Sprint unveiled two new business-focused Android handsets this morning, both from Motorola: the Motorola XPRT and Titanium.

Similar to Verizon’s Droid Pro, the XPRT is a Messenger-class smartphone with a front-facing QWERTY keyboard and 3.1-inch touchscreen.  Primary business features include 256-bit AES data encryption, enhanced remote IT support, and international GSM/UMTS roaming support.  The XPRT has a 1GHz processor, an 1860mAh Li-Ion battery and a microSDHC memory card slot.

The Titanium, when released, will replace the aging Motorola i1 as Sprint/Nextel’s Direct Connect Android phone.  With push-to-talk and Military 810G specs, it is aimed at workers who need a more rugged device.   Titanium also has a 3.1-inch touchscreen and a Messenger-style QWERTY keyboard.  Unfortunately, it also runs Android 2.1 OS, which may be a turn-off for some users – still, it’s much better than the current i1’s Android 1.5. 

The Motorola XPRT will be available June 5th for $129 (direct) with a two-year contract; no release date or pricing has been announced for the Motorola Titanium.

The full press release has been posted below.

Sprint and Motorola Unveil Two Android Devices for Business: Motorola XPRT and Motorola Titanium

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 05, 2011 – To meet the growing demand for mobile devices with industry-leading enterprise features, Sprint (NYSE: S) and Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) will launch two new smartphones with enhanced business-ready capabilities, built on the Android™ platform. Motorola XPRT™ is the first Android smartphone from Sprint to deliver enterprise-class security, personal productivity enhancements and international roaming. Motorola Titanium™ leverages Sprint’s industry-leading Push-to-Talk capabilities as the first Nextel Direct Connect® smartphone built on Android 2.1.

"We are pleased to extend our portfolio of products directed at business-users with these two powerful and versatile Android devices," said Paget L. Alves, president – Sprint Business. "Motorola XPRT delivers the security features enterprise customers demand without scrimping on the latest in technology, while Motorola Titanium is a rugged Android smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect’s sub-second Push-to-Talk."

Motorola XPRT will be available on Sunday, June 5, in Sprint Stores, Business Sales, Web sales (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), for $129.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement. Pricing and availability for Motorola Titanium will be announced at a later date.

"Motorola XPRT and Motorola Titanium blend feature-packed consumer experiences with an optimal set of productivity and security tools," said Jeff Miller, corporate vice president of sales, Motorola Mobility. "We are pleased to partner with Sprint to deliver each of these unique business-ready devices to their continuously growing enterprise customer base."

Packed with Productivity Tools

Designed for business users, Motorola XPRT offers a sleek, compact design built on Android 2.2, Froyo. This full-feature world phone is equipped with a pinch-to-zoom capable touchscreen, 3.1-inch HVGA display, full QWERTY keyboard and 1GHz processor with Adobe Flash 10 web browsing.

Enterprise managers and workforces across field service, field sales, healthcare, retail, utilities, manufacturing and transportation/distribution industries will benefit from its feature-rich capabilities, enterprise-class security and data encryption. Motorola XPRT delivers business-class security features with 256-bit AES data encryption and controls the IT department will appreciate, including the ability to remotely handle functions like enabling pin or password lock, password recovery and data wipe on both the phone and SD card if lost or stolen.

Motorola XPRT comes loaded with MOTOBLUR™ offering personalized content, including email and social media updates, delivered right to the user’s home screen. It enables convenient viewing of news feeds, updates and messages from social media sites from a single screen.

Additional key features of Motorola XPRT include:

* Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download
* Google™ mobile services, such as Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Talk™, Gmail™ and YouTube™
* Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®) and personal (POP & IMAP) email
* Worldmode – CDMA (EVDO Rev. A), GSM/UMTS (HSPA) – international roaming service available in more than 200 countries
* 3G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
* 5-megapixel camera with camcorder and dual LED flash for low-light performance
* microSD slot, with a 2GB memory card included, supporting up to 32GB
* Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR
* Wi-Fi® b/g/n
* 1860 mAh Lithium-ion battery

Motorola XPRT requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge (pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).

Sprint also offers great value with international service add-ons for Motorola XPRT. For just $4.99 per month, the Sprint Worldwide Voice Add on offers discounted rates while traveling in more than 100 countries. For only $2.99 per month, you can make local calls in Canada, call back to the United States and even receive calls in Canada for just $0.20 per minute. That’s a savings of $0.39 per minute over standard roaming charges. While roaming in Canada, Mexico, China, and other destinations data rates start as low as $0.002 per KB (on CDMA networks).

To sign up to learn more about Motorola XPRT, please visit www.motorola.com/XPRT.

Leading in Push-to-Talk

As the successor to the popular Motorola i1 launched by Sprint last year, Motorola Titanium is sleek and attractive, yet durable. It is the first iDEN device to combine Sprint’s best-in-class Nextel Direct Connect and Android 2.1, Éclair, for a feature rich business-class experience. It features a full QWERTY keyboard and 3.1-inch touchscreen display. Built military-grade tough, Motorola Titanium is certified to Military Specification 810G for dust, shock, vibration, low pressure, solar radiation, high temperature and low temperature.

With more than 17 years of expertise, Sprint is the industry leader in Push-to-Talk, serving the world’s largest Push-to-Talk community with millions of Nextel Direct Connect subscribers on the fastest national Push-to-Talk network. Nextel Direct Connect has set the industry standard for Push-to-Talk worldwide. More U.S. workers communicate in less than a second with Nextel Direct Connect than with any other Push-to-Talk service.

Additional key features of Motorola Titanium include:

* Support for Nextel Direct Connect Services, including Direct Connect, Group Connect®, International Direct Connect®, DirectSendSM, Group Messaging and NextMail®
* Android Market for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download
* Google mobile services such as Google Search, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Maps with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™ and YouTube
* Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync) and personal (POP3 & IMAP) email
* 5-megapixel camera with camcorder, 4x zoom and flash
* Wi-Fi b/g
* Stereo Bluetooth
* GPS navigation
* microSD slot, with a 2GB memory card included, supporting up to 32GB
* 1820 mAh Lithium-ion battery

To learn more about Motorola Titanium, please visit www.motorola.com/titanium.

/release

Given the success of Android in the smartphone market, we’ve been surprised, frankly, that not one of the tablets powered by Google’s OS has been able to make the iPad so much as flinch; iPad continues its dominance in the tablet space as surely as if it were the only available option.

But this reality won’t be last. Eventually, a viable competitor will emerge.   So, could Amazon be the company to finally offer an acceptable alternative, at least from consumers’ standpoint, to Apple’s iPad?

For months there have been rumblings that the retailer would, building on its success in the eReader market, release its own tablet device.  And for several reasons, Amazon might just stand the best chance of challenging iPad.  But what exactly would such a tablet offer? Would it feature a color eInk touchscreen (unlikely), an LCD-eInk hybrid (also questionable), an entirely new display technology, or simply a color LCD touchscreen like the Nook Color and other current tablets?  What software would it run? How much would it cost?

We don’t know the answer to any of these questions, but according to DigiTimes, Amazon does indeed have a tablet in the works, and has tapped Quanta Computer to begin producing the device en masse in the near future.

While it’s possible Amazon will introduce its own tablet OS, we doubt this very much.  It’s far more likely they’ll adapt an existing operating system like Android, for the tablet.  And it’s a fait accompli that one of the main selling points of such a device would be its tight integration with the Kindle eBook store, Amazon MP3, and Amazon Instant Video.

As we’ve stated many, many times, to effectively compete with the iPad, alternatives must best the tablet on several fronts – most importantly price -  and will need to offer a user experience second to none.  Motorola, Samsung, RIM, and other hardware makers who’ve gone after the iPad have failed to outdo Apple’s tablet in any meaningful way, which has kept their sales anemic, even in the face of the tablet’s meteoric rise.  It seems unlikely that Amazon would make the same mistakes if they’ve decided to through their hat in the ring.

You’ll be hearing more about this as the year unfolds.  Bet on it.

If you’re a fan of Google Voice and a Sprint wireless customer, today you have good reason to celebrate; Google and Sprint have joined together to give users unprecedented Google Voice customization on their mobile phones.

Here’s how it works: if you have a Sprint mobile phone, you can now choose to use your existing mobile number as your Google Voice number, or to have your Google Voice number take the place of your Sprint phone number.  Whichever option you select, the number – when dialed – can be configured to ring multiple phones (your Sprint phone, home, office, vacation home, etc.) so you never miss a call.  Google Voice voicemail service will replace the existing service, and the same basic Google Voice features remain such as transcribed voicemail, email and/or text message alerts, etc.  International calls will also be made using your Google voice number for reduced per minute fees.

This service is compatible with all Sprint-branded handsets, including Sprint Android phones. 

While the service is free, minutes used continue to be deducted from your monthly voice allotment.  You must have a Google Voice account as well.

Learn more by visiting the Google Voice + Sprint web page or by taking a look at the video after the jump.

We’ve received a number of emails from readers regarding their inability to install the Amazon Appstore for Android on their AT&T Android phones.  The required “Unknown Sources” option in the Applications Settings menu is missing, which prevents the app from being installed. 

Unfortunately, there is no way – without a little hacking – to install the Appstore on these phones; AT&T has purposely removed the option to install third-party apps, i.e. apps outside the Android Market.  And that, as they say, is that.

In the end, only customer complaints have any hope of changing this ridiculous end-user lockout.  But until AT&T allows third-party apps to be installed, if you want the Amazon Appstore -or any non-Market apps – on your AT&T Android phone, it must be rooted.

Rooting is not for everyone; it’s essentially jailbreaking the phone to allow for greater flexibility in how the device operates.  There are methods for rooting many Android phones, including the AT&T Atrix 4G (see How to Root the Atrix 4G and How to Root the Samsung Captivate).  If this interests you, proceed with caution.

In late March, Engadget reported that AT&T is working on allowing the Amazon Appstore to run on their Android devices, though no details have been forthcoming in the six weeks since the story ran. 

If you’d like to let AT&T know how you feel on this subject, give their customer service a call or make a suggestion at the AT&T SuggestionBox page.

While Apple has steadily increased the number of iTunes tracks that sell for $1.29, Amazon MP3, Amazon.com’s online music store, has just lowered the price of many popular songs from 89-or-99 cents to just $0.69.

And these aren’t newly-encoded 1950s tracks 9 out of 10 octogenarians never heard of – the new price is for many current bestselling songs like Katy Perry’s E.T. and Bruno Mars’ The Lazy Song.  In fact, if you take a look at the list of Amazon MP3’s bestselling MP3 songs, more than 50% of the top 60 are now selling for $0.69 – costing listeners roughly half what they’d shell out for iTunes purchases.

Amazon MP3 sells unlocked .MP3 audio files which will play back on iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), iPods, Android phones, Windows Phones and virtually every other device designed to handle digital audio.  And the online retailer recently launched their Cloud Drive, an online “digital locker” for files and media, along with Cloud Player, a Windows, Mac OS and Android app that allows users to playback the audio files stored there over an internet connection.

We’re disappointed Amazon still hasn’t released an iTunes-like application for PCs which would allow users to purchase and manage Amazon MP3 content outside a browser, but with savings this substantial the extra effort required to separately download and manage music purchased from Amazon, particularly in this economy, will be worthwhile for many users. 

Now let’s see if enough people make the switch to Amazon MP3 for Apple to take notice.

The HTC Droid Incredible 2 launched on Verizon Wireless yesterday for a direct price of $199 with a two-year contract – but if you’re eying the latest Verizon Android phone, you can nab one for about half that price.

Amazon and LetsTalk.com are each offering the Droid Incredible 2 for $99 with a new two-year contract at checkout.  This price applies to new Verizon Wireless accounts only; if you’re already a Verizon customer and are eligible for an upgrade, the price at each retailer jumps to $149, still $50 less than the direct Verizon Wireless price. 

And if you order from Amazon, you also qualify for the $25 Appstore credit through May 1st.

Learn more about the new HTC Incredible 2 Android phone…

But don’t get too excited just yet; the new Google Talk will be included in an upcoming over-the-air Android 2.3.4 OS update for the Nexus S, and won’t be an individual download for some time (if ever).  Android users who don’t have a Nexus S will presumably have to wait either until their device is updated to Android 2.3.4 (and most are still stuck with 2.2.1, to say nothing of 2.3) or until Google decides to make this Google Talk app available via the Marketplace as a standalone download.

Features include video chatting over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G (if your carrier allows it) as well as the ability to chat with anyone using Gmail or a video-capable version of Google Talk, irrespective of device.

Find out more at the Google Mobile Blog.

On Thursday, Verizon Wireless will begin shipping the HTC Droid Incredible 2, the successor to the popular Droid Incredible which was released in April 2010.

The Droid Incredible 2 ADR6350 bears little resemblance to the original, with a different body style and significant hardware changes.  There’s no dual-core processor inside the Incredible 2, though it does feature a later-generation Snapdragon processor.  Other changes include a larger 4-inch Super LCD touchscreen, a 50% bump in RAM, nearly 15GB of onboard flash storage, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 720p HD video recording via its 8MP camera, a 1.3MP front-facing camera for video chat, and global roaming capabilities.

Verizon will sell the HTC Droid Incredible 2 for $199 with a two-year contract beginning April 28th, but we expect third-party smartphone retailers to beat this price right out of the gate.  Stay tuned for more details if you’re interested in this new Android phone.

Learn more about the HTC Droid Incredible 2…

To help promote its new Android Appstore, Amazon.com is offering anyone who purchases a Verizon Wireless Android phone a $25 app credit for the next few days. 

To get the credit, purchase a Verizon Wireless Android phone (HTC Thunderbolt, Droid X, HTC Droid Incredible, etc.) or even a Verizon Wireless Android tablet (XOOM, Galaxy Tab) from Amazon / AmazonWireless.  Look for the promotional banner near the top of the listing to confirm eligibility:

Within five days of purchase, you’ll receive a $25 Amazon Appstore promotional code via email.  It’s that simple.

Offer ends 11:59 p.m. PST May 1, 2011.  Credit must be used with the Amazon Appstore. Check after the jump for additional details.

$25 Amazon Appstore Credit with Purchase of Verizon Android Devices

 

To receive the promotion:

1. Purchase the qualifying item.
2. You will be sent a promotional code within 5 days after your qualifying item ships.
3. Follow the redemption instructions provided with your promotional code. Once you have entered your code, the code will be automatically applied to your account until you have used its full dollar value. Your credit card will not be charged for Amazon Appstore for Android purchases made through the expiration date until the full dollar amount of the code has been used.

Terms and Conditions:

• The offer is valid for a limited time only. If you do not purchase the qualifying item when the offer is in effect, the promotion will not apply.
• The offer applies to qualifying items sold on the AmazonWireless website displaying the offer message on their product information pages.  Items that do not display the offer message do not qualify, regardless of the nature of the item.
• If you return the qualifying item purchased after obtaining the promotional code, the promotional code will be voided or if already used, the value of the promotional code will be subtracted from the return credit.  
• In order to redeem your promotional code and purchase and download apps from the Amazon Appstore for Android, you will need the Amazon Appstore for Android client installed on  your Android phone or tablet and accept the Amazon Appstore for Android Terms of Use.

• This offer is available only to customers who are located, and have billing addresses, in the United States.

• The promotional code can only be applied to products sold on the Amazon Appstore for Android and cannot be applied to orders already placed.
• The promotional code may not be combined with other offers in the same order. The promotional code is not for resale and is not redeemable for cash.
• The promotional code cannot be used to pay for taxes.
• The offer may not be combined with other offers, including promotional certificates. This offer is only good while supplies last.  No substitutions or rain checks. Void where prohibited.  Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate the promotion at any time.

T-Mobile is now selling its new, dual-core LG G2x Android smartphone for $249 with a $50 mail-in rebate for a final price of $199 (with a two-year service contract).  But if you’re looking to purchase this new phone, you can save $50 and the need to wait for a rebate by purchasing from one of three popular third-party retailers.

Amazon Wireless, LetsTalk.com and WireFly are each offering the G2x for $149, no rebate required.  All require a two-year T-Mobile contract and offer free shipping.  And at Amazon and Wirefly, the price is good whether you’re a first-time T-Mobile subscriber, or are upgrading your current T-Mobile phone (as long as you’re upgrade eligible). 

Also be sure to check out T-Mobile’s new $79 unlimited plan, which can be used with the G2x.

Prices subject to change at any time.