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Sprint’s Q1 2013 financial results came out this morning, and the news wasn’t great overall. Losses continue to accumulate, and total smartphone sales aren’t faring very well, either, with just 5 million units sold in total. The iPhone, after achieving a record high of 2.2 million handsets sold on Sprint’s network last quarter, dropped back down to 1.5 million, the same number Sprint saw in the three quarters preceding Q4 2012.

This is the first time Sprint has reported specific total smartphone sales in an earnings release, and it said it achieved 5 million handset sales in total. that means that the iPhone accounted for 30 percent of total device sales at the carrier. iPhone sales for all of 2012 totaled 6.6 million, on total smartphone sales for the year of 20 million, which means Apple’s devices accounted for just about one-third of the total. That puts this quarter pretty close to on pace, but compared to the rest of the field, iPhone growth was flat at Sprint.

Horace Dediu of Asymco notes that iPhone sales grew 25 percent at Verizon, and by around 12 percent at AT&T. Worldwide, the pace was a 7 percent increase, with 14 percent improvement at home. It might be tempting to put some of the blame for Sprint’s flagging fortunes on a big bet on iPhone, but the numbers indicate the carrier isn’t being hurt so much by flagging iPhone sales, but by a general inability to match its competitors, in terms of device sales aside.

iPhone sales grew 25% at Verizon, 12% at AT&T and 0% at Sprint. Overall US growth was 14% vs. 7% globally.—
Horace Dediu (@asymco) April 24, 2013

Sprint is still quick to note that the iPhone is driving new customers to its business, pointing out that the rate of new subscribers signing up via iPhone purchases is once again at over 40 percent, the same as over the past several quarters. The iPhone has been consistent for it, but the company was likely hoping it would be more of a breakout hit.

FreedomPop, the famously “free” data-only internet provider, promised an upgrade from WiMAX to Sprint’s LTE by the end of 2013, and while the company may have missed that mark, it is now offering access to the carrier’s 3G network. A new $40 Overdrive Pro hotspot, available today, will connect to Sprint’s 3G in addition to 4G courtesy of Clearwire’s WiMAX network. Users will get 500MB of 3G/4G coverage for free each month, and can choose a monthly 2GB plan for $20.

FreedomPop says it will release several devices running on Sprint’s LTE spectrum later this year, in line with the carrier’s build-out. Even the addition of Sprint’s 3G is a big step up, though, as FreedomPop’s own network doesn’t exactly blanket the US. If you already own one of the company’s hotspots but want to upgrade to this one, you’ll be able to swap yours via customer service. Check out the full press info past the break.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Mobile

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Source: FreedomPop

Most of the hullabaloo around Sprint’s nascent LTE network has focused on the consumer. But, don’t worry, the carrier hasn’t forgotten about its precious business customers. Today it announced that Data Link and Static IP would be coming to its latest iteration of 4G. For those of you not familiar, Data Link carries a guarantee of 99.9 percent availability — something craved by enterprise types. And it covers not just handsets and hotspots, but kiosks, sales terminals and can even serve as a backup plan for wired service. The ability to assign a static IP address will also be welcomed by IT departments that need to tightly manage wireless devices. And, just in case you’re not covered by the Now Network’s LTE just yet, both services are available on 3G as well. For more, check out the PR after the break.

Filed under: Mobile, Sprint

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Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Tablets, Mobile

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You’ve probably read our hands-on preview and review of the HTC One to the point where you memorized everything we said about the device. And after being hit with delays allegedly due to a shortage in its camera module, HTC’s latest flagship smartphone, is now available in the U.S. for AT&T and Sprint subscribers.

On both AT&T and Sprint, you can now purchase the silver HTC One for $199.99 for the 32GB model both online and in their respective retail locations, or if you believe you need the extra memory, AT&T is the only U.S. carrier to carry the 64GB variant for $299.99. Both prices of course require customers to sign a two-year agreement with your carrier of choice. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: HTC Desire L Headed For Taiwan, iPhone 5S Front-Facing Camera Module Leaks [Rumor],