Skip to main content

Subtler Sprint ID arriving on Samsung's Epic 4G, Galaxy Tab

Love it or hate it, Sprint is rolling out its Sprint ID software to the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Samsung Epic 4G, just as they said they would at a Sprint event last October.
Brian Smith, director of Open Platform for Sprint, told CNET that in addition to the expanded support, Sprint ID is changing going forward.
First, it won't be a "forced" experience as it was when it first launched at CTIA last fall. Instead of having to choose from a Sprint ID Pack after powering on your device, you'll now have a stock Android 2.2 Froyo experience that you can optionally customize with Sprint ID when you open the app. ID packs are the collection of wallpaper, widgets, and apps focused on a theme, like ESPN sports, or entertainment that comprises the Sprint ID offering. Sprint's Smith says its MTV, ESPN, and Yahoo ID packs are the most popular.
Second, the Sprint ID developers have worked on loading ID packs faster.
Both changes were designed to alleviate complaints (including ours) about the ID packs' slow start-up and load times, although Sprint's Smith says that the latter change will mostly affect first-timers. "[It] addresses some of the start-up problems we've seen on the initial launch," he told CNET in a briefing.
The news of a less intrusive Sprint ID is very welcome, but we have two quibbles. First, glad as we are that Sprint is listening to user complaints, we just wish they had conducted the bulk of their in-depth user behavior studies before launching Sprint ID, not after. That would have saved both Sprint and its customers some growing pains and headaches.
Sprint logo
Second, as far as we're concerned, Sprint should still let device owners choose which components they want from a given ID pack before they download. As it stands, people who feel too bogged down with unwanted ID pack inclusions have to winnow the unwanted apps from the settings menu. When asked about this, Sprint's Smith said the carrier wasn't planning to allow this, citing that they didn't want to "limit" the publisher of the ID pack. We suspect they're concerned a move like that could alienate some of Sprint's most important partners, like Disney.
As for new packs, Sprint has acknowledged there's a series of partnerships in the pipeline, which we could hear about as soon as CTIA next week.
The new Sprint ID rolls out for the Epic 4G and Samsung Galaxy Tab beginning Monday. Eligible users will receive a software update notification. The Sprint ID app will then install in the app tray, not on the home screen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Readers Choice

Lead Your Team Into a Post-Pandemic World

During the Covid-19 crisis, I’ve spoken with many CEOs who have shared that a key priority for them, naturally, has been the safety and well-being of their employees. And there are many examples of inspiring actions taken by CEOs and companies in support of their employees. But as we’ve come to recognize that this crisis will last more than a few short weeks, companies are now defining their approach for the long haul. I’ve seen two crucial ideas take hold with corporate leaders. One: Given the magnitude of the shock and the challenges that this crisis represents, companies must consider the full breadth of their employees’ needs as people. Safety is essential, of course, but it’s also important to address higher-level needs such as the want for truth, stability, authentic connections, self-esteem, growth, and meaning in the context of the crisis. Two: Many CEOs have begun thinking about this crisis in three phases. They may assign different names or specific lengths to t
1 comment
Read more

4 Ways Google Search Can Help You Achieve Your Marketing Goals

Google Ads Google Ad extensions are a great way to add key descriptive text without taking up space in your actual ad and improve your quality score for even better results. It’s a win-win right? Google Maps Is your business discoverable on Google Maps? For small businesses, adding detailed information and the use of strategic keywords can be helpful for a better location optimization. Google Ranks SEO is vital for moving up in Google rankings. To climb up the ladder, incorporate top keywords in page titles, meta tags and focus on consistently delivering relevant content. Backlinking If SEO is the the only strategy you have, it is the right time to change that. Start adding backlinks to your content. Quality backlinks can further increase your brand authority. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Twenty Smart Business Buzzwords

Some words may grate on your nerves, but business leaders are still using "disrupt," "synergy" and "ideate." You should too. Spend any amount of time in a corporate environment and you'll likely notice there are some words that seem to come up on a daily basis. Certain verbiage becomes part of the  corporate culture  and soon, you may feel as if you need to use it to fit in. While they can change from one day to the next, most corporate buzzwords have a positive meaning. They're used to boost morale and motivate everyone involved in the conversation. Here are 20 of the top business buzzwords that you should make an effort to work into your vocabulary. 1. Impact Impact is a powerful word that has become a favorite of business professionals.  Grammarians argue  that the word is being used improperly, urging you to use "affect" instead, but businesses love it. 2. Corporate Synergy Half of the people who use this term likely
12 comments
Read more