News

Last year, Samsung received permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release a new Palm OS smartphone for CDMA networks. Reportedly, this model has been canceled and will never be released.

It was widely believed that the SPH-i550 had been developed for Sprint, but Sprint PCS Info is reporting that this wireless carrier is no longer interested in offering it.

Sprint recently began offering the Treo 650, and supposedly it didn't see a need to offer another Palm OS smartphone.

In addition, this carrier reportedly wants to put more emphasis on handhelds and smartphones running Windows Mobile.

Sprint Responds

Update: A Sprint spokesperson points out that her company never announced plans to carry the i550, so the fact that it isn't going to be offering this device, in Sprint's opinion, doesn't qualify as news.

In addition, she disputes Sprint PCS Info's assertion that her company is emphasizing Windows Mobile over the Palm OS.

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 operating systems (both Palm and Windows Mobile), form factors and functionality for our devices that allow customers to choose the options that best meet their needs.

More About the Samsung SPH-i550

The i550 would have been an updated version of Samsung's i500 smartphone.

Like its predecessor, it would have used a clamshell design with a screen on one side and a phone keypad on the other (see picture at left).

On the outside of the clamshell would have been a small OLED display and a 1.0 megapixel camera with flash.

The i550 would have run Palm OS Garnet (5.2), and would have had 32 MB of RAM and an SD slot.

This smartphone was originally expected to debut during the second half of last year.

Thanks to Engadget for the tip.

Related Links

• Brighthand Reviews the palmOne Treo 650
• Samsung i550 Palm OS Smart Phone Gets FCC Approval
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