Sprint has announced a new partnership with GetJar, the world’s second largest app store. Through this agreement, GetJar’s catalog of more than 60,000 free applications will now be available to all Sprint customers with feature phones such as the LG Lotus Elite, Samsung Reclaim and the Sanyo 2700. In addition, Sprint customers with RIM BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices also will have access to the GetJar library of applications.
“We are opening up the world of apps to customers who may not have a smartphone,” said Len Barlik, vice president of wireless and wireline services for Sprint. “Our partnership with GetJar means that all Sprint customers will now have access to thousands of applications ranging from popular apps such as YouTube and Google Maps to more niche applications that address their business needs.”
GetJar offers a library of applications ranging from games and entertainment to education and health. Popular apps such as Facebook Mobile, Weather Channel Mobile, ShopSavvy and Loopt can be easily downloaded to most Sprint handsets.
A link to the GetJar catalog is now available on the Sprint portal for most Sprint handsets including feature phones and smartphones running the BlackBerry and Windows Mobile operating system. Customers can simply click the link in the “downloads” category to access GetJar’s site and browse thousands of free apps. Sprint is committed to offering mobile content and applications to its customers when, where and how they want it.
“We’re excited to partner with one of the largest U.S. carriers to offer free applications to their customers,” said Ilja Laurs, founder and CEO of GetJar. “Sprint joins other leading companies outside the U.S. already using GetJar’s flexible, open app store approach including Sony Ericsson, 3UK, The Carphone Warehouse and Smart Communications.”
Some downloadable applications may require an additional charge. Casual data charges of $0.03/kb and standard text messaging charges will apply to customers not on a plan with unlimited data or text messaging.
