First and foremost, the Instinct HD will expand on Sprint’s Opera Mini-bundling in the Instinct S30. Opera Mobile will become the standard browser, operating inside the Instinct HD’s BREW environment. This is the first time Opera Mobile has been the default browser on a Sprint non-smartphone, and appears to be the rumored widespread integration deal that Opera rumored in July. Instinct HD will be Sprint’s flagship non-smartphone through the end of the year, and Sprint’s hybrid BREW/Java platform is gaining in traction on other devices.

In addition to a powerful BREW-based browser, Instinct HD will get a significant Java upgrade. With a model number of SPH-M850, it will be the first non-smartphone to feature Sprint’s Titan application platform. Titan replaces the aging J2ME CLDC profile with a custom CDC-based platform. CDC is a more powerful version of Java, originally meant for smartphones, but failed to get traction there. Only Symbian UIQ included full support for the CDC profile. Now, Sprint is poised to revive it as an app platform for non-smartphones, which can scale up to both Android and Windows Mobile phones.

Titan, as we first reported, will deliver smartphone-grade application platforms across the entire Sprint phone lineup.

Finally, most interesting, will be the integration between these two advances. Applications using Titan will be able to leverage the Opera Mobile browser as their HTML renderer. This will enable impressive on-device widgets and web-driven applications, similar to how Palm’s webOS offers application interactivity.

The interface will continue to mimic the Instinct (S30) interface, but will have additional media player enhancements to support on-device sync and HD (with HDMI) video output. This is a far cry from the meager Sprint Music Store playback support in the original Instinct, as well as take advantage of Wi-Fi in the device.

This news comes as PhoneNews.com was vindicated by external testers for our previous exclusive report which exposed that iPhone 3GS is capable of up to 1080p HD playback. Many criticized PhoneNews.com for reporting that the iPhone 3GS’s video hardware would support HD playback. Apple is poised to enable such playback upon the launch of forthcoming iPod touch models, which feature the same PowerVR chipset, enabling HD output across both iPhone 3GS and iPod touch. The change will also strike the discontinuation of the 8GB iPhone 3G, as multiple sources have reported will be replaced with a 3GS variant.

The high-end clamshell will be launched on March 23rd for $299.99 Month-to-Month, $249.99 after new 1 year agreement, or $179.99 after new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate bringing the totals to $199.99 or $129.99 respectively.

The clamshell features 1xEVDO Rev A connectivity, QVGA internal display, microSDHC expansion slot, access to VCAST services, Visual Voicemail, media player, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, speakerphone, and 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder.

The phone also features an identical external display to the Nokia 7510 and in an intrerseting twist, features different directional pad designs based on color. The phone has been repositioned as an eco friendly model with a new contact management solution known as “Habitat Mode” which arranges contacts in an easy to reach manner and acts as a custom theme.

Finesse image courtesy of MetroPCSHelp

The Finesse will be identical to the Delve model offered on Alltel right down to offering the Mission Impossible trilogy on a bundled microSD card with the Limited Edition version of the phone when it is expected to launch on April 6 for $349.99. The Motorola Evoke QA4 touchscreen slider is expected to launch in May for $299.99 and the QA30 Hint is expected to launch on the same day as the Finesse for $249.99.

The Hint and Evoke will feature tri-band CDMA network access for Legacy and new AWS CDMA market sales, while the Finesse is expected to be sold only in Legacy markets similar to the Curve.

Update: Various sources within MetroPCS have confirmed to PhoneNews.com that the Samsung Finesse will be a tri-band CDMA unit that will be sold in both AWS and Legacy CDMA markets,  with the complete launch set for April 6th.

The clamshell features a 1.3 MP Camera with 4x digital zoom and video recorder, media player, Celltop support, microSDHC slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, and touch sensitive outer controls with haptic feedback. The phone was previously approved by the FCC in January for use on CDMA AWS networks in use by Metro PCS and Cricket, but neither carrier has picked up the phone for final testing and sale.

The LG Versa is a touch screen device which features a 3 inch WQVGA resolution display, Visual Voicemail support, GPS support via VZ Navigator V CAST Music with Rhapsody and Video support, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, a 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and video recorder, external display when paired with the separate keyboard or game pad modules, speakerphone and handwriting recognition.

The phone also features the Novarra web browser which was previously covered and features Flash support along with RSS feeds and tabbing.

The high-end multimedia device will be available on March 1st for $449.99 Month to Month, $319.99 on a 1 year agreement, and $249.99 on a 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the totals to $269.99 and $199.99 respectively.

Buy the LG Versa from Verizon Wireless
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The clamshell is meant to replace the venerable VX8350 and features front mounted touch sensitive media player controls, external display, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, Rhapsody support, full V CASTMusic/Video support, 1.3 megapixel camera with video recorder, VZ Navigator, and speakerphone.

The phone is priced at $239.99 Month to Month, $169.99 on a 1 year agreement and inPulse prepaid, and $99.99 on a new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $119.99 and $49.99 respectively.

Buy an LG VX8360 from Verizon Wireless

The VX8360 is functionally similar to the 8350 it replaces with front mounted touch sensitive media player controls, external display, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, Rhapsody support, full V CAST Music/Video support, 1.3 megapixel camera with video recorder, VZ Navigator, and speakerphone.

The phone will be priced at $239.99 Month to Month, $169.99 on a 1 year agreement and inPulse prepaid, and $99.99 on a new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the totals to $119.99 and $49.99 respectively.

Images courtesy of Mobile indeed it is Mobile

The model slated for release on Verizon will be a variant of the series found on Japanese carrier KDDI AU with slight adjustments made for the American market such as a CMOS+DSP combo for the 5.1 megapixel camera with optical zoom, xenon flash, locking battery cover in a nod to the GzOne series, and a WVGA widescreen display while still retaining the swiveling bezel found on the W63CA and Samsung Flipshot in order to aid photography and video capture.

The phone also features a microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, media player, speakerphone, and EVDO.  There is no information on pricing or availability at this time.

The phone is otherwise identical with a MilSpec bodyshell that is shock, dust, and water resistant while featuring EVDO Rev. A access, QVGA internal display, GPS access with workforce management application support, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, digital compass, microSDHC slot with 256MB of internal memory, V CAST Music and Video support, speakerphone and a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and video recorder.

The phone is now available for $399.99 Month-to-Month, $269.99 on a 1 year agreement, and $199.99 on a 2 year agreement before additional $50 mail-in rebates, bringing the totals to $219.99 and $149.99 respectively.

Buy a Casio G’zOne Boulder from Verizon Wireless

The Nokia 2605 will feature an external display, VGA camera with video recorder, Bluetooth, FOTA support, VZNavigator, and feature Xpress-On faceplates as well as a speakerphone.  What is unconfirmed is the presence of the Series 40 user interface, as Nokia has a history of outsourcing internal designs to Chinese handset manufacturers with often poor results. 

The launch is scheduled for December 5th via Telesales, Verizon Retail Stores, and online with a full launch in all channels beginning on January 23rd of next year.  Pricing is set at $219.99 Month-to-Month, $169.99 on InPulse and 1 year agreement, and $99.99 on a 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate.  

This brings the total to $119.99 and $49.99 respectively.