Posts

Sprint Joins Up with Google Apps for Business as Reseller

/in , /by

googleappsBoth Sprint and Google are interested in capturing more of the business market and, thanks to a new partnership, they’re one step closer to reaching that goal. A new partnership has Sprint agreeing to be a reseller of Google Apps for Business, Google’s suite of apps designed specifically for business users.

Sprint Sells Google Apps

Under the deal, Sprint will make Google Apps for Business available to users of devices on its network. The Google Apps for Business suite includes Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sites. When used over Sprint’s network, businesses will have seamless access to these popular productivity tools.

This is the first time Google has teamed up with a wireless carrier for its software. For Sprint, the news is a big one as the company continues to try to battle giants AT&T and Verizon. Last year alone, Sprint lost 2.2 million subscribers. In addition to its partnership with Google, the company is also reportedly in talks to purchase T-Mobile.

The Enterprise Market

Both Google and Sprint are aiming to capture the enterprise market, with businesses increasingly searching to increase their mobile device usage. Sprint plans to charge the same rate Google charges for Google Apps for Business, which is $5 per user per month for Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs. For mobile access to Google Apps with unlimited cloud storage, businesses will pay $10 per user, which also includes 30 GB of storage and additional services.

This option can bring full functionality to the business environment, with businesses now able to contact Sprint directly to get the mobile devices they want. Instead of having to work with Google to get each app loaded on every device, businesses can work with Sprint to have the full suite of apps loaded as needed, making the process easier and less error-prone.

Rumor Mill: Sprint to Challenge Google Wallet

/in /by

To round out this week’s trip to the rumor mill, we should talk about Sprint’s rumored move to create its own app called Touch to replace Google Wallet.  The site Android Central managed to obtain supposed slides about the product.  They detail how Sprint may have made business alliances with companies like McDonald’s and Starbucks.  The security on the app was shown to be very much like Sprint’s current smart-pay system, Google Wallet.  Users enter in a four digit passcode and after the transaction the app automatically locks.

Two questions pop up: what bank(s) will back this app and if the rumor is true, what will happen to Google Wallet?  Even if Sprint decides to muscle out Google, it’ll still have to depend on its Android Platform.  It’s also interesting to muse about why this move is needed.  Though it’s true that the other mobile carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile pooled their efforts to create their own payment system deemed ISIS, why does the smallest carrier Sprint need to make a move in this space?  Why shouldn’t they foster stronger ties with Google?  Will there be any antagonism between the two?  So many questions.  But then again, before you go bugging your IT specialist, best wait and see.  It’s still just a rumor.