The phone features multimedia functionality such as a media player, 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder and flash, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth, Push to X functionality, GPS and speakerphone.

The phone’s bodyshell is also M810F certified against shock, vibration and dust. Neither Sprint nor Motorola have announced the phone as of yet.

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.

Motorola has announced the availability of the i856 Debut slider for Boost Mobile. 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 Boost Mobile for $169.99.

First, Boost has eliminated the Home Calling Area and the associated 15 cent/minute roaming charges, now allowing for nationwide roaming on the entire Sprint network at no additional cost.

In addition, existing customers on the UNLTD $50 Unlimited Talk, $60 Unlimited Talk & Text or $70 Unlimited Talk, Text & Web will receive up to a $20 price drop by being automatically moved to the new $50 unlimited plan that now includes voice, messaging and Web access, mirroring the unlimited iDEN pricepoint, while customers on the introductory $35 Unlimited Talk, $40 Unlimited Talk & Text or $45 Unlimited Talk, Text & Web will remain on their current plans with no changes.

Because of this realignment and differences in billing systems between CDMA and iDEN according to Boost, customers on the newer UNLTD plans will continue to pay taxes in addition to their monthly cost and a convenience fee will continue to be charged to customers when replenishing their account in-store.  Finally, new UNLTD customers will no longer be offered the first month of service free, eliminating a commpetitive bullet point against regional flat-rate carriers Cricket and Metro PCS.

The Clutch is identical to the model sold on subsidiary Boost Mobile and features a portait display, QWERTY keyboard, speakerphone, VGA camera, MMS support, email client, Bluetooth, and threaded SMS support along with the distinction of M810 Mil-Spec certification for dust, vibration and harsh enviroment longevity.

The phone will be available later this summer for $109.99 after new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in and $20 insteant rebate, bringing the total to $39.99.

The i856 features a 1.3 megapixel camera with video recorder, microSDHC expansion slot, microUSB port, dedicated media player key, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, MotoTalk off-network Push-to-Talk support, and Push to X for multimedia/messaging transfer to contacts via Push-to-Talk service.

Neither Motorola nor Sprint have officially announced the phone at this time.

This version of the i9 is otherwise identical to the launch model, and features a touch sensitive outer display at QVGA resolution with ModeShift support, haptic feedback, microSDHC expansion slot, speakerphone, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, and a 3.1 megapixel camera with autofocus, 4x digital zoom, and flash.

The phone is available directly from Boost for $299.99 with free activation and shipping when ordered online.

The Clutch features a portait display, QWERTY keyboard, speakerphone, VGA camera, MMS support, email client, Bluetooth, and threaded SMS support along with the distinction of M810 Mil-Spec certification for dust, vibration and harsh enviroment longevity.

The phone is now available for $129.99 from Boost Mobile online and via retail stores and dealers.

Image courtesy of SprintGurus

The dual-keypad slider will be launched on June 7th and will launch as the Samsung Exclaim along with the LG LX370 and the Motorola Clutch.

The Exclaim will feature a QVGA resolution display, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, and speakerphone with a focus on social networking.

To alleviate the problem in the short-term, Sprint will be elevating Boost subscribers in affected markets to the same access level as Nextel users until further improvements can be made to capacity.

This follows the recent improvements made to address the growing issues with SMS messaging ahead of the launch of the Clutch, which will be priced at $129.99 when it launches next month.

Update: Boost Media Relations representative John Votava has responded to PhoneNews.com in a phone conversation with a clarification of how customers access the iDEN network.

Votava stated that Nextel, Boost and Government/First Response customers receive the same access to the network regardless of service agreement. The only time priority is to be affected is during a catastrophe in which Government/First Response users will receive elevated priority over all other users.

Votava also clarified the service issues that have plagued the Dallas/Fort Worth area along with other major cities are a result of capacity issues on the network backend, which are being addressed and monitored by engineers and expected to be fixed in the near term.