Sprint pays back $1B loan; Samsung releases latest Android phone

> Sprint Nextel received an upgrade from Credit Suisse and also said that it had repaid a $1 billion loan. Article

> Samsung unveiled its newest phone based on Google's Android platform, the Galaxy Spica, which it said was now available in European markets. Release

> The Wi-Fi Alliance created a new task force to determine which standards should be modified to best take advantage of smart grids. Article

> Vodafone has launched an aggressive campaign to recruit staff from Orange UK and T-Mobile UK. Article

> The city of Concord, Calif., is considering a plan that involves reviving the WiFi effort MetroFi abandoned in 2008. Article

> Both mobile operators and banks are turning to mobile transactions to foster loyalty and drive revenues, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. Article

And finally... Directed Electronics has developed an iPhone app called SmartStart that lets users use their phone to lock or unlock their car, as well as turn the alarm on and off. Article (sub. req.)