sprint

Softbank's 300 year vision for making Sprint customers happy

As you struggle through your life, you're just happy when your toilet flushes, your shoes don't wear out, and your phone works. You don't imagine for a moment that the companies behind these products aren't merely thinking commercially, but existentially.

You don't imagine that they're not just trying to sell you a product -- they're actually trying to lift your spirits. They're trying to make you forget loneliness, despair, and even death.

Please, I am not playing the fool. I am not even impersonating Dr. Sanjay Gupta. For a copy of a plan belonging to Softbank … Read more

Xbox Music service has its limits

Monday's CNET Update wants to keep rockin' in the free world:

Today's tech news roundup looks into the limitations of Microsoft's new music-streaming service, Xbox Music. It debuts on the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, but aside from a 30-day trial period, it won't come free. The streaming service, which syncs music across devices, costs $10 a month to be used on the Xbox 360 and on Windows Phone 8. There will be a free ad-supported version for Windows 8 PCs and tablets, but playback time is limited to 10 hours a month after the first six … Read more

Sprint steers Samsung M400 toward seniors

If you're looking for a simple cell phone, it's hard to find one simpler -- or cheaper -- than the simple Samsung M400. The basic flip phone comes free with a new two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Features are intentionally sparse on the M400, and include a 2.4-inch internal display, large dial pad buttons, and emergency settings to call 911 and your selected ICE (in case of emergency) contacts.

Voice dialing is fairly standard on even the most straightforward of phones, but Samsung has added text-to-speech readout capability that voices a variety of information, … Read more

What SoftBank's takeover of Sprint means for you (FAQ)

Japanese wireless provider SoftBank made a huge bet on the U.S. market after it agreed to take control of Sprint Nextel for $20.1 billion.

After days of speculation and reports, the two companies confirmed the deal this morning. SoftBank gets a large foothold in the U.S. market, which it believes still has the opportunity for growth. Sprint, meanwhile, gets a new lease on life and more support as it continues its turnaround.

But what does this mean for the average customer? Will the deal have any affect on Sprint's day-to-day service? CNET has put together this … Read more

Japan's Softbank poised to supercharge Sprint network

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son isn't impressed with the high-speed wireless networks in the United States.

"Everytime I come to the U.S., I say 'Oh my God, the mobile phone network is so slow,'" Son said during a conference call with analysts today.

Now, Son is in a position to change things to his liking after Softbank and Sprint Nextel agreed on a deal in which Softbank would take a 70 percent stake in the U.S. carrier.

Sprint, which has struggled as a distant No. 3 carrier behind AT&T and Verizon Wireless, could get a boost from the deal, … Read more

Sprint savior? Japan's Softbank could bring badly needed boost

Softbank may be the shot in the arm that Sprint Nextel needs to finally be competitive with the big boys in the U.S.

Sprint and Softbank confirmed early Monday that they had agreed to a deal in which Softbank would spent $20.1 billion to take a 70 percent stake in the company. Softbank will pay shareholders $12.1 billion and invest $8 billion in the business.

But the deal underscores an increasingly evident reality for Sprint: that the growing pressures of the wireless industry are too much for the company to handle alone. It already must deal with … Read more

Softbank plans to take control of Sprint for $20.1 billion

With a cash investment of $20.1 billion, Softbank plans to take control over struggling U.S. carrier Sprint Nextel next year under an agreement announced today.

Under the all-cash deal, expected to close in mid-2013, the Japanese technology and investment firm will purchase 70 percent of Sprint's stock for $12.1 billion and will invest $8 billion into the company, Softbank announced (PDF) today.

Softbank is offering to buy Sprint shareholders' stock at $7.30, a 27 percent premium over the company's closing stock price Friday. Both companies' boards have approved the transaction.

Sprint had confirmed discussions with Softbank … Read more

Sprint reportedly agrees to sell 70 percent stake to Softbank

U.S. wireless carrier Sprint Nextel has reportedly reached an agreement to sell 70 percent of itself to Japanese mobile carrier Softbank for $20 billion.

Both companies' boards have approved the deal, which is expected to be announced tomorrow, sources tell CNBC. Under the deal, Softbank will buy $8 billion in stock directly from Sprint, with another $12 billion purchased from existing stockholders.

The tender offer's price per share is reportedly $7.30, a 27 percent premium over the carrier's closing stock price Friday of $5.73.

CNET has contacted Sprint for comment and will update this report … Read more

Signposts on Apple's road to map app mishap

While it initially appeared that Apple was caught off guard by the furor over how bad its in-house map application is, the company apparently had plenty of warning.

Developers have been complaining about Apple's Maps since shortly after they were given the first pre-release version in early June, CNET has learned. They say they filed bug requests, sent e-mails to specific Apple employees, and vented on message boards only other developers and Apple could see.

Threads on Apple's developer forums described some of the problems that appeared well ahead of the final version of the software, and they … Read more