Boost to carry newest Android

[strickj]

Linky

When Motorola announced its i1 smartphone at CTIA 2010, the rugged Android device was slated for release with Nextel; however, barring any last-minute announcements, it now looks like Boost Mobile will be the first carrier to offer the i1.

The Motorola i1 will be available from Boost Mobile stores, as well as Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile retail locations, starting June 20. The Motorola i1 is the first push-to-talk Android device and it has a 3.1-inch HVGA touch screen, a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

It looks like the smartphone will launch with Android 1.6, but will also come preloaded with an Opera Mini 5 Web browser (in addition to the Android browser) and a Swype keyboard.

Pricing information has not yet been released.

Video review

[kb4ns]

Just my humble opinion here, but Android freakin' ROCKS!

If anyone here is considering a phone upgrade and finds themselves confused by all the awesome marketing, here is an Android and iPhone side-by-side comparison worth looking at. Android doesn't spit out near as much hype - mainly because they don't need to. Their products speak for themselves.

Android vs iPhone

Edited June 6, 2010 by kb4ns

[strickj]

Just another month or so before it's released.

Kinda pricey compared to other carriers, though.

I guess in the long run it will be cheaper without that pesty smartphone charge...

The Motorola i1, as we reported yesterday, is looking to be the first prepaid Android in the US. The rugged iDEN handset is coming to Sprint’s Boost early next month, and while we learned a lot about the phone, it’s price would be a mystery. MobileCrunch, who broke the story, is now reporting that it’ll cost $350.

Boost Mobile’s current most expensive phone is the Black Berry

Curve 8330, which costs $250. As I’m sure you know, these prepaid carriers offer no contracts, ergo, no phone subsidy. Customers have to pay full price for the phones. By most accounts, the Motorola i1 will be an “entry-level” Android phone (when compared to beasts like the Droid Incredible and HTC EVO 4G), but without the subsidy, the initial cost of entry is higher than those phones (Both Verizon and Sprint are selling the Droid Incredible and HTC EVO 4G for $200).

Of course, the advantage here is that without a subsidy to pay off, you’ll get a lower monthly fee. As we reported, Boost Mobile won’t be charging a "Smartphone tax” for the Motorola i1 like they do with the BlackBerry. Their $50 monthly unlimited everything fee will still apply to the Android phone. Not a bad deal for an Android phone. The Motorola i1 will have full access to the Android Market, so it’s starting to look like a cheap way to get into the Android eco-system.

Read: Motorola i1 To Cost $350 [First Prepaid Android Phone In The US Will Also Be The Most Expensive Phone On Boost Mobile] » TFTS – Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Edited June 17, 2010 by strickj

[Guest Arko]

That just may get me to give Boost another look.

[enfield]

Nah, you'll want to stay away from Android phones -- they run Linux and Linux is too complicated for ordinary mortals.

[Guest Arko]

Nah, you'll want to stay away from Android phones -- they run Linux and Linux is too complicated for ordinary mortals.

lol.

Yeah, you're right. Linux is no good. (tell that to my linux PC, which hasn't needed a reboot in so long I don't remember the last-as opposed to my MS laptop which fails every five minutes or so!)

Seriously though..an Andriod without a crazy contract? Very interesting..

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

i may have to upgrade from my Boost i465 to the new Android!

[strickj]

That just may get me to give Boost another look.

I've been on Boost since November 09, IIRC. I switched from Verizon to them. (Moto Q)

It's surprised me how great the service is. It's a helluva lot better then the Sprint I had years ago. A lot better then the Nextel I used to use aswell.

i may have to upgrade from my Boost i465 to the new Android!

Worst 100 bucks I've ever spent was on that phone.

Planned on using that phone and doing the whole 'boostberry' thing but never got around to it.

I'm glad I won't have to go that route now!

Edited June 17, 2010 by strickj