HTC EVO 4G LTE
Sprint's HTC EVO 4G LTE Gets Its Dose of Jelly Bean
Sprint today announced that the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and Sense 4+ system updates are available for the HTC EVO 4G LTE. Users can update over the air manually via the settings tools or wait for the update to be delivered by Sprint.
Sprint's HD Voice to Launch Before Year's End
Sprint today indicated that it is preparing to launch its HD Voice service by the end of the year for the HTC EVO 4G LTE. The feature requires that both devices support HD Voice and that the local network to which the device owners are connecting be upgraded with Network Vision. HD Voice delivers a dramatically improved cell phone calling experience. Sprint said though it is launching in limited fashion this year, it doesn't expect HD Voice to really take off until 2013. Sprint said it needs to upgrade a "critical mass" of its markets with the necessary network improvements to support HD Voice. Additionally, Sprint needs to get devices other than the HTC EVO 4G LTE in the market. Sprint explained that HD Voice's availability will gradually increase over 2013 and 2014, and that it expects a significant portion of its network and devices will support HD Voice by the end of 2014.
HTC Makes EVO 4G LTE Source Code Available
HTC recently made the source kernel of the HTC EVO 4G LTE available for download via its developer web site. The kernel will help developers adjust their apps/services to work better on these phones.
Sprint Says Device Bans Cause Collateral Damage
Sprint filed an amicus brief with the Federal Court overseeing the Apple vs. Samsung patent trial bemoaning the use of preliminary injunctions to halt device sales. Sprint argues that "bringing a device to market takes hundreds of people approximately 9-12 months" and that "an immediate preliminary injunction against a device substantially and irreparably harms Sprint by leaving a void in its device portfolio." Sprint was forced to delay the launch of the HTC EVO 4G LTE earlier this year due to such a ban. Sprint officially opposes the court's current ban on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which it also sells. Apple and Samsung are in the middle of a protracted war over smartphone patents, and the Galaxy Nexus is the focus of preliminary injunction request by Apple. The judge overseeing the case issued a preliminary injunction banning sales of the Galaxy Nexus, but then stayed it pending appeal.
Sprint Fixes Google Wallet in EVO 4G LTE with Update
Sprint today indicated via its support forums that a new system update is available for the HTC EVO 4G LTE that will fix issues it has experience with Google Wallet. The NFC-based mobile payment service has ben inoperative since the device launched earlier this year. In addition to making Google Wallet function properly, the update also provides a Google security update; fixes a time zone bug, a random power-cycling bug, and a gallery app crash bug; and resolves an issue affecting calendar reminders. The update can be installed over the air.
Software Flub Behind HTC EVO 4G LTE Google Wallet Woes
Google has confirmed that a software glitch within the near-field communications component of the HTC EVO 4G LTE is preventing some owners from using Google Wallet. The device is generating error messages that said the device or the carrier isn't compatible with the Google Wallet service. Google said the problem can be fixed with a software update, and that it is working with Sprint and HTC to clear up the issue. Google didn't provide a timeline for the repair.
HTC Says Its Smartphones Have Cleared Customs
HTC today issued a brief statement announcing that its smartphones have cleared inspection with customer for compliance with an exclusion order and are being allowed into the country. "HTC devices have been released, as they are in compliance with the ITC's ruling," said HTC in a statement emailed to The Verge. The devices were stopped at the border May 15 and have been awaiting examination since then. Some EVO 4G LTE units cleared customs last week.
HTC Says Some Handsets Have Cleared the ITC Exam
HTC indicated over the weekend that some of the handsets blocked at the U.S. border due to an ITC exclusion order have been admitted into the country after passing an examination. "Some of our products have passed the review and have been delivered to our telecoms operators' clients in the U.S.," HTC said in a statement provided to the Taipei Times. HTC didn't say which handsets were admitted into the U.S. Both the One X and EVO 4G LTE were held up thanks to a patent violation. The delay at the border forced Sprint to postpone the planned May 18 launch of the EVO 4G LTE.
Sprint Confirms Delay of HTC EVO LTE 4G
Sprint today indicated via its customer support forums that the planned May 18 launch of the EVO 4G LTE has now been delayed thanks to stalled shipments of the device into the country. Both the One X (for AT&T) and EVO 4G LTE have been blocked at customs, where they are being examined for compliance with an ITC exclusion order. Sprint has ceased taking pre-orders via its web site, and is no longer referencing the May 18 launch date for the EVO 4G LTE. Sprint said that it cannot provide information about when the device might become available at this time. It is working with HTC and hopes to get products on store shelves as soon as it can. Sprint said that it will not deliver devices that were preordered and would prefer that customers refrain from canceling their orders. Those who have preordered the device will be the first to get them once they are available.
HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE Held Up at Customs
HTC today announced that shipments of its One X and EVO 4G LTE smartphones have been halted at customs. In a statement emailed to media, HTC explained, "The US availability of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of shipments that is required after an ITC exclusion order. We believe we are in compliance with the ruling and HTC is working closely with Customs to secure approval. The HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE have been received enthusiastically by customers and we appreciate their patience as we work to get these products into their hands as soon as possible." HTC was found guilty of infringing on an Apple smartphone patent last year and the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that future imports of offending devices be blocked. The order went into effect April 19. HTC believes it has a software work-around in place, but has to appeal the ITC's order. The One X went on sale at AT&T stores earlier this month, but is now listed as out of stock. The EVO 4G LTE is due to go on sale at Sprint stores this Friday. Neither AT&T nor Sprint has addressed availability of the devices in light of the exclusion order.
Sprint Reveals Details of HD Voice Service
At CTIA this week, Sprint and Qualcomm revealed new details of Sprint's forthcoming HD Voice service. Sprint says they won't charge for the feature; it will automatically be used for all voice calls whenever the network and both phones support it. According to Qualcomm employees involved in the project, Sprint is also requiring that all phones marketed as supporting HD Voice include active background noise cancelation using two microphones. The HTC EVO 4G LTE is the first US phone to support HD Voice. The feature will initially be disabled in software, but can easily be enabled by Sprint once the network is ready. Network support for HD Voice will be deployed as part of Sprint's Network Vision upgrades throughout 2012, which also include LTE 1900, CDMA 800, and CDMA 1x Advanced. For the near future, it will only work between two Sprint HD Voice phones, and only on parts of the network that support CDMA 1x Advanced.
Hands-On: HTC EVO 4G LTE
HTC today revealed Sprint's variant of the HTC One smartphone, the EVO 4G LTE. Though this smartphone closely mirrors the One X headed to AT&T, it has plenty to make it unique.
Sprint's Latest EVO from HTC Adds 4G LTE, Brings Back Kickstand
Sprint and HTC today announced the EVO 4G LTE Android 4.0 smartphone. The EVO 4G LTE is a variant of the One X, but substitutes an aluminum frame and casing for the polycarbonate found on the One X. In addition to the aluminum, the EVO 4G LTE also has a bi-directional kickstand so it can be propped up two different ways for watching video content. The EVO 4G LTE supports HD calling, which Sprint says offers drastically higher call quality over the cellular network (this feature will become available later this year, and is network-dependent). Other specs of the device line up with the rest of the One X line. It has a 4.7-inch 720p HD Super LCD display, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture and continuous shot, and NFC with Google Wallet. The EVO 4G LTE has CDMA in the 800/1900MHz bands, and LTE in the 1900MHz band. It also includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a user-accessible microSD slot. The device will be available for pre-sale in early May, and will ship by the end of June. It will cost $199.99 with a new contract.
