Sprint said Thursday that it will partner with Google to develop a portal that takes advantage of the company's planned WiMax network. The Mountain View, Calif. Search giant provides various tools for the site, including e-mail, chat, and other applications. The features that Google provides are enhanced by Sprint's network, including network bandwidth, location detection and presence capabilities.

"This collaboration brings what will be the best mobile Internet network together with the leading Internet search company," Sprint's 4G chief Barry West said. "It allows us to capitalize on the powerful mobility and Internet trends, and create wireless services and applications that take advantage of each company's history of product development innovation." Sprint also announced that it is providing APIs for others to build applications that take advantage of its WiMax network capabilities.