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HTC EVO 4G gets an OTA software update
We don't know exactly what's included, but Sprint's sending out that rumored over-the-air Android software update to HTC EVO 4G devices this morning. It's labeled as version 1.47.651.1, and it's just 21.43MB, so we're guessing it's just mostly bug fixes, but word on the street was that it would "enhance" WiFi, so there's a chance it could enable the EVO's 802.11n support, and we're also hoping for some improved battery life. We'll update you once we see some release notes, but in the meantime let us know how it goes, yeah? Update: Release notes have been posted, and they're just as expected -- and unfortunately, we still don't have confirmation on whether "improvements to WiFi performance" means 802.11n. Check the full notes after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC EVO 4G getting over-the-air update next week?
Word on the street is that Sprint and HTC are hard at work on a software update for the EVO 4G that would start rolling out on the 28th, next Monday. If true, this would be the phone's second update overall -- the first was pushed in concert with the launch in order to fix microSD issues -- and like the first, this one is designed to squash bugs, it seems. We're told this one will "enhance" WiFi (whether that means 802.11n will be enabled, we're not sure), fix some Exchange issues, and improve battery life, all of which would be welcome changes. Of course, a Froyo update would be even more welcome, but we're just going to have to keep our expectations in check here for the time being.
EVO 4G loses 30fps limit thanks to devoted community (video)
Whatever the reason HTC instituted that 30fps cap on the EVO's graphical output, the issue has just been remedied by -- surprise, surprise -- coders over at xda-developers. We've come across video evidence of the EVO 4G rolling along at a swift 54fps average clip, and another motion picture reel shows the positive effect this has had on the touch-tracking of the handset. Check them both out after the break and hit the source to get educated on how to make this happen on your own EVO. You should be warned that there are still some issues to resolve before the whole thing's buttery smooth, but hey, it's still a lot better than waiting for HTC to do it. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC EVO 4G sold out online once again
It's happened before, and it's happening again: the EVO 4G's getting hard to find. We're sure you'd be able to track it down locally, but the option that requires the least dreadful physical movement -- ordering online -- isn't an option for now, with Sprint saying "this device is so hot we can't keep it on our virtual shelves." We imagine the situation will clear itself up shortly, but it makes you wonder -- could the screen separation fix on the assembly line be the culprit behind the shortage? [Thanks, James]
3G video call on Fring for Android: bringing HTC EVO 4G and Dell Streak together (hands-on)
Consider this: you may have an Android phone with a front-facing camera, and so do your distant loved ones (yes, friends count too). Now slap that free IM app Fring onto your phone, and the once-dormant chat camera shall finally come to life -- right now only the Streak and EVO 4G are supported, whereas the others (like the X10) will have to rely on their main cameras. Still, Fring also supports dual-camera Symbian devices plus Skype video calls to and from computers, and since it isn't locked down to any particular connection method, users with unlimited data allowance get to make free 3G video calls! Take that, FaceTime. Read on to watch our very own transatlantic banter.
HTC has fix in the works for EVO 4G screen sensitivity; separation problems are minor
We've just been tipped off on a couple feel-good items for EVO 4G owners that should end your Friday on a bright note: The glass separation issues are real, but said to be super minor and have no effect on the usability of the phone apart from a nearly imperceptible "give" to the touch. That said, HTC has made some assembly changes that should reduce or eliminate the problem going forward, and it'll keep an eye on the situation. This is really interesting: the screen sensitivity problems are also real and are apparently far more prevalent in arid climates, but it can be fixed with a software patch alone. That patch will be rolling out to EVOs soon. See? Told you it was feel-good news. More on this stuff as we get it.
White HTC EVO 4G coming exclusively to Best Buy on July 11th, pre-orders start today
Jumpin' Jehosaphat! Just when you thought America's first 4G phone couldn't get any hotter, along comes this: a striking white version of the HTC EVO 4G (so much for that unavailable white iPhone 4, eh?). We've received confirmation that this here handset will be sold exclusively through Best Buy (as in, don't even bother heading to your local Sprint store), with the official launch date set for July 11th. We're told that Sprint will eventually gain access on August 8th, with other retailers snapping it up in September. If you somehow managed to hold off on snagging the existing black EVO 4G, you can get your pre-order in starting on June 18th -- yeah, today, Junior! We're assuming the price will remain at $199.99 on a 2-year contract, but be sure to drop us a line if you wander in and find out otherwise. Update: And it's official; the presser is after the break confirming the same $199.99-on-a-2-year-contract price as well as the dates mentioned already. Update 2: Turns out this thing was around way back at Google I/O! Head on past the break and mash play -- that's definitely a white-backed EVO 4G on stage. Thanks, Omar! [Thanks, Anonymous] %Gallery-95638%
Sprint's WiMAX service teases EVO 4G-toting New Yorkers (update: LA and SF, too)
We'd figured that Sprint and partner Clearwire were going to have a devil of a time rolling out WiMAX this year in New York City; urban canyons are always tricky, of course, but their oddball 2500MHz spectrum allocation isn't the best at penetrating buildings and other structures, either. On that note, we'd been tipped earlier this week that a reader was seeing some weak WiMAX reception for the first time on his EVO 4G near Coney Island (see a shot after the break), and now, we've been able to independently confirm it on one of our own units -- in saturated Midtown, no less -- though we weren't able to do much with it beyond get a notification that a "4G network is available." Clearly this isn't ready for primetime use, but it's a good sign that these guys have officially started lighting up a few cells here and there. 1080p streaming, anyone? [Thanks, r0ckstar_23] Update: We're getting tipped that folks are seeing some occasional 4G action in LA and San Francisco, so keep a close eye on those EVOs!
HTC EVO 4G safely overclocked past 1.2GHz, battery begs for mercy
With root obtained for the EVO 4G, it was just a matter of time before the overclocking hilarity ensued -- and as it turns out, that Snapdragon core was ready and waiting to fulfill your wildest desires. The root-only SetCPU app is in full effect on the EVO, churning out speeds of well over 1.2GHz -- apparently with no effect on stability, though it'll require a bump in voltage. The change results in a linpack improvement of over 25 percent, over 8.8 MFLOPS all told, which means your processor is finally worthy of the speedy 4G radio. Now let's get cracking on that 3,000mAh battery, alright? Follow the break for video. [Thanks, Mike]
Sprint fires employee who leaked weak EVO 4G sales numbers
You know the backstory by now: Sprint boasted that the EVO 4G was its fastest selling phone ever a couple of days after hitting the American market, before abruptly correcting itself and admitting that the EVO's sales were in fact in line with those achieved by the Pre last summer. What you, and we, didn't know till now, however, is that Sprint's self-correction was sparked off by an employee with a curious mind and posting privileges over on the xda-developers forum. On June 6, according to MobileCrunch, this unnamed hero of truthiness browsed Sprint's internal inventory system and nailed down a figure of 65,500 sold units from Sprint's own stores -- a stat far south from what Sprint would announce a day later. That number ultimately found its way onto the message board, and though it obviously shouldn't be taken as authoritative (or exhaustive), it was enough to get Sprint to hit the auto-correct button and part ways with the activist member of staff. Harsh. [Thanks, Carol]
HTC EVO 4G and Droid Incredible suffering from unresponsive screen issues
Uh oh: on top of reports that the EVO 4G suffers screen-detachment issues, we're also starting to hear that the touchscreen sensor is inconsistent, particularly when the phone isn't grounded. We've seen more than one report and video purporting to show the EVO's touchscreen failing to smoothly register touches when the phone isn't being handheld (and thus grounded). We haven't been able to reproduce the issues ourselves, but trust us when we say we've heard from enough unhappy EVO owners to believe that the problem is real. What's more, there's also an older video showing the same problem on three different Droid Incredibles, which obviously shares strong family ties to the EVO. We've pinged HTC, we'll let you know what we hear -- for now, get your sad faces on and watch the videos after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
EVO 4G receives a Palm Pre inductive charging transplant (video)
Oh yes, an HTC EVO has been modded with the inductive charging coil ripped from the still beating heart of a Palm Pre. The 30 minute soldering project does have the side effect of rendering compass apps useless while creating a slight bulge in the battery cover. Other than that, it just works -- or so says the creator. See the modded EVO get busy with a Palm Touchstone and do what yours can't in the video after the break. [Thanks, Brody White]
HTC EVO suffering from glass separation issues?
Potential bad news for EVO owners: we're seeing plenty of reports from folks having issues with the lower portions of their screens. Conspiracy theories say that the adhesive holding the glass is failing, causing the screen to peel up a bit and embark on a very slow journey to capacitive independence. This separation is causing excessive light leakage from below, a problem that we noted in our review but apparently gets continually worse as users spend more time massaging their screens -- even those not being as hard on theirs as this guy was. No official response from HTC yet and we're not sure just what a fix could be, but we have seen people do some wonderful things with duct tape. Update: Still no word from HTC, but Troy, a Sprint employee, e-mailed us to say he's not seen any phones being brought in for this issue at his store. He also indicated the phone is a "repairable device" so, if indeed this is something HTC deems worthy of repair it could be something able to be fixed without requiring a replacement. Here's to hoping... [Thanks, Brandon; image courtesy of Ryan/Selfdestruct]
Engadget Mobile Podcast 042 - 06.12.2010
Of course we've had our retinas glued to the iPhone 4 this week, but that lil' thing certainly couldn't plug the leaky leaky faucet shooting out unofficial news about new Android phones all over the place. Join us, won't you? Oh, and stay tuned to the end where we answer your burning questions about mobile communications technology. Hosts: Chris Ziegler, Myriam Joire (tnkgrl)Special Guest: Ross MillerProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Daestro - Light Powered (Ghostly International)00:01:55 - iPhone 400:24:50 - Motorola Droid X00:25:35 - Motorola Droid 200:32:05 - HTC Liberty for AT&T revealed during routine testing video00:36:37 - iPhone 4 vs. EVO 4G... fight!00:46:20 - OpenBTS @ Burning Man00:51:16 - Sprint misstated EVO 4G sales, by a lot00:59:00 - HTC EVO 4G's graphics capped at 30FPS?01:04:07 - Listener questionsHear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)Contact the podcastpodcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.Follow us on Twitter@zpower @tnkgrl @ohnorosco @engadgetmobile
HTC EVO 4G subjected to harrowing barrage of scratch tests, holds its own
The thought of marring the EVO 4G's glorious 4.3-inch display sends shivers down our spine, but just remember: this is all in the name of science, and it's for the greater good. An Android Forums member was due to return his defective EVO to Sprint anyhow, so he figured he'd take the opportunity to run the lame duck unit through some torturous scratch tests including keys, a screw, a penny, and -- of course -- a razor blade. After everything was said and done, the EVO emerged victorious, so you shouldn't feel too bad about sticking it in your pocket with spare change knocking around (actually, yes, you still should feel bad about that). Then again, the camera lens didn't do as well, so the lesson is to use common sense and... you know, just handle your multi-hundred-dollar gadgets with care. Follow the break for all the harrowing test footage. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC EVO 4G's graphics capped at 30FPS?
Reports are flying in from across the internet -- and by that we mean the xda-developers and Google Code forums -- that the EVO 4G might have something of a framerate issue. It seems that the device is "locked in" at 30 frames per second both in 2D (Canvas) and 3D (openGL) modes, while anecdotally, a phone like the Hero hits 54fps on average and has "smoother scrolling" in the menus. This apparently is visible both with the standard Sense UI installed and with the Froyo preview build, although in the latter case the Nexus One bootup video is 60fps before halving upon reaching the home screen. So, wherein lies the culprit? For Google's part, Android framework engineer "Romain Guy" responded to one thread reasserting the platform team's "target was, is and will be 60fps." We can't imagine it's related to the hardware given the EVO's impressive specs. Some fingers, ergo, are being pointed towards firmware. This wouldn't be the first time HTC's handsets have come under scrutiny for troubling graphical performance -- 2008 was not the company's finest year in that department. Whatever the reason is, we just want a quick resolve -- after all, it's just not fair when our Hero-carrying buddies are scoring better benchmarks.
HTC EVO 4G meets magnetic macro lens, shoots gorgeous closeups
As phone accessories go, protruding lens attachments are rarely top of our wishlist, but this one here might just alter our perspective a little bit. Good and EVO have gone to the trouble of obtaining a magnetically mountable macro lens to test out how well the EVO 4G's camera performs with a little more optical prowess. The answer is that in spite of the inevitably goofy appearance, the jumbo Android handset delivered some highly impressive imagery, getting really up close and personal with its subjects and picking out exquisitely tiny details. The results are certainly of a caliber unobtainable with the default optics and well worth checking out -- the source link is where that party's at.
Sprint misstated EVO 4G sales, by a lot
Remember when Sprint said this: "The total number of HTC EVO 4G devices sold on launch day was three times the number of Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre devices sold over their first three days on the market combined." Nuh uh, it's wrong. Sprint just issued a correction in the wee hours stating that first day EVO 4G sales were, in reality, "in line with" the number of Instincts and Pres sold over their first three days on the market combined. Still pretty good if that translates to the 150,000 units sold as some analysts are touting; even better if Sprint can restock shelves.
HTC EVO 4G sold out pretty much everywhere
It's being widely reported that the HTC EVO 4G is sold out all over the US -- at brick and mortars and online. And while we can't 100 percent certain that Sprint doesn't have a few hidden away in some of the less traversed pockets of this great land, the fact that they're selling out shouldn't come as a huge shocker. The phone overtook the Palm Pre to become Sprint's best-selling launch day ever, though we don't have an actual number of units moved. Be sure to let us know in comments if your local store has any left -- we'll be sure to stampede over there.
QIK admits Evo 4G launch problems after 20x increase on server load
While record sales are generally a desirable thing, that one-time spike in demand can leave service providers scrambling to cope on launch day. Evo 4G owners are well aware of this after noticing one of the handset's flagship features -- Qik video calling -- was unavailable in the Android Market on Friday. After correcting the issue, Qik then had to pull the app after users experienced intermittent service failures resulting from what Qik calls "an unprecedented 20x" workload increase on its servers. The Qik team is scrambling to provision more capacity and expects to have things under control "shortly."
