US operator Sprint used its 2010 Developer Conference this week to announce a new mobile wallet service that is designed to ease content purchasing for both customers and developers, while also providing an update on its recently announced Sprint ID offering, and trumpeting the potential to integrate advanced communications services with apps. This followed several earlier announcements, including an update to the Sprint Application Developer website to include easy access to a range of APIs, and a partnership with Openwave Systems to create a value-added services ecosystem for content delivered via the device browser. Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint, said: “By adding these developer capabilities to Sprint’s strengths in networks, devices and platforms, it should be clear we are dedicated to being a carrier known for simplicity, value and ‘open,’ and for providing what developers need to create innovative applications and services for Sprint customers.”

Mobile Wallet eases purchase process
The operator announced the mid-November 2010 launch of Sprint Mobile Wallet, which it describes as an “easy, secure way to buy physical and digital products using a Sprint phone,” stating that it also “makes it easier for developers to monetise their products.” The offering allows customers to use a universal PIN to make purchases from Visa, Mastercard and Amazon Payment accounts, “along with other payment methods,” from the handset. When making a purchase, customers select Sprint Mobile Wallet as the payment option, enter the pin, and then select the billing method from those saved in the account.

It says that the service is different to carrier billing in that it provides a “secure container” for customers to use traditional payment methods while on-the-move. It has partnered with CardinalCommerce to deliver the service, with Cardinal hosting the secure transactions. Merchants already planning to accept Sprint Mobile Wallet include Gameloft and Namco, with more “coming soon.”

Sprint said that for developers, Sprint Mobile Wallet “avoids the need to integrate directly with each payment company.” The service can also be integrated within apps, to provide a way to monetise products “outside the controlled walls of an app store.”

Sprint ID gains momentum
Sprint announced new partners for its Sprint ID packages, which deliver a bundle of apps and content for customers to “personalise” supporting Android handsets. The headline new partner is AOL, with other new supporters including Deluxe, UPS, Canvas, IHG and BodyMedia. Sprint used Sprint Developer Conference to promote the service to potential participants, whether through the creation of apps which can be included with Sprint ID packs or by creating their own packs themselves.

In addition to apps, Sprint ID bundles can include widgets, screensavers, “and more,” with compatible devices supporting five Sprint ID packs alongside the basic Android user experience. At launch Sprint ID is supported by three handsets, one each from LG, Samsung and Sanyo.

Adding communications to apps
Sprint also trumpeted the concept of “communications enablement,” which can be used to deliver “a social networking site integrating mobile communication preferences into its available features, an in-home gaming service providing in-game calling and messaging, or the ability to have mobile calling and messaging capabilities available to you on any connected device, even when you don’t have your device with you.” These features are available through Sprint’s recently announced Sprint Services Framework, which is designed to provide “a single web interface for developers to access application programming interfaces (APIs) directly from Sprint,” supporting multiple handsets and embedded devices, operating systems, and development environments.