Sprint Adds Animals, Aliens, Zombies to Visual Voicemail

Rather than leave an ordinary voice mail message, now Sprint customers with select Android devices can begin to upgrade to the latest Visual Voicemail software for personalized voice messages.

They feature talking characters (including animals, aliens, zombies and sock puppets), scenic backgrounds and voice effects. Sprint claims to be the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Avatars within Visual Voicemail.

Built using animation software from Smith Micro (NASDAQ:SMSI), the new service, available to Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA customers with select Android smartphones and Visual Voicemail, offers a wide range of content from digital artists, allowing users to express themselves through multiple personas.

The launch will include 12 free Avatars and 12 free backgrounds. The service allows customers to use Visual Voicemail to record and send animated messages with unique characters, backgrounds and voice effects.

Sprint prepaid and postpaid customers with select Android smartphones will start to receive notifications to update their Visual Voicemail this month and next month, which will install the new version of the application with Avatars. Upon opening the new Visual Voicemail they will see two Avatar introduction videos and a happy face and plus sign icon on the lower right to get started.

The service is first available to Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA customers with Samsung Galaxy S 5 and Samsung Galaxy S 3, and to Sprint customers with Samsung Galaxy S 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, HTC EVO 4G LTE and HTC One.

Other Android devices, both prepaid and postpaid, Ice Cream Sandwich and above, will be eligible for the update beginning mid-September.

Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company.