Continuing employing an open application model, Sprint introduced the latest version of its developer toolkit, relaunching its Professional Developer Program and preparing to deliver new Sprint devices and a new Java platform that will open the door to millions of developers who have traditionally designed for a desktop environment.

As a pioneering user of the Java mobile platform, Sprint is participating in JavaOne for the eighth consecutive year, offering its latest tools for developers to create wireless applications that customers can run on Sprint phones. At the Sprint exhibit during the 2008 conference, Sprint will launch its latest Wireless Toolkit, demonstrate the capabilities of its latest technology, including the new Titan platform, and launch its revised Professional Developer Program.

"By working closely with the developer community since we first launched the Wireless Web in 2001, Sprint has built a long history of leadership in providing open access to the services customers want on their wireless phones, whether through the Sprint portal or through the open Internet,” said Kevin Packingham, vice president of wireless product management for Sprint. “JavaOne has been a great annual event for us and we’re excited to participate again this year to provide developers with the most current information on exciting Sprint products, including the latest phones like the Samsung Instinct.”

Sprint Wireless Toolkit 3.3
At the conference, Sprint will unveil new developer resources in the Sprint Wireless Toolkit 3.3, built on the award-winning Sun Java Wireless Toolkit from Sun Microsystems, including:

• Developer resources for the upcoming Samsung Instinct, allowing developers to build applications that maximize the capabilities of the first full touch-screen Java phone, with key features such as over-the-air downloads, GPS support, and full multi-media streaming.
• Features that enable application developers to create more easily through more automated processes and opportunities to “debug” programs earlier.

New Phones
At the Sprint JavaOne booth, developers can get a closer look at the Samsung Instinct. This new phone, which will be available for sale from Sprint in early summer, was introduced at the CTIA show in March. The Instinct met with rave reviews for its usability, full HTML browsing, large vibrant touch screen featuring localized tactile feedback called haptics, GPS capabilities and more. With a first-person view of the phone and the Instinct information provided in the new Sprint Wireless Toolkit, developers will get a head start on creating applications that take advantage of this iconic device.

In addition, featured at the booth will be the Pro 200 and Pro 700 by Sanyo, new Nextel Direct Connect phones that provide push-to-talk over the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. Developers will be able to provide the applications that Nextel Direct Connect customers have come to rely on, plus design new applications that take advantage of ultra-fast data speeds and greater voice coverage, on these new phones.

Titan
The Sprint booth at JavaOne also will include information on the Titan platform, the next generation Java platform for Sprint phones. According to Evans Data Corporation, in the developer community today, there are 7.1 million Java developers creating desktop applications, but around 3.6 million developers creating mobile applications. The Titan platform will reach the larger audience of developers by offering the same codes, tools and resources as those used for desktop applications to now run in a mobile software environment. A beta version of the Titan software platform is available to developers to create applications that can run on Windows Mobile smartphones. This version of Titan enables developers to bring CRM, Sales Force Automation and other types of applications from the desktop to the mobile workforce.

Professional Developer Program
Also at JavaOne, Sprint is relaunching its Professional Developer Program, which extends advanced capabilities to members. The program is open to all independent software developers for an annual fee. Benefits include access to the majority of Sprint’s restricted APIs (including GPS, address book, messaging) required to permit more sophisticated applications, plus enhanced technical support and access to the certification process. Developers who would like to join the Professional Developer Program can visit the ADP website and click “Working with Us.”

Existing resources available through the Application Developer Program include handset specifications, online forums for interaction and knowledge sharing, white papers and interactive online training. A monthly newsletter distributed to registered developers highlights key wireless data activity such as handset launches and new mobile development capabilities.

Sprint is committed to offering mobile content and applications to its customers when, where and how they want them:

• Sprint has employed an open Internet approach, and the Sprint Application Developer Program – free to registered participants -- has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.
• Through relationships with third parties, dozens of non-Sprint branded applications, games and other digital media operate on our network.
• Sprint recently joined the Open Handset Alliance, along with more than 30 other participating companies, to support the free and open mobile applications platform named Android.

As part of the planned 2008 commercial availability of our WiMAX next-generation mobile data network, Sprint has commitments from ecosystem partners for XohmSM network access on new and innovative devices, including connection cards, Internet tablets, ultramobile PCs and other consumer electronic devices.