Sprint Announces Availability of 4G in Hometown: Delivers High-Speed Mobile Connectivity in Kansas City

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jun 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced the availability of 4G service in the company's hometown: Kansas City (and surrounding metro area). Today's launch will begin supplying 4G coverage to the Kansas City metro area, including the cities of Kansas City, Shawnee, Overland Park, Lee's Summit, Independence and the Northland. Sprint will continue to enhance network coverage of 4G as more cell sites are added to the metro area during the summer.

The fourth generation of wireless, also known as 4G, provides fast mobile downloads, streaming video and Web browsing at turbo-speed and delivers downloads that are faster than any wireless broadband service currently being offered by AT&T or Verizon. Sprint now offers 4G in 33 markets nationwide. With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can try 4G for 30 days. If they are not satisfied, they can cancel service and have the opportunity to be fully reimbursed.¹

From surfing the Internet at a sidewalk café on the Plaza to streaming live video of your favorite burnt ends sandwich or even sending large file attachments via a fast mobile connection, 4G will make life easier, more fun and more productive.

Unlike competitors who are running high-speed mobile broadband trials in laboratories, Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to actually launch 4G technology. Sprint delivers 4G to consumers and businesses, and Sprint's 4G powered products, such as Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, USB Modem and USB Mobile Broadband, make any online experience better by enabling users to stream video, download files and browse the Web at download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G².

People in the Kansas City metro area will soon be able to enjoy the capabilities of the recently announced HTC EVO(TM) 4G - the world's first 3G/4G Android phone (available Friday, June 4). The HTC EVO 4G provides a superior and robust multimedia experience. It is a hotspot and a phone, making it possible to download music, pictures, videos in seconds - not minutes - and watch streaming video on-the-go.

"Mobile broadband service with Sprint 4G is really about improving the overall wireless experience for our customers," said Matt Carter, president of 4G, Sprint. "In addition to faster speeds, customers will discover that 4G technology allows for all kinds of new possibilities for Internet-on-the-go - streaming video, online gaming and videoconferencing. There is nothing else like the 4G experience from any other national wireless carrier."

In 2010, Sprint's 4G launch in several more markets is expected to cover up to 120 million people. The company also will introduce several 4G devices, including a single-mode 4G data card and embedded laptops. View 4G coverage for all Sprint 4G markets at 3Gstore.com/coverage

 

Related Links:

• Purchase the Sprint 3G/4G Overdrive from 3Gstore
• Purchase the Sprint U301 from 3Gstore
• Read more about Transitioning to 4G
• Discuss Sprint's 4G Launch in Kansas City on the 4G Forums 

Android 2.2 Features Announced By Google

Today at the Google IO keynote, Google announced the new features that Android 2.2 code named "Froyo" will introduce. Android 2.2 will be available via update for the super popular Sprint HTC EVO 4G phone this July!

One of the many improvements that Android 2.2 will bring is better performance when running applications. They have made improvements to how applications are compiled that allows apps to run more efficiently, which ultimately allows the applications to run faster and smoother than ever before. Android's web browser Chrome, has also been improved with a 2-3x javascript performance boost using the V8 engine which allows web apps to load a lot faster with Android 2.2. During the live demonstration using Sun's standard Spider javascript test,  Chrome on Android 2.2 out performed the same phone running Android 2.1 and even outperformed the Apple iPad running Safari!


Google also announced that Android 2.2 will improve the Chrome browser by adding better HTML 5 support which will allow the browser to utilize features of the phone that were never possible in previous Android OS versions. These new features include the ability for the browser to utilize the phone's accelerometer in web based apps such as Google Maps to change the viewing angle instead of having to use on-screen controls. They also demonstrated how HTML 5 will allow you to use the phone's camera in web-based apps such as Google Buzz to take a picture and share it right from your web-browser! To top it off, Android 2.2 will be the first mobile operating system that will have native flash support. With Android 2.2, the Chrome web browser will have full Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support to allow you to view flash-based websites, play flash games, and more! This is something that not even the iPhone is capable of doing!


While many smartphones already support push notifications to receive email, instant messages, and other notifications instantly. Google is taking this idea to a whole new level with their Cloud to Device messaging API. This new feature allows users to send commands to their Android device to launch applications, perform tasks, and much more. For example, if a user is viewing Google Maps on his desktop computer, with one-click in his desktop browser, the phone will automatically launch Google Maps and open up to the same location that was being viewed on the desktop browser. This is going to be really useful for users who need to quickly switch from their desktop/laptop environment to their phone in a moments notice!


One of the most exciting features for our readers is that Android 2.2 will add a feature that turns your Android device into a portable hotspot. This feature will create a WiFi network that provides internet connectivity for up to 8 WiFi-capable devices using the 3G or 4G mobile networks. While Google didn't say if this will require an additional monthly fee for a tethering plan, we suspect that this feature will require the tethering plan on your phone which is usually an additional $30/month.

While Google said that there are over 20 new enterprise features, they only mentioned that in Android 2.2 there would be Microsoft Exchange support, including auto-discovery, integration with global address book, forced security policies, remote wiping of the device, the ability to easily move application data from one phone to a new Android device, and many more enterprise friendly features that would be announced in the near future.

If you are currently an Android user, you know how great Google's voice search is for searching the web using your own voice. While their voice search feature is already very good, they demonstrated that voice recognition has improved since Android 2.1 as well as a new feature that uses Google Voice called "intentions". "Intentions" is designed to work like a personal assistant, if you say "Call Fifth Floor Restaurant" it will search for the restaurant based on your GPS location, find the phone number for this restaurant, and automatically place the call for you. In Android 2.2 Google Voice also will have a voice translation feature that will translate and speak almost anything you say into another language. This is going to be a must have feature for anyone who travels frequently!

There are also going to be several updates the the Android Market Place including:

Automatic Updates - The ability to have all of your applications automatically update when new versions are available, instead of having to choose to manually update each application.

Google's Auto-Fill Search - Uses Google's Auto-fill search to guess at what you are trying to search for as you begin to type in your search keywords, just as you see on Google's web search.

Search within application data - Now allows you to search within application data such as financial documents, office documents, spreadsheets etc, so that you can find your personal information more quickly and efficiently!

Install/Move Apps to SD Card - With Android 2.2 you can move large applications to the SD card to free up internal memory, and you can even configure Android 2.2 to automatically install large apps to the SD card when internal memory is low.

Desktop Android Marketplace - You will now be able to access the Android marketplace via your desktop on your web-browser. From the desktop version of the marketplace you can view your Android devices, which apps you already have installed, and purchase applications. If you have an Android 2.2 device, when you purchase apps from your desktop, they will be automatically pushed & downloaded to your Android 2.2 device via 3G/4G connectivity without having to tether via USB to sync the application to your phone!

Google also announced a new feature to Android 2.2 that will allow users to access and stream their entire music library from their desktop computer or media center device to their Android device via WiFi, 3G, or 4G! Google has partnered with Sprint & HTC to provide the new HTC EVO 4G to all the developers who attended the Google IO conference. Google said the HTC EVO 4G will provide consumers with the best Android experience possible with it's 4.3in screen, 8mp camera, HDMI output, and most of all the first phone to use 4G technology to provide speeds up to 10mbit/sec!

Continue the Android 2.2 discussion on EVDOForums.com!

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 Related Links:

• Reserve your Sprint HTC EVO 4G at 3Gstore.com
• Join in on the Android 2.2 Discussion at EVDOForums.com

 

Click here to read our complete hands-on review of the HTC EVO 4G!

Since Sprint announced the HTC EVO 4G Android smartphone, it's been one of the most talked-about phones since Apple introduced the iPhone. Prospective users are bound to have questions about any new phone, but due to the EVO's unique capabilities and the fact that it's the first 4G WiMAX-capable phone, this phone in particular has generated a LOT of questions! This article contains all of the questions we've heard so far about the HTC EVO 4G and answers to the ones for which information is currently available - for the questions that are still unanswered, we'll continue to research/test and will update this article as soon as we have answers, so stay tuned! If you have a question about the HTC EVO that is not addressed here, post your question to the HTC EVO Forums and we'll do our best to track down the answer!

HTC EVO 4G FAQ (last updated 6/14/2010)

When can I order the HTC EVO 4G?

How much does it cost?

Can I order it without service?

What plans can the HTC EVO 4G be activated on?

Why does it require an extra $10 "premium data" feature? Can that be removed?

How much does the hotspot feature cost?

Can the hotspot feature be turned on and off?

Is usage unlimited with the hotspot feature?

Can I talk on the phone while I'm using the hotspot feature?

Is it tether-capable?
Can I use the hotspot feature with a non-WiFi device (for example, to tether to a desktop computer)?

Is the hotspot secure?

What kind of USB connection does it have?

Where is 4G available? Where is 3G available?

What if I'm not in a 3G or 4G area?

Does it work well with Mac computers?

Does it have a camera?

Does it have an antenna port to boost the signal?

Can it run multiple apps at once?

How long does the battery last?

What kind of accessories are available for the HTC EVO 4G?

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Related links:

• View the HTC EVO at 3Gstore
• Order your EVO 4G from 3Gstore 
• Read our full review of the HTC EVO
• Visit the EVO 4G forums at EVDOForums

Reserve Your Sprint HTC EVO 4G at 3Gstore and Receive a Free Car Charger!

Sprint's upcoming EVO 4G Android smartphone by HTC will hit the market on June 4th, and it's already become one of the most buzzed-about phones in years. With its 3G and 4G capabilities and the ability to serve as a 3G or 4G hotspot for up to 8 devices (similar to the MiFi or Overdrive), and of course Sprint's great plans and coverage, the HTC EVO 4G may be exactly the device so many people have been waiting for.

The HTC EVO 4G is going to be in extremely high demand at launch, and supplies are going to be very limited at all Sprint retailers. Because of the limited quantities that will be available, 3Gstore is allowing customers to reserve an HTC EVO 4G now, so that when it launches on June 4th you'll be guaranteed one. Plus, for all customers who reserve their HTC EVO 4G at 3Gstore by June 4th, we'll also include a free HTC EVO 4G car charger ($19.99 value) when you place your order! To reserve your HTC EVO 4G and free car charger, fill out the form at 3Gstore.com/evoregister. Please note that the registration option and free car charger are only available for customers who will be signing up for Sprint service (new or upgrade) for their EVO 4G - no-contract EVO 4Gs will be available in the future as supply permits.

Interested in all things EVO 4G? In anticipation of all the questions and discussions EVO users (and potential users) are going to have about this new device, we've opened up a new area of the EVDO Forums dedicated just to the HTC EVO 4G. Join the discussion at EVDOforums.com/evo4G!

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Related links:

• View the HTC EVO at 3Gstore 
• Reserve your EVO 4G from 3Gstore
• Visit the EVO 4G forums at EVDOForums

Sprint leads the 4G revolution with the highly anticipated, award-winning HTC EVO 4G priced at just $199.99; add mobile hotspot capability for up to eight devices for just $29.99

NEW YORK, May 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- If you were creating your dream wireless device what would it look like? Two cameras and video chat so you can say goodnight to your children when you are away on a business trip? Simultaneous voice and data, so you can call in your take-out order while you look at their menu on the Internet? The ability to plug your phone into your HDTV, so you can let your children finish the movie they started watching in the car's backseat when you get home? And a huge screen for watching the videos you download in seconds - not minutes - with the fastest wireless data speeds available in America today? Stop daydreaming and get ready for Sprint (NYSE: S) to make your dreams come true on June 4 when the highly anticipated HTC EVO 4G debuts.

The critics agree that HTC EVO 4G is this summer's must-have wireless experience as it continues to win their accolades and endorsements. CNET, LAPTOP and eWeek gave HTC EVO 4G awards for Best of Show when it was announced at CTIA this spring. Engadget said, "It's easily the best specced phone we've ever witnessed." The Financial Times cooed, "The first 4G phone in the U.S., the HTC EVO ... ticks just about all the boxes for my ideal phone."

"HTC EVO 4G is a fantastic 3G device, but when you use it in our growing 4G coverage area, it becomes a multimedia powerhouse," said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. "The EVO 4G experience is much like going from TV to HDTV. But EVO has more than just an impressive list of features - it is also fun to use with remarkable gaming, video and web-browsing capabilities."

With the launch of HTC EVO 4G, Sprint customers will be able to enjoy capabilities they have never experienced before with a new video chat service from Qik. The two-way voice and video capability will be available as an upgrade to the preloaded Qik app on HTC EVO 4G to enable conversational, interactive, real-time sharing between mobile devices or from mobile-to-desktop.

Amazing Features, Beautiful Design

HTC EVO 4G features the latest version of the increasingly popular Android platform, Android 2.1, offering more than 35,000 apps, as well as a mind-blowing list of features, including:

• 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.

HTC EVO 4G boasts the newest version of the highly acclaimed HTC Sense user experience. With HTC Sense, HTC EVO 4G users can use Friend Stream to aggregate multiple social communication channels, including Facebook and Twitter into one organized flow of updates; a "Leap" thumbnail view to easily switch between home screen "panels;" the ability to download new, interactive widgets; and a "polite" ringer, which quiets the ringing phone once lifted up.

While the performance of currently available Android applications will be enhanced by access to 4G data speeds, a Sprint 4G developer guide is available today from the Sprint ADP Web site at http://developer.sprint.com. The Sprint 4G developer guide provides details on developing for an Android 2.1 handset and how to take advantage of HTC EVO 4G's unique hardware and software capabilities and the Sprint 4G network. The Sprint Application Developer Program has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.

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Related links:

• View the HTC EVO at 3Gstore
• Read the HTC EVO fact sheet 
• Discuss the HTC EVO on the 4G Forums

In March of this year, Sprint made Google-fans very happy by announcing that they would soon be selling and supporting Google's Android Nexus One phone. After the huge response Sprint has received over the past couple of weeks for the upcoming 4G-capable HTC EVO (also an Android phone), they have changed their mind. Sprint spokeswoman Michelle Mermelstein said yesterday that the company has decided to abandon their plans to carry the Nexus One, instead focusing their energies on the HTC EVO.

As Mermelstein explained, the HTC EVO will offer “a more robust feature set and multimedia experience” than the Nexus One, and “there’s nothing that the Nexus One would bring that our customers couldn’t get with the HTC EVO 4G.” Plus, the HTC EVO will offer something the Nexus One (or any other phone) can: 4G WiMAX capabilities!

 

Related links:

• Discuss the upcoming HTC EVO on the 4G Forums
• Read the HTC EVO fact sheet

 

 

Clearwire and Sprint have announced that 20 more US cities will have WiMAX coverage (known as CLEAR from Clearwire or Sprint 4G from Sprint) this summer!

The following new markets will be graced with WiMAX by summer's end:

• Jacksonville, Florida
• Daytona, Florida
• Orlando, Florida
• Tampa, Florida
• Kansas City, Kansas
• Nashville, Tennessee
• St. Louis, MO
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Merced, CA
• Modesto, CA
• Stockton, CA 
• Visalia, CA
• Wilmington, Delaware
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Eugene, Oregon
• Yakima and the Tri-Cities area (Kennewick, Pasco and Richland), Washington 
• Rochester, NY
• Syracuse, NY

Both CLEAR and Sprint (who use the same WiMAX network) will offer 4G service in all of the above markets within the next few months, and Comcast and Time Warner Cable, who re-sell the service in some select cities, are expected to follow suit in some markets.

No launch dates have been announced for CLEAR or Sprint, but stay tuned here at 4Ginfo for official launch information as it becomes available!

Related links: