That's right, folks, we're in the Big Apple at Sprint's Evo 4G pre-launch party. They're tying it in with the upcoming Jake Gyllenhaal movie "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," and we'll be watching it tonight, too. But when we're not in the cone of movie silence, we should be getting some quality hands-on time with the Evo 4G, and trying to squeeze some launch information out of Sprint.
We wish everybody could be here with us, but instead we've got the next-best thing. Check in after the break for our live updates, as they happen, in living color and such.
Live at the Evo 4G Party |
89 Comments
Yes! Is it here yet?
i just want to know whens its coming how much and WHEN WE CAN PREORDER
I can't wait to hear release information. Woohoo!
The $10 unlimited 4G add-on now puts the Everything Data/Anytime Mobile 450 Package in the same price range as VZ's unlimited 3G packages, with many of VZ's 3G packages still more expensive.
To top it off, Verizon does not have 4G! ;)
U guys are the ONLY TECH SITE reporting on this right now... AC FTW!(Forever the winner!)
comon lets get this stared
PLEASE FIND OUT WHEN ITS OUT!!!!!!!!
Been Waiting for this Along time.
They better announce the price, plans and release date.. If they don't then I'm going to be seriously pissed off at Sprint.
Great to see you guys covering this.
I hope you don't need a special plan to get it! I need it to work on the "Everything plus Data with Any Mobile, Anytime!
If they don't announce it tonight might have to get the incredible.
when are you gonna start the ustream?
June 4th, $199
EVO June 4th 199.00!
I think, I am going to be okay. June 4th. Now were can i pre-order?
A HTC EVO 4G @ $199??? That is a STEALLL!
Cha CHING...money well spent. When can we pre-order this baby?
From Sprint's twitter feed:
HTC EVO 4G Debuts on June 4 Packed with Industry-Leading Features: Mobile Video Chat, Simul Voice/Data & HD Video - http://bit.ly/byg822
Mobile hotspot $29.99 / month
Do I read this as an EXTRA $10 a month for 4G data access?
from the press release..
Everything Data plans start at $69.99 per month. A $10 per month Premium Data add-on will apply allowing customers to take advantage of a richer data experience than ever before.
That's how I read it. It sounds like the $10 / month is mandatory, and they don't mention what happens to customers in non-4G cities?
It's now posted on Sprint's web site!
So now I'm wondering, will those of us who purchased the pre on June 6 last year have to wait 2 days or will they waive that so we can get the evo?
NO! I have talked with Sprint you are eligible for upgrae June 1!
So if I read the Sprint press release correctly, 4G is additional $10/month, correct? Which would mean the 4G Everything Data with Any Mobile Anytime would be $79.99? Well, I guess there was a reason I decided to cut down my landline to a very barebones package.
the way i see it, I'm just going to get rid of my $7 monthly insurance for each phone I have and add the $10 4G, so in essence I'll pay $3 bucks more per phone. I've had the insurance for YEARS and never had to use it. If something happens, I'll just pay out of pocket.
@dwightshrute dude, of all phones I would not drop insurance for the EVO. The replacement cost for this thing is probably going to run about $600. Plus the demand is probably going to be so high, you may have to wait ages for a replacedment.
I've used Sprint insurance several times, and though it's someone a pain, it's great to have. I'd much rather pay the deposit--over half the time they do not charge you!--rather than shell out the big bucks for a new device, and be without a phone.
i wouldn't ditch insurance on this either. you could buy the phone at best buy. they have a great insurance replacement program. i'm on my 3rd hero. i just bring it in & they give me a brand new one out of the box, not a refurb, with no problem. the only thing is it doesn't cover lost/stolen phones, only broken ones. i think it's 10/month but i'm not sure bc i bought it outright. i hate monthly bills.
Bad news from the Sprint press release:
"A $10 per month Premium Data add-on will apply allowing customers to take advantage of a richer data experience than ever before."
I guess it's not as if it wasn't expected. Sprint could have royally screwed up and made it $20/mo (just like they apparently screwed up with the hotspot charge here. I guess they don't want it competing too much with their Overdrive).
The $10 unlimited 4G add-on now puts the Everything Data/Anytime Mobile 450 Package in the same price range as VZ's unlimited 3G packages, with many of VZ's 3G packages still more expensive.
just because everyone charges more doesn't make the $10/month charge right. they lowered their prices so people would switch to sprint. now they're trying to recoup $$$ from their more well off customers. that sort of seems like they're spitting in my face. and on top of that it appears to be mandatory even in non 4g areas??? i don't understand. and what if i happened to live in an area w 4g but work somewhere that doesn't have 4g. most of my time is spent at work. i don't use the phone at home. this is disgusting....
then don't buy one. simple logic FTW
i no longer intend to. they can keep their FLAVOR OF THE MONTH & i'll keep my $40/month. how soon before the next must have phone is out?
like i said, spitting in the face of loyal customers and rear ending them with an unbelievable reasonable price for hardware and shoving it up their butts with monthly charges. FAIL!! as noted by another poster:
Doesn't this contradict what Dan Hesse said at CTIA?
9:33AM "3G’s kind of getting exhausted. I talk to my network guys, and it’s like Scottie in the engine room… ’she’s going as fast as she can!’"
9:34AM With 4G, "because we can produce a gigabyte cheaper, we can offer more to the customer."
9:35AM "It’s like standard def versus high def, but with that analogy, you paid more for the better service. With 4G, we’re giving you more for free."
Does it say you HAVE to pay the extra $10 for 4G?
it doesn't look as if they're calling it a 4g charge but rather a premium data charge...
"A $10 per month Premium Data add-on will apply allowing customers to take advantage of a richer data experience than ever before."
i no longer intend to. they can keep their FLAVOR OF THE MONTH & i'll keep my $40/month. how soon before the next must have phone is out?
like i said, spitting in the face of loyal customers and rear ending them with an unbelievable reasonable price for hardware and shoving it up their butts with monthly charges. FAIL!! as noted by another poster:
Doesn't this contradict what Dan Hesse said at CTIA?
9:33AM "3G’s kind of getting exhausted. I talk to my network guys, and it’s like Scottie in the engine room… ’she’s going as fast as she can!’"
9:34AM With 4G, "because we can produce a gigabyte cheaper, we can offer more to the customer."
9:35AM "It’s like standard def versus high def, but with that analogy, you paid more for the better service. With 4G, we’re giving you more for free."
10.00 is fine for those you that 4g on your city, about those that do not have 4g yet and still have to pay for it?
if no one buys the damn phone the price would go down. but i know you people dont have that type of disciplin
couldn't agree more. as much as i want this phone i will be waiting until midsummer at least. these extra charges are ridiculous. everyone wants this phone but $40/month more is going to make people reconsider. i just did and i doubt i'm alone.
That kinda sucks - I live in an area that has good Sprint coverage, but they aren't talking about 4G until another year or two from now - which means if I wanted to buy this phone I'd have to waste 10 bucks on essentially a service I can't use.
Doesn't this contradict what Dan Hesse said at CTIA?
9:33AM "3G’s kind of getting exhausted. I talk to my network guys, and it’s like Scottie in the engine room… ’she’s going as fast as she can!’"
9:34AM With 4G, "because we can produce a gigabyte cheaper, we can offer more to the customer."
9:35AM "It’s like standard def versus high def, but with that analogy, you paid more for the better service. With 4G, we’re giving you more for free."
hey kona2day no. sprint moved all the updates to the first of the month. and you phil you just called the evo the ego
This guy is giving a pretty good play-by-play live:
http://www.intomobile.com/2010/05/12/live-sprints-htc-evo-4g-launch-even...
so is this guy :)
http://twitter.com/androidcentral
For me, who has been on ATT for way too long, and Paying $120 without internet this is not a bad thing. This is SWEET... I am happy as can be.
Land Line - what's a land line? Land lines are pre-historic! I gave up on a land line way back in 2007 and live with Google Voice.
Hell since everyone has unlimited calling and mobile to mobile land lines became extinct.
True, but I feel like I have to have an emergency barebones connection in case something should happen, like the power gets cut off and I can't charge my phone. Maybe it's because I grew up in Florida and always had the fear of riding out a hurricane with a cell phone that will go dead between when it gets cut off and when the power turns back on.
I can understand that. Luckily I haven't had the need, at this point, for a need of a land line.
After you count paying for a mobile number w/data, an Internet connection @ home and Satellite/U-Verse - you start getting out the ax and chomping the unnecessary stuff.
Press release says Flash... I wonder if it will run at launch?
Any mention on when 4G will be turned on in Pittsburgh (other than it's coming)? Otherwise I may be griping about having to pay that extra $10/mo for the period between when I get my phone and when the network goes live.
simultaneous voice/data on 3g?!?
I think they're mistaken. Should be WiMax/WiFi only.
lol. I agree, but it's too late now. They said it and the interwebz repeated it. Their bound to it now :P
so how much is it going to be off contract? and when will it be available for pre-order?
$449.99
That would be great, but i seriously doubt that its going to be that cheap. Its the most powerful phoen on the market, and there are phones in the sprint store that are more than that, which are far less powerful. If i had to guess, id say between 6 and 700
From Sprint's e-mail notification on EVO 4G:
"Phone Offer: While supplies last. $449.99 - $150.00 (two-year activation) - $100.00 (mail-in rebate) = $199.99 (final price)."
that would be an awesome price for this phone. and well worth every cent. they made the retail seem less expensive so they can screw us with monthly charges. how stupid do they think we are?
without 4g this just an oversized incredible that charges you 10 more bucks a month.....for me i like to be able to fit my phone in my pocket so this is a no go, but im glad to see everyone is focusing on an HTC phone rather than that dreaded "iphony"
and if u have 4g where u live then this is a must have!
+ video chat
+ simultaneous voice/data
+ HQ Youtube
+ unlimited texts
+ free calls to any mobile phone
+ free Sprint TV with ESPN
fixx'd
Fortunately I am in a 4G city. But even without the 4G connection, comparing the Evo with the Incredible would be crazy. It has a front facing camera and an HDMI out, both features that set it apart from the Incredible and make the Evo the first of it's kind, not to talk the about 4G.
Id much rather pay a bit more to get better service, here in Ohio Sprint/Att is so regional
and though ive never tested it i thought the incredible had HDMI* out? hmm maybe not
Technically yes and no. A comparable voice/data plan on Verizon would be $99.99/mo (of course, that also adds in unlimited to landlines as well). And if you want texts, it's more. The voice/data plan for the EVO would be $79.99/mo (assuming they don't drop it down to the normal rate for people who don't live in 4G areas), so the savings are still substantial at $20/mo. But if you aren't going to use more than 450 minutes per month to out-of-network phones during peak hours and don't care about 4G, yeah, the Incredible may be a slightly better bargain. I know I'm gonna use quite a lot of minutes talking to my girlfriend, who will be on another network when she comes back to the States (I'm guessing Sprint, because they have a tie-in with Comcast). And thankfully, my parents can still keep in touch with me using Verizon's Friends and Family feature.
Yeah, I honestly feel that Sprint has THE BEST PLANS ON THE MARKET. The "Any Mobile, Any Time" promotion is insanely brilliant when paired with the "Simply Everything" plan. I'll burn 700 minutes talking on a 450 minute plan and not have to pay a penny extra... all because most of my friends don't use a home line (they're all on cellphones).
it shouldn't matter what other people are charging. this is a way to mistreat loyal customers. i'm begining to understand why everyone knocks sprint. they don't stick to what they say. CITA...better service for same price...hero & moment updates!!! anyone mentioning that tonight?
they say they don't have sprint to home anymore, but that's how it shows up on the bill. on the website on my list of features it's listed as 3 numbers, any network unlimited for $5/month. i just added it in march. i was trying to get the pick 3 but they said they didn't have that anymore and offered me this. i said i don't care what you call it as long as i can call nonsprint numbers and they don't use my minutes. i have a cell, landline, and google voice number in my numbers and none of them use any minutes. if you have a hard time just ask for retentions and let them know you know people who've added it and not adding it is a deal breaker.
New things I see from the Sprint EVO fact sheet:
* FM radio confirmed
* Battery life: 6 hours talk time
i hope you post a video of you playing with the evo
HUGE UPDATE GUYS FROM SPRINT. I got a email saying this.
Own the NEW HTC EVO. Phone offer: (While Supplies last) Phone- $449.99 - $150 two year activation - $100 mail in rebate = $199.99 final price. So its $449.99 for just the phone as described in my email from sprint. Hope it stays that price as I am nowhere near and upgrade.
Sobody Beat me to the phone full price offer, LOL But still good to let others know.
Hey, Phil Nickinson or any other Android Central staffer... FIND OUT WHEN WE CAN PREORDER! Thanks :).. Enjoy playing with the Evo!
JUNE 4TH $200
I wonder if the EVO 4G can be used with the $99 Simply Everything plan or do you have to go with the Everything data plans only?
The way I understand it the Simply Everything plan includes all (or Everything) Data. So you should be able to use it on a Simply Everything Plan
I am gonna get it though my bill will go up. When can we pre order.
I'm lost so it says $100 mail in rebate? So that means I'll be paying 300 plus activation fee on release day?
I believe so.
Yep and you will have to wait 10 to 14 weeks for your rebate (I hate mail and rebates).
yeah, or you can go to best buy where they instantly give you the rebate and just pay the 199.
Get it at BestBuy they take care of the mail in rebate at the spot so you only pay $199.99 on release date!
Dude thanks for the info, I had no idea BestBuy does that...Awesome!
Does Radio Shack also include the mail-in rebate on the spot?
thanks! I never knew best buy did that!
I go and do that too, but that means you run the risk of NOT grabbing the phone. What if they're out of them or there's a LONG ASS line and your ant the end of it!
Tell me there won't be a demand for this baby and I'd laugh in the face of anyone believing that.
This phone IS a game changer and more and more of those fanboys over at the EVIL empire are jumping ship every day. Plus that thing they call a smartphone is obsolete already and it hasn't been announced yet.
If you purchase the phone from BB, can they charge the phone to your account like they can at the Sprint store?
Also, I thought they were doing special for Premier Customers?
I think $10 additional for 4G service is fair. Do you really think it should be for free? If the additional $10 is gonna break you then don't get the EVO.
$10 is fair, but make it OPTIONAL!!!!!