sprint

Documents found at FCC site revealed some information about the Motorola i680, a rugged clamshell for the Sprint Nextel network. The handset supports 800/900MHz iDEN bands, and has Bluetooth and GPS. Photos show that the i680 also comes with two displays, a camera with flash, microSD card slot and a headset jack. According to the draft user manual, other features include video capture, threaded messaging, audio/video media playback and PTX services.

Sprint Nextel intends to reduce the number of its employees by 2,000 to 2,500, which should help save about $350 million annually. Lay offs will take place in all the company's branches across the country, and should be mostly implemented by December 31st.

Sprint has confirmed that it will also offer the BlackBerry Curve 8530. Exact pricing and availability wasn't announced.

Sprint has added another Android phone to its lineup, namely the Samsung Moment. It comes with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a large AMOLED screen, and will be yours for $179.99 after $100 rebate after a 2-year contract. We'd suggest you to wait for the DROID to come out.

Sprint Nextel has recently released the new Sanyo SCP-3810. It is an entry-level clamshell that features:

• 2.4" internal screen;
• Hidden external LCD;
• 1.3Mpix camera;
• GPS (for navigation and geo-taggin images);
• Bluetooth 2.0;
• Mobile email;
• Threaded SMS;
• Picture Mail;
• IM messaging services

The Sanyo 3810 is available for free after rebates with a new contract.

Sprint Nextel has launced its WiMax wireless broadband network in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Unlimited 4G/3G data plans are now available at $70 per month.

BlackBerry Curve 8330 and 8330m owners at Sprint can now get the official OS 4.5.0.175 update for their handsets. The file can be downloaded here. If you’re on another carrier, you’ll need to delete the vendor.xml file (located in c:program files > common files > research in motion > apploader) to install.

Be sure to take all the necesary precautions.

Sprint is now offering the Motorola i856 Debut, a Nextel Direct Connect PTT slider phone, which is also available from Boost Mobile. You can get it for just $99 after rebate with new contract.

Sprint has added a new color to its Motorola i776. The phone is now available in purple and still costs $80 on contract.