Most of the Sprint reps honestly don't have a clue about the Hero. They are not even aware it comes out Sunday. This is a very high tech device and capability and technical specification wise, it's much better than the iPhone, yet that device always gets more hype. I guess the whole Apple marketing machine makes that the case. The only real incentive to preorder from Best Buy is to get the device early on Friday. It's not like there won't be enough in stock. The Sprint stores aren't even accepting preorders. I guess this works in our favor though as most of us who really want it are guarenteed a Hero on Sunday. No waiting in lines wrapped around Best Buy and Sprint stores like the case with the first generation iPhone launch in 2007.
-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Most of the Sprint reps honestly don't have a clue about the Hero. They are not even aware it comes out Sunday. This is a very high tech device and capability and technical specification wise, it's much better than the iPhone, yet that device always gets more hype. I guess the whole Apple marketing machine makes that the case. The only real incentive to preorder from Best Buy is to get the device early on Friday. It's not like there won't be enough in stock. The Sprint stores aren't even accepting preorders. I guess this works in our favor though as most of us who really want it are guarenteed a Hero on Sunday. No waiting in lines wrapped around Best Buy and Sprint stores like the case with the first generation iPhone launch in 2007.
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
The reason for no lines is that Sprint hasn't hyped the Hero at all.
SDscorch
Android Enthusiast
getting it friday - yes, that's an advantage
the first thing i remember though was the "instant" MIR - which makes it "not" a "mail in" rebate
the friday thing came along just this last week though - that's the earliest i heard it
Edaze55
Android Expert
Security and peace of mind are the reasons I pre-ordered. The early part was just a bonus. Cant have some Joe Schmoe easen up on the last Hero I waited so long for, and he just found out that day.
Of course theres also the no mail in rebate thing, but you didnt need to pre-order for that.
Of course theres also the no mail in rebate thing, but you didnt need to pre-order for that.
SDscorch
Android Enthusiast
oh, the $$ was a big factor for me!lol
ChrisPlague
Android Enthusiast
There will be plenty at launch on Sunday both at Best Buy and at the Sprint Stores I think. I agree, Best Buy also has the advantage with getting the instant discount. You'll get the same discount at the Sprint store but have to wait a month or more to get it since it's a mail in rebate. For those that didn't preorder and getting the device at a Sprint store like myself, I don't think we'll have to worry about there not being any in stock. Just make sure you get there right when they open on Sunday, which is usually 10 AM for most Sprint stores.
Edaze55
Android Expert
Those two, seemingly harmless little words....
Would have gotten me on the 6o'clock news Sunday if they sold out prior to me getting to BB. Im not known for waking up early either.
And can we keep a lid on the baller thing? If the womenz find out I'll hafta beat them off with a stick, yo!
NYVetteGuy
Member
This is from my post over on Howard Forums... The Sprint ADP Response (bottom) is probably the source you're looking for.
Just came across this article involving Sprints HTC Hero.
Im blown away, but it doesnt make sense. I was under the impression that Android 1.6 was required for CDMA
...
"there are no current plans to offer Android 1.6 as an over the air update...HTC said the Android 1.6 update is yet to be determined and is also leaning towards an update method involving the PC....Sprint phones will also lack the new Android Market that is packaged with Android 1.6. The new quick search box, camera, gesture controls, and all other enhancements will have to wait till 2010."
WTF?! Please someone, anyone who can, shed some light here.
http://androidandme.com/2009/10/car...es-for-android/
EDIT: Ok, so maybe I'm a little late to the party on this one as I have found some articles from last week stating the same thing. I just don't understand as I was lead to believe that CDMA was part of 1.6 "Doughnut".
Sprint ADP Response
Just came across this article involving Sprints HTC Hero.
Im blown away, but it doesnt make sense. I was under the impression that Android 1.6 was required for CDMA
..."there are no current plans to offer Android 1.6 as an over the air update...HTC said the Android 1.6 update is yet to be determined and is also leaning towards an update method involving the PC....Sprint phones will also lack the new Android Market that is packaged with Android 1.6. The new quick search box, camera, gesture controls, and all other enhancements will have to wait till 2010."
WTF?! Please someone, anyone who can, shed some light here.
http://androidandme.com/2009/10/car...es-for-android/
EDIT: Ok, so maybe I'm a little late to the party on this one as I have found some articles from last week stating the same thing. I just don't understand as I was lead to believe that CDMA was part of 1.6 "Doughnut".
Sprint ADP Response
I believe the reason is due to the UI and ROM being that of HTC (Sense UI). HTC will have to build their version and pass it along to Sprint.
HTC is dominating the market right now and I believe Sense UI is their bread and butter. I cant see them holding off too long for this update.
I am just more confused at the fact that 1.6 is the first Android build to support CDMA. This leaves me to believe that there is some kind of in between emulation taking place to allow CDMA on 1.5. If this is true, emulation = resources. More resources used can contribute to more lag. This is all in theory but, I believe these interim updates we're hearing about being pushed to the phone may be HTC tweaking the current UI and Emulation. I would think that an upgrade to 1.6 might make things a little speedier once the emulation is removed, again in theory.
Discuss
HTC is dominating the market right now and I believe Sense UI is their bread and butter. I cant see them holding off too long for this update.
I am just more confused at the fact that 1.6 is the first Android build to support CDMA. This leaves me to believe that there is some kind of in between emulation taking place to allow CDMA on 1.5. If this is true, emulation = resources. More resources used can contribute to more lag. This is all in theory but, I believe these interim updates we're hearing about being pushed to the phone may be HTC tweaking the current UI and Emulation. I would think that an upgrade to 1.6 might make things a little speedier once the emulation is removed, again in theory.
Discuss
americonium
Member
If I had a Sprint HTC Hero in my grubby little paws, and I wanted to see which OS it was running, what would I have to do?
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
I believe you would go to setting and then about this phone.
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
Ok now I'm totally confused. Just got off the phone with Tech Support for Sprint, the woman I spoke with pulled up the specs for the Hero and stated the OS the Hero is being released with is 1.29659. something.
Is 1.5/1.6 not the OS?
She did confirm that the USB is micro not mini.
Is 1.5/1.6 not the OS?
She did confirm that the USB is micro not mini.
Edaze55
Android Expert
She looked at the wrong spot. Theres Firmware, and theres OS. Lemme see if I can find a pic to give you an example.
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
That's what I told her. She couldn't find anything about Firmware.
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
PS - I also have an e-mail and phone call into to HTC support to see what they can tell me. If they don't answer I'll know tomorrow at this time for sure!
Edaze55
Android Expert
Okay I had that wrong, but after much searching I was able to find a Hero "about" page. Funny I saw them all day yesterday and couldnt find one today.
By the way, this may not be the Sprint Hero stuff, but rather just an image to get an idea. She must have been looking at the software version. Nothing else would make sense.
By the way, this may not be the Sprint Hero stuff, but rather just an image to get an idea. She must have been looking at the software version. Nothing else would make sense.
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
Ok we're getting a Software Update but not the Firmware update. I'm on hold now with a guy from HTC, let me see what I can find out from them.
TattierPub
Android Enthusiast
Ok this what the HTC Tech Guy @ 866-449-8356 told me:
Sprint HTC Hero is launching with 1.5 he doesn't know if or when 1.6 will be made available to Sprint.
Software version is 1.29
Also all HTC products use Mini USB not Micro (seems the Sprint lady was incorrect).
There you have it straight from HTC.
Sprint HTC Hero is launching with 1.5 he doesn't know if or when 1.6 will be made available to Sprint.
Software version is 1.29
Also all HTC products use Mini USB not Micro (seems the Sprint lady was incorrect).
There you have it straight from HTC.