Sprint Direct Connect Now

From the April/Q2 Launch Deck:

Launching mid-May, 2012
Downloadable client expands our CDMA push-to-talk portfolio.
Key Features

• Sprint Direct Connect – 1-to-1 & Group Conversations (up to 20)


• Nextel Direct Connect Interoperability – 1-to-1 Conversations


• Convenient touchscreen controls


• Displays contact image for speaker


• Adhoc Group Calling


• Available on the Samsung Transform Ultra at launch ; expanding to additional non-embedded devices moving forward

CTIA: Sprint Announces 'Sprint Guardian' Bundles

Today at CTIA, Sprint announced the launch of the Sprint Guardian bundles on Android devices for summer 2012 through Sprint Zone. Sprint Guardian helps parents manage how their children are using their mobile phone and gives them the tools they need to protect their wireless devices from theft, loss and malware.

Personally.. these 'addons/bundles' are pretty expensive in this blogger's opinion. See details below:

Sprint Guardian Bundles:

• Sprint Guardian features 2 bundles of mobile applications from Safely and Lookout: Family Safety and Family Device Security.
  
  
  
  • Family Safety Bundle:
    
    
    
    • Sprint partnered with Safely to bring together 3 apps to help parents keep their kids safe:
      
      
      
      • Sprint Mobile Controls: Clearly understand your child’s talk, text and app use habits. Lock your child’s phone on demand or schedule locks.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • Sprint Drive First: Automatically locks your teenagers’ mobile phones when they’re traveling over 10 mph and unlocks when they stop driving.
      
      
      • Sprint Family Locator: Quickly and easily locate your family members on an interactive map.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • The Family Safety bundle will be available for $9.99 per month for up to 5 lines on the same account.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Family Device Security:
    
    
    
    • Sprint has partnered with Lookout to offer a suite of services that protects mobile phones and tablets from threats like identity theft and fraud, loss of the device.
      
      
      
      • Security: Protect smartphones from evolving mobile threats including malware, spyware, phishing and malicious websites.
      
      
      • Missing Device: Find a family member’s lost phone on a map, sound an alarm, and lock or wipe your device to protect personal information.
      
      
      • Management: Easily protect and manage their family’s mobile devices at mylookout.com, including backing up photos, contacts and call history.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Family Device Security will be available for $4.99 per month, or up to $49.99 per year, for up to five lines on the same account.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

What you need to do:

• Watch for additional information at launch later this summer.


• Sprint Guardian Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur0eo6o_1uI

Sprint April 2012 Launch Deck

we know we're late in the month, but our motto is better late than never, right?

Below is the Aprol 2012 Launch Deck for all new devices/plans/services/changes.

We will post May's next week!

UPDATE! it appears the google doc viewer is having some issues, so here' sa direct download link to the file:

April_2012_Launch_Deck

Google Voice & Sprint... 11/08/09

 

At yesterday’s keynote address at the 2009 Open Developer Conference, Steve Elfman gave us some great news and details about how we will allow Sprint users to integrate Google Voice into their Sprint service…. actually the more official wording went more like:

“Sprint is proud to promote access to the new voicemail feature in Google Voice™ to deliver an even richer experience to customers.”

 

Here’s the goodies…

• Google Voice™ - starting 11/8/09, all Sprint price plans will include free conditional (no answer/busy) call forwarding (*73,*74,*28).
  • No action is required on your part, it’s all automatic. Unconditional (immediate) call forwarding (*72) will remain $0.20/minute.
• Simply Everything customers will also begin receiving unconditional call forwarding (immediate) included in their plan beginning late November. More info on this closer to time!

Visual Voicemail: Upgrade Required

If you’re lucky enough to have visual voicemail on your device, then there’s an update available that you probably didn’t even know about! It’s a required update/release that came out the 2nd week of September.

You may have been ignoring the prompts, or maybe you weren’t sure what they were.. but go ahead, and click upgrade on your device. In fact, you will be required to upgrade in order to continue receiving visual voicemail in the near future. In the coming weeks, if you have not updated it, you will only receive a notification that a message was received, however the message itself will never appear on your device. This means you would not receive your actual messages, so PLEASE ACCEPT THE UPGRADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Just over 20% of our visual voicemail subscribers have completed the upgrade on their device. There is no risk involved, and it only takes a couple of minutes, so why not go ahead and do it now? If you’re setting up your visual voicemail, you should encounter the following prompt: “An upgrade is now available” – simply choose upgrade.

You can also get there on your own accord through the Voicemail icon > Menu > Settings > Check for Upgrade.

If you encounter a message stating “Install Blocked: For security, your phone is set to block installations of applications not sourced in Android Market”, follow these steps:

1.Click ‘Settings’

2.Check the ‘Unknown Sources’ box, and OK on the ‘Attention’ pop-up

3.Press the back hardkey to return to the Visual Voicemail Inbox

4.Choose Menu > Settings > Check for Upgrade, & click ‘Upgrade’

5.Once it’s found, choose ‘OK’, then ‘Install’, then ‘Done’

To verify the upgrade was successful, or that you have already completed the upgrade on your device,  select the Voicemail icon on your device, and repeat step 4 above. If you have already completed the upgrade, you will receive a message stating: “No upgrade is available at this time”.

BIS Seamless Sign-On Issues – BlackBerry 9630 Tour

BlackBerry Internet Server (BIS) version 2.8 Seamless Sign-on has now launched and is working fine for everyone… well, almost everyone! It seems that Blackberry Tour users are having an issue, but more than that – the default workaround directions given to the user on the device are also incorrect!.

New customers who use the Email Settings icon are not able to set up their BIS account and integrate personal e-mail accounts (for example: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail). Instead, they receive this error message and these incorrect steps to fix the issue:

“Your Device is not registered. Please register your device and Try again.”

The on-screen help will guide you to correct this by going to the  device options, clicking Advanced Options. Click Host Routing Table. Press the Menu Key or the Trackwheel. Click Register Now

The problem? The steps listed in this error message do not fix the issue!

---

Here is the correct solution:

New BlackBerry Tour Customer Instructions:

• There are 3 easy steps if a user needs to set up their BIS account immediately:
  
  
  
  1. Access the device Browser icon.
  
  
  2. Type www.sprint.blackberry.com into the browser URL.
  
  
  3. Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  
  
  4. Enter the e-mail account user name and password to integrate (for example: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail).
     
     
     
     • The BIS account is now set up and customers can receive their integrated e-mail.
     
     
     • If the customer needs to access their BIS account to edit their e-mail account before a fix is communicated, follow these same steps.
     
     
     • The Email Settings icon will not work - even after the BIS account is set up using this workaround - until a fix is in place.
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  

Existing BlackBerry Tour Customer Instructions:

• Until a fix is in place, recommend customers do not delete their BIS account in order to try and set up with Seamless Sign-On on their device.


• If a customer does choose to delete their account or it is deleted by accident, follow the workaround steps.

Seasonal Standby Plan Expands to 6 Months

This went into effect last month, but it slipped my mind until today. The Seasonal Standby plan was originally available for up to 6 months, then it was reduced to 3 months, and after much debate, it is once again (and for good) set back to being available for up to 6 months at a time.

• Consumer and IL customers can now remain on the SSBY for a total of 6 instead of 3 months.


• All other requirements remain the same:
  
  
  
  • Customers must be on a regular plan for at least 3 months before qualifying for SSBY.
  
  
  • Services are disabled on SSBY
  
  
  • Service Agreements are frozen while on SSBY
  
  
  • SSBY should be provisioned using next day or another future date as the effective date.
  
  
  • Customers should not be promised a return to their old plan when the phone is reactivated
  
  
  
  

Any Mobile, Anytime

There's a hot new feature that is being rolled out to Sprint customers this week... it's called 'Any Mobile, Anytime' and it might just be the deciding factor for millions considering a change in providers. I know that when I scrolled though my contacts - I have 2 landline numbers in there, and the remainder are wireless numbers. I suspect this is the case for a lot of people - and those are exactly the type of folks that will benefit hugely from this new feature.

Any Mobile, Anytime is a feature that provides customers unlimited domestic calling to or from any other domestic wireless number while on the Sprint network without utilizing anytime minutes. The only eligible plans include Everything Data Plans, Everything Data Shared Plans, Sprint Business Advantage Messaging and Data Plans and Everything Plus Data Referral Plans, Individual and Family. You never have to worry about restrictive calling circles with Any Mobile, Anytime - you get free calling to over 250 million wireless subscribers.

• Competitively, Any Mobile, Anytime blows away T-Mobile’s myFaves, AT&T’s rollover and Verizon’s Friends and Family. Never worry about calling circles.


• It makes life easy for the customer because they don’t need to worry about what wireless carrier friends, family and co-workers are on. Easy to sell, too.


• Value. Any Mobile, Anytime is included on eligible plans, which already save customers more than $115/year on individual plans, and $600/year on family plans compared to comparable Verizon and AT&T plans.


• Existing customer experience is enhanced because customers on eligible plans will automatically get this benefit.


• Available to new and existing Consumer, IL and CL customers only on Everything Data plans, Everything Data Share plans, Sprint Business Advantage Messaging and Data plans, or Everything Plus Referral Data plans for Individuals and Families.


• For new customers, the Any Mobile, AnytimeSM feature is automatically added when selecting one of the eligible price plans. • For existing customers on eligible plans, the Any Mobile, Anytime feature is applied at the start of the customer’s first billing cycle after launch.


• If an existing customer on an Everything Data Share plan adds a new line of service, the new line will automatically get the feature at time of provisioning. – The existing line, however, will get the feature applied to their plan at the beginning of their next billing cycle.


• As part of Sprint’s Right Plan Promise, existing customers may switch their rate plan at anytime without a contract extension.


• All rules & regulations of Everything Data, Everything Data Share, Sprint Business Advantage Messaging & Data plans and Everything Referral Data Plans for Individuals and Families applies.

Individual Plans (Consumer & Business)

Everything Data Plans

450 ($69.99)

900 ($89.99)

Shared Minute Plans (Consumer & Business)

Everything Data Share Plans (Price per month for 2 lines)

1500 ($129.99)

3000 ($169.99)

CL Business Plans

Sprint Business Advantage Message & Data

200 ($59.99)

450 ($69.99)

900 ($89.99)

1350 ($109.99)

2000 ($129.99)

4000 ($179.99)

And you know these plans already include great features, like:

• Unlimited Messaging


• Unimited Data – Web, GPS Navigation, Email, Sprint TV Premier, Sprint Music Premier, and more.


• Unlimited Nextel Direct Connect and Group Connect (not included with Everything Data Share Plans)


• Unlimited Night and Weekend Calling with Nights starting at 7pm


• Nationwide Long Distance and No Roaming Charges


• Everything Data Share plans - Add- a-Phone (lines 3-5): $19.99/per line


• Remember, Everything Data and Everything Data Share plans qualify for Sprint Premier Program and Sprint Business Advantage Messaging and Data qualify for Sprint Business Benefits

Types of calls not included in Any Mobile, Anytime (Same exclusions as M2M) – Indirect methods such as:

• Calls placed to or received from Directory Assistance


• Calls to retrieve voicemail


• Calls through voicemail


• Calls made or received while Sprint customer is roaming, domestically or internationally


• Calls placed to or received from international phone numbers


• Calls placed to or received from landline numbers


• Calls placed to or received from Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) numbers


• 3-way calling if one or more of the calls is placed to or received from an excluded call type


• Call forwarding has its own per call charge. Call minutes do not go against Anytime Minute bucket

BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) v2.7 Release

Update due to be released this Saturday (06/27/09), BlackBerry will update their BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) from version 2.6 to version 2.7. Customers do not have to request or initiate this upgrade. After 6/27/09, customers who log into their BIS account, will automatically be on this new version.

BIS 2.7 improves the look and feel of the BIS interface. While the changes are not big, they are an improvement for BIS users.

The improved Help Screen now lets subscribers:

• Send Service Books


• Access the online user guide, BlackBerry Answers (similar to BlackBerry HELP, but in a Q&A format)


• Access contact information for wireless service providers


• Open the BlackBerry HELP Web site on the BlackBerry Smartphone

• The ‘Close‘ option lets subscribers close the ‘E-mail Settings‘ application at any time.


• The BIS User Interface is now available in both Indonesian and Thai language.

Sprint Palm Pre Activation

Since there are quite a few in the wild already, and we're just over a week away from launch, I figured it'd be as good a time as any to give a preview of what activation/first use will look like on the Pre, and field any questions that may come up in the process.

There’s been a new way of activating phones here at Sprint for a month or so now, and while you may occasionally run into a few agents who manually program phones out of habit, there’s simply no need for it anymore. Almost all the phones can now be programmed via Hands-Free or One Touch Activation, and the Palm Pre is no exception. The one exception to the Palm Pre is that it can’t be programmed manually, so Hands-Free activation is required.

Update: Coal has acquired & posted a full Palm Pre User Guide at SprintGurus here

To get started you need the ESN/MEID.

On the Palm Pre, this is found in 3 places:

1. Underneath the battery in the phone on the right side of the barcode sticker. Turn off the phone and remove the battery to view. (not recommended)


2. The Barcode sticker on the end of the original box, labeled MEID.


3. The Activation Error Prompt:

All the steps and screenshots included, after the jump…

Palm Pre FAQ: Round 2

There’s been a lot of hype about the Palm Pre, and as we get closer to June the questions about it get more frequent. Here’s some of the more popular questions that I’ve encountered and am able to answer.

The backup feature, does it cost anything more?

Nope, it’s all included for free as a part of the service provided by Palm included with your Pre.

What happens to my phone when it’s in USB Mode?

All calls are routed to voicemail when the Pre is in USB Mode. Slight downer, I know – but how often are you really gonna have the Pre in USB Mode? And even then, not more than a couple minutes @ a time.

What IM services will the Pre support for real-time status indicators?

Google Talk (GTalk) and AIM at launch. Do you really know anyone without a Gmail address?

In the Calendar, can I choose my own colors for the appointments?

Yes! it’s easily selectable, or can sync with your Outlook category colors with Exchange.

What about the web browser, can I disable cookies?

Yep, it’s an option in the Web Preferences.

How do I get the calendar to do the cool ‘compress’ when displaying?

Simple! it just has to be a block of time that’s 2 hours or more.

Can you have multiple IM conversations going at the same time?

Yes, the possibilities are limitless – talk to everyone, share the Pre love!

Office 2007 – Any issues?

Nope. Go ahead, tell your boss about it, and bring it to work. Welcome to life with the Pre – it just works!

Can I use Pictbridge (wirelessly sending pics to a printer)?

There’s not a profile for it yet. Hang in there, grasshopper.

With the new webOS, what about virus protection?

The core is not open, and isn’t subject to any viruses, in other words, you’re covered!

What about Calltones?

Would you expect any less? It’s a network feature, so they’re 100% supported, no problems.

Can I save music as a ring tone for my Pre?

Sure, customize it all you want.

Family locator – can I track my son with his Pre?

While it’s great you’d get a Pre for your son (umm, sure!, lol), you won’t be able to track lil Timmy with it just yet using Family Locator.

Can I take videos with my Palm Pre?

Not at launch, but hang in there as great things are on the way, and as the Palm Pre uses the webOS, updates are just a gesture away!

Can I send pictures as a text message?

Using MMS, of course. You can’t however crop pictures yet, so be aware of any size limitations the receiving person may have with their device or carrier, or adjust the camera settings.

That's all for now! Don't forget about the folks over at SprintGurus, where you can discuss not only these Palm Pre FAQs, but anything Sprint related. I do monitor and reply to the comments here on the blog as time permits, but there's a great community of people there that are very knowledgeable, and if you're looking to discuss Sprint or the Pre, it's the place to be!

Sprint Overage Relief Minutes

Tired of paying $.40/per minute or more for using more minutes that your plan allows per month? There’s a little known tip to help avoid paying the ridiculous price for overages. You have to be alert and plan ahead to get the savings, but it’s well worth it. For instance if you used 200 minutes over your plan in any given month, you would have to pay $80 in overage – with the tip below, those same 200 minutes only cost you $10 ! It does pay to plan ahead, or at least to know what day your bill cycle ends and how to check your MOU (minutes of use).

Here’s how it works! Sprint offers ‘Overage Relief Minutes’ to customers who have used more minutes than allotted in their plan. The purpose was originally intended to help customers in ‘one-time’ situations or to use as part of an offer to entice you to upgrade your plan starting with your next bill cycle while providing the overage for the current month at a discounted amount.

• You MUST call in before your bill cycle ends. Overage Relief Minutes can only be added before your bill generates. Nor care or account services or anyone can change this. If you waited too late, you’ll just have to pay for your usage and mark your calendar next month for your cycle end date.


• Overage Relief Minutes come in ‘buckets’. There are several available for consumer accounts, with one restriction: You may only ever purchase a 500 minute bucket 1 time during the entire life of your account. This is enforced by the system and cannot be overridden (though there is a trick, read on!).

Buckets of Minutes	Cost
100 Overage Minutes	$5
200 Overage Minutes	$10
300 Overage Minutes	$15
400 Overage Minutes	$20
500 Overage Minutes	$25

So, how do you get them? It’s simple. Just dial *2 and ask! Tell the agent that you’d like to purchase “Overage Relief Minutes” and if you can feel the blank stare on their face (hopefully most of those have been weeded out by now) insist they look in their knowledgebase for the information, or in a super nice way suggest to them that they ask their team lead or supervisor about it. While every agent is trained on these, most have forgotten the 5 minutes they spent on it during six weeks of training, and it’s not a common call driver, so some may not be familiar.

• Overage Relief Minutes don’t roll over, no matter what expiration date is put on them, again this is systematically enforced. If you want them next month, you’ll have to call in again. They aren’t intended to be an easy way to get extra minutes, but rather for help for occasional overage.


• The agent MUST backdate the SOC to the start of your current billing cycle, or you will only get a prorated portion of the minutes. If this happens, call in after your bill posts to get it corrected, and be clear about what happened and insist on proper credit to your account.


• You can change your mind and purchase more minutes! If you call in on the 20th day of your bill cycle to add a bucket of 100 minutes, and realize on the 30th day that you really needed 400, you can always add more.


• You can only purchase the bucket of 500 minutes one time, however you can ‘stack’ the other buckets all you want. Need 500 again? purchase a 300 and a 200. Need 600? stack a 400 and a 200.Officially there is no limit on the upper amount, however you’d be able to get 1,500 once and 1,000 any month thereafter, as the same code cannot be ‘stacked’ twice during the same month (assuming you get a rep willing to add that many – as most would probably have the good sense to require a plan change, and I can’t say I’d blame them on this, though there’s no official policy).


• Lastly – in case you have a plan that doesn’t include it – Overage Relief Minutes DO NOT apply to roaming minute charges. These would be billed as normal.

If you find yourself using Overage Relief Minutes more than once or twice, then you probably should listen when the agent offers to tell you about a different plan that would save you money – because most likely they’re right, and you’re hanging on to that ancient plan for sentimental reasons – and if that’s the case, then you may actually want to consider our newer offerings that really do include everything. While there’s no formal policy on requiring a plan change commitment when using these minutes, do the math yourself and see what’s right for you, because in almost every case you will save money if you find yourself using these more than a couple of months in a row.

It’s really that simple – so know what day your billing cycle ends, and check your minutes of use each month (that’s 12 times a year – surely you can find the time!). You can find your MOU on sprint.com, by dialing *4 from your handset, and by speaking with someone at Care (*2).

Have you used Overage Relief Minutes before? Did you know they existed? Comment Away!