The Curve 8530 features BlackBerry OS 5.0, a landscape HVGA resolution display, dedicated media player keys, 3.5mm headphone jack, optical directional pad, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, redesigned QWERTY keyboard and Wi-Fi radio. It also includes preloaded applications including BlackBerry Media Sync, Sprint Music Store and Sprint TV access as well as a 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder. The BlackBerry Curve 8530 will be available in three color options – Black, Royal Purple and Red at a later date with pricing and availability yet to be disclosed.

Sprint has launched the Sanyo 3810 and the long-awaited Samsung Moment.

The Sanyo 3810 features an external display with a mirror finish when not in use, internal 2.4 inch QVGA display, large keypad, menu size control larger for easy navigation through menus and sub-menus, 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom and Bluetooth.

The Moment features Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube while featuring a Sprint first 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, sliding QWERTY keyboard and a virtual keyboard. Device navigation is handled by an optical joystick. Rounding out the featureset is an 800 Mhz processor, Wi-Fi radio, integrated GPS support, 3.2 megapixel camera with video recorder, stereo Bluetooth, microSDHC expansion slot and speakerphone.

Pricing on the Moment is set at $179.99 after a $50 instant savings and a $100 mail-in-rebate with a new 2 year agreement with the Sanyo 3810 being free after the same contract terms and $50 mail-in rebate.

It should be noted that the Clear service (with Sprint acting as an MVNO leasing capacity from Clearwire) is not yet available for purchase in the above markets, with no immediate word on launch.

Other plans include Android OS updates for the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment, Android device with a built-in MiFi style router, BlackBerry Tour with Wi-Fi and other Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry devices, testing of Windows Mobile 6.5 updates for the HTC Touch Pro2 and other Windows devices “plan for early 2010″ and WiMax phones.

The standard $0.20/minute charge will continue to apply for immediate call forwarding, with the change giving Sprint customers access to third-party voice services and emphasizing the new voicemail features in Google Voice unveiled on Monday, which do not require a separate Google Voice number.

The Palm Pixi was originally meant for AT&T according to leaked information in June, then Palm made a surprise announcement in September not long after the launch of the Pre.

The featureset consists of 8GB onboard storage, 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and video recorder, a full QWERTY keyboard, a 2.63-inch 320 x 400 resolution capacitive touch display with the customary ringer on / off switch and 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a removable 1150mAh battery.

Unlike the Pre, the Pixi will not feature a Wi-Fi radio and will solely depend on EV-DO Rev. A access.

Update: From the press release, the Pixi will cost $99.99 with a two-year agreement after a $50 instant rebate and $100 mail-in rebate. It will be available at Sprint stores, online, through telesales, at Best Buy, RadioShack and select Wal-Mart stores on November 15th.

Clearwire and Sprint will jointly launch 4G service in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina;  Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas in November.  Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii will be launching in December, previously confirmed by Time Warner last week.

Comcast will also be launching its WiMax service during the same timeframe, meaning that there will be a simultaneous 4G launch between Sprint, Clearwire, and MVNOs Comcast and Time Warner.

iPCS provided cellular service under the Sprint brand name as a result of a longstanding affiliate agreement which began at the inception of Sprint PCS as a company and service provider in 1996, with the affiliate providing service under the Sprint brand in the 81 markets throughout Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Tennessee.

In recent years, iPCS was better known for continually filing suit against Sprint over recent deals involving Clearwire, Virgin Mobile USA and offering Nextel-branded services in iPCS territory, claiming its affiliate agreement was continually infringed on the basis of direct competition.

Because of the above, many savvy customers that lived in iPCS territory continually expressed frustration at the company for fighting Sprint at every turn for everything from plan consistency to service quality, which was considered subpar compared to markets directly controlled by Sprint.

With the purchase, Sprint has now added 700,000 direct customers, 270,000 additional customers using MVNO services that use the Sprint network and an expansion of service territory that now spans an additional 12.6 million people.

The purchase is expected to be completed by the end of the year pending necessary regulatory approvals.

Correction: We apologize for an error in the initial version of the article. We incorrectly stated that iPCS was the “lone remaining” and not the “largest remaining” affiliate. While it was a typographical error, the remainder of the report is correct.

The $30 plan offers unlimited data, text messaging, and 5 GB of Phone As Modem service. On Everything-plan-required phones like the Palm Pre, the plan trades 5 GB of PAM for basic Sprint TV and Sprint Navigation service.

And, starting today, the plan is now available for Android phones on Sprint. Android joins the Palm Pre, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile, as well as non-smartphones in being offered on the plan. The HTC Hero is available for sale from Sprint’s Relay Store web site, and existing Sprint Relay customers can switch to an Android phone with the help of a plan specialist.

Sprint has also confirmed to PhoneNews.com that the Samsung Moment will be available on SRDO, next month.

Following up on the launch of the Debut for Boost Mobile last month, Sprint has launched the slider for its Nextel service.

Like the Boost version, the phone features a 1.3MP camera with video recorder, external media controls and Bluetooth with stereo audio support along with threaded messaging and speakerphone.

The phone is now available online from Sprint for $149.99 after new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $99.99.