UPDATE: Sprint has now gone official and listed some of the improvements included in the update.

- 2.1 Android update (Éclair).
- Keypad backlight optimization.
- Bulk Bluetooth contact push.
- Various Bluetooth fixes.
- Increased speed and performance.
- Swipe to Unlock/Mute/Speakerphone.
- New camera features
- Pandora enhancements

Samsung Moment users have been enjoying Android 2.1 unofficially but if you’ve waited for Sprint to come out with the official release, it’s your lucky day. The update is supposedly scheduled to go live today but an eagle-eyed forum member sneaked it early before Sprint could make an official announcement.

Anyways, the DE03 update brings the Éclair goodness to Moment (SPH-M900) and if you’re ready to go, head to the link below to download the updater file or for cautious users, here’s an instruction guide [PDF link]to tread you safely.

Upgrade Tool

Sprint is mum on the exact release date of Android 2.1 for Moment but that doesn’t mean you can’t have it now. Good folks at SDX-Developers forum have leaked a 2.1 build of Android meant for Moment. The 7z archive is up for download that consists of two tar files – DC23 and DD03 with DD03 having the latest kernel build.

Although most users have reported success, the leaked build does have quirks like sounds coming through the ear speakers instead of the loudspeakers and missing features like multitouch.

If you’re feeling brave enough, head over here to delve in the unofficial 2.1 goodness.

Via

UPDATE: Confirmed. It’s InstinctQ and will be available from November 1 for $179.99 on 2-year contract after $50 instant savings and $100 mail-in-rebate. Pre-registrations begin from today.

Samsung’s to be announced phone has been official outed as the Moment. It’s not confirmed but given the phone’s description, it should be the long rumored InstinctQ. Running Android along with fleet of Google services, Moment is the first Sprint phone to sport a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen. Other features include a sliding QWERTY keyboard, EVDO Rev. A, 800MHz CPU, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.2MP camera, Bluetooth and microSD card slot up to 32GB.

We’ll update the post with pics and more details as Samsung unveils it at the press conference later today.

Pre-register here.

[Thanks, Raz!]

We’ve talked about the InstinctQ (SPH-M900) quite a few times before but it’s the first time we’re seeing it. The first rumor that sprung up along with the Wi-Fi certification is confirmed now – this phone is powered by Android. Interestingly, it also has a four-row physical QWERTY keyboard, making it the first Instinct phone and second Android phone to possess it. The specs are still hard to come by but we’ll take aid of our source who had claimed some features like 3MP camera, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and PTT. The rumored release of this phone is in November.

Source

We already know Samsung is working on a new model in its Instinct line. Now, as per Phone Arena’s source, it might be ready for primetime. The source who happened to visit Sprint’s training session claims that the Instinct S50 will be launched in mid-September.

In addition to this, he also chimed in to give another Instinct phone’s tentative release date. Supposedly Android based, SPH-M900 or InstinctQ will make its official entry in November.

Ok, so an e-mail was patiently waiting in my inbox claiming to have some details on the recently certified SPH-M900. I have no idea if it’s true or not but these things somehow seem obvious. And no, he did not say anything about the OS.

3 megapixel camera
microSD card slot
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
PTT

Pretty mediocre specs, if one has to believe. Maybe we’ll hold for some more time until something substantial surfaces.

The details on Samsung Instinct’s new iteration is pretty tight at the moment except a certification granted by the Wi-Fi organization. However, Cellpassion who unearthed this certification is also claiming that InstinctQ will be loaded with Android. We’re still wary of their claim. Maybe we’ll wait until something more concrete surfaces.

Wi-Fi Certification