Sprint has been teasing us about their big announcement all day, but we were pretty sure we knew what it was already. Turns out, we were right. The Kyocera Echo will be one of Sprint’s next Android phones, and will be the first phone with two full screens. With its unique hinge design, the two screens can be operated independently or can be used as one solid large screen in tablet mode.  It will ship with Froyo, sporting a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and a 5MP camera.

When we first heard about the dual-touchscreen phone, I was skeptical…now, however, I am intrigued. Video and full press release after the break.

Read More…

Sprint Announces Kyocera Echo – Dual-Screen Android Phone

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I’ve arrived at the venue for the Sprint event. I’m a bit early but wanted to share some quick photos from outside.
More to come in the next few hours.

View full post on AndroidSPIN

Look, over there! Its another phone that nobody has any idea about! Yes sir, we’ve been seeing no namer phones popping up left and right lately, and today’s news is no break from the norm.

Some shots were recently released of what at first may appear to be a warped LG Optimus S, but upon closer inspection, you’ll see this isn’t the case. The area towards the bottom looks different than the Optimus S, as do the buttons.

LG has been hinting at something special for MWC, like the LG Optimus 3D, but we can’t be sure if that’s what we’re seeing here. Let’s not forget, however, that Sprint has a special announcement this evening, so perhaps some light will be shed at that time.

What do you think this Mystery Machine might be? Let us know in the comments!

Sprint to get this LG mystery phone?

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

What could make your Samsung Galaxy Tab even better? How about some more speed? Well, if your Tab is rocking Sprint, then some more speed could be in your future. Thanks to the minds over at XDA, the 1GHz Hummingbird processor has benefited from the new “Bauxite” kernel, which overclocks it to 1.2GHz.

Be sure to hit the source link to check it out for yourself, and let us know how your speedy new Tab treats you in the comments.

Sprint Samsung Galaxy Tab gets overclocked to 1.2 GHz

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

There was a rumor going ’round that the US-based Galaxy S phones weren’t going to see the Froyo update, and that it was a cost/political issue.   While we never really bought it here at Talkandroid, it was a popular rumor until a few days ago, when Phonescoop reported otherwise. We were pleased to hear that rumor was bogus, not only because it never really made sense, but because it would’ve been pretty underhanded of everyone involved. Well, today, both T-Mobile and Sprint have made statements regarding Froyo updates on their Galaxy S devices.
Read More…

Sprint and T-Mobile Speak Out About Froyo Updates for Galaxy S: Coming Soon

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Today, Sprint introduced a $10 price hike on their 3G smartphones. Sprint customers who get a new smartphone will have to pay $10 more for their data plan. Sprint says smartphones use more data since it introduced its $69 Simply Everything plan and it had to adjust prices.

The $10 Premium Data add-on charge previously applied only to WiMAX-enabled smarphones like Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO Shift 4G and Samsung Epic 4G. Now all Sprint smartphone owners will pay the $10 “premium” whether they use slower 3G data (EV-DO Rev A) or faster 4G (WiMAX) data.

Sprint says its price plans of are below AT&T’s and Verizon’s for a comparable plan, but they’re above T-Mobile’s. AT&T abandoned its unlimited data plans last year in favor of limited, while Verizon Wireless is trying out a cheaper limited plan along with a more expensive “unlimited plan”. Verizon does not offer a “4G” data plan for smartphones — it’s currently only available using a dongle.

Bill Shrink has a comparison of data plans.

• AT&T changed its data pricing model last June. The $30 “unlimited” smartphone data plan was dropped for two new tiered pricing options: $15 per month for 200MB (“DataPlus”) or $25 for 2GB (“DataPro”). On the $25 plan, you’ll pay $10 for each additional GB.
• Verizon offers 150-megabits of data for $15 a month, in a move to lure in new smartphone customers. Verizon’s new iPhone data plan (using CDMA-based EVDO Rev A), offers “unlimited” data for $30 per month, in contrast to AT&T. Verizon sets a separate 5GB data limit on its $30 tethering option and on data plans for USB modems.
  
• Sprint’s $69.99 a month, Everything Data with Any Mobile, Anytime includes unlimited messaging and web access, but the plan only includes 450 anytime minutes for voice calling. Limited data fees are 2GB for $25.00 and 200MB for $15.00.
  
• T-Mobile offers a limited 200-megabyte data plan for $10 a month, making it among the lowest in the industry. T-Mobile’s “Even More Plus” plans apply to customers who bring their own phones to the carrier or buy them from T-Mobile at unsubsidized prices, and can save $10-$20 a month, but you have to go to a T-Mobile store to get it. T-Mobile’s wireless data plans include a $24.99/200 MB monthly plan and a $39/5GB monthly plan. T-Mobile’s provides HSPA+ on their AWS band, which they call “4G”.

Prepaid Wireless Guide compares various Prepaid Wireless Broadband Plans.

All four of the nation’s leading carriers, along with their smaller competitors MetroPCS and Leap Wireless, are grappling with how to address skyrocketing data usage, and T-Mobile and Verizon will ultimately have to decide whether to follow Sprint into increase prices on unlimited service, or follow AT&T into tiered plans and usage caps, concludes Light Reading.

Related Dailywireless articles include; AT&T Data Caps Extend to Femtocells, AT&T’s New Data Plans, T-Mobile: Now HSPA+ Coverage for 75M, Clear: No Limits, and Phoney Spectrum Scarcity.

View full post on dailywireless.org

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, at the Detroit Economic Club, today unveiled the company’s M2M Connected Transportation initiative and shared examples of M2M solutions reducing environmental impacts, increasing public safety, and supporting the energy/smart grid.

“At Sprint, our vision goes beyond connecting millions of cars. We want to provide ‘Connected Transportation’ to trucks, buses, subways, taxis, planes, police cars and ambulances so that they can be instantly linked through voice, data and images,” said Hesse.

Connected Transportation helps companies optimize, schedule, monitor and track deliveries, personnel and vehicles and enables drivers to waste less fuel looking for delivery destinations, gas stations and other locales. Some of Sprint’s partners include:

• Aeris Communications, a Sprint partner, will leverage Sprint’s national network to provide cellular connectivity to Hyundai Motor America’s Blue Link connected vehicle program launching in 2011. Hyundai worked closely with ATX, a telematics service provider, and Aeris to build Blue Link to incorporate safety and security, entertainment, productivity and convenience features.
• PACCAR, parent company of Peterbilt and Kenworth Class 5-8 commercial vehicles, is working with Sprint to introduce a new integrated mobile computing, telematics, navigation and business system, branded as SmartNav for Peterbilt and NavPlus for Kenworth. It provides diagnostics/logistics, back-office, GPS/location-based services and other functionality to truck operators.
• Sprint is also working with ECOtality, to provide comprehensive wireless connectivity to more than 15,000 residential and commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout ECOtality’s nationwide Blink Network. ECOtality has begun installing the first of nearly 15,000 Level 2 EV charging stations along with more than 300 DC Fast Chargers at public and commercial sites throughout 2011.
• Police cars in San Jose, CA and ambulances across the United States are using technology from Feeney Wireless to create increased access and GPS/location-based connections to facilities, databases, dispatchers and fellow staff members for enhanced public safety, communications and reporting capabilities. Feeney Wireless helps companies and public agencies develop M2M and connected transportation solutions such as the mobile WiFi in Portland’s WES commuter rail.
• DriveCam developed a device which turns on a camera when g-forces indicate a driver is driving dangerously. The camera records the dangerous action and notifies the parents or fleet manager.
• Continental Airlines and Amtrak are already working with Sprint to install Wi-Fi, as well as digital signage and other applications.

Sprint’s Emerging Solutions Group develops M2M and embedded solutions. Sprint helps partners through their Sprint M2M Collaboration Center and the Sprint Command Center.

Meanwhile, SoloPower, announced yesterday that they will build a CIGS thin film factory in Wilsonville, Oregon, about 15 miles south of Portland. The factory will have a capacity of 300MW and employ approximately 500 people. A SoloPower panel weights 13 pounds and can produce 260 watts.

The efficiency, flexibility and ruggedness of CIGS technology might be ideal for solar-powered femtocells and WiFi hotspots on bus stops. San Francisco rolled out their first solar-powered bus stop in the summer of 2009. If you can generate 1000 watts a day, then powering a femto/WiFi hotspot using just 15-25 watts, would seem to leave plenty of power left over for lighting and even power electronic ETA maps (and ads) using color Nooks, ruggedized tablets or micro-projectors.

Related Dailywireless solar articles include; Facebook Gets Coal-Fired Blast, Solar Powered WiMAX & WiFi, Touch Screen Transit, SF Gets Solar Wi-Fi Bus Shelters , Open Transit Apps Compared, How to Create Transit Applications, Social Bicycles: Cheaper Bike Sharing, Bike Sharing Gets an App, Apps for The City, Augmented History, SOLARBrella Powers Laptops & Hotspots, Solar-powered WiFi Flowers, Solar WiFi Park Bench, Meraki: Wall Warts and Solar Power, Cell Towers Go Green with Renewables and Emergency Communications Applications.

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Sprint is now offering the 7″ Galaxy Tab for $299 (on contact), and $499 without a contract.

The big four US wireless carriers all introduced tablets and new smartphones at CES. They include:

• Sprint-Nextel: Sprint introduced two WiMAX devices at CES; the HTC EVO Shift 4G, a $149 WiMAX phone with Qualcomm MSM7630 (800 MHz) processor, sliding qwerty keyboard, Android 2.2), and the MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Novatel Wireless which costs $49.99 (on a 2 year contract). The BlackBerry Playbook with the BlackBerry tablet OS, 1 GHz, Adobe Mobile AIR support, will be available any day now. A WiMAX-enabled 7″ Galaxy Tab may also be likely in the near future (hence the discount for the 3G Galaxy Tab).
• T-Mobile USA: Three Android tablets will be available from T-Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Dell Streak 7 tablet and soon the 10″ LG Slate. At CES, T-Mobile and LG announced their upcoming Honeycomb-powered T-Mobile G-Slate, although that tablet isn’t expected to be available for several months. T-Mobile’s Samsung Vibrant 4G (a “4G” Galaxy S) phone, may be the first to take advantage of 21+ Mbps downlink speeds.
• AT&T Mobility: AT&T offers both the iPad and the Galaxy Tab with HSPA network connections. AT&T said it will launch two LTE-capable tablets in the summer of 2011 but gave no specifics on those devices. Their new phones include the Motorola ATRIX 4G (Android 2.2, 1GHz dual-core processor), HTC Inspire 4G (1GHz Android 2.2 smartphone with a 4.3-inch super LCD), Samsung Infuse 4 (Android 2.2 on a 1.2 GHz Hummingbird processor), and HTC FreeStyle (a BREW phone slated for launch in the first quarter of 2011).
• Verizon Wireless: Verizon said their Motorola’s Xoom tablet, a 10″ Honeycomb tablet with a 2-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras and connection for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices as well as an LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab, will be available this summer. The Cisco’s Cius Tablet will be also be available in Q2, as well as smartphones including the HTC Thunderbolt, LG Revolution, Motorola Droid Bionic and Samsung 4G LTE.

T-Mobile’s Streak 7 is perhaps the closest competition to the Galaxy Tablet. It combines a seven-inch WVGA touch screen with Gorilla Glass, Android 2.2, a dual core 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, and full support for Adobe Flash. It includes a rear-facing 5 megapixel camera and a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera preloaded with the Qik/Skype Video Chat application, for video-calling over T-Mobile’s network as well as Wi-Fi.

As a mobile Skype device, T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network, teamed with a compact, Tegra2-enabled Streak 7″ tablet might be hard to beat (until 4G gets built out). It also features SDHC card support so you can conveniently upload to Flickr from any Android 2.2 device. It ought to be standard issue for every photojournalist.

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The stars seem to be aligning for a Sprint iPhone.

View full post on Macworld

In the mobile and tech world we’re used to hearing time frames that are followed by delays. When the opposite happens, it’s a thing of beauty, and it appears a few potential Sprint EVO 4G Shift customers enjoyed a thing of beauty because they’re not “potential” owners any more. And they’ve got the receipts to prove it.

First off, Android Forums member “sarspants” snagged it for $149 at Radio Shack:

But that’s not the only place it popped up… Engadget readers reported the same from BestBuy and Sam’s Club.

If you’re eagerly awaiting the EVO 4G Shift, this is a friendly note that you may want to give your local Best Buy or Sam’s Club a call. And either way, you’ll probably want to head on over to our EVO Shift 4G Forums to follow the action with your friends.

View full post on Android Phone Fans

It’s looking like CES 2011 is definitely all about the BlackBerry PlayBook. Following up on our BlackBerry PlayBook review coverage, Sprint and RIM have officially announced that the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook will be available from Sprint this summer. I’m sure a lot of BlackBerry fans on Sprint will be excited for this one. The press release is below for full details.

Press Release

BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Coming to the Sprint 4G Network 

New 4G Tablet to Deliver Unmatched Power and Web Performance – Available Exclusively from Sprint this Summer

January 6, 2011 – CES 2011, Las Vegas, NV – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) and Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced plans to launch a new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet model featuring connectivity to the blazingly fast Sprint 4G network. The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook will be the first BlackBerry PlayBook model to include wide area wireless connectivity, featuring Sprint 4G to give customers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G1. This new 4G model is expected to be available from Sprint in the summer.

The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook is a professional-grade tablet that’s set to redefine the possibilities of mobile computing, giving users an ultra-portable design with industry leading performance, uncompromised web browsing, true multitasking and HD multimedia, as well as advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support. Together, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook and the Sprint 4G network will provide a high performance platform that will enable a mobile services revolution for both application developers and customers.

read more

CrackBerry.com‘s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Press Release: BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Coming to the Sprint 4G Network this summer!

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Sprint has two new WiMax/4G devices: the HTC Evo Shift 4G Android smartphone, and the MiFi 3G/4G mobile hotpot.

The Evo Shift 4G handset will ship running Android 2.2 with a 3.6” capacitive display, a 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture, and 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7630 processor. It will be available starting January 9 for $149.99 with a two-year contract. It’s the third WiMAX smartphone from Sprint, behind the HTC Evo 4G and Samsung Epic 4G (Galaxy S).

Sprint’s new MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Novatel Wireless is both 3G EV-DO Rev. A and WiMAX capable, with a MicroSD slot for up to 32GB memory card, and supports Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems. Sprint says the 1500mAh battery lasts four hours; 60 hours of standby time.

The MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot will be $49.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in rebate activation on a new two-year service agreement (or eligible upgrade). It will be available nationwide on Feb. 27 at all Sprint retail channels.

Both Sierra Wireless and Novatel Wireless are expected to introduce LTE-based mobile hotspots at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas. Engadget tracks the latest announcements on Mobile Hotspots.

In other CES news, Samsung’s SH100 camera lets you use smartphones like the Android-powered Galaxy S as a “real time” remote viewfinder, and can trigger the camera over WiFi. The SH100’s built in Wi-Fi can also automatically back up your shots to your PC by only pushing two buttons, or by using DLNA to wirelessly connect to your HDTV and see your photos and videos in real-time. It will be available in March for $199.99.

Meanwhile, Eye-Fi, makers of the wireless memory SD card, today announced Direct Mode, which enables a camera to connect to a smartphone or tablet. With Direct Mode, photos taken with your digital camera can immediately be sent to your smartphone or tablet. They can be viewed, uploaded and shared. Direct Mode will be available as a free upgrade to all Eye-Fi X2 cards later in 2011.

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Carriers are really heating things up when it comes to added offerings to its users. Sprint is cooking it even hotter by adding ESPN Pack to Sprint ID devices. Sprint ID is a service that downloads apps, widgets, wallpapers, ringtones and other content related to a person’s interest at the push of a button. The ESPN ID pack will allow fans to connect to their favorite teams and sports directly from their Android device’s home screen.

Users of the ESPN ID pack will have the following access and features;

• ScoreCenter: Keep up with the latest scores and stats from 500 leagues around the world with the ESPN ScoreCenter app. With ScoreCenter, fans never miss another goal, run, or touchdown.
• Video On Demand: Watch news and analysis from ESPN’s experts whenever and wherever.
• ESPN Mobile TV: Catch the latest sports news and highlights, fan favorite studio shows, and more than 900 live events per year.
• Fantasy Sports: Connect to ESPN Fantasy teams on the go. With one-tap Fantasy access, it’s never been easier to check on an injury, make a substitution or accept a trade.
• ESPN Extras: Download wallpaper, ringtones, notifications and alarms from a variety of ESPN programs including SportsCenter, Pardon The Interruption, SportsNation and more.

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for the Sports fan. This will look even nicer on the new Sprint EVO Shift 4G due to come out this week!

Full press Release below;

ESPN Pack Launches on Sprint ID Devices

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The tidal wave of 4G phones at CES is just beginning with Tuesday’s launch of the HTC EVO Shift 4G from Sprint.

View full post on Macworld

Today, Sprint has flipped the 4G switch for all you bay area users in San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto and Oakland. So all of you HTC EVO and Samsung Epic 4G users can go ahead and toggle your 4G mode and start using the high-speed Wimax network. Full press release here

View full post on AndroidSPIN

Looks like the boys over at xda have some new hacking goodness coming your way, and this time it’s against the carrier for the HTC Evo 4G, Sprint. You see, if you go over your allotted amount of data in a given month, Sprint will give you a little slap on the hand by throttling your data. This means that your data speeds will drop dramatically, leaving you scratching your head and throwing your phone.

However, xda user BThomas22x has found a weakness in the Evo file system, allowing your device to not succumb to Sprint’s data throttles and caps. The hack does require your device to be rooted, but is as simple as putting a file on your sd card and flashing it through recovery. If it doesn’t work that way, however, there is an alternate, more complicated method. It should be noted that this hack will not do anything to your current internet or data speeds, but will simply destroy any data throttles that Sprint tries to put on your device. If you’re ready to don your geek hat and give it a shot, check out the mod thread here, and be sure to let us know how it goes and what you think in the comments!

HTC Evo 4G hack aims to get around Sprint data throttling and caps, maximize data speeds

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Best By is starting to stock accessories for the new 4G smartphones from Sprint expected to be announced at CES 2011 in a few days. The name on the package shows that Sprint has decided to stick with the name Evo Shift 4G for the device, as seen above. Since Best Buy is stocking, the device should be available nation-wide within a couple weeks. The device should be priced at approximately $150 with a 2 year contract, and $549 without a contract.

We’ll see more at CES.

Sprint Picks Name as Evo Shift 4G Accessories Show at Best Buy

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

This should probably be considered the troll of the week. Stephanie Vinge, who is with corporate communication division and clearly been living in a cave these past few weeks tweeted the above message a few minutes ago.

I suppose someone should tell her that until ITU lowered their 4G standards last week, nobody, not even Sprint, had a 4G network. With that settled, T-Mobile has two 4G devices to match Sprint’s: The T-Mobile G2 and the MyTouch 4G.

It may be true that Verizon has yet to launch any 4G devices on their LTE network, so she can have this one. But I expect a follow up tweet on January 7th, restating where every company stands in the 4G forecast.

[via Into Mobile]

View full post on Android Phone Fans

Stephanie Vinge, a corporate communications manager with Sprint, today sprinkled a little trash talk on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network using her Twitter account.

“A little #4G math: # of T-Mobile 4G phones: 0 (oh wait, they don’t have a 4G network yet) # of VZW 4G phones: 0. # of Sprint 4G phones: 2.”

The words, “open mouth, insert foot” come to mind, in this clear case of misinformation.  This is strangely ironic, since the ITU, those fellas responsible for defining what 4G is, just declared LTE, WiMax and HSPA+ to be labeled as legitimate 4G technologies.  But what do they know? They have only been around for 145 years.  In addition, to further add insult to injury, a few tweets later she states that the ITU is just one “perspective.”  Really?  That’s like saying a particular law ruled by the Supreme Court is not valid because it’s just one perspective. Read More…

Sprint Trash Talks T-Mobile’s HSPA+ Network, Oh It’s On…

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Earlier today there was some information floating around about the expected release of BlackBerry 6 on Sprint for those of you making use of a BlackBerry Bold 9650 and Curve 3G devices. The information noted that starting December 22 users would be able to download BlackBerry 6 via OTA and then via desktop on December 29. Well, it appears that rollout has begun as we’ve had a few folks send us tips about the rollout. As you can see in the above image, the OS being delivered is 6.0.0.415 so, be sure to check for updates folks if you have a Bold 9650 or Curve 3G and let us know in the comments if you’re seeing it. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

CrackBerry.com‘s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Sprint rolling out OS 6.0.0.415 OTA's for the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and BlackBerry Curve 3G

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The 4G wars are officially raging. Sprint had a bit of a head start, but they’re not just resting on their laurels. They have 2 4G handsets out, and just launched 4G service in two new markets, bringing their total count to 70. Sprint customers in Denver, CO and Bridgeport, CT with 4G handsets can now take advantage of that premium data charge. Press release below.

Read More…

Sprint 4G Goes Live in Denver and Bridgeport

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Those of you in Denver and Bridgeport with your Sprint 4G devices, get ready to start your engines! Sprint just launched 4G in those two cities, bringing their total number of 4G powered cities to 70.

The battle for who has the “best” or “only true” 4G network has been heating up the past few months. T-Mobile claims theirs is the largest and the fastest, but Sprint says none of that does you any good if you don’t have the pipes. Verizon has been pretty quiet about their pipes, which should quickly cease after CES.

[Sprint Press Release]

View full post on Android Phone Fans

Remember last weekend, when we gave you the inside scoop on how the new Froyo update for the Samsung Intercept was bricking phones? According to the same insider, Samsung has pulled the defective update, squashed the bugs, and re-released the software. What does this mean for you? It means that, if you haven’t already downloaded the update, you should be safe to do so now. However, if you have downloaded the update and it has bricked your phone, you’ll have to take it into a Sprint store. The good news there is that, according to our inside tech, Sprint has discovered a software based fix, and should be able to get you out the door relatively painlessly.

What has your experience been with the update? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

Thanks Robert!

Sprint Insider: Samsung fixed Froyo update bugs for Intercept, safe to download

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

If you’ve avoided loading up the previously leaked OS 6.0.0.407 onto your BlackBerry Style no need to worry about that now. Sprint, has made the OS an official release and is available for all to download. Hit the link and get your update on as soon as you can. Of course, if you have the leak already installed you can just ignore this and be on your way.

Click Here To Download The Official OS 6.0.0.407 From Sprint

Source: BBLeaks

CrackBerry.com‘s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Official OS 6.0.0.407 now available for the BlackBerry Style 9670 from Sprint

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