Rather than write only about Apple’s iPhone 4 launch that set records by selling out 600,000 pre-orders well in advance of launch day, the Geeks have decided to tell a tale of two mobile phone releases: Sprint’s release of the HTC EVO 4G and AT&T’s pre-order release of Apple’s iPhone 4.
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Tale of Two Mobile Phones: HTC EVO 4G and iPhone 4Read More »
Sprint’s activation system took a dirt nap on Sunday as the launch of the HTC EVO 4G looked to be a success. There were not really any reported long lines at stores which fulfilled pre-orders of the HTC EVO 4G, but Sprint has a different strategy than Apple’s funneling of customers through one building as Sprint sold the device at some of the 22,000 sales locations across the United States, including Sprint retail stores, national retail partners including RadioShack, Best Buy and Walmart, and indirect dealers.
Friday sales of the device marked the largest quantity of any single phone in Sprint’s history (previously held by Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre). What’s more impressive is that the total number of HTC EVO 4G devices sold on launch day was three times the number of Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre devices sold over their first three days on the market combined.
“HTC EVO 4G has more than lived up to our expectations that it would be one of the most anticipated technology products of the year,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development for Sprint. “We are working closely with our partners at HTC to increase the supply and get EVO 4G into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible.”
Source: UberGizmo, MarketWatch
The 1st WiMAX (802.16e 4G) Android device, the HTC Evo, goes on sale today on the Sprint Nextel network for $199 with a 2-yr contract. You can also purchase it from retailers Best Buy and Radio Shack.
The Evo has had a very positive reception since its unveiling in late March of this year. While the speed advantages are significant over current 3G networks (see video below), there is an additional cost of $10/month. There is one additional benefit which AT&T and Apple have touted with their network and iPhones and that’s the ability to talk and use data services simultaneously. Expect this distinction to quickly fall away for Verizon and Sprint on their newer devices.
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We normally try to feature gadgets that are available right now, but this upcoming gizmo, a doozy of a smartphone is sure to make a huge impression this summer. It also helps makes the case for a Sprint that is not dead yet.
Sprint recently announced (at CTIA) its latest Android smartphone, the HTC EVO which also happens to be the world’s first 3G/4G phne. The EVO matches up really well with other Android stars – the Google-branded HTC Nexus One (on T-Mobile & others) and the Motorola Droid (on Verizon). Here’s a nice comparison of the 3.
Apart from its 4G cred, the EVO sports a 800×480 touchscreen with the Sense UI, 1GB of internal storage, an 8MP camera with video recording up to 1280×720, and get this, a front-facing camera. So now you can do some real video conferencing right from the palm of your hand.
The other noteworthy feature is the HDMI out connector. The EVO 4G is really being pushed as a video-savvy phone.
No word yet on pricing or exact availability, but you can be sure it’ll make a big splash. Pre-register for more info at http://www.sprint.com/evo.
You may already be immune to those Sprint commercials that keep using the term “4G”, but the reality is that they may have a 4G WiMax network in a lot of cities, but no phones! Well that’s about to change this summer with the introduction of a new 4G smartphone.
There’s a good chance too that it’ll be an HTC running Android. Sweet! [Well, if you’re a Sprint customer] Here’s hoping that it’s a Pre/Droid/iPhone-class gadget.
Verizon is overhauling their voice, text and family cell phone plans and throwing in a couple of unlimited talk plans starting at $70/mo, although their pricing, when you include data, doesn’t seem as competitive as Sprint or T-Mobile.
You be the judge, but remember that price alone doesn’t make a happy mobile customer – witness the unhappy iPhone AT&T folks!
Sprint just announced the Overdrive – a 3G/4G mobile hotspot gadget. It connects to SPrint’s WiMax network, and allows up to 5 WiFi devices to connect. If the 4G conn (available right now in 27 cities [coverage]) drops, it switches to the nationwide 3G (EVDO) network.
Overdrive will be available in 2 days at Best Buy and Sprint for $100 (with a $50 MIR) and a 2-yr agreement at $60/mo.
At those prices, if you have 4G in your area, it could be well worth it to ditch your cable modem/DSL line. It’ll also mean having Internet connectivity wherever you go.
I really like the idea of the Novatel Mi-Fi devices – a mobile Wi-Fi modem that lets you create your very own Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere there is Verizon or Sprint cell coverage. Sure, you have to have one of their broadband service plans, but the device is free (well, $0.01) when you purchase a subscription. It’s useless anyway without one.
The MiFi 2200 is compact (3.5″ at its widest) and thin (0.4″) so it’s easy to slip into your laptop bag. This EVDO Rev A modem has transfer rates in the 600Kbps to 1.4Mbps range, and can support up to 5 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g devices. It runs on a lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable via a USB connection and gives up to 4 hours of active time and 40 hours of standby time.
As an example of what you might pay for broadband service, Sprint costs about $60/mo and Verizon has a few plans, one of which is $40/mo. Check with them for up to date numbers.
The Novatel MiFi 2200 seems perfect for small businesses that want to provide service to customers coming into their store or even their own employees; or perhaps if your job requires a fair amount of travel with other colleagues; or you’re a student that likes sharing. There are a lot of potential uses for this gadget.
Buy now! (Sprint)
Buy now! (Verizon)
Price: $0.01 (with service plan)
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)
T-Mobile may put in a bid to acquire Sprint-Nextel in the next few weeks according to a UK source.
I don’t see the point of this other than to be able to tout huge numbers of customers. Sprint is still losing money, particularly after their purchase of Nextel. As far as technologies go, integration will be a pain. Sprint is still CMDA while Nextel still has an iDEN network, and T-Mobile runs a GSM network. Plan to lose a lot of money on this venture T-Mobile; just don’t make it painful for me, the little customer.
Palm has just announced the next phone with their new webOS, the Palm Pixi. The most noticeable difference is that the Pixi is a candybar phone with its full QWERTY keyboard fully visible, unlike the Pre’s slide out keyboard.
The Pixi is amazingly thin (0.43 inches) with a slightly smaller touchscreen (320 x 400) than the Pre. One of the things being touted with the Pixi is the ability to replace the backplate with customized designs. Expect the Pixi around the holidays probably in the $100 region, and again on the Sprint network.
