. As for the comments on it being a new iPhone... if it is then Apple's done a lot better on security then they have (and are changing some things by letting a carrier announce it first).
Really don't have anything to go on as to what it could be. I'm thinking something network/plan related, since it's a "first". A new phone, maybe, but I don't think they'd throw out a bunch of stuff over just having a new phone launch, unless it's a really awesome as of yet unheard of phone.
This better be good.....
I'd speculate it's about the Playbook Tablet, and the Industry First to be the 4G tablet.
If you paid attention to CES then you would know they already announced that they are getting a WiMAX playbook.
Gross, that would be a major "yawn".
Definitely a new webos device. HP is making their "big" announcement on Feb 9th aren't they?
A dual core 4.3 inch WebOS device might be enough to switch me back from Android
agreed
Agreed. If it's a WebOs device, 4.0 inch or better, with a vertial keyboard, I might be going back to Palm. Also, I read a report a while ago, stating that Sprint would be getting HP's WebOs tablets as well. If this is true, I might be going back to WebOs as a tablet too... The Palm Pad.
please no keyboard please.
I sure hope it's not a webos device even though everyone knows their event is two days later... Sprint wants to retain customers not scare them away.
Oh yeah, me too. without a doubt.
You're right HP's big announcement is Feb 9th, but there can be no way you're right that HP would let Sprint beat them to the punch in an announcement. Now, if Sprint's announcement was Feb. 9th, then, I might tend to agree with you.
Im willing to bet money that they will be announcing the 4G Blackberry Playbook. I know it was shown off at CES by the Blackberry folks but nothing about it from the Sprint camp. It would be an industry 1st when you think about it......makes sense to me.
You might be right about that. The playbook is a rip off of WebOs anyway!
Something is always the "rip-off" of something else. It's about who does it better.
It's not the iPhone, as David Blaine is not cool enough to introduce the iPhone. I think it's some HTC device like a tablet.
HTC EVO Slate 4G anyone?
I'm hoping that it would be a Cdma Nexus device. It was suppose to come last year, but we got the evo. All we could do is wait. :D
Their last big way that they "revolutionized" wireless was Any Mobile, Any Time. Which you have to admit was pretty cool. I love that.
Not sure what they could have up their sleeve this go-around. 5G?
I'm just bummed that the mailman hasn't delivered my invite yet...
(Oh come on, you were all thinkin' it too!)
Really excited to find out.
I'm pretty certain that it is NOT a webos device, since HP is hosting it's own webos event on February 9.
http://www.precentral.net/hp-hold-webos-event-february-9-“think-big-think-small-think-beyond-”
Therefore, I'm thinking it is going to be a Blackberry event, since they tweeted a few days ago that new devices were coming soon.
David Blaine, eh? There will be a phone coming out that can be encased in ice, buried alive, submerged in water, and it won't void your warranty...
*Subject to $50 deductible... :P
For being revolutionary, how about a phone that can go 40 days (or however long he was suspended in that box) before it needs a recharge. That kind of power without making the phone look like it has some kind of growth would be pretty impressive.
First Tegra 2 processor on the market? Releases in February! Android OS ofcourse.
Samsung Honeycomb Tablet?
I am agreeing with the posts above re: most likely a tablet with 4G and/or it is more than likely the Playbook. Darn, I could care less about the Playbook.
It might be this: $70/$80 unlimited everything plan
http://www.mobiledia.com/news/79408.html
Not sure about how legit this news site is but it seems a pretty reasonable idea.
Dual core/tegra 2 in a handset? How about a magical battery that is invincible to the forces of flash 10.1?
This is pretty exciting. Say what you will about Sprint, they have the best pricing and I have never had any big problems—nothing that I haven’t heard about from my friends on other carriers.
This could be many things.
1: 4G I-phone
2: Free 4G
3: Evo Update to Gingerbread
4: The Blackberry Playbook
5: (really going out on the line here) Sprint purchasing T-Mobile, or coming out with their own version of GSM-like service that allows you to use phone and 3G at the same time.
There are other things, but those are the semi-large ideas.
Anyone else?
1: Don't think it will happen because of design changes needed to make the iPhone 4 a 4G phone (I believe Apple cited this as a reason the Verizon iPhone will not be a 4G phone).
2: That's not an industry first.
3: That could be an industry first but I don't see the need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on an event to announce that.
4: That could be considered an industry first.
5: Not an industry first... mergers happen all the time. And the GSM-like service wouldn't be a industry first because... well, it's a copy of a capability GSM already has.
No,I agree with those who think it's BlackBerry's new PlayBook tablet.Though there's no reason why Apple couldn't release at least a CDMA 3G version of the iPhone very soon after Verizon's release next month.As for a WiMax iPhone,who knows?
Playbook was already announced for WiMax. You will see an LTE iPhone before a WiMax version, guarantee that. WiMax is the minority like CDMA is, LTE is the new GSM.
Sprint service is the worst who cares lol I hope its better service or better battery life for my evo
You are a dork.
David Blaine will be there to make Sprint's subscriber numbers look better.
I can't think of anything that would be a spectacular announcement. Seeing as the three other networks have announced dual core phones, dual core tablets and LTE phones. Then we just saw Verizon announce the iphone.
Lets be honest a 4G webOS phone, which would be cool, isn't something groundbreaking. But it would be an industry first. Or maybe a dual core snapdragon phone, again technicality an industry first. I would say a WiMax iphone would be a huge get, but that is not going to happen.
My money is on something that is technicality an industry first.
Sprint will merge with T-Mobile. Switch from wimax to Hspa.
Hey that rumor was out there a couple months ago.
Who knows what it is about. But these private press events are not cheap. It has to be something decent.
Sprint has been very quite lately.
i need to do what YOU do!!!!!
help a young motivated technologist out!
If androidcentral was invited I'm sure it's android related.
What it is though? No idea. And why wouldn't they have announced it at CES?
My best guess since it's an industry first, is a 4G Honeycomb Tablet... probably by HTC.
4g tablet is most probably correct
not they wouldn't do an event of this magnitude just for a 4g tablet, it got be something bigger than that.
I think it's the Playstation Phone. They are going to compete with Verizon against the iPhone. I read in a couple of places (I believe Engadget) that the Playstation phone could be here in March. Then I read that article in a (Japan newspaper??)said Sprint would be getting it. That would be good, but I hope not for selfish reasons. My son really wants that phone. I know it's going to be very expensive, even with an upgrade. :-)
I hope it isn't the Playstation phone. I have no interest in that and it doesn't seem 'big' enough to have an event like this. Is there any word yet what carrier the Atrix is going to be on? now that is an interesting phone right there. Crap....nevermind. saw it is going to AT&T. :(
Except that it's made by Sony Ericsson which has always been a GSM manufacturer.
Doesn't Ericsson maintain Sprint's CDMA network?
Maybe they figured out how to make an EVO battery that lasts longer. I love my EVO, but hate the battery time I keep everything turned off and still get less than a day on it.
If you would read, sprint announced that they had no intentions on an iPhone. Do you guys remember a little event called CES?
I don't remember seeing anywhere at CES stating they will not have the iphone, however I'm 100% sure it will not be at this event as android sites are getting invites, so we can probably be pretty sure it has something to do with android.
It could also be the Windows 7 phone, which would be a first for Sprint
Could be.
INDUSTRY FIRST not Sprint first.
a duel core evo4g with super amoled screen and dedicated camera button.
That would be pure heaven.
It will be the first 5G phone even though they do not have any 5G towers, there will be a $30 fee associated with the phone for extra data usage.
Maybe they will announce that people who are 500 miles away, and are yrs away From having 4g won't have to keep paying for somethin we can't even use. That would be the best announcement. Or perhaps an Android phone where the battery lasts 8 hrs during constant use. I can burn an Evo battery up in about 2 and a half hrs
The industry first:
1. Watch phone
2. Stand alone phone that is the size of a bluetooth device
3. Dildo phone with iOs
I dont know why you people keep saying iphone when the invite says "industry first"
Being that they are inviting people from the Android world, I think they will release a Android phone with a DTV chip. Remember when they were testing DTV in the Moment last year?
That's my hope.
I think they will announce the 1st dual core phone to be released in Feb or March :-D
Very possible.
Full streaming television service over 4G...seems pretty likely since this started on 3G and died off very quickly. No other carrier offers it. Plus - David Blane is a televised street performer. Why not?
...continued innovation in the wireless industry and yet another industry first...
So, for me, popping a 3G CDMA iPhone on Sprint's network isn't innovation or an industry first. If there were a 4G iPhone don't you think it would go to Verizon first since they have LTE and have just inked a new contract with Apple?
I suspect a device will be involved and hopefully one as industry-shaking as the first EVO. It's time to get the industry's panties in a twist once again!
GO SPRINT.
They are announcing that Froyo is finally being released for the Epic.
Froyo is possible on an epic as long as you are friends with david blaine
just a wild guess, but since verizon announced the first cdma iphone yesterday, wouldn't it be cool if sprint will announce the first cdma nexus s phone next month? then we will have att and verizon iphone vs sprint and t-mobile nexus phone(i know the nexus phone would work on att, but not officially). google vs apple. of course this is just a wild guess and i have absolutely no basis on it, just kind of cool to have the iphone on 1 cdma and gsm carrier and the nexus phone on another gsm and cdma carrier.
David Blaine is old news, didn't Chris Angel pretty much take his place... I don't like either of them personally. Just release sweet new phone I'm bored with my Evo.
David Blaine is old news, didn't Chris Angel pretty much take his place... I don't like either of them personally. Just release sweet new phone I'm bored with my Evo.
Just flash a new ROM, that always gets me going again when I feel bored with my Evo. Try MikFroyo 4.3, it's AMAZING!
How about Voice over Wimax or a speed increase to compete with the HSPA+ and LTE offerings. Most likely the Play Book 4G though.
Spelled "coctails" wrong...
Yeah, you sure did.
Okay. It's a tablet. They dropped the price of the Galaxy Tab. I hope whatever it is, comes in a wifi only version. I refuse to pay anymore additional fees for data. I can keep my Evo and have free data. Bad, enough, I am already paying an additional $20 per month, because I have 2 4G phones on my account.
Did the invite go to Android Central or just Smartphone Experts? Obviously if the former it will be an Android announcement. IF the latter it could be anything, but I doubt it's an iPhone.
Didn't read every post but could it be a 4g windows phone 7 phone?
I have a pretty good feeling it's gonna be the announcement of Windows phone 7 for sprint. Think about it. The date is Feb "7th", and it would be the first in the industry for a CDMA windows 7 phone. Huh huh! Your welcome
That's hardly innovative, and I really doubt that Sprint would go through all this time (and money) to have a Windows Phone 7 conference...I don't think people even like Window Phone 7 that much anyway. :P
I hope it's something better as well. I guess we'll find out soon.
But ya know, people have made a good point. If Android Central received this invitation, why would the announcement be for something unrelated to Android? :)
I agree its probably a 4G Windows Phone 7.
Maybe Clear has been secretly rolling out LTE nationwide. I know they were testing in Phoenix. Since I hear that a Wimax to LTE conversion is a simple software upgrade at the Air Interface maybe it's a simple upgrade for our Evo's and Epic's too. Go LTE.
LTE isn't innovative or an industry first when Verizon already has it deployed. Are people reading the pamphlet?
Actually the pamphlet speaks indicates something new and innovation. Could be the switch to LTE or Voice over WiMax(Innovation). The Black Berry Playbook (Something New). There you have it!
New phone is my guess. Perfect timing too 3 days before people who aren't Verizon subscribers can get the iPhone.
They did drop the price of the Galaxy Tab so im gonna guess first 4G tablet. I hope it is a HTC tegra2 w/ 1gb ram,4.5" screen, atleast 8gb internal storage, micro SD, FFC, Tricorder,Phasers,etc....
The industry first phone to use Honeycomb type OS for cellphones? They did say the Android OS was going in this direction.
Since AC was invited, I'm sure it's Android OS related
Industry First?
1st 4G Tablet...
First 4g tablet... Isn't the Motorola Xoom 4g?
Not until you "upgrade".
Ala Kazam!!!
Sprint is Relevant!!!
TaDa!
GT
Well going with the "up his sleeve" comment maybe it is the secondary screen that has been making the rounds on gagdet sites. The ones that show email, facebook, ect in a little screen that is worn as a watch.
My wishlist would be dropping the $10.00 4G fee. Moto Atrix. Nexus S. Gingerbread for EVO and Epic.
Just a wild thought but maybe a 4G version of the iPhone 3GS. It was mentioned at the Verizon event that Apple didn't want to change the iphone 4 to fit 4G in but maybe the 3GS wouldn't require much of a cosmetic change.
Highly doubt that Apple would go backwards in design. The comment Apple made about the 4G wasn't really about the structure...the key was "customers want it NOW". A 4G iPhone will be an announcement by Apple during their conference, that's practically a given for anyone that knows how Apple operates.
They will announce they are going to carry the first 10" HP/WebOS based tablet /w 4G.
...but it will not be released for another 18 months :)
And, Sprint will give the illusion that its 4G network is actually worth having on a tablet!
Maybe the galaxy s2 posted on the homepage? Or strenghtend 4g coverage? Maybe both
built in TV Tuner + Antenna?
teleportation device?
made of solid gold?
ok - prob not... i hope for the TV Tuner + Antenna tho.
Pretty sure its an Iphone Check out their new product page they are rolling out
http://www.sprint.com/landings/whatsnew/?INTCID=TSC:UHP:010411:NewStoreE...
looks like an iphone on the left
That is an ipod touch, with Sprint's 3g peel case on it
Wow- that really DOES look like an iphone button, although the rest of the phone doesn't look iphone'y. Freaky.