Sprint embraces every mobile OS
Expresses interest in WP8, BlackBerry 10, even Tizen, despite its huge commitment to sell iPhones
Published: 7 August, 2012
READ MORE: US | Sprint Nextel Corporation | OS | BlackBerry | Handset | iPhone | Windows Phone
Sprint made such a big and risky financial commitment to the iPhone last year that it might be expected to downplay other smartphones. But instead it is keeping all its options open, even expressing interest in the open source platform Tizen, which is not featuring on most cellcos' public wishlists.
According to David Owens, VP of products at the carrier, about 90% of the handset launches for the first half of 2013 have now been finalized, though he conceded there were uncertainties in the market, particularly what Google would choose to do with its Motorola Mobility acquisition.
According to PhoneScoop, Owens said: "Sprint is very interested in watching what happens with Motorola and Google over the next year. What will Google do with Motorola? Now they're building out their roadmap. What does that look like for Sprint for 2013?"
The handsets site has been talking to various Sprint executives to get a picture of the firm's mobile strategy beyond the iPhone, and the carrier is certainly looking to support some alternative platforms which might provide counterweights to the power of Android and iOS. In particular, Sprint seems interested in new options appearing on the horizon - BlackBerry 10 from RIM, Microsoft's Windows 8 and WP8, and even Tizen, a Linux-based OS created from merging Intel's MeeGo with the carrier driven LiMO.
Fared Adib, VP of product development at Sprint, told the blog: "RIM is not dead. I would not count RIM out." And Owens added: "RIM keeps reinventing itself. BlackBerry 10, as we've looked at it, has some really good characteristics. We're excited to see what it can do."
Although Sprint has been the least committed of the big US carriers to Windows Phone, with just one HTC device on offer, it is keeping an eye on WP8. Owens continued with his attitude of openness to all the platforms, saying: "We think Windows Phone 8 is a solid product that they are bringing to market. We're interested in watching it unfold over the course of the next year. We may not lead it, but we'll participate."
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