samsung instinct

Queue the drum roll, ladies and gentlemen Sprint’s self-proclaimed iPhone killer, the Samsung Instinct, has just been updated via OTA updates.  Most notable improvements include an updated web browser with improved rendering, increased compatibility and now the Live Search button launches the browser in full-screen mode.  While no firmware update will magically turn the Instinct’s browser into Safari, it is a start and the update should receive a very warm welcome from the Instinct community.

The OTA update can be downloaded directly to your device by checking for upgrades.  It will take about a minute to download if you are in a EVDO Rev A area and about 5 minutes to complete the installation.  Keep in mind that the Update will erase your Bookmarks so be cautious before taking the plunge.

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With the pending release of the iPhone 3G across Best Buy stores nationwide, Sprint has decided to pair up with RadioShack to begin expanding the Samsung Instinct’s availability. RadioShack Corporation announced it will launch Sprint’s Samsung Instinct nationwide this Labor Day weekend. As part of the nationwide launch, RadioShack will be offering a 4-day exclusive retail price of $99.99 in more than 4,400 convenient neighborhood RadioShack stores. The special pricing will be available to new Sprint customers only starting Friday, August 29 and running through Labor Day weekend.

The big question on our end is how many Samsung Instincts has Sprint actually sold.  We know the Instinct is the most successful EVDO device, but we are all about the numbers.  We wish Sprint the best of luck and hopefully we see the carrier return to the status it held in 2006.

Visit RadioShack.com or any local RadioShack store for more details

Earlier this week Canadian mobile operator Telus launched the Samsung Instinct.  While the device has been described by some as the “iPhone killer”, it remains to be seen how well the device will sell in Canada verse the iPhone 3G on Rogers network.  You can pickup the Samsung Instinct on Telus today for $129.99 on a 3 year contract (minimum $15 plan for 3 months).  It is worth noting that this is the exact same price that Bell Mobility is selling the Instinct, but Telus has sweetened the deal for those of you looking to skip the contract.  The sans-contract price on Telus is $399.99 versus the $479.95 price tag on Bell.

Paul Brannen, General Manager, Wireless Terminal Division, Samsung Electronics Canada said “Samsung is committed to creating technologically advanced devices that enhance the lives of our customers. While our INSTINCT device is not intended to replace a person’s instincts, it does have several features that may help if your own instincts let you down.”

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Instinct Application Upgrades Live

As you have noticed, the application updates for the Instinct were turned on recently. We are pushing updates to improve your experience with Picture Mail, the web browser, Sprint TV and Radio, Sprint Navigation, Sprint Email, Sprint Music Store, Visual Voicemail and Mobile Sync.

Not all apps are updating at the same time – but we have released the ‘go’ signal to the vendors. As you run each app, you will be prompted to upgrade – all the upgrades will be over the air. We’ll keep you posted as new information comes out about this and future updates to your Instinct phone.

—- Update Aug 14 - what’s changing:

Picture Mail
• Reduce system busy errors for large picturemails
• Reduction of “408″ timeout errors when sending large picturemails

Browser
• Optimized vending machine shopping experience
• More robust and user friendly access to Yahoo, Hotmail, Best Buy, YouTube
• Remove feature that sent browser back one page with camera button

Sprint TV/Radio
• Optimizations to resolutions for streaming video playback
• Reductions of pausing. freezing and “flashing” during streaming video playback
• Greatly increased start up and channel change speed

Sprint Navigation
• Session will no longer run in background, preserving battery life

Sprint E-Mail
• Ability to save email address from favorites menu

Sprint Music Store
• Eliminates skips when listening via Bluetooth headset
• Eliminates periodic timeouts for Websync of music
• Eliminates changing of tracks when turning on screen from sleep mode
• Eliminates periodic failure of skip button
• Eliminates play/pause stopping after 30 - 35 minutes of music play

Push Info Services/Pocket Express
• Increased ability to play video clips
• Content for movie listing displays correctly
• Eliminates periodic error for movie details/review

Visual Voicemail/Mobil Sync
• Handle and present voicemail notification when out of data service
• Eliminates “choppy” playback when dragging progress bar
• Contact picture/image now shown correctly in playback form

Please keep in mind that these applications are updated by the vendor, and the vendors set their own schedules. For example, they may turn it on for one hour per day, updating 1/24th of the handsets in service per day. You will be automatically notified of the update when you launch the application.

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With the mounting reviews suggesting that the single most disappointing feature of the Samsung Instinct is the web browser, you would think that the first software update would fix this problem, right?  Unfortunately Sprint’s iPhone killer still remains at browser version 1.0 and the only noticeable improvements are a slight reduction to overall phone lag and possible reduced pixelation on SprintTV.  If you are wondering whether your Samsung Instinct needs to be updated to the new software simply go to Main -> Settings -> General -> Phone Information and check to see which software version you are running:

• [OLD] SW:ES.M800 BE09 
• [NEW] SW:ES M800 BF30

Additional bad news seems to be coming in suggesting that the Opera 4.1 Mini browser still does not offer a keyboard, making the browser useless and forcing Instinct owners to continue to make due with built-in offerings.  Overall the general mood can be summarized as utter disappointment and too little too late.  With the single biggest improvement being the ability for the battery to show 100% instead of 90% Sprint has their work cut out for them, but at least they waited until the 30 day return window was up so early adopters are now tied into the phone for another 2 years.

If you want additional information and a support group for the not-so-great update there is a thread up over at Instinct-Samsung.com HERE. 

Best Buy and Sprint have something to kill your iPhone 3G pre-buzz quick according to the latest press release direct from the big-box retailer.  According to Best Buy sales figures, the Sprint Samsung Instinct has hit record sales in its first two weeks at Best Buy. According to John Garcia, President of Sprint’s Wireless Division,

We have a winner in Instinct. Current customers are spear-heading the demand for this innovative device. Our customers are recognizing the convenience of Instinct’s user interface, the intelligence of integrated GPS services and the terrific speed and reach of our national mobile broadband network.”

The one question that still remains unanswered is exactly how many units have been sold.  With all of the commercials and direct side-by-side comparisons to the iPhone, it seems that Sprint is sweeping the important details under the rug.  In any case I think that we are all very impressed by the buzz on the Samsung Instinct and the outages in Sprint Stores across the country.

Full Press Release:

July 9, 2008 (Minneapolis) - Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) today announced that early sales results are showing the Samsung Instinct™, exclusively from Sprint, to be the retailer’s best selling handset in the past two years. Best Buy Mobile launched the Instinct nationwide June 19, as Sprint’s exclusive national retail partner. The sleek, highly touted Sprint multimedia phone produced record sales in its first two weeks at Best Buy, which has seen its sales of higher-end, multimedia phone increase 10x in the past year since Best Buy Mobile began its national roll out.

Best Buy Mobile is the wireless retail experience for North America’s largest electronics retailer, and offers customers one of the widest selections of wireless carriers, phones and accessories in the U.S.

“Customers can choose from up to 95 different phones at their local Best Buy Mobile, and – increasingly – our customers are gravitating toward feature-rich handsets that let them do more with their mobile device, including e-mail, web browsing, and GPS navigation,” said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. “Phones such as the Samsung Instinct from Sprint have helped Best Buy deliver the latest and greatest in technology to our customers.”

As part of customers’ purchase, Best Buy Mobile is extending its unique Walk Out Working™ program exclusively to all Instinct purchases in July and August. Walk Out Working provides multimedia and smart phone set up and personalization – such as e-mail and data transfer — ensuring that the technology will be ready to use immediately.

“We have a winner in Instinct,” said John Garcia, President of Sprint’s Wireless Division. “Current customers are spear-heading the demand for this innovative device. Our customers are recognizing the convenience of Instinct’s user interface, the intelligence of integrated GPS services and the terrific speed and reach of our national mobile broadband network.”

Instinct maximizes the user experience by combining full touch screen functionality with fast speeds available on the mobile broadband network. This revolutionary device speeds up the user experience and brings the customer’s most-used applications and contacts within a single finger tap.

Instinct has a high-tech look with a large, vibrant touch screen featuring localized tactile feedback, called haptics, which allow the virtual QWERTY keypad and other operations to become a sensory experience. The device also offers a Speech to Action button providing many functions using voice activation including call, text, picture messaging, traffic, movie, sports, news and search. Instinct allows the user to quickly browse the Web, access business or personal e-mail, share pictures, listen to commercial-free radio and more, all at broadband speeds.

Best Buy Mobile was created as a joint venture with leading U.K. mobile retailer Car Phone Warehouse (CPW) in 2006. The new store concept enables customers to make more informed and personalized choices by offering: a wide selection of phones (as many as 95 per store), networks and accessories; informed, impartial, non-commissioned sales associates; and straightforward pricing and post-purchase support. Best Buy Mobile addresses the frustration many U.S. consumers say they experience with their mobile phone purchases.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe and China, Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy Co., Inc. family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $40 billion annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, and Speakeasy. Approximately 150,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2008, we donated a combined $31.8 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy Co., Inc., visit www.bestbuyinc.com. ‘

Word on the street is that Canadian CDMA carrier, Bell Mobility, will be picking up the infamous iPhone-killing SPH-800 Samsung Instinct this August.  According to MobileinCanada, the Instinct will be released on August 8th for as little as $149.95 on a three year contract, $249.95 on a two year contract and $399.95 on a one year contract.  If contracts are not your style you can also pickup the Samsung Instinct contract free for $449.95 which is identical to the Sprint retail price.

It looks like the North American CDMA carriers might be forming an allegiance to the Instinct to combat sales of Apple’s iPhone 3G rather than releasing dozens of different devices that fit the ‘almost, but no quite’ category of touchscreen handsets.  With a full touchscreen that comes with a stylus, 2.0 megapixel camera, live tv and radio, the EVDO Rev A powered Samsung Instinct should fare well with our Canadian brothers.

Bell Mobility Samsung Instinct SPH-800 Specifications:

Popular Sprint forum site, Sprintusers.com, is reporting that things are about to change for SERO Plans and the ‘Now Network’.  According to the sources, Sprint SERO Plans will be increasing for all new customers, but existing customers will be grandfathered in and able to keep their current plans.  Those of you on the $30/month and $50/month plans will remain fine, but friends and family looking to sign up will pay $29.99 price increase.  The Sprint SERO 500 minute plan will now become $59.99/month and the 1250 minute plan will drop to 1000 minutes for $79.99/month.

Also worth mentioning is that SERO Plans will soon be compatible with the Samsung Instinct starting July 13th.  Whether or not these changes reflect the compatible plans is unclear, but we suspect they have something to do with the Instinct.  The bottom line is that if you are interested in a $30/month plan that includes 500 anytime minutes, unlimited data / text / picture messaging and 7pm nights and weekends, the time to sign up is slowing ticking away.  Read on over at the Sprintusers forum for an ongoing discussion and up to date leaks for the new SERO plans

Sprint SERO discussion - Sprintusers

Hot damn! It looks like Sprint might actually be turning that $9/share stock price around to 2006 levels ($20+) if things keep staying on the up and up.  With the Samsung Instinct selling like hot cakes, by Sprint standards, the news has spread quickly to the big wigs at the number one CDMA carrier in the US, Verizon Wireless.  According to a statement from Verizon president, Denny Strigl, he told investors that Sprint’s performance over the last month improved but the improvements have not affected Verizon, yet.  Although he did not suggest Sprint would be competing with Verizon Wireless any time soon, acknowledging the recent success is worth mentioning.  

Whether the Instinct ends up being a serious competitor in volume to the iPhone 3G is unlikely, but Sprint has seemed to silence the launch of Verizon’s LG Dare. It looks like the superior camera, built-in accelerometer and smaller dimensions of the LG Dare are not attracting the same volume of sales as the launch of their LG Voyager.  On the flip side, Verizon did not spend $100 million on advertising for the launch of the Dare.

[via: treocentral]