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Providing an in-depth review of Sprint-ID is somewhat of an ironic oxymoron- the feature exists to provide Android beginner’s with a simple, non-obtrusive, out-of-the-box way of getting the content and apps they want on their phone. By all accounts, readers of Phandroid are (mostly) on the knowledgeable end of the Android scale and don’t have to do all the digging and researching- you already know what you want and you follow Phandroid to see what you’ll want next.
But what about the 65-year old retired guy who is about to embark on post-career golf frenzy? How about the 45-year old mother who just became an empty nester? Or what about the 15-year old text messager who has never had a smartphone and isn’t exactly Android obsessed? Where do they start?
You COULD tell them to start with Phandroid.com, and we’re developing some interesting features for people like this in the near future, but Sprint is being proactive in welcoming a new breed of smartphone user to the Android world and I’m all for it. The Sprint ID service is launching on three new phones the carrier is offering: LG Optimus S, Sanyo Zio, and Samsung Transform.
My favorite of the three is the LG Optimus Z, but check out my thoughts on Sprint ID while I overview each of the three phones:
Sprint-ID is a starting point. It’s a way for Android beginner’s to get started on a new world they want to explore and discover. So let’s dive in and show you how Sprint-ID will help these new users navigate the smartphone seas with a little more ease.
At the launch event, various partners showcased their implementations of Sprint-ID which we’ve captured on video and shared below. Perhaps the most powerful feature of Sprint ID is that it will be available for developers to create their own implementations, extending Android into an infinite simplicity. When users are ready to graduate to less of a hand-holding experience… they can to it at their own pace.
Sprint ID for Education with Loyola University in Chicago
The folks at BlackBoard teamed up with Loyola and I was very impressed with the Sprint ID pack in this instance. With a few swipes and presses, your phone is all set up to get grades, read class notes, grab your schedule, see assignments, read notifications from your professor and more. Really like how this could help keep you organized with almost no effort.
Sprint ID with Yahoo
Maybe you prefer Yahoo to Google on your… Google Android Phone. To be honest, I actually really enjoy Yahoo’s Home Page, especially their featured news section. My infatuation mostly ends there, but if you want Yahoo Finance, OMG, and all the other Yahooness on your Android – look no further.
Sprint ID and the Bi-Lingual Community
First of all I have to say I’m jealous of folks who can speak multiple language and it makes me feel rather foolish (read: like an obnoxious American) when a native-XYZ speaker effortlessly uses English to communicate with me while I’m in a foreign country. But while in America, how can these people use their mobile device to stay connected with their background and culture? Here is one way:
Sprint ID for Small Business Users
Handmark put together a Small Business pack – think about a company putting together their own Small Business Sprint ID Pack, suggesting users get Android Phones, and having the ability to load a Sprint ID that’s business ready right out of the box.
Sprint ID Pack from Where
Sarah from Where shows off their version of Sprint ID that totally Where-ifies your phone. For folks who want a location aware things-to-do-and-see-and-eat phone might find this impressive.
Again, that’s a rather in-depth look at Sprint ID – later on I’ll be performing a more simplistic review using the Samsung Transform to give you a direct look of the ins-and-outs, explaining what I like and don’t like on a micro level.
But in terms of concept? I think Sprint ID is a great idea, and if you take your own desires OUT of the equation and look at the service as an opportunity for beginning Android users to get the most out of their phone (out of the box), then I think you would have a hard time disagreeing.
they have the 2.2 launcher with 2.1
The Optimus looks like a great little phone that I’m seriously considering getting when I upgrade from my Moment in a few weeks. Smaller size and no physical QWERTY so it will fit in my pocket easily. No 4G so I don’t have to spend extra money. Stock Android (other than the ID button). Froyo. My only two concerns are that a) a spec sheet I saw online showed it to be evdo rev 0 instead of rev A, and b) it probably won’t be a favorite for developers, so I may not be able to get root access on it to get rid of all of Sprint’s crap and get wifi tethering without paying the monthly charge.
The problem is that you CAN’T remove Sprint ID without rooting your phone, or even disable it.
@Dylan – there isn’t much to remove. If you aren’t a beginner and don’t want a Sprint ID phone than get something else. Point being there are people who will WANT this.
Also, you can easily delete apps from any Sprint ID pack and also add other apps so it isn’t like sprint id or bust.
i still dont have a smartphone yet have an env touch. yes im kind of a beginner, ive only read phandorid for a few months now and im started to get everything. my upgrade is in augest and i defenatily want an alernative to an iphone. i have one question though. ive been playing with android phones for awhile and im wondering how u take the skin/ui off and on? yes im young.
My brother got the Transform and rooted it. Does anyone know what the apk file for Sprint ID is?
Hello there!
I JUST bought a Samsung Transform. I LOVE the sprint I.D. that is going on. I used to have a “caveman” – as alot of people would call it – phone. It was like 5 years old, and a flip phone. So I have NO IDEA what is going on with this phone. I’ve COMPLETELY read both manuals as well as played with the thing for about 100 hours, lol. I’ve created 3 user I.D.’s – but I’m realizing all these apps are slowing my phone down. So I went ahead and un-installed a bunch I don’t want, but the USER ID is still there, I was wondering, is there a way to get rid of a user id once it is created?? I was playing around with the phone and can’t seem to figure out a way to do it. Please email [email protected] if you feel kind enough to tell me how to remove a ID from my phone!
Thanks alot!
I recently purchased the Transform and while I like the phone…I absolutely HATE the Sprint ID. I want it off my phone.
I don’t need a program to eat up speed and give me a bunch of garbage I don’t want. I’ll pick the stuff I want on my phone by myself.
Sadly Sprint refuses to remove the software. They claim it “cannot be removed” which of course is complete BS. I could remove it myself (or have it done) but that would void my warranty.
I’m the customer, shouldn’t I get to choose what I want on MY phone?