Sprint has announced that the HTC Evo 4G will be available on June 4, 2010 for $199.99 on contract. If you’ve been keeping up with this hot Android phone then you’ll know that it’s America’s first 4G handset and uses Sprint’s WiMax network for speedy data. The faster speeds come at a price — a $10 a month premium on top of the 3G data rate. If you want to use the phone as a mobile hot spot, that’ll run you an additional $29.99 a month. Here are some bullet points from the press release:
- Simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G and Wi-Fi coverage areas, enabling Web surfing and more while the conversation continues.
- Offering a new way to search with pictures instead of words, Google Goggles(TM) works with everything from books, DVDs and barcodes to landmarks, logos, artwork and wine labels.
- Superfast 1GHz Qualcomm(R) Snapdragon(TM) processor, ensuring a smooth and quick movement within phone menus.
- Two cameras – an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera.
- Built-in mobile hotspot functionality allowing up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G or 4G experience on the go with a laptop, camera, music player, game unit, video player, or any other Wi-Fi enabled device.
- Integrated HD video capture with the ability to capture and share live video via the Qik Web site, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter(TM).
- Ability to easily watch video with the device on an HDTV via an HDMI cable (sold separately).
- Custom Web browser optimized for the 4.3 inch display and Sprint 4G speeds to deliver a full, no-compromise Internet experience.
- A handy kickstand built into the back, making it easy to watch videos on-the-go.
- Adobe Flash technology ensures that rich Internet content, such as embedded video and animation, are displayed the way they are meant to be seen.
- Pinch-to-zoom and automatic text reflowing provide easy Web page views.
The phone looks fantastic on paper, but I’m really not high on these premium charges. What do you think of the phone and its pricing? Any of you tempted to pick it up?
No thanks. $40 is a bit too much for cellphone data that you cannot tether. I see pricing hell with the new wave of cell data tech.
@smartguy I wonder if Sprint will block Android tethering programs like Easy Tether and PDAnet.
Have you tried either on your Incredible, btw?
@Ray
Not yet. Honestly I haven't had enough free time to mess with it. I will let you know tomorrow after 10am my time though.
@Ray
The Incredible has a tethering option built in whenever you connect your usb cable to a computer. I am a bit hesitant to select that option in the advent Verizon adds some fees to my bill. I need to look in to that.
I did try PDAnet though…I couldn't get it to work. It won't bridge the data connection via bluetooth or usb. The phone either needs to be root kitted or whatever.
@smartguy PDAnet doesn't require root access on stock Android. I wonder if it's a Verizon block.
you guys are talking jibberish!!
its not even english!!…you guys are crazy (sigh)
@Ray
True it doesn't, but I feel it might be in order for the Incredible. It would also allow me to get rid of some of the damn bloatware on it. CITYid wants to sign me up for a 2 dollar per month subscription everytime I use my phone. That is very annoying and really piss poor on HTC/Verizon/Google to not allow me to get rid of the damn thing after a few days.
I really like the device, and the service…but the ads are a bit ridiculous.
@Thundercracker
I hear that, I don't understand all of that stuff with phones as much. I can understand a lot more of it when it comes to computers but that's about it.
@bsukenyan
PDAnet – 3rd party app that allows tethering on android devices. ie, avoid tethering charge
Rootkit – to have complete control over your phone. Goes a step further than a jailbreak.
Bloatware – Same principle as what's on every non apple computer you buy in a store. junk
Bridge connection – share a common data connection
:)
still sounds like you guys are doing mad libs
quick, i need a plural noun!
Well, after the fiasco I had with Sprint Customer Service last week, I spoke with a corporate escalation lady and was able to get my early upgrade like I was requesting so I will be getting this phone of launch day. Good riddance, Palm Pre.
@Smartguy
Most of that stuff makes sense now that it is explained, but I still don't think it's language I could throw around in an everyday conversation. I guess I just don't mess around with enough phones to really have a deeper understanding of it all. The concepts are all there, I just don't know how to do any of that stuff.
@bsukenyan
it really is just an extension of PC lingo.