Android Sprint 4G Apps Winners: NASA Images, Say What?, Recipe Search, Facebook Upload & Mediafly

Sprint, with partners WIRED, Reddit and Ars Technica, announced the winners of the Sprint 4G App Challenge today.

Submissions were based on four criteria - creativity, intuitive navigation, functionality and design.? The judges' panel was composed of product and technology executives from Sprint, editors from WIRED and its partners at Reddit and Ars Technica.? All the winning apps are available in the Android Market.

Sprint 4G App Challenge Winners:

Entertainment
Andrei Goumilevski, Tallahassee, FL - NASA Images
NASA Images showcases 4,000 space images from the NASA APOD site.? Because the images are large, Sprint 4G enables customers to download them quickly.

Gaming
Rob Miley, St. Charles, MO - Say What? Mobile Game
Say What? is the mobile version of the kids' game Telephone, where one person whispers a phrase in someone's ear, and that person would repeat what they heard to the next person.? Once the game is complete, players can hear the beginning and ending phrase.? Players are randomly connected to active games.? Interaction with the app and the game server is frequent, so the Sprint 4G Network provides a fast and reliable Internet connection for optimal play.

Productivity
Rajan Singh, San Jose, CA - Recipe Search
Recipe Search is a reverse recipe finder app.? The user simply speaks the ingredients they have in their refrigerator or pantry, and they will see a display of meals with directions that they could cook.? Sprint 4G will reduce latency and deliver results quicker.

Social Networking
Carmen Delessio, Pound Ridge, NY - BFF Photo - Facebook Upload
BFF Photo brings Facebook photos to the user's phone.? Consumers can use the app to view photo albums, friends' albums, and take and upload photos and videos.? The app fully uses the bandwidth and reliability of the Sprint 4G Network to manage the connection to Facebook and the speedy media download to the customer.

Multimedia
Jason Shah, Chicago, IL - Mediafly
With Mediafly Mobile, users can organize and discover podcasts, audio, video, radio and streams from their Android phone.? The Sprint 4G Network makes watching streaming video on this app easy and enjoyable.

In addition to bragging rights, winners in each category took home a $50,000 grand prize, a choice of an HTC EVO 4G or Samsung Epic 4G with one year of Sprint service (includes applicable taxes and surcharges), a one-year membership to the Sprint Professional Developer Program (including 250 hours in the Virtual Developer Lab) and an invitation to WIRED's VIP party during the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas.

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Samsung Galaxy S Update: Sprint Samsung Epic 4G OTA Update to Android 2.2 Froyo Rolling Out?

Friday we received a press release stating that the update to Samsung Galaxy S phones to Android 2.2 Froyo would be in the "near future."? It could be that the near future is today as the blogosphere is awash with rumors that Sprint Samsung Epic 4G owners will be getting an Over-the-Air (OTA) update to Android 2.2.

Meanwhile, MobileBurn contacted a Sprint rep who said, "We have not shared specific timing in the release of Android 2.2 for Samsung Epic 4G.? We will share specific details when they are available."

Once a file exists, it is very likely that it will be released at some point, and the best we can estimate is the "near future."

The OTA update is one of the easiest ways for you to install the update to Android 2.2 on the Samsung Epic 4G.? You receive a notification and then follow prompts to download and install the update.? Samsung also posts updates via its Kies app, where you download the update to your computer and then transfer it to your phone.

XDA Developers found the Google link and then posted instructions on how to install the update from ZIP file.? Several websites posted instructions on how to update a Samsung Epic 4G from the files.? The methods are contrary to carrier-supported updates that we have seen through the years.? Before attempting the process, we suggest that you first contact Sprint directly.? It may void your warranty.

We contend that it is a misnomer that Engadget called the release "Official."? In order for an operating system to work correctly on any handset, it must be official from the carrier (Sprint) and the handset maker (Samsung).? As we read through the mess today, we found no proof that the files being used were actually "official."? We've got a call out to Samsung, so let's wait for a word from either Samsung or Sprint.

You really don't want to spend hours installing software only to have to delete it later.? Before you do anything at, all be sure to have a backup of your contact and files.

We know that owners of the Samsung Epic 4G, Samsung Fascinate, Samsung Captivate?and Samsung Vibrant have been eagerly awaiting an update to Froyo, which is supposed to fix GPS problems.? The GPS problems on the Samsung Vibrant and Captivate can be helped with a new Samsung app, Samsung GPS Restore.

The Samsung Galaxy S update to Android 2.2 includes many well-liked features, including an Adobe Flash compatibility, speed improvements, better keyboard, Samsung Media Hub,?better Microsoft Exchange support, and storing of apps on the microSD card (see list of update features).

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Clearwire Sprint 4G WiMAX Available in Los Angeles, Miami, D.C., Cincinnati & Columbus

Sprint has launched 4G WiMAX service in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.

Customers in these metropolitan areas can now take full advantage of the Sprint 4G network using a wide range of 4G-capable smartphones and mobile hotspot USB modems.

WiMAX 4G access is available via the Overdrive Mobile Hotspot,? Samsung Epic 4G and HTC EVO 4G.

"We have witnessed a great demand from our customers for 4G speeds, power and capabilities in these cities already, and today they officially have it," said Matt Carter, president of Sprint 4G.? "We are proud to deliver on our commitment to serve our customers and deliver 4G to more major metropolitan areas in 2010."

With the addition of these six markets, Sprint 4G is now available in 68 markets across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York City.? Additionally, the wireless carrier announced that it expects to launch the San Francisco market - home to Silicon Valley and thousands of tech enthusiasts - on Dec. 28.

Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and has since delivered a comprehensive consumer, business and public sector strategy and a portfolio of devices, consisting of phones, USB aircards, notebook/netbook products, mobile hotspots and routers, which are being used by satisfied consumers and businesses.

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