Sprint Embraces Apple Accessory Market

When Apple releases a product, many wireless junkies wait with anticipation that reaches a fevered pitch. When the iPad was released it sold over 300,000 units in three days. Gizmodo purchased an updated iPhone that was left at a bar unattended, they released the details and generated even more buzz for the software giant.

The market for accessory products grows all the time. Sprint did an interesting thing, releasing the 4G Case for the iPad. It allows iPad owners to protect their device, along with a pocket to place the Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G router. Users can access the fastest wireless connection available, the 4G WiMAX connection available in 28 U.S. markets. This is a simple showcase of the products available to iPad owners. To advertise the speed of 4G, Sprint used the iPhone in a recent 30 second advertising spot, showcasing WiMAX.

Sprint also issued a challenge to the iPhone, in the form of the HTC EVO 4G phone. The phone is the first WiMAX-enabled phone available in the U.S. There's a lot of buzz around the device, but its impact won't be known until its release this summer. It's expected to coincide with the launch of WiMAX in Kansas City and a few other markets this summer. HTC makes some quality smart phones and this version might have the power to unseat the iPhone as the leader in smart phone sales. There's also a rumor that Palm will release a WiMAX-enabled phone, but it probably won't come out for awhile, since Palm is looking for a buyer.

Sprint has done a good job in attaching itself to Apple products as a way of promoting WiMAX. Clearwire, another company that promotes WiMAX, seems to be lagging in promoting the technology using Apple products. Sprint has the marketing dollars to promote nationwide. Clearwire does a better job promoting within the markets, but maybe now would be a good time to generate excitement for WiMAX being available to over 120 million people by the end of 2010. Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow hinted at a Clear WiMAX-enabled phone by Christmas 2010. Which market is this going to coincide with? It's an intriguing question that few people know the answer to.

Sprint's marketing revolving around Apple iPad and other Apple products is clever. Sprint lags behind both AT&T and Verizon in subscribers. They've tied a lot of their future into WiMAX. They're the first to market with some of the better products. WiMAX is the future, Clearwire has the spectrum advantage of being able to handle more data usage. AT&T is spending billions this year upgrading their network for iPad users. There are so many options for iPad owners that don't want to pay an additional fee. They can check out a WiMAX connection or find another 3G router like the Novatel MiFi or other routers that connect to the internet.

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