OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Nextel Corp. said it will install Qualcomm Inc.’s uiOne technology in its new phones. The carrier also unveiled its first phone running the technology, Sanyo Corp.’s CDMA2000 1x EV-DO-capable MM-7500, which Sprint Nextel will sell for $380.
Based on Qualcomm’s BREW technology, uiOne allows either carriers or mobile phone users to customize the look and feel of their devices. Sprint Nextel is using uiOne to sell new “themes” to subscribers, who will be able to customize their phone’s user interface with downloadable motifs such as “hip hop” and “tropical.” The customized UI skins change the look and feel of the phone’s software, and stand as an upgrade to current personalization services such as ringtones and wallpaper downloads, which are widely available.
Alltel Corp. and 02 UK plc also plans to use Qualcomm’s uiOne technology in their phones.
Qualcomm’s new agreement with Sprint Nextel is notable since the carrier years ago spurned Qualcomm’s BREW application download service in favor of a Java-based offering.
Sprint Nextel said its new MM-7500 from Sanyo supports its newly launched Music Store as well as its TV offerings, its video messaging service and its push-to-talk offering.
