Consumer Electronics Daily News

Introducing AmazonWireless – A New Amazon Web Site Offering Cell Phones & Service Plans

Easy-to-Use Web Site Guides Customers Through the Purchase Process; Rebate-Free Shopping and FREE Two-Day Shipping on All Phones

Amazon.com, Inc. has announced the beta launch of AmazonWireless, a new Web site offering cell phones and service plans, easy shopping without rebate hassles and FREE Two-Day Shipping on a broad selection of phones from AT&T and Verizon Wireless. In addition to expanding selection and adding carriers during the beta test phase, Amazon will be testing different features and gathering input from customers to ensure the best possible customer experience.

“We've taken our eight years’ experience selling cell phones to create a new site that makes a potentially confusing transaction much easier for customers,” said Paul Ryder, vice president of Consumer Electronics for Amazon.com. “The step-by-step purchase process on AmazonWireless makes it easy for customers who already have a plan to upgrade their phones. If you want to establish new cell phone service, we’ve made it simple to find the right phone, service plan and options for your needs. We’ve also eliminated the technical jargon and frustrating rebate paperwork that customers often face when buying a phone.”

AmazonWireless currently offers more than 120 phones, including a great selection of smart phones and the latest models for shoppers on a budget. Customers can shop for phones by carrier, phone feature, price, color and brand. The site’s shopping cart guides customers through each stage of the purchase process, where customers will find familiar Amazon features like bestseller lists, detailed product descriptions and customer reviews.

AmazonWireless is owned and operated by Amazon.com. Customers shop securely with their Amazon.com accounts and benefit from Amazon’s world-class service and security. All phones purchased on AmazonWireless are eligible for FREE Two-Day Shipping.

For additional information visit AmazonWireless.

EA Los Angeles Announces The Development Of Command & Conquer 4

Next Game in the Best-Selling Real-Time-Strategy Series Will Reveal the Epic Conclusion of the Tiberium Saga

Behold disciples of Nod, the end is soon upon us. Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that, after almost 15 years and 30 million games sold, EALA is bringing the award-winning Tiberium series to an epic conclusion with Command & Conquer™ 4. Shipping in 2010, Command & Conquer 4 will introduce a multitude of innovations to the to the classic fast and fluid Command & Conquer gameplay while retaining the core compulsions that fans have come to love over the series’ history. Introducing new class-based gameplay, mobile bases and persistent player progression throughout all game modes, Command & Conquer 4 offers players new, innovative and compelling strategic depth.

“Command & Conquer is a powerful franchise with an amazing 15-year legacy. We are thrilled to bring the dramatic Tiberium saga to a conclusion in Command & Conquer 4. This game is designed to give fans all the answers they’ve been looking for,” said Mike Glosecki, Lead Producer of Command & Conquer 4 at EA Los Angeles. “With its objective-based multiplayer mode, persistent player progression and all-in-one mobile base, players will experience Command & Conquer like never before.”

The story of Command & Conquer 4 takes place after the events of the critically acclaimed Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars™. The year is 2062 and humanity is at the brink of extinction. With only six years left until the mysterious crystalline structure Tiberium renders the earth entirely uninhabitable, the two opposing factions – Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod – inevitably find themselves in desperation for the same cause: to stop Tiberium from extinguishing mankind. The unthinkable becomes reality and Nod’s enigmatic leader Kane takes off for GDI headquarters. What is Kane planning in the heart of his enemies’ base? Command & Conquer 4 draws the epic conclusion to the beloved Tiberium universe, where fans will learn the fate of Earth, Nod, Tiberium, GDI and most importantly, Kane’s motivations behind his decade-long plan.

In addition to the two campaigns on the epic battles of GDI and Nod, which players will get to conquer alone or in a cooperative mode, Command & Conquer 4 will also feature a new 5v5 objective-based multiplayer mode, promoting teamwork and cooperation and delivering a social real-time-strategy experience never seen before in a Command & Conquer game.

Command & Conquer 4 is being developed at EA Los Angeles and will ship to retailers in 2010 for the PC. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information about the game, please visit www.commandandconquer.com or follow the community and development team on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ea_apoc. The July 24th episode of BattleCast™ PrimeTime will give fans the latest news and exclusive information on Command & Conquer 4. Additionally, Gametrailers TV will exclusively reveal the first cinematic trailer for Command & Conquer 4 in its July 23rd episode on SPIKE TV.

About Command & Conquer

The groundbreaking Command & Conquer franchise was one of the first to introduce players to the modern RTS genre, has spawned over a dozen PC titles, and ranks in the top 5 best-selling PC franchises of all-time according to the NPD Group. Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium WarsTM was the number #1 selling PC RTS of 2007 and won numerous awards, including the “Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year” award from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Additionally, Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 and Command & Conquer Generals were the number one best-selling* PC RTS titles in 2000 and 2003 respectively. Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ 3 won the 2008 “Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year” award from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Collectively, the series has sold more than 30 million units worldwide to date. The franchise boasts one of the largest and most active fan communities in the world. 

For more information visit Command & Conquer.

Manage Your Life In The Zoo As ZooLoo.com Launches

ZooLoo.com, an Internet start-up located in Scottsdale, Ariz., announced its public beta launch.

ZooLoo allows users to manage their life online on their own domain name, and is a combination of personal space and their own site. ZooLoo utilizes a patent-pending Privacy Manager that gives users the control to display different content to different people or groups.

“Our mission is simply this—to create a smarter, more personal way to experience the Web for the everyday person,” said ZooLoo CEO Jeff Herzog. “We know people want online privacy, personalization and a site that is truly their own; these pieces are currently missing from the marketplace. We aspire to incorporate the best services and features on the Web to make ZooLoo everyone’s online home.”

ZooLoo’s personal space features include:

• My ZooLoo – Web dashboard that brings a user’s interests into one place to manage news, photos, videos, calendars, dinner reservations, local events, music and integrated third-party sites, including Facebook, Twitter, eBay and Flickr
• zSocial – Integrated social platform
• My Media – Upload, store and share photos and videos
• zPrints – Create and purchase photo prints and custom gifts
• Shopping – Customizable shopping mall that allows users to access their favorite stores and brands
• Entertainment - Entertainment center with on-demand TV shows, music, videos, movie previews and more
• zLife - Organizational tools, including calendars, to-do lists, contact management and an event invitation system
• ZooLoo’s site builder features include:

zCreator – Easy-to-use site builder and publisher

Blog – Personal or professional blogging publisher

zControls – Patent-pending Privacy Manager that allows users to set individual permissions to the pages and albums on their site

“ZooLoo brings everything that’s important to you into one place around your own domain name. Instead of going to multiple news, shopping and entertainment sites each day, visiting Facebook and Twitter and checking various e-mail accounts, you can do it all in one place with ZooLoo,” said ZooLoo Co-Founder and Spokesperson Jill Miles. “When friends visit your site, they can each have a completely different experience, based on the permissions you’ve set.”

ZooLoo, which has been in development since the summer of 2008, recently concluded extensive private testing. The company, now in public beta launch, is allowing only a certain number of users onto the site during this period. The team is working on its next release, which includes additional integrated sites, an iPhone application, expanded on-demand entertainment library and an innovative audience-driven advertising platform.

“ZooLoo will be continuously evolving,” said Herzog.

Before developing ZooLoo, Herzog was recognized as the Founder and CEO of iCrossing, a leading digital marketing company. In 10 years, Herzog developed the company from an inspired idea into one of the leading digital marketing companies in the world, with over $100M in annual revenue.

ZooLoo is part of the Zog Media suite of companies and is actively seeking partnerships. 

For more information visit Zooloo.

T-Mobile myTouch 3G With Google Now Available For Pre-Sale For Current T-Mobile Customers

Nationwide Retail Availability for the Highly Anticipated Smartphone Begins Aug. 5

T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced today the beginning of its special pre-sale program for existing customers who want to be among the first to get their hands on the much-anticipated T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G. Beginning today, current T-Mobile customers can visit www.T-MobilemyTouch.com to order the company’s latest Android™-powered device, and be the first to put their own personal touch on myTouch 3G.

Existing customers who order the device during the pre-sale period from July 8–28 can qualify for myTouch 3G delivery before the national retail launch. T-Mobile today announced national retail availability of the device will begin on Aug. 5.

T-Mobile once again has partnered with Google to deliver a rich mobile experience that includes one-touch access to the Google™ mobile services that millions use every day including Google Search™ by voice, Google Maps™ with Street View, YouTube™ and Picasa™. Designed by HTC, T-Mobile myTouch 3G boasts a sleek and lightweight look and feel, a full touchscreen and virtual keyboard, and new features that allow customers to truly make their phone their own, inside and out.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our customers that a deeper level of personalization matters to them,” said Denny Marie Post, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “That is why we placed so much emphasis on breaking the mold with myTouch 3G: to provide customers with boundless ways to make their phone a true expression, and extension, of themselves.”

On the inside, myTouch provides customers with the ability to richly personalize the entire theme of the device with new widgets, icons and wallpapers, which can be added directly on the homescreen. Android Market™ also boasts thousands of applications that can deliver further customization to customers based on their personal passions and preferences. In addition, starting next month, T-Mobile will launch a new application within Android Market called AppPack that will highlight a variety of noteworthy applications to help customers further personalize their myTouch 3G, manage their T-Mobile accounts and help make the most of their T-Mobile experience. Some of the recommended applications will include Sherpa™, imeem mobile and Movies by Flixster, plus T-Mobile applications including myAccount, myFaves®, HotSpot Locator and Visual Voicemail.

On the outside, a variety of accessories and pre-designed shell patterns will soon be available for myTouch, at retail and online. For true individualization, customers will also be able to design a unique shell using a dedicated Web site. Shells will be able to be customized in a variety of ways, including uploading a personal photo, graphic design, or selecting text, shapes, icons or logos. The final design is custom-printed onto the shell, then shipped.

In addition, an entire ecosystem of accessories will be available for myTouch from gel skins to device cases to wrist straps to covers. Five distinct accessory packs, including a music bundle with portable speakers and a fitness pack that includes a fitness belt and arm band, allow customers to further match the phone to their unique lifestyle.

For more information visit T-Mobile.

Sun Microsystems Unveils VirtualBox 3.0 With Powerful New Server Virtualization Features

New Capabilities Span Desktop-to-Datacenter Workloads; Sun VirtualBox Sets New Marks With Unprecedented Market Uptake of Desktop Virtualization Software

Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced a significant new version of Sun^TM VirtualBox^TM, its high performance, cross-platform virtualization software. VirtualBox 3.0 is capable of creating and running multi-processor virtual machines that can handle heavyweight server-class workloads, and also delivers enhanced graphics support for desktop-class workloads, reinforcing VirtualBox's position as one of the world's most popular virtualization platforms. 

Many multi-threaded server-based workloads, such as database and Web applications, can benefit from Symmetric Multiple Processing (SMP) systems, which contain multiple CPUs. VirtualBox 3.0 can now support virtual SMP systems with up to 32 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) in a single virtual machine. With this major enhancement, VirtualBox software can be used to run not only desktop workloads on client or server systems, but also demanding server workloads.

“The rapid evolution and proliferation of VirtualBox software continues,” said Jim McHugh, vice president of marketing, Datacenter Software, Sun Microsystems. “With each new version, VirtualBox software delivers more innovation, performance and power. And as virtualization continues to gain momentum in the market, the world's developers and IT decision makers are turning to VirtualBox en masse.”

“VirtualBox is a key embedded technology in our Business and Disaster Recovery product line. The great new SMP capabilities in the VirtualBox software allow us to build even more powerful products satisfying our most demanding customers,” said Akash Saraf, CEO of Zenith Infotech.

A key component of Sun's industry-leading desktop-to-datacenter virtualization portfolio, VirtualBox software has been rapidly growing in popularity, surpassing 14.5 million downloads and 4 million registrations worldwide, as well as more than 25,000 downloads a day. A mere 50 megabyte download, VirtualBox software is incredibly compact and efficient and installs in just a few minutes.

New server features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include:

• Up to 32 vCPUs per guest to accommodate heavyweight data-processing workloads.
  
• Hypervisor enhancements for SMP to enable optimum performance.
  
• Updated API platform designed to be the basis of the community-driven VirtualBox Web Console project, which is coming soon to allow IT administrators to manage their datacenters from a Web console. This project is based on the popular Python language.
  

New desktop features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include:

• Microsoft Direct3D support for Windows guests, which enables graphically intensive Windows applications, like computer modeling, 3D design and games software, to run in a virtual environment.
• Support for version 2.0 of the Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) standard. As a result, high-performance Windows, Linux, Solaris(TM), and OpenSolaris(TM) graphical applications, which typically use graphical hardware acceleration, are able to run applications like Google Earth and CAM-based software on VirtualBox software.
• Support for a wider range of USB devices, including storage devices, iPods and phones.

Pricing and Availability

VirtualBox software is free of charge for personal use. For wider deployments within an organization, Enterprise subscriptions are also available, starting at $30 (USD) per user per year, which includes 24/7 premium support from Sun's technical team. Discounts are available based on volume. 

For more information visit Sun Microsystems.

New Lenovo Servers Rack Up On Performance, Virtualization & Usability

Lenovo today announced its latest line of servers, the ThinkServer TD200 and TD200x tower servers as well as the RD210 and RD220 rack servers. The new servers offer small to mid-sized businesses the latest in performance with several choices of Intel Xeon 5500 Series processors and vastly expanded memory and storage. These ThinkServers are also equipped for virtualization and several power saving features to help customers cut their energy usage without sacrificing performance.

Powering Up for Performance

Equipped with the latest Intel Xeon 5500 Series processors, the new ThinkServers are up to three times faster than their predecessors. With high-speed DDR3 memory up to 128GB, the latest models offer more memory than previous Lenovo servers. These highly scalable, dual processor servers also offer increased storage capacity with up to 12 hard drive bays in the rack models and up to 16 in the tower models.

Equipped for Virtualization

Lenovo’s new ThinkServers are virtualization ready and are equipped with several time and cost saving features that help customers seamlessly transition to a virtual environment. The latest ThinkServers come with an onboard connector for an embedded hypervisor. With the expanded memory and storage capacity on the new models, customers can consolidate several legacy servers onto a single new ThinkServer to save on hardware costs and energy usage while boosting their return on investment. Lenovo supports a variety of virtualization solutions from Microsoft, Novell, VMWare and Red Hat.

“Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and System Center management suite running on Lenovo ThinkServers offers customers a solution that can help them be more efficient, lower operational costs and optimize power consumption,” said Zane Adam, senior director of virtualization and management, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft Corp. “This combination empowers our customers to optimize their IT operations with tools that are familiar and easier to use.”

Powering Greener, More Energy Efficient Servers

The ThinkServer TD200, TD200x, RD210 and RD220 are the most energy efficient servers from Lenovo yet, featuring low wattage processor and memory options, and small form factor hard drives. Select models are compliant with Energy Star for Servers 1.0, finalized in May 2009, which provides a 30 percent reduction in power usage compared with other x86 servers that do not meet the standard. In addition, the ThinkServers’ power supplies are more than 92 percent efficient, meaning more energy is translated into usable power.

Server Management Goes Mobile

The new ThinkServers come with the Integrated Management Module (IMM), which provides complete, “always-on,” out-of-band server management capabilities via an easy-to-use Web interface. With IMM, users can remotely access and manage their ThinkServer from anywhere, anytime, even if the server has crashed or is turned off.

Select models come with IMM Premium, giving users full control of their ThinkServer (including the mouse, keyboard and video) from remote locations, as well as the ability to connect local drives remotely to their ThinkServer through virtual media.

“Our second generation of ThinkServers makes giant leaps in both performance and usability for small and mid-sized businesses, while offering new virtualization and energy efficient features leading to a substantially lower cost of ownership,” said Tom Tobul, executive director, Enterprise Systems, Software and Peripherals, Lenovo. “Lenovo ThinkServers are designed as turnkey solutions to help our customers smoothly scale up and easily manage their server environment.”

Peace-of-Mind Services

Servers are a critical IT mechanism at the heart of many businesses. That’s why Lenovo’s server solution provides total support for both hardware and software to help customers without IT departments quickly set up, update and manage their servers.

In addition to its standard warranty, Lenovo offers ThinkServer customers a 90-day trial of ThinkPlus Priority Support services so customers have the complete support they need during the critical first days after their server purchase. This provides services such as next business day warranty service, 24x7 hardware and software phone support as well as priority call routing to advanced technicians. For customers who need on-site hardware installation and online training, Lenovo also offers the ThinkPlus Productivity service plan.

Follow Lenovo news through Lenovo’s Twitter feed at lenovopress or through Facebook.

Pricing and Availability

The RD210 and RD220 are available immediately, and TD200 and TD200x will be available starting July 2009. The ThinkServer RD210, RD220 and TD200x are available worldwide through business partners and Lenovo sales representatives. The TD200 is available through Lenovo sales representatives for special bid. Pricing for the RD210 starts at approximately $1,699 and $2,199 for the RD220. The TD200x starts at approximately $2,699.

For more information visit Lenovo.

CEA Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision In Remote DVR Case

Decision is a Triumph for Home Recording and Common Sense

The United States Supreme Court has denied the petition for a writ of certiorari upholding the legality of Cablevision’s remote digital video recorder (DVR). The technology is functionally identical to a home DVR, and allows viewers to record programs on a remote system within Cablevision’s offices. The following statement can be attributed to CEA President and CEO, Gary Shapiro.

“We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court today for letting stand a decision that supports the growth of technology and innovation. The ability to record television programming has become commonplace to millions of Americans which has benefited consumers and allowed the consumer technology and content industries to contribute billions of dollars to our economy and create millions of jobs.

“From a common-sense standpoint, the Court’s decision was a slam-dunk. The Court has already ruled that consumers have the right to time-shift television shows. Whether the bits reside in a box under your TV or a box in the cable field office is not relevant.

“CEA has been at the forefront of promoting digital technologies for decades. The ability to shift content among devices and products within the home is paramount in allowing technology to thrive and allowing companies to continue to design and develop new products.

“In addition, remote computing and data storage, like that allowed by the remote DVR, offers extraordinary benefits. Indeed Americans already enjoy this technology through services like Google applications and Mac. An adverse ruling would have hamstrung this exciting new area of innovation.

“We commend the Supreme Court for protecting our ability to innovate and ensure that America remains the world’s technology leader.”

For more information visit CEA.

Amazon.com Software Store Introduces New Windows 7 For Over 50 Percent Off

Launches Resource Center for Windows 7, and Announces Release-Day Delivery

Resource Center for Windows 7 features video demonstrations, customer forums and reviews of the new operating system by independent industry experts

Amazon.com announced that the Amazon.com Software Store is now offering Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system Home Premium Upgrade and Professional Upgrade packages for $49.99 and $99.99, which represent a savings of 50 percent and 58 percent from the suggested retail price. Amazon.com customers can pre-order Windows 7 at these prices now through July 11, while supplies last. Customers who pre-order Windows 7 from Amazon.com can take advantage of the additional convenience of receiving the product when it is released on October 22, which means they can order from their PC or mobile device and receive Windows 7 on the same day it’s released in physical stores.

“The Amazon.com Software Store is providing customers everything they need to make an informed Windows 7 purchase decision, a chance to purchase the software at a significant discount, and to be among the first to get their hands on the product when it becomes available—all without having to go to the store because orders will be delivered on release day,” said Stacy Kerr, Director of the Amazon.com Software Store.

The new Amazon.com Resource Center for Windows 7 launched HERE, offering customers in-depth information on the new operating system. The Windows 7 Resource Center will be updated regularly with the latest commentary from independent industry experts, as well as video demonstrations of new features and customer forums.

For more information visit Amazon.

Chicago Blackhawks Star Patrick Kane The New Face Of EA Sports NHL10

Electronic Arts Inc. has revealed that 20-year-old scoring phenom Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks will be the new face of the NHL® 10 videogame from EA SPORTS™. Kane is the youngest player ever chosen for the cover of the NHL franchise and his image will be on the front of all packaging when NHL 10 is available in North American retail stores this September.

Having emerged as one of the most skilled players in the NHL in just two seasons, Kane won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2008 and this year led the Blackhawks to the Western Conference Finals. He has scored more than 20 goals and registered more than 70 points in each of his first two seasons.

“It’s exciting to be on the cover of my favorite videogame after playing just my second year as a professional,” said Kane. “When you look back at some of the great players who have had this opportunity, it’s an honor to be a part of the EA SPORTS family and contribute to a game I’ve been playing for more than 10 years.”

EA SPORTS also announced that it has signed Canadian junior hockey scoring sensation John Tavares, expected to be the top pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, to promote the release of NHL 10. Tavares will join Kane, the first overall draft pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, as spokespersons for NHL 10.

“It’s exciting for me to team up with Patrick to promote EA SPORTS and get the chance to play NHL 10 before it’s in stores,” said Tavares. “Now I’m looking forward to the draft and finding out which team will select me.”

“At EA SPORTS we believe in identifying the most talented up-and-coming athletes in the world to help us develop the most authentic sports games,” said Jordan Edelstein, Vice-President of Marketing for EA SPORTS. “We believe Kane is one of the next great American hockey stars and Tavares will have an immediate impact in the league.”

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom was earlier named a cover athlete on NHL 10 packaging in Sweden. Additional regional cover athletes for Finland, Denmark and Switzerland will be named at a later date. NHL 10 will be in retail stores across Europe on September 18.

A native of Buffalo, NY, Kane is just the second American-born player to be featured on the cover of the top-selling* EA SPORTS hockey videogame franchise. New York Rangers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck was the first when he was featured on the cover of NHL 97.

The EA SPORTS NHL® franchise has won 19 Sports Game of the Year awards over the past two years and this month named by Gamespot.com as the Best Sports Game of E3. This year the NHL 10 franchise begins a new era with gameplay innovations that deliver all-new board play, first-person fighting and over 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse of NHL hockey.

Box art and screenshots of Patrick Kane are available at http://info.ea.com. For more info please visit http://beta.easports.com/

NHL 10 will be available for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system with an MSRP of $59.99. It is developed by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game is rated E10+.

CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency, brokered the deals on behalf of clients Kane and Tavares.

EA SPORTS™ is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR®.

For more information visit EASports.

Sprint Introduces Samsung Exclaim & HTC Snap

Sprint's device portfolio continues to grow; Samsung Exclaim and HTC Snap on America's most dependable 3G network allow customers to easily enjoy social networks.

Sprint has launched two devices that make it easier to stay connected with your friends and colleagues through increasingly popular social networking sites.

Sprint, which is listening to and reaching out to its customers through Twitter and Facebook®, understands the power of the changing nature of communications. The new Samsung Exclaim™ and HTC Snap™ make it easier than ever for customers to use the social networks of their choice.

“Social networking is a powerful tool that helps people stay connected whenever and wherever they want,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president-Product Development for Sprint. “HTC Snap and Samsung Exclaim are designed with social networking in mind, and they leverage America’s most dependable 3G network1 to deliver the promise of staying in touch with those who matter most; and Sprint’s Ready Now retail experience offers the perfect opportunity for customers to learn all about the key features and functionality of these new devices.”

As part of the company’s focus on a great customer experience, Sprint has expanded its social networking presence to meet and interact with customers where they are in order to provide direct and timely responses to their inquiries. Customers can receive Sprint updates on Twitter via @Sprint or @SprintGreenNews for specific company-wide green initiatives. Become a fan of Sprint on the company’s Facebook page, or check out Sprint’s Flickr® and BuzzAboutWireless sites.

Sprint recently highlighted two popular social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, in its advertising. The company’s Palm Pre Facebook and Social NOW TV spots both showcase what is happening on Sprint’s Now Network.

Social networking requires access to the Web, and Sprint understands that people can’t always be chained to their personal computer. With the new Samsung Exclaim and HTC Snap, Sprint offers customers easy one-click access to staying connected with friends and family:

Samsung Exclaim: Samsung Exclaim features a messaging-centric form factor in two great colors – Blueberry and Raspberry. The device’s dual-slider design hides both a numeric keypad and a full QWERTY keyboard. Exclaim is focused on social networking, with new interactive Facebook and MySpace tiles right on the home screen as part of Sprint’s award-winning One Click customizable user interface. Customers can now add Twitter to their home screen using One Click as well. These new One Click tiles give customers a much richer experience than links to Facebook and MySpace on other feature devices in market today:

• Facebook tile - Provides One-Click access to share “What’s on your mind,” check status updates, monitor your news feed, manage your inbox and track the status of your friends.
  
• MySpace tile – Offers the ability to update your status, monitor your friend lists, review your pictures and albums, manage your inbox and friend requests and track your comments.
  
• Twitter tile – Allows you to post Tweets with one click, check updates for everyone you are following, see responses to your Tweets, manage the list of people you are following and those who are following you and see what the whole Twitter-verse is saying.

HTC Snap: HTC Snap is the first wireless phone to feature Inner Circle™, which allows people to prioritize emails from the most important people to them. Sprint is the exclusive nationwide provider of the 3G-enabled HTC Snap. Among the email standards this device supports are POP3, IMAP4 and seamless Microsoft Exchange email compatibility, which includes Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile software.

• Inner Circle – One-touch access to the people who matter the most. Add your most important contacts to your Inner Circle, and then see email from these people in one place regardless of which account received them.
  
• One-Touch Camera – Capture the moment before it’s gone. Capturing and sharing photos doesn’t get any easier.
  
• One-Touch Messaging – Monitor all your messaging and email accounts at a glance.
  

These devices, along with Palm® Pre™, operate on America’s most dependable 3G network. The Sprint 3G Network is faster in more places than AT&T’s 3G network2, and Sprint has more than 20 times the coverage of T-Mobile’s current 3G network, based on square miles3. No carrier has a larger voice calling area than Sprint. The Nationwide Sprint Network (inclusive of roaming) reaches more than 304 million people in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a Sprint national calling plan that includes roaming.

In addition to America’s most dependable 3G network, Sprint offers customers significant savings for individuals and families compared to similar plans from AT&T and Verizon. With Sprint’s Everything Data plans, customers can save $120 or more per year compared to AT&T and Verizon. Families can save $360 or more per year with Everything Data Family plans from Sprint vs. AT&T and Verizon. These plans include unlimited messaging and unlimited data, including email, social networking, Web browsing, GPS navigation and exclusive applications.

For more information visit Sprint.