Official EVO Rumors and Speculation thread

[T Mac]

Id just as soon keep my 3g connection for an additional cost. I already pay for cable internet. If I need speed, I'll just jump on the PC, either at work or home. 4g offerings were supposed to be like the cable company giving you free HD channels. It's just a bonus! ...or at least that's what I heard? Come on, $10 more dollars? I see no more than zero dollars.

 

[ekt8750]

I can pay the extra $10. I just don't want to.

 

[jadoe05]

Id just as soon keep my 3g connection for an additional cost. I already pay for cable internet. If I need speed, I'll just jump on the PC, either at work or home. 4g offerings were supposed to be like the cable company giving you free HD channels. It's just a bonus! ...or at least that's what I heard? Come on, $10 more dollars? I see no more than zero dollars.

So why not just cancel your cable internet and use 4G instead? The $10-$20 would undoubtedly be less than you pay for cable and there are other benefits I'm sure.

 

[shappy]

For me, I probably wouldn't pay it. I am already going to more than double my monthly payment (going from my $30 SERO plan to the 450 Everything Plan), so I really don't want to further increase my monthly expenditure.

If its for the hotspot feature, I will just pass on that, which is of no real value to me.

 

[cary328is]

Palm actually reminds me of the old Sega Dreamcast, great software at the time, ahead of the times...but didnt have the hardware to keep up against Microsoft and Sony....and now Sega is just a software company....maybe something Palm needs to think about.

EVO - what an EXCELLENT analogy! I had the dreamcast too and loved the games but knew that the hardware wasn't being developed as fast as the competition. It would be interesting to one day see some mutant mix of WebOS and Android. I think Google could definitely use the talented developers of WebOS on their team.

 

[ekt8750]

If its for the hotspot feature, I will just pass on that, which is of no real value to me.

You know what? I think that's probably what it's for, and that would go more in line as to what Jackson told us about earlier in the week.

 

[cary328is]

Jackson -

Any word on what sales channels will be available for the EVO? Telesales, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Online Sprint, Sprint Stores...etc


9 more days till we get to see more EVO news!!! Then guess what: 49 more days after that until June 4th!!!!! About ONE AND A HALF MONTHS more until we see a device the iPad wishes it could be

 

[Novoken]

This past January, word came of a new device called the Supersonic that would run on Sprint's WiMAX network. It was compared to the HD2 with a large 4.3" screen and it would run Android with the Sense UI. I was hoping something would be said about the Supersonic at CES that month in Las Vegas, but it wasn't even mentioned. I started researching WiMAX and at the beginning of February, I posted all the information I could find in the Sprint thread called "WiMAX 4G/3G/CDMA and the HTC Supersonic".

The next trade show was the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Spain. We heard that HTC was going to be announcing new phones on February 16th, and I hoped the Supersonic would be one of them, but it wasn't. About the same time, a short video of the white version of the phone got leaked and that prompted Covert_Death to ask the admins to create a Supersonic forum, which they did. Then they moved my WiMAX thread to the new forum. Even after that, things stayed pretty dead. The only other person I can think of that was championing the Supersonic besides Covert_Death was TwoSpirits and that's why I like having him here with us.

About the middle of March, I started a new forum poll that asked, "Are you giving up on the Supersonic?" That started generating some interest, but shortly after that news reports started saying the Supersonic may be introduced at CTIA on March 24th. There were only a few threads in this forum at that time, so I posted a message in each one asking if anyone wanted to start an official Supersonic thread, since an announcement seemed emminent. I volunteered for the job if no one else wanted it, but basically I was nominated for the job anyway. TwoSpirits posted a message telling the forum members that he was going to combine several of the threads and that it would become the "Official HTC Supersonic / WiMAX Thread".

In my own defense, I want people to know that I'm not the enemy. I want this phone as much as anyone else does and no one has really been waiting longer for it than I have.

Lol ive been after this phone since last year I win!! lol just kidding

 

[cabbie]

Something I think needs to be stressed is that there is absolutely no reason why the android experience can't be as seamless and simple as iPhone. There are perceptions of computing technology that the average person has let themselves adopt that words like 'linux' and 'terminal' and 'android' and other buzz words represent the gobbledygook that melts your brain trying to understand. I myself was that way, and when geek friends in high school extolled the benefits of linux vs my crappy windows i found it intimidating and out of pride marginalized them as outliers that the average person shouldn't be concerned with: just use windows, and it'll do what you want and it'll be fine.

This is something only education and a well funded and executed marketing campaign can bridge. My mom, who is a tech n00b, can work the Hero. But she uses maybe like 10% of what the phone is capable of, but she still loves it. She always tells me "ive never owned something that could do so much!"...at 10% of its possible functioning. When discussing EVO with people, I think its important to stress what someone said on mybad's thread...EVO can do everything iPhone can, but theres a universe of things iPhone can't do that EVO can.

Seriously, operating Android is not hard. Whats the most difficult thing about it? The 'long-press' concept? Adding widgets? HTC has done a great job developing Sense UI but only a mediocre one promoting it. They want to go with "Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected", fine, but explain WTF that means better.

 

[billsmed]

I agree with you Norril. I find RiverOfIce's comments very interesting. Someone said they weren't interested in the technology part, but this is something worth while reading.

As far as the rest of the speculation here about 3G/4G thing, Hesse said during his keynote that there wouldn't be any extra charges for 4G right now, but that could change in the future. He said that eventually instead of talking minutes that we'd be talking GB's of data. I took it that he was talking about a time when we all might be using the phone to make calls over VoIP. I could see where that would use a lot of data. Also, if you're tethering a lot of devices to the EVO 4G and everyone is on the Internet maybe downloading a movie or whatever that you're going to eat a lot of data. It's something we'll all have to consider in the future, but right now, I don't see any extra charges. I can certainly see what Sprint is thinking about in the future. Hesse also said that there is plenty of spectrum with WiMAX to handle it. If you read what RiverOfIce has said, you'll see that LTE won't have the bandwidth to handle the operations I just mentioned.

 

[Norril]

Hi guys!! I'm so excited about joining this forum and about the EVO. This will be my first Android device and I can't wait. I have been following this thread and I have to say all of you guys are knowledgeable, especially Jackson. I currently have a Palm Pre and was an exclusive blackberry fanboy before then. I am soo anxious for this phone to come out. I'm going crazy waiting.

Pre and Pixi are actually pretty sweet right now. They fixed a lot of business use bugs and short commings, plus on Verizon, they are giving you the wifi hotspot feature at no charge. I just got a Pixi yesterday on Verizon, to use exclusively as a cell modem, just like the MiFi card. Bonus: it also works as a web browsing phone, Pandora streamer, etc, etc. Battery is longer than MiFi too, lol. Wait for it... wait for it... if you are a business customer of Verizon, you can get a data only plan for $50/month and the Mifi is $60 a month, lol. Umm.. did I mention the Pixi was free and the Mifi is $100? (Muwahahahaha!)

Yeah, I stuck it to the man!

 

[billsmed]

Jackson -

Any word on what sales channels will be available for the EVO? Telesales, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Online Sprint, Sprint Stores...etc

I don't know if you guys noticed it or not, but a new forum member named Jeph Gost posted a message (post # 1947) and he said he also has an inside connection. According to his source, the EVO 4G is going to be released on June 5th. This morning, Jackson said either the 4th of 6th. No matter how you look at it, the first weekend in June is looking pretty good.

 

[ashtx07]

It's hard to find a Pre/Pixi owner who don't have a negative thing to say about them . Poor Palm, I really thought they had this one. It's so great, yet so far.

Tell me about it. Everyone I know who owns a Pre is NOT happy with it. I really thought it was going to be a good device. O well... onto the EVO!

 

[Outrigger]

It looks like the endgadget link had an update saying the extra fee is not for just using 4G, but for the mobile hotspot feature which for $10 is very cheap since using their overdrive is a $60/mo feature. Regardless, its still rumors and speculation and anything could change. Still over a week til the supposed announcement so I don't put too much stock in what anyone says at this point, no offense.

 

[billsmed]

Seriously, operating Android is not hard. Whats the most difficult thing about it? The 'long-press' concept? Adding widgets? HTC has done a great job developing Sense UI but only a mediocre one promoting it. They want to go with "Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected", fine, but explain WTF that means better.

I agree with you 100%, but lets face it, Android does take some time to get used to. It's not a no brainier like the iPhone is, but you can do so much more with it and you can customize it to your taste, whereas on the iPhone you don't have that ability. I've never owned an iPhone, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but the idea that I can't even change the battery is a real turn off. Yes, the iPhone is simple and apparently it's idiot-proof, but I wouldn't have it.

People that are more computer savvy may enjoy the EVO more, but there are many that would prefer the iPhone and that's okay. I'm certain there's plenty of room for both and they'll both do very well in the market place.

 

[Norril]

Hey all, just wanted to introduce myself. Name's Jeph and I'll be here trying to help out as much as I can up until release date. Not going to say where I work, but lets just say I PROMISE to have some impressions and photos of the Evo at least a few days before it launches (if not a week or two).

Figured I'd spill everything I know right off the bat. Take this for what it's worth (probably a large grain of salt), but a good friend of mine who heads up the Sprint 4G campaign for his advertising firm told me months ago (before CTIA, etc.) that the Evo (Supersonic at the time) was going to be released on June 5th. He's the guy behind the 4G tour Sprint did where they hooked up Xbox 360s to the 4G network and played Modern Warfare 2 on Xbox Live--pretty sweet.

So why do I believe him? Well for one, he was drunk; and he never lies when he's wasted. I'm serious! Two, the date "sort of" checked out at CTIA when they announced a summer release. Three; you have to imagine--just like what happened with the Pre--that Sprint/HTC will want to get their product out there before anyone has time to think about jumping over to the inevitable iPhone HD that'll probably be here by the end of June.

I have long speculated that the Evo release would be near to exactly 1 year from the Palm Pre release, simply to leverage the large influx of users from that launch, completing their 1 year. So, 4th, 5th or 6th all fits my gut feeling just toasty nice

 

[T Mac]

So why not just cancel your cable internet and use 4G instead? The $10-$20 would undoubtedly be less than you pay for cable and there are other benefits I'm sure.

If I paid $20 for 4g tethering of up to 8 devices and the main device was in my pocket whilst my wife and kids were at home trying to get on the internet, I see that as a problem when as of now I get 7mb/s internet with free wifi for unliimited devices for around 29.99/month with my cable company.

I just don't think paying extra for 4g would be worth it, especially if it was extra for the hotspot sharing portion. And I don't see my wife wanting this phone merely for the size of it. On the other hand, I can't wait for it to be released! 4g or not. The 4g is a bonus at this point, at least imo!

 

[MrViZZiATO]

Jackson -

Any word on what sales channels will be available for the EVO? Telesales, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Online Sprint, Sprint Stores...etc


9 more days till we get to see more EVO news!!! Then guess what: 49 more days after that until June 4th!!!!! About ONE AND A HALF MONTHS more until we see a device the iPad wishes it could be

LMAOOOO...To funny... see I knew there was a good reason I joined here
I'd love to hear from Jackson and see what he knows or heard in regards to that Engadget article from earlier on today!!

Something I think needs to be stressed is that there is absolutely no reason why the android experience can't be as seamless and simple as iPhone. There are perceptions of computing technology that the average person has let themselves adopt that words like 'linux' and 'terminal' and 'android' and other buzz words represent the gobbledygook that melts your brain trying to understand. I myself was that way, and when geek friends in high school extolled the benefits of linux vs my crappy windows i found it intimidating and out of pride marginalized them as outliers that the average person shouldn't be concerned with: just use windows, and it'll do what you want and it'll be fine.

This is something only education and a well funded and executed marketing campaign can bridge. My mom, who is a tech n00b, can work the Hero. But she uses maybe like 10% of what the phone is capable of, but she still loves it. She always tells me "ive never owned something that could do so much!"...at 10% of its possible functioning. When discussing EVO with people, I think its important to stress what someone said on mybad's thread...EVO can do everything iPhone can, but theres a universe of things iPhone can't do that EVO can.

Seriously, operating Android is not hard. Whats the most difficult thing about it? The 'long-press' concept? Adding widgets? HTC has done a great job developing Sense UI but only a mediocre one promoting it. They want to go with "Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected", fine, but explain WTF that means better.

BRAVO, BRAVO I clap to you and your very well put together article!! I couldn't have said it better and I agree with you!! Damn I wish my mom was tech savy to some extent lmaooo so consider your-self lucky lol.. my parents are Italian so all they know is soccer espresso coffee and amazing Italian food no complaints though trust you me

But I do love this line "EVO can do everything iPhone can, but theres a universe of things iPhone can't do that EVO can!!" Everyone thinks that the iphone is all and does all when really thats not true!! It isn't a piece of shit but not the greatest phone ever either. And to be honest....w/out that app store they have id love to see how many people would still love the iphone??? It's boring and stale and kinda of blah imho but thats me...At least the HTC EVO is and will be a great phone stock the way it is once taken out of the box!!! That sense UI is amazing and sexy..how could you not love it?? I currently own the touch pro2 running the sence ui manila 2.5 and let me tell you I never get bored of it and it usefulness!!! The one thing I love about going to android is how htc has it hands all over it and how you can tweak a lot of it just like you can windows mobile so the transition wont be to much different if not better!! I think HTC always puts out amazing hardware and software and thats why I only use there phones! every time they put something out its always better then there last and that to me says a lot! means there always working to improve and make things new and fresh that makes us the people happy and excited!!

The release of the EVO couldn't come any sooner lol.....

 

[Capboomer]

id just as soon keep my 3g connection for an additional cost. I already pay for cable internet. If i need speed, i'll just jump on the pc, either at work or home. 4g offerings were supposed to be like the cable company giving you free hd channels. It's just a bonus! ...or at least that's what i heard? Come on, $10 more dollars? I see no more than zero dollars.

+1. No extra charges!

 

[Sassy_Lina]

An extra 10 to 20 bucks is not bad for a hotspot add on. That is what I see it as. Even though the fellas over at engadget put it so eloquently *enter sarcasm* I believe the price stated is the price for hotspot add-on only. It's just not feasible to charge for a technology that isn't readily accessible to the majority of sprint customers. I also think it's quite unreasonable to be disgruntled by the fact that they are charging an additional fee. I actually expected as much.

 

[MrViZZiATO]

How do I add something under my NAME to have it say something can anyone help me please?? thanks!

 

[cary328is]

How do I add something under my NAME to have it say something can anyone help me please?? thanks!

Check under "User CP"...top left option in the blue bar. All your options are located there

 

[SprintTerp]

An extra 10 to 20 bucks is not bad for a hotspot add on. That is what I see it as. Even though the fellas over at engadget put it so eloquently *enter sarcasm* I believe the price stated is the price for hotspot add-on only. It's just not feasible to charge for a technology that isn't readily accessible to the majority of sprint customers. I also think it's quite unreasonable to be disgruntled by the fact that they are charging an additional fee. I actually expected as much.

I was just going to post almost the exact same thing. Not to sound like a homer, but I think the majority is being a little rough on Sprint here. I think we should all sit back and wait just a little to find out what the additional charges will be associated with the phone.

As I've stated before in this thread, Sprint HAS to charge more per month for the Hotspot capability. Think about it, Sprint and every other carriers are monetizing the same technology (lesser technology, in fact - even the Overdrive only supports 5 devices) at the rate of $60/month... Sprint would be shooting themselves in the foot by providing this service free of charge and all but extinguishing their Mobile Broadband devices.

I do not believe they will charge any extra for accessing 4G on the phone itself. No inside information here, just my opinion.

Finally, I see no negative side for the consumer. If you want the Hotspot capability, then pay the additional $10-20...otherwise, use this awesome phone without the Hotspot and save your money. Everybody wins.

 

[Sassy_Lina]

@SprintTerp My thoughts exactly.

 

[MrViZZiATO]

Check under "User CP"...top left option in the blue bar. All your options are located there

I know where that is but I need someone to tell me how to change where it says (where's the search) follow?? I want to change that to say something else.