Update: There are multiple points that we’d like to clarify. Sprint has chosen to address this issue, and has stated to us and on other sites the following:
“Sprint has never announced plans to carry the Samsung i550 device.
Sprint is not putting an emphasis on any operating system over another. Sprint is committed to meeting the needs of consumers and business professionals by offering one of the most innovative device lineups in the wireless industry. As part of this commitment, we will continue to provide a variety of form factors, functionality and operating systems (both Palm and Windows Mobile) for our devices that allow customers to choose the options that best meet their needs.”
Quite simply, we agree. Our report did not challenge Sprint’s support for both platforms, and it is clear Sprint still supports the Palm platform. But while Sprint states that they never announced the i550, perhaps they should contact Samsung on that one. Samsung touted the i550 as being Sprint-exclusive to multiple members of the media (ourselves included) and at several trade shows. At almost all times, the unit was Sprint branded, and every time asked, Samsung PR confirmed it was to be Sprint exclusive.
Our reference to the term cancellation is also correct. Samsung will not be offering the i550, there are no plans for it to be released on any other carrier. While Sprint never announced the device, and it isn’t their fault the device will not be released on any other carrier, the fact that Samsung has no plans to release it on any carrier is a cancellation of the device’s release.
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Multiple sources have now confirmed that Sprint has cancelled the Samsung i550. Samsung’s replacement to the i500 added an OLED external display, camera, and SDIO memory card slot. The leading reasons cited are Sprint’s wish to focus Palm sales on the Treo 650 and their new support for the Windows Mobile for Smartphones platform. Sprint has already begun to replace the i500 with the i600 in most stores.
