Sprint and Samsung announce the Samsung Moment Android device

Today Sprint added Android device numero dos to its lineup with the announcement of the Samsung Moment. This Android device should please touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard fans alike as it has a 3.2-inch AMOLEAD touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The Moment is powered by a monster 800MHz processor which should help the device smoothly run your Android applications of choice as well as the various Sprint services offered such as SprintTV, Sprint Navigation and NFL Mobile Live. The Moment allows you to use a 3.5mm headphone jack to enjoy all of your multimedia, and while you’re at it you can take a MySpace-style picture of yourself with its 3.2-megapixel camera. Samsung included Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS with the Moment and it can all be yours for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in-rebate and standard 2-year contract. If you’re excited about the Samsung Moment you can preorder it now on Sprint’s Web site or you can wait until Nov. 1 to pick it up in stores.

Verizon and Google make Android relationship official

It should come as no surprise Thanks to numerous rumors that have been flying around the blogsphere for quite some time now) that Verizon and Google sat down this morning at a joint press conference to announce its partnership. Verizon representatives said the new agreement with Google will “come to fruition within the next few weeks as Verizon Wireless introduces Android-based handsets.” Really? According to Engadget Mobile, Verizon and Google representatives where seen holding the HTC Hero and Motorola Sholes at the press-conference. Why not just announce it? In either case, Android devices will be on Verizon before you know it.

[image source: Engadget Mobile]

Windows Marketplace for Mobile now live

Windows Marketplace for Mobile is now open and available to all those who a) have purchased the AT&T HTC Pure, which was early out of the gates, or b) have somehow managed to get Windows Mobile 6.5 onto their existing Windows Mobile device. In either case, the marketplace is open and ready for business with a whopping 34 applications, many of which are fetching a pretty high price tag compared to the mobile app store staple 99 cents.

For all of those who have Windows Mobile 6.0 or 6.1 and have no plans to update your devices anytime soon, Windows Marketplace should be available for your personal enjoyment sometime next month. Microsoft will officially unveil Windows Mobile 6.5, Windows Marketplace and MyPhone tomorrow at the first annual consumer products open house.

In other mobile marketplace news, MobiHand's on-device Windows Mobile application store now makes it possible to browse, purchase and downloads apps straight to your device. Privus Mobile can be found on MobiHand so be sure to check that out while you're browsing MobiHand. Not familiar with Privus Mobile? Try a free, 10-day trial here.

AT&T receives HTC Pure shipments

We just read over at Engadget Mobile that shipments of the HTC Pure (AT&T’s branded version of the Touch Diamond2) have made their way to AT&T stores. There has been no official word on pricing, but several reports speculate about a $149.99 price point after a $50 mail-in rebate and 2-year contract. Microsoft initially mentioned the carrier would be a global launch partner for Windows Mobile 6.5 so we’re assuming this business-friendly device will be AT&T’s first Windows Mobile 6.5 device. Anyone interested in the Pure or would you rather have the Imagio or Touch Pro2?

Verizon announces Windows Mobile 6.5 equipped HTC Imagio

If you’re on the Verizon network and would like to get a Windows Mobile 6.5 device but aren’t so keen on the Touch Pro2, you’re in luck. Today the network announced the HTC Imagio which will arrive equipped and ready with Windows Mobile 6.5. The Imagio is a pretty solid smartphone by all standards with 3G and Wi-Fi capabilities, a 3.6-inch high resolution touch display, 5-megapixel auto-focus camera and MediaFLO live TV. This device even has a kickstand for optimal hands-free media viewing pleasure! The Imagio will be available Oct. 6 (the same day Windows Mobile 6.5 debuts) for $199 after mail-in rebate and a 2-year contract. If you're in the middle of a Privus Mobile contract but would like to switch over to a Windows Mobile 6.5 device, never fear. You can simply download the application onto your new phone using your previous registration code and you're good to go! Not familiar with Privus Mobile? Click here to download a free trial now!



October 6 also happens to be the start of Microsoft’s first consumer products open house event for invited members of the press and analysts in New York City. The event will showcase Microsoft’s new My Phone or “Skybox” service for storing and accessing mobile-phone information (much like Apple’s Mobile Me) as well as the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile. After losing around 9 percent of its mobile operating system market share in the second quarter of 2009, I’m sure the folks over at Microsoft are hoping this will breathe some new life into Microsoft’s mobile devices.