Sprint will launch the HTC Evo 4G LTE on May 18 for $200, and all indications are it's the kind of device the carrier can use more of.
The Evo 4G LTE is powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and features a 1.5-gigahertz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, a 4.7-inch display and an 8-megapixel camera. The device is the latest in Sprint's successful line of Evo phones. The carrier has seen great success with the iPhone, so why does Sprint need more phones like the Evo 4G LTE?
1. The Promise of LTE
Technically, the name of the Evo 4G is a bit deceiving. Sprint hasn't launched its LTE network yet, so the device will be running on 3G out of the box. But when the nation's third-place carrier does go live with LTE later this year, devices like the Evo 4G are the ones users will want to have in their hands.
Verizon and AT&T are way ahead of Sprint when it comes to LTE rollout and devices, but handsets like the Evo 4G make sure the second the carrier's network is up to speed, Sprint's users will be also.
2. Great Specs, Good Price
At $200 with a two-year contract, the Evo 4G isn't the cheapest smartphone customers can get at Sprint, but it's one of the best values. The Snapdragon S4 processor is powerful enough to perform nearly all tasks even the most demanding smarpthone users will put it though and the 4.7-inch display provides a really media friendly experience. Did we mention the LTE capability?
3. Great Camera, Great Battery Life
Two of the things customers care most about when shopping for smartphones is the camera's quality how long the device will run before it needs another charge. The Evo 4G delivers on both fronts.
The device's lens captures sharp pictures, whether the target is far away or up close. Critics have also given HTC's new camera software rave reviews, with features like Continuous Shooting and a HDR function for taking photos in areas with harsh light.
Meanwhile, the 2000 mAh battery is above industry standards and the processor is designed to preserve as much juice as possible.
4. The Latest and Greatest
The Evo 4G is part of HTC's One line revamp of its smartphones. It comes with the new HTC sense and runs on the latest version of the Android operating system, making it one of the most up-to-date devices on Sprint's network.
5. It's Not the IPhone
The iPhone has done great things for Sprint since the carrier started offering the device last October. However, that's not an excuse for Sprint to shortchange the rest of its smartphone catalog. Many customers who are not fans of the iPhone want to buy a top-of-the-line device and the Evo 4G is just that.
For Sprint, offering the iPhone is simply an exercise in staying relevant among its peers, not making money. The company has put itself in debt by striking a deal with Apple to sell the device and won't make money on it for years. That's not the case with handsets like the Evo 4G.
The Bottom Line
Devices like the Evo 4G help make Sprint's catalog of phones eclectic and balanced. The promise of LTE support, coupled with its top-tier specs and other great features, make it a good alternative to the iPhone, and Sprint needs more of those.
Verizon plans to launch the Droid Incredible 4G LTE "in the coming weeks," but consumers should pass and wait.
The Incredible 4G features some decent specs: it's powered by Google's new Android 4.0 software, runs on Verizon's faster LTE network, and features a 4-inch high-resolution display, top-notch 8-megapixel camera with 28-millimeter f/2.2 lens, Beats Audio for better music and a speedy 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip.
So what's not to love?
1. Consider the HTC Rezound
The HTC Rezound, Verizon's fourth-quarter flagship phone, features a bigger 4.3-inch screen, with a higher 720-by-1280 pixel resolution -- that's a big difference.
The Rezound also comes with an 8-megapixel camera, a plenty-fast 1.5-gigahertz chip, and will soon run on Android 4.0 -- initially released with Android 2.3 -- and works on Verizon's 4G LTE network too.
While the Incredible is thinner, lighter, and offers NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, its only real advantage is HTC's Sense 4 -- over the Rezound's 3.5 -- a big improvement for a more streamlined interface, a 50 percent improvement in processing speed and lower power consumption.
For a new flagship phone, the Incredible offers slight upgrades in hardware. If you're considering the Incredible, give the Rezound some serious thought.
2. Consider the HTC One
The Incredible couldn't have come at a worse time. HTC is in the midst of a turnaround, after a serious decline last year. Why does that matter? The company overhauled its product line to focus entertainment, and the first batch of new phones is the... "One" series, which hit the market a few months ago.
That's right. The One is the future. The Incredible is the past.
AT&T and T-Mobile carry versions of it, but Verizon has yet to announce a launch -- but that's just a matter of time.
3. Sit Tight, HTC Is Revamping Its Products
Still, it's probably best to wait. HTC's second batch will be leaps and bounds ahead. So if you're looking at HTC, give the first generation of One phones a pass, and wait for them to work out the kinks before diving in.
4. Samsung Is on Top of Its Game
There's a reason Samsung sold over 20 million Galaxy S2 phones in under nine months. And the South Korean company just announced the successor, the S3, which also runs on Android 4.0, but features a massive 4.8-inch display, advanced "S Voice" technology that responds to spoken orders and gestures, and a 1.4-gigahertz "quad-core" -- not dual-core -- chip. It also comes with a 8-megapixel camera, but with "intelligent" camera options that tracks and adapts to what it sees you doing.
Verizon may water down the specs before releasing its version in the summer, but if you can wait a few months, it'll blow the Incredible out of the water.
5. The IPhone 5, Nuff Said
Rumors. They're all rumors, really. But still, we'll run through the list: made of liquidmetal, similar 4.6-inch screen, LTE-compatible, and other major changes. In short, it's the iPhone. Expect it sometime in June.
Bottom Line
If you're going cheap, the Rezound is a better choice. If you're sticking to HTC, wait for the next batch. And if you want the best, wait a few months.
When everyone's showing off their quad-core phones, Galaxy S3s and iPhone 5s, just don't say we didn't tell you so.
Verizon plans to launch the Droid Incredible 4G LTE "in the coming weeks," but consumers should pass and wait.
The Incredible features some decent specs: it's powered by Google's new Android 4.0 software, runs on Verizon's faster LTE network, and features a 4-inch high-resolution display, top-notch 8-megapixel camera with 28-millimeter f/2.2 lens, Beats Audio for better music and a speedy 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip.
So what's not to love?
1. Consider the HTC Rezound
The HTC Rezound, Verizon's fourth-quarter flagship phone, features a bigger 4.3-inch screen, with a higher 720-by-1280 pixel resolution -- that's a big difference.
The Rezound also comes with an 8-megapixel camera, a plenty-fast 1.5-gigahertz chip, and will soon run on Android 4.0 -- initially released with Android 2.3 -- and works on Verizon's LTE network too.
While the Incredible is thinner, lighter, and offers NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, its only real advantage is HTC's Sense 4 -- over the Rezound's 3.5 -- a big improvement for a more streamlined interface, a 50 percent improvement in processing speed and lower power consumption.
For a new flagship phone, the Incredible offers slight upgrades in hardware. If you're considering the Incredible, give the Rezound some serious thought.
2. Consider the HTC One
The Incredible couldn't have come at a worse time. HTC is in the midst of a turnaround, after a serious decline last year. Why does that matter? The company overhauled its product line to focus entertainment, and the first batch of new phones is the... "One" series, which hit the market a few months ago.
The One is the future. The Incredible is the past.
AT&T and T-Mobile carry versions of it, but Verizon has yet to announce a launch -- but that's just a matter of time.
3. Sit Tight, HTC Is Revamping Its Products
Still, it's probably best to wait. HTC's second batch will be leaps and bounds ahead. So if you're looking at HTC, give the first generation of One phones a pass, and wait for them to work out the kinks before diving in.
4. Samsung Is on Top of Its Game
There's a reason Samsung sold over 20 million Galaxy S2 phones in under nine months. And the South Korean company just announced the successor, the S3, which also runs on Android 4.0, but features a massive 4.8-inch display, advanced "S Voice" technology that responds to spoken orders and gestures, and a 1.4-gigahertz "quad-core" -- not dual-core -- chip. It also comes with a 8-megapixel camera, but with "intelligent" camera options that tracks and adapts to what it sees you doing.
Verizon may water down the specs before releasing its version in the summer, but if you can wait a few months, it'll blow the Incredible out of the water.
5. The IPhone 5, Nuff Said
Rumors. They're all rumors, really. But still, we'll run through the list: made of liquidmetal, similar 4.6-inch screen, LTE-compatible, and other major changes. In short, it's the iPhone. Expect it sometime in June.
Bottom Line
If you're going cheap, the Rezound is a better choice. If you're sticking to HTC, wait for the next batch. And if you want the best, wait a few months.
When everyone's showing off their quad-core phones, Galaxy S3s and iPhone 5s, just don't say we didn't tell you so.
When Google purchased Motorola, industry experts believed it was a patent-play to shore up Android from lawsuits. But the Internet giant has far greater ambitions -- a line of Google phones -- which is leading to factions, and possibly, the downfall of the Android alliance.
AT&T is offering a man a deal he can't refuse, while HTC is offering the long-elusive Android Ice Cream Sandwich update on several of its phones. Meanwhile, European carriers are accused of colluding to fix prices, while Apple promotes gift cards for trade-ins.
AT&T Offers Settlement, Threats in Throttling Case
AT&T is offering a settlement to an iPhone user who won a small claims court judgment over how the carrier throttles service for unlimited data users.
The company sent Matthew Spaccarelli, a 39-year-old truck driver, a settlement letter, but didn't say it would offer him more money. However, AT&T threatened to shut off his service if he didn't sit down to talk with them, and reminded him he violated the company's terms of service when he tethered his iPad to his iPhone.
Spaccerelli was also told he would need to sign a confidentiality agreement before the settlement deal could be discussed further. He likely won't be the last disgruntled customer as carriers shift from unlimited data plans to manage spectrum overload.
HTC Ready to Feed Ice Cream Sandwich Cravings
HTC is getting ready to release a slew of Android devices with the Ice Cream Sandwich update, answering the demands of consumers hungry for the upgrade, which has been slow to roll out.
U.S. buyers will be able to update the Droid Incredible 2, Amaze 4G, Evo 3D, Evo Design 4G and Sensation 4G. The Resound will also get a scoop of ICS, to go along with its Beats Audio technology.
If you bought a ThunderBolt or HTC Vivid, last year, you'll get the upgrade as well -- but HTC hasn't said when.
European Commission Asks if Carriers Are Colluding
The European Commission may be investigating cell phone carriers for allegedly colluding on prices and policies and hindering competition, sources revealed.
The carriers, including Deutsch Telekom (T-Mobile), France Telecom (Orange), Telecom Italia, Telefonica (O2) and Vodaphone, may have discussed challenges Android and iPhones provide for mobile competition, as well as standardizing near-field communications transactions. The commission reportedly received a letter from the carriers, complaining sites like YouTube create strains on their networks.
The commission has not yet started a full probe.
Apple Offering Gift Cards for "Old" IPad
Apple is offering Apple Store gift cards in exchange for the iPad 2, which could shave off a lot of money from the new iPad after it comes out later this week.
The maximum trade-in value for an Apple iPad 2 64GB WiFi + 3G model appears to be $320. To get that much, owners must have a "perfect condition" iPad 2 with no scuffing or engraving, and the tablet must be stripped clean of data and sent in along with a power cord. Cracks, water damage and wear will also affect how much Apple will give for it. The incentive will likely help fuel sales of the new iPad, taking advantage of consumers' eagerness for the device.
LightSquared Assembles Legal "Dream Team"
LightSquared appears to be "lawyering up" to fight back against the Federal Communications Commission, which blocked its network over concerns it would interfere with the nation's commercial, aviation and consumer GPS devices.
The company hired former Bush administration Solicitor General Ted Olson and Eugene Scalia, son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, to help it overcome its regulatory setbacks. The lawyers could also help LightSquared salvage some of its $4 billion investment in the wireless network.
"We will do all we can to ensure that LightSquared does not lose billions of dollars in investments due to a precipitous, arbitrary reversal by the government," Olson said.
LightSquared may not sue over the FCC's ruling, but with the new legal "dream team," a lawsuit is becoming even more possible as it fights to remain viable in the industry.
HTC unveiled a simplified Android smartphone line, dubbed "One," hoping to spark a turnaround by streamlining its handsets and ramping up its entertainment offerings.
At the Mobile World Congress, the Taiwan-based company revealed its updated phone roster with the One X, One S and One V, running on Android 4.0 software, dubbed "Ice Cream Sandwich." These phones incorporate Beats Audio enhancement software, illustrating the company's dedication to enhancing its entertainment capabilities, which HTC wants to make available on a number of U.S. carriers.
The One X is the largest handset, with a 4.7 inch screen, boasting an 8 megapixel camera. The One S is similar, with a 4.3-inch AMOLED screen and the same camera. The One V is HTC's Legend phone rebranded, with the same chin design and a 3.7-inch screen.
HTC's simplified roster fulfills the company's promise to hone in on entertainment as a selling point. The new phones integrate Beats Audio software and stand out with their sleek incorporation of a number of music apps like Spotify and Soundhound. In addition, the phones feature free Dropbox storage, allowing users to effortlessly back up their media.
"Getting music on a phone is still hard for people," CEO Peter Chou said. "HTC One makes it easy."
The One series comes packed with features designed to make enjoying entertainment easier. The One X features an innovative Wi-Fi display system, "Media Link HD", which allows users to link up the phone's screen to their television. This feature shows HTC's commitment to simplifying entertainment on phones, enabling an easy link-up between media devices.
HTC took full advantage of its partnership with Beats Audio, using the music technology as a selling point on its new line. HTC's upcoming agreement with PlayStation is likely to bring about an increased focus on its handsets' gaming potential.
PlayStation licensed its PlayStation Suite to the Taiwanese company, allowing users to buy games at the PlayStation store compatible with their HTC smartphones. HTC has yet to reveal whether the One line will feature PlayStation Suite, but if it does not, it will likely not be long until HTC rolls out an updated line with the capabilities.
In addition to fortifying its entertainment and gaming portfolio, HTC hopes its simplified branding will attract customers. HTC wants to keep its product names consistent whether it sells through AT&T, Verizon, or other carriers, but the company will likely experience difficulty doing so. If HTC convinces the carriers to keep its simple line name, consumers will have an easier time sussing out the best deals, and remembering the product name.
Carriers may resist HTC's branding scheme, since the company intends to market the phones in the same way for each company. U.S. carriers typically require unique names and slightly different specs for each phone, which can make quick price comparisons difficult.
HTC is betting big on its new line in the wake of a poor fourth quarter performance, putting a premium on innovative audio and establishing partnerships with entertainment and gaming leaders to attract crowds. The company will wait until April, when the phones ship globally, to see if its gamble paid off.
HTC plans to compete against rivals and turn around its struggling fortunes by using Beats Audio's streaming music and wireless boombox features to beef up its smartphones and tablets.
The handset maker's streaming service would be the default music service on HTC devices, and pricing and plans are in negotiation, according to GigaOm. HTC has yet to comment on the service.
HTC's focus on a unique, first-class streaming music service highlights its interest in entertainment and gaming software, and speaks to its decision to focus on a limited number of quality products, carving out a unique place in the high-end smartphone market with one-of-a-kind entertainment advances.
HTC continues to lean on media and entertainment in an effort to regain its momentum in the market, after announcing last quarter's lagging earnings after a surge of success in previous years.
The Taiwan-based company acquired stakes in Dr. Dre's and Jimmy Iovani's music company last year, gearing up for a concentrated leap into top-tier mobile music technology. The alliance gives HTC credibility among U.S. music enthusiasts, as Beats Audio enjoys a devoted following and strong reputation among audiophiles.
The two companies also partnered for the Rezound smartphone for Verizon Wireless, which packages the coveted headphones with the handset but doesn't feature unique integration.
HTC is taking measures to lure gaming enthusiasts as well as music lovers, too. The handset maker gained Sony's PlayStation Certificate, an agreement made to attract serious gamers to the Taiwanese company. The PlayStation grab is one of many content deals struck by HTC's team as it searches for differentiating features.
HTC's collaboration with Beats faces stiff competition from music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora, most of which are available as free applications on Android and iOS.
HTC's comeback strategy hinges on its new entertainment and gaming offerings' popularity. The company's decision to focus on creative software displays a shrewd grasp of the current market, and the move is part of its larger strategy to diversify its software roster. HTC likely hopes a unique music service and advanced gaming credentials will propel it past competitors.
HTC will be the first smartphone manufacturer with Sony's PlayStation Certification, a move that may hurt sales of Sony's Vita gaming device.
The agreement, which HTC will announce later this year, gives the company's devices access to the PlayStation Suite, a cross-platform gaming network. Users will be able to purchase classic PlayStation games on the PlayStation Store, playable on their smartphone and bringing console quality games to their device.
Until now, the PlayStation Suite was exclusive to Sony's smartphones, but the company announced last year it planned to license its software to other manufacturers.
Sony's smartphone business is struggling, and expanding the PlayStation Suite to some of the world's largest Android manufacturers is a good way to put its software into the hands of more customers.
The service will likely make HTC smartphones more attractive to gamers, giving them a niche audience many manufacturers aren't serving. Sony's classic PlayStation One games like "Crash Bandicoot" and "Spyro the Dragon" are classic titles that many players will want to revisit, and others will enjoy even if they're playing them for the first time.
Sony's decision to license its PlayStation Suite to smartphone manufacturers will likely bring the company a profit, particularly at a time when the company is struggling with lagging revenues, but it may come at the expense of its other gaming initiatives.
Sony plans to launch the PlayStation Vita in the U.S. next week, and the company is marketing the system as a portable device that gives gamers a true console gaming experience. The system has graphical capabilities beyond any portable device currently on the market, but at its $250 price point may scare off prospective buyers.
The Vita's primary competition is smartphones. Casual gamers, one of the fastest-growing segments in the market, are highly unlikely to spend big money on a dedicated portable gaming system when they can play games on a device they already own, and even some hardcore gamers are getting their fix on their iPhone and Android devices. The PlayStation Suite pays particular attention to this audience, allowing users to play classic console games of the past on a device that's already in their pocket.
Sony may have made the PlayStation Suite exclusive to the Vita, giving customers more incentive to buy its new handheld, much like Nintendo has done with its Virtual Console on the Nintendo 3DS. Instead, Sony is licensing the Suite to smartphone makers, and although it may allow the company to reach millions of potential customers, it also gives all but the die-hard gamer another reason to pass on the Vita.
HTC is betting future handsets will help it rebound from lagging profits amid a fiercely-competitive market with strong rivals.
HTC characterizes its poor fourth quarter earnings and disappointing first quarter projections as an inevitable part of the product launch cycle, and insists that the company will regain traction in the market as it unveils new smartphones and streamlines its offerings to focus more on quality. Profits were down 26 percent.
The Taiwanese company's plan for growth hinges primarily on the Android OS. HTC will introduce an updated version of its Sensation phone running on Ice Cream Sandwich in March, which places the handset in direct competition with Samsung's Galaxy, previously the only handset using ICS.
HTC is also attempting to broaden beyond the consumer market and make inroads into enterprise, following the path of rivals such as Apple. The company teamed up with IBM to promote IBM's business apps for Android.
The IBM apps aimed for enhanced security for the Android platform, as businesses voice concerns over Android's safety as an open-software platform. Android's marketplace has often had problems with malware, compromising the platform's security.
Despite HTC and IBM's campaign to convince businesses of Android's security, HTC announced a security leak on its Android phones likely to further damage the OS's reputation as a secure platform. The bug leaves customers vulnerable to personal data hacking.
The company is hurrying to fix the issue, but the security snafu will likely diminish confidence in Android and lead users to choose Apple's iOS, renowned for its security.
HTC faces stiff competition for Android fans from Samsung, whose Galaxy products command a large share of the market, going toe-to-toe with Apple. Samsung now dominates Android device sales and will be difficult to slow, especially as it gears up to release its latest S3 model this May.
To ease its dependency on Android's OS, HTC is diversifying its phone offerings and moving towards Windows OS. The first phone HTC released this year, the Titan 2, runs on Windows 7.5, and the company expects to introduce more Windows-based handsets once Windows 8 launches.
HTC's diminished finances point to a need for change within the company beyond simply introducing new products. The Taiwanese company is shrewd to diversify into Windows, but the public's reception of the OS has been slow so far. In addition to diversifying, HTC is also fortifying its Android presence with the forthcoming ICS update, which will bolster competition with Samsung. But the market is fast-paced, and HTC faces the challenge of narrowing gaps quickly or else risk falling behind even further.
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