Sprint Samsung Intrepid Windows Phone sneaks in touchscreen

You'd be forgiven for thinking that AT&T and Verizon had the lions share of the Windows Phone action today, but Sprint would hate for you to think they're left out.  They've launched the Samsung Intrepid, at first glance a straightforward candybar handset with a full QWERTY keyboard, but which in fact includes a touchscreen and thus runs Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional rather than Standard.

That's an unusual form-factor, but other than the display – a 2.5-inch 320 x 240 resistive panel – it's a reasonably straightforward Windows Phone.  As well as EVDO Rev.A the Intrepid supports GSM for international use, together with WiFI and Bluetooth, a 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS.

There's also a microSD card slot, integration with Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, and of course the latest version of Internet Explorer Mobile with Flash Lite.  The Intrepid will be available from October 11th, priced at a heady $149.99 post-rebates and assuming a two-year agreement.

Press Release:

Sprint Customers Get Smooth Combination of Windows Productivity, Rich Internet Browsing and Advanced Personalization Options with Samsung Intrepid Smartphone

Available Oct. 11, Samsung Intrepid on America's most dependable 3G network offers the best value in wireless on an international-capable Windows® phone when purchased with an Everything Data plan featuring unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 6, 2009– Sprint (NYSE: S) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the United States1, today announced the upcoming arrival of Samsung IntrepidTM smartphone, a dynamic Windows® phone that lets the customer be productive on-the-go using America's most dependable 3G network (EV-DO Rev. A)2 domestically and through international roaming when traveling worldwide.

Samsung Intrepid features Windows Mobile® 6.5 Professional, and improves on previous Samsung Windows phones with a user experience that offers a customizable Today screen to display the features the user accesses most often and shows important information like new emails, text messages, missed calls and calendar appointments. It also has a richer Internet browsing experience and new personalization options including a diverse selection of designer themes and the ability to create an original look for your phone with the built-in theme creator.

Samsung Intrepid adds to Sprint's robust line of international devices allowing its customers to leverage America's most dependable network domestically and other high-performance, world class networks abroad. Global business travelers can rest easy knowing Sprint has a solution to keep people connected when they travel in the United States and abroad.

This device is a strong addition to Sprint's business device portfolio and features a 2.5-inch touchscreen interface with 320x240 resolution, full QWERTY keyboard, 3.2 megapixel camera and camcorder, and combines a robust mobile office experience with all the must have Microsoft Office Mobile-capabilities like corporate email and the ability to view attachments and manage your calendar. Additional business features include:

Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional with Microsoft ActiveSync® and Microsoft Office Mobile (edit Word and Excel® files, view PowerPoint®)

Windows Mobile email (work & personal)

stereo Bluetooth®

multimedia with microSD slot (up to 32 GB)

easy access to social networking sites, including Facebook®, Flickr® and Twitter

instant messaging and threaded text messaging

Wi-Fi

Pre-installed SIM

It will be available on Sunday, Oct. 11 for $149.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement, and after a $50 instant savings and $100 mail-in rebate, at Sprint stores, Web sales (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), Sprint Business Direct and select third-party dealers.

"Combined with America's most dependable 3G network and Sprint's affordable rate plans, Samsung Intrepid is a great value for our customers who want a Windows phone with International capabilities," said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development, Sprint. "This phone offers the robust enterprise capabilities of Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, and a best-in-class email experience with smooth Web surfing and access to applications that are both useful and fun."

"Samsung Intrepid makes it easier for people to do more on the go by giving them the choice to use voice or touch input on a sleek new Windows phone," said Andy Lees, senior vice president of Microsoft's Mobile Communication Business. "Samsung Intrepid on Sprint's reliable network is a great example of how customers benefit when industry leaders rally around a common goal – in this case convenience."

"Samsung is excited to have the Windows phone operating system integrated into the new Samsung Intrepid," said Omar Khan, senior vice president of Strategy and Product Management for Samsung Mobile. "Intrepid's global connectivity, Wi-Fi capabilities touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard options combined with document editing, imaging and messaging capabilities and enhanced multitasking make this device a perfect fit for international business and personal use."

Innovative Features and Applications

Featuring Internet Explorer Mobile® 6, Samsung Intrepid offers powerful Web search capabilities with a touch-friendly user interface and Bing™ for mobile information while on-the-go, the ability to view Web sites in Mobile or Desktop view and better zoom, scroll and pan features for easier Web site navigation and an Adobe Flash Lite® plug-in that allows Samsung Intrepid users to enjoy rich Flash-based games, videos and other interactive Web content on their phone. Additional upgrades over previous Samsung Windows Mobile phones include:

Windows Marketplace for Mobile offering a rich and integrated marketplace of quality applications for purchase using a Windows Live ID

Lock screen allows users to receive calls, keep track of upcoming calendar appointments and view recent activities, all while the phone is still locked

Microsoft® My Phone service allows users to access, manage and back up their personal information on their device using a password-protected, Web-based service

Samsung Intrepid from Sprint is the first device to offer Microsoft Corp.'s TellmeTM mobile experience, which allows customers to use their voice to dial a contact, compose a text message and search the Web using America's most dependable 3G network. The Tellme application can search business listings, traffic, maps, driving directions, movies and weather, instantly with the touch of a button and a person's voice. With Tellme, Samsung Intrepid users only need to push a button and say 'coffee shop' to get the location of nearby cafes.

Worry-free Pricing Plans

With its powerful data experience, Samsung Intrepid will benefit from the value of Sprint's Everything Data plans, with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, which gives customers unlimited mobile calling on the Sprint network to and from any U.S. wireless carrier, unlimited nationwide texting, email, Web browsing and much more, starting at just $69.99. For customers that want Sprint's Simply EverythingSM Plan that offers a truly unlimited experience for only $99.99 per month, and they can save $1,200 over two years vs. a comparable AT&T iPhone® plan3. (All price plans exclude surcharges and taxes. Other exclusions apply.)

Sprint also offers great value on international service plans for Samsung Intrepid. The Worldwide Data plan gives customers email and Web access in more than 145 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other locations using CDMA technology, and with GSM/GPRS carriers abroad where Sprint has applicable roaming agreements. The plan is available for $69.99 per month, or just $40 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges) as an attachable to Simply Everything, Everything Data, Everything Data Family or Business Advantage Messaging and Data.

Sprint international voice roaming rates range from $0.59 to $5.99 per minute, depending on where customers are calling. Customers making frequent calls while in Canada can take advantage of a specific service plan for $2.99 per month which allows calls to be made and received at $0.20 per minute. Customers also have the option of using a third-party SIM for international voice and data services.

Sprint provides voice coverage in 195 countries and data coverage in more than 145 countries. The Sprint Worldwide voice plan (International Voice Roaming Discount Plan) enhances the value proposition for Sprint's International devices like the Samsung Intrepid, HTC Touch Pro II and the Blackberry Tour. Customers can add the plan at anytime for $4.99/month; discounted prices available for more than 110 countries; discounts range from $0.10/minute to $3.00/minute with plan. For more information on Sprint's International Services, go to www.sprint.com/international.

Sprint offers an additional value as the only wireless carrier to offer Ready Now with trained retail associates that work one-on-one with customers to personalize their Samsung Intrepid, set up features and demonstrate how it works before the customer leaves the store. Customers have the choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate at the time of purchase or they can schedule an appointment for a later time at www.sprint.com/storelocator.

The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 269 million people, 18,652 cities and 1,838 airports. The Sprint Networks (inclusive of data roaming) have more than twice the coverage of AT&T's current 3G network and more than 20 times the coverage of T-Mobile's current 3G network, both based on square miles4.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving almost 49 million customers at the end of the second quarter of 2009; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company's customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

1 Based upon reported shipment data from Strategy Analytics Q1 2009 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Report.

2 Dependable" based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability, and signal strength for the top 50 most populous US markets (including PR) from January 2008 to July 2009. Not all services are available on 3G, and coverage may default to a separate network when 3G is unavailable.

3 Savings based on publicly available information comparing AT&T Nation Unlimited plus required iPhone data plan and optional unlimited text messaging totaling $149.99/month for AT&T as of publication date, excluding taxes, surcharges and fees. iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

4 Coverage comparison based on publicly available information as of 4/01/09 inclusive of Sprint roaming partners. Based on square miles. Coverage comparison based on publicly available information as of 4/1/09 inclusive of Sprint roaming partners. Based on square miles.