With some capabilities available as soon as this summer, the partnership with Google and Sprint offers Sprint customers:

• Google mobile search: Google will become the default search provider for web search and local search (GPS-enabled) on the Sprint portal on customers’ current web-enabled Sprint phones as well as new devices. On select new devices later this year, Sprint customers will be able to bring up a Google search box on their device’s home screen, providing them with one-click access to Google mobile search.
• Google Maps for mobile: Also featured on new Sprint handsets and available on some current smart phones will be Google Maps for mobile, an application that enables users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, get driving directions and view real-time traffic information when they’re on the go.
• YouTube: With this new partnership, millions of fun and interesting YouTube videos — as well as all the user’s favorites, videos and channels — will be accessible from select new Sprint handsets.
• Location-enabled search and maps: Sprint will also enable users to take advantage of location data for Google search and Google Maps for mobile, making it even easier for users to discover what’s around them and then figure out how to get there.

Going forward, Sprint and Google will continue to explore ways to provide users with compelling mobile experiences and more application choices.

Today’s announcement extends the two companies’ collaborative history. In November 2006, Sprint and Google made Gmail(TM) available from the Sprint portal. Late last year, Sprint joined Google as a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance(TM), which is currently developing the Android(TM) open mobile platform. And earlier today, the two companies announced that they would contribute to the formation of Clearwire, a company focused on building the first nationwide mobile WiMAX network.