Technology

Sprint decided to speed things up for one of its smartphones this week by downloading the ‘Rev. A’ new software that will boost its power at about 1.4 megabits per second. Sprint’s goal is to allow users to surf the mobile Web as fast as they would with a DSL desktop.

The new process provides average downloads ranging from 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps; average upload speeds are 350 Kbps to 500 Kbps, the carrier said in a statement. That’s a noticeable step up from download speeds of 400 Kbps to 700 Kbps and uploads of 50-70 Kbps.
Sprint users of the HTC Mogul smartphone can download free software to take advantage of the higher speeds.

Sprint claims it is the first phone with Rev. A capabilities to hit the market; Sprint and Verizon Wireless have used Rev. A so far only in laptop cards. Sprint plans to upgrade a second handset, the HTC Touch, to Rev. A “later this year,” a spokeswoman said, without giving a more specific time frame.

The Mogul is available from Sprint for $200 with a two-year service agreement and a $100 mail-in rebate. The handset uses the Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition and has a full keyboard, touch screen, thumb wheel, and five-way navigation button. The Mogul has a 2-megapixel camera and a stereo Bluetooth interface. The smartphone also can be used as a wireless modem for a laptop, and features ActiveSync software for Outlook Mobile applications. Sprint also allows any third-party apps that users want to put on the phone.
Sprint said the newly enhanced Mogul also could be used with its recently unveiled Sprint’s $99.99 “Simply Everything” monthly pricing plan.