HTC introduced a handset it's calling the "Smart." It looks in most respects like other HTC smartphones, including the Sense interface. But it uses Qualcomm's Brew platform instead of a true smartphone OS.

The idea here is to make a "smartphone" (although it's not quite) that's cheaper for the global market (Europe/Asia) than current smartphones, which (if subsidized) are pretty cheap. There's no word on the actual price.

Meanwhile Sprint's Boost Mobile unit introduced three handsets that will operate not in the inferior Nextel network but on Sprint's CDMA network. The traditional Sprint everything plan is $99, while Boost offers a comparable all-inclusive plan for $50.

The difference between Boost and Sprint (beyond the Handsets) has been the quality of the network. This move breaks that barrier. 

Other than the BlackBerry the phones are basic, but the cost of the plan combined with access to Sprint's network is great. I wonder if you could bring your own CDMA handset to Boost and get the benefit of the lower price. Probably not. 

Sprint's future as a carrier is based on two things: 

• Rolling out 4G first
• Having a great selection of handsets 

It's done much to improve in the second category. The question is whether it can bring 4G to market fast enough in enough places to gain new subscribers. Because when Verizon and AT&T implement LTE the current market dynamics will be reestablished and Sprint will be back to competing on price.

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Related: Firms Selling Apps for Simple Phones discusses GetJar.