Problems Reported as Sprint Rolls Out HTC EVO 4G
What’s been hailed as the hottest Android device of the summer hit store shelves on Friday. Sprint Nextel customers can officially buy the HTC EVO 4G, the first 3G/4G phone, for 9 with a two-year contract.
Sprint is targeting small businesses with its 4G network, promising faster e-mail delivery, quicker file downloads, and the ability to run multiple applications without slowing access. At up to 10 times the speed of 3G, the new network is expected to pave the way for faster web browsing and fewer lags with video conferencing and video streaming.
But initial reports from users indicated that the 4G network was not performing as advertised, and there were problems accessing the memory card. Sprint quickly issued an over-the-air update to correct the card issue. In addition, a web site reported a security problem, saying the Android customization allows an application to “get access to all of your data.”
The Android-powered phone offers two cameras, video chat, and simultaneous voice and data. Consumers can plug the EVO 4G into an HDTV and continue watching a movie at home that they started elsewhere.
Great Phone, Two Problems
Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, acknowledged that the HTC EVO 4G is a “great phone” that’s getting “rave reviews.” But there are drawbacks to being first to market. As he sees it, most consumers would be wise not to use the 4G service.
“The 4G, much like the initial 3G phones, has lots of problems. One is the coverage isn’t there yet. That’s actually the smaller of the two problems,” Enderle said. “The other problem is it sucks battery like nobody’s business, much like the initial 3G phones. The 3G phones were actually good enough that you could get a day of battery life out of them. Right now the 4G phone is…
Mobile Tech Today
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.