HTC EVO 4G dev guide released: it's really boring, but the phone is still cool

See that picture right there? That's a photo of the HTC EVO 4G, the universe's first Android-based 4G phone for the Sprint WiMAX network, plugged into a TV over HDMI. Sure, you could hit up this source link, a Google Doc guide for developers looking to sling together EVO 4G-compatible Android applications before the best-specced phone on the planet is released this summer, but you might get bored with the abundance of code and shortage of amazing photos like this one depicting the greatest piece of technology known to man. It's 720p out, just in case you were curious or lacking in faith.

[Thanks, Mika]

[athiel021 Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:19PM]

@ssssMeego That's interesting, because the Sprint Moment, with a 800mHz processor, actually gets BETTER battery life than the Sprint Hero, with a 528mHz processor. Beyond that, the EVO will be rocking the Snapdragon processor, which is actually designed for low power consumption despite it's speed. I doubt the higher processor will affect the battery life at all.

[drksilenc Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:26PM]

@athiel021 that and android 2.1 increased battery life aswell
i went from 1.5 to 2 days per charge on my hero to 3-4 between the 1.5 -2.1 transition

[Zeroblade Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:36PM]

@scorpeo

its also spec out to have a slightly bigger battery too =]

I want this phone but now that a CDMA iPhone is in the works I'm watching how things will turn this summer... Gonna be interesting

[scorpeo Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:39PM]

@ssssMeego

For starters 3G should have been out of the window several years ago. Currently there are 50 countries that use WIMAX, have been for several years. The typical 3g device on Sprint when reverting back to 1x in a low/weak 3G area, will still hungrily search for 3G, thus draining the battery. WIMAX is basically WiFi on steroids, a full point to point access (IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN) standard, whereas Sprints 3G is "a" wireless cell standard with a weaker signal. Example, when I had a Sprint broadband card for my laptop, my laptops battery drained much quicker. Now that I have WiFi, the battery lasts much longer.

[scorpeo Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:49PM]

@Zeroblade

Yep, forgot to point that out. As for a "CDMA iphone", don't hold your breath. The fact the Droid is outselling the iphone during the same period, is proof Android will be dominant. That along with, if Verizon were to get an iphone, I doubt it will be a recent model. speaking of which, I will not be surprised if Apple releases a rehash of the previous one.

[da Black Anarch Posted Mar 30th 2010 12:19PM]

I've already got my left nut in hock with an option on the right one, to buy this phone. I'll be the happiest eunuch in my state!

[Mtmrob Posted Mar 30th 2010 12:20PM]

@Mtmrob And still the 3 year old iPhone device has a better responsive touchscreen. Flash is overated. I rarely visit flash sites. Even watching videos comparing the iPhone to the nexus one and the htc hd2 you can see how responsive the screen is with scrolling and pinch to zoom. I didn't mention anything about flash, hdmi or the MacBook. New iPhone will conquer all!!! WHAT!!!

[Wekkel Posted Mar 30th 2010 12:40PM]

People who buy such a phone have already 10 machines capable and connected to the 100" flatscreen at home to show any HD content, even from your phone. TV-out sounds nice, but will probably be used only once in a period of 2 years.

Nevertheless, great phone.

[Ic3Cold Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:00PM]

@Wekkel
I dont have either and i can't wait to buy this

[athiel021 Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:14PM]

@Wekkel I have a 46" TV, a desktop, and a laptop. Yeah, I still want this phone, and I'll probably use the HDMI port for when I'm going to a friend's house. Compatibility with 32 gig microSDs mean I'll be able to fit quite a few movies or TV shows on the card.

[Jacob1 Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:36PM]

@Wekkel If applications can take advantage of the video out, then it could have more uses than you think. Imagine, doing Powerpoint presentations from your phone. Goodbye heavy laptop!

[fighterfelix Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:05PM]

@Mtmrob

I heard iPhone 4G has 3rd party multitasking, so is that overrated too?

[Electrofreak Posted Mar 30th 2010 6:00PM]

@fighterfelix it would be about time, is what it would be. Maybe Apple is learning to listen to it's consumers instead of just tell them what they want and cram it down their throat.

[superaj Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:10PM]

Let's say I purchased a Hero on Sprint back in october. How much do you think I'll have to pay for this incredible machine if I were to upgrade to it, when it comes out this summer?

[saddam3 Posted Mar 30th 2010 5:46PM]

@superaj depends on ur plan. If ur plan is 69 bucks a month or more you qualify to be a sprint costumer premier. N the special perks. Like the chance to upgrade every 12 months instead of 24. You shld call in n ask if you quallify. Then it dsnt really matter how much you paid for ur old phne. Is just a matter of when those 12 months are up.

[liquidmonkey Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:13PM]

still not coming to europe :(

rom HTC
sender-time Sent at 12:30 (GMT+01:00). Current time there: 5:29 PM. ✆
to m****@gmail.com
date Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 12:30
subject You have a message waiting
mailed-by htc.com
hide details 12:30 (4 hours ago)

Dear m*****,

The HTC Customer Service Representative that has been handling your message would like to know if your question has been successfully answered. You can reply to or close your question by visiting:

http://ContactUs.europe.htc.com/*************.aspx

Ticket Number : [ 10SECW1****057 ]

If you do not respond to or close your question within 15 days, it will be closed automatically.

Sincerely,

HTC

We are unable to receive replies to this email account. Please visit us at www.htc.com if you have any questions or need further assistance.

New Response From [ Bjorn (Nordics Support (Product Info)) ]
Dear M****

As the HTC EVO 4G is a Sprint network specific device it will not be available
in Europe, also it is not guaranteed to be compatible with European networks.
At this point we have no information as to wether or not a similar device will
be sold in Europe at this point.

Best regards,
Bjorn D
HTC
Customer Information
Name m*****
Telephone
Email Address m****@gmail.com
Country Sweden
Inquiry Information
Inquiry Type Product Info
Inquiry Description love the HTC EVO, well done!! will it come to europe? can u say when? could i buy it in north american and use it in europe? keep up the great work, you guys are fast becoming #1!!!!!
Issue Date & Time
2010/03/29 11:30

[miendo Posted Mar 30th 2010 7:19PM]

@liquidmonkey
Oh, come on HTC, please make it also happen in Europe...
I'm willing to drop my beloved iPhone in favor of the EVO sooooo badly!

[BSGadgetoffmylawnuffsaid Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:13PM]

If Europe gets sum'thin like EVO
We'll go geeky crazy like Steve-O
Cause it's the baddest handheld MoFO

... nuff said! :p

[drksilenc Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:15PM]

@Mtmrob lol good for you but some of us actually use the web and not the apple products...

[RougeCrown Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:16PM]

@Mtmrob

A wild troll has appeared. What to do?

1. Shove an iphone up its ass <
2. Flash pics of naked Steve Jobs
3. Use an iTampon
4. Run

[adwhitex Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:20PM]

As long as they dont F%$* up the data plan pricing I'm in for 2!

[KidRobotXXIV Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:22PM]

I am beyond excited for this device. As of now, I do not have 4G in my beloved city of Phoenix, but Sprint 3G and a Snapdragon processor are more then adequate. I get amazing coverage. So glad I left T-Mobile a year ago. Android is my operating system saviour.

[Bobula Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:25PM]

Someone put WebOS on it. Ahh hell, I'll buy it anyway.

[xconan Posted Mar 30th 2010 8:56PM]

@Bobula
that's if Palm licenses out the WebOS. But then again Android does not have any restrictions and is FREE!

[Bobula Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:19AM]

@xconan A good thing, but sort of the problem too. Google has so many iterations out there that it feels like a completly different OS on various phones. I'm just hoping Palm survives or gets bought out for their OS or really makes a splash with the new hardware.

[dark star Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:28PM]

@Mtmrob
this is year 2010 dude.
you're so 2k and L8

[Jacob1 Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:34PM]

@Mtmrob "And still the 3 year old iPhone device has a better responsive touchscreen. Flash is overated. I rarely visit flash sites. Even watching videos comparing the iPhone to the nexus one and the htc hd2 you can see how responsive the screen is with scrolling and pinch to zoom. I didn't mention anything about flash, hdmi or the MacBook. New iPhone will conquer all!!! WHAT!!!"

In other words, DERP. You want to stay on topic? We're talking HTC EVO 4G, not Nexus One or HD2. You should probably educate yourself about this phone and maybe watch a couple videos that show this phone's responsiveness. You know, so you can know what you're talking about and not look like an idiot troll fanboy. But I'd guess you'd rather look like an idiot troll fanboy, so carry on.

[Kohai Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:44PM]

Best specced phone in the planet?????

Kidding????

Just comparing with Galaxy S:

Best screen--->>>NO->Super amoled
WiFi b/g/n----->>NO->b/g
Bluetooth 3.0--->>NO->2.1
Best processor on market-->>NO->Samsung's Hummingbird

It has in it´s favour: 8mpx cam with led (there are al least 2 12mpx phones that I can remember right now), 4.3'' screen (well, same resolution, more real state...for likings), wimax...4G? is really wimax the LTE compliant technology for 4G? I´m asking before I´m not sure (and if I´m not wrong HTC HD2 has Wimax but disabled...so EVO wouldn´t be the FIRST Wimax/Hardware device).

I don´t think this IS THE BEST specced phone on the planet, not sir.

[Electrofreak Posted Mar 30th 2010 5:57PM]

@Kohai Bah, I shoulda read comments before posting, you beat me to it.

But let's not forget what's important, the SOC (System On a Chip) in the Samsung is more efficient and more powerful than the Snapdragon.

[Eternity Posted Mar 30th 2010 6:08PM]

@Kohai

I think he should say "arguably" the best specced phone. It is subject to if you want to trade off a better screen, bluetooth 3.0, IR, and extra built in memory and a 3x faster gpu for HDMI out, a bigger Display, 4G, 8 mpx cam and the ability to directly share wifi with upto 4 parties. I think most people would appreciate the HTC EVO's better just because they are more noticeable in real world usage except for the galaxy's crazy super AMOLED since the EVO already comes with an 8GB sdhc card. Here's an interesting article:
http://serkadis.com/index/488481

[sfox8 Posted Mar 30th 2010 8:53PM]

@Kohai
You have to think about all of the features on the EVO that come together into ONE package. Just because there's phones that have 12mp cameras doesn't lessen the significance of the EVO because of all the collective specs it has rolled into one.

I do wish it had AMOLED but I'd definitely give that up for all of the goodies the EVO is packing.

[appsman Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:45PM]

I think "specced" would be pronounced "speeeeched" or something. The better spelling is "spec'd", a contraction for "specified". Normally I wouldn't go all english-teacher on a post comment, but admitted it, you knew "specced" looked really weird, right?

[Bandit390 Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:47PM]

HA, sprint first needs to launch 3g in my area.

[keyron27 Posted Mar 30th 2010 2:06PM]

Move buddy or switch to ATT.

[ShinyBrown Posted Mar 30th 2010 1:59PM]

So the phone is sweet, assuming Sprint doesn't force customers into outrageous monthly (pricing) plans; Verizon charges $150/month for a Palm Pixi Plus with mobile wifi enabled.
What I want to know is, that "kickstand" is it magnetic...cause if that thing is just flapping around on the back I can see it being a real problem?

[keyron27 Posted Mar 30th 2010 2:05PM]

I live in atl the top 4g market for sprint and clear so 4g will not be a problem for me.

[steel Posted Mar 30th 2010 2:14PM]

Am I missing something, or is it just this phone's terrific specs causing a non-Apple reality distortion field.

People, this thing may be great, but it's still on Sprint.

Ewww.

[Slvrgun Posted Mar 30th 2010 2:26PM]

@steel Whats wrong with sprint?

Cheaper plans?
Voice and data packaged together?
Anytime AnyMobile?
Great coverage?
Great customer service?
No crippled devices?
Fast 3G?
First to launch 4g and a 4g device?

Why don't you come from under your rock and smell 2010.

[Celz Posted Mar 30th 2010 4:25PM]

@Slvrgun

Yea seriously Sprint arguably has the best 3G network in the US. Verizon's is a small bit bigger but Sprint has better reliability and faster average speeds. And Sprint's 3G is bigger than AT&T and T-mo put together...

Not to mention Sprint is ridiculously cheap.. People always say "How can you afford two phones." I say its easy, my two phones are cheaper than your one..

[MustWarnOthers Posted Mar 30th 2010 3:46PM]

Can you run this phone on the one plan with the 450 minutes and unlimited data? I think it's the Everything data plan. I never even use half my minutes on Verizon, and Sprint's unlimited/nights is even better than Verizon's.

If so, I think I can nail a discount through Time Warner work (did some side work with them through a Credit Union), that would let me get the EVO somewhere in the 50-60 dollar range with 450 minutes.

That would make me give birth to children on the spot.

[Electrofreak Posted Mar 30th 2010 5:54PM]

I'm going to argue with the "best specc'd Android phone" argument. The 45 nm Hummingbird SOC in the Samsung i9000 Galaxy S stomps the 65 nm Snapdragon when it comes to performance.

A 4.3 inch TFT screen at 800x480 vs a 4.0 Super-AMOLED on the Galaxy S also at 800x480 also loses IMO... and then consider the Samsung's 8 / 16 GB internal storage to the EVO 4G's 1 GB as well. We also know that the Snapdragon in the EVO 4G has about 1/4 of the 3D graphics power of the Hummingbird in the Galaxy S, and that the 45 nm SOC (coupled with the more power-efficient Super-AMOLED) should increase battery life significantly over the EVO 4G.

The EVO 4G's got WiMAX capability, 1/3 diagonal inches on a lower quality screen, 3MP more on it's primary camera (and remember girls and boys, comparing cameras by MP is a no-no) and a kickstand going for it. I'll take the Galaxy S, actually...

[cloud858rk Posted Mar 30th 2010 7:23PM]

@Electrofreak Well when you get it at least turn of the ugly Samsung skin, please.

[Electrofreak Posted Mar 30th 2010 5:56PM]

My left arm for an edit button; I should say (in line with the article here) that while the HDMI port on the EVO 4G could be very handy, streaming video to a TV wirelessly via DLNA on the Galaxy S sounds even hotter.

[frewster Posted Mar 30th 2010 6:43PM]

Paul, I love you :D

[DaveHazard Posted Mar 31st 2010 12:46AM]

hey, guys, wasn't that fruit company in cupertino supposed to come out with one of these fancy super-screen devices this week? oh, what's that you say? it won't fit in my pocket, doesn't have HDMI support, won't make phone calls or texts, doesn't have WiMax and runs a really closed OS? oh, nice, i guess the evo is the gadget of the year for 2010.

don't keep me waiting, sprint. my contract ends in june, and this blackberry tour is getting REALLY long in the tooth.

[Gigaflop Posted Mar 31st 2010 4:14PM]

All this thing needs is a Screen dock and it will kill the ipad.

Seriously. Just need to clip this badboy into the back of a large 9-10" screen with a spare battery, and VOILA, it literally has better specs already than the ipad, so this thing would OWN.