Android 2.2 offers HTC EVO 4G feature enhancements including Bluetooth® voice dialing, built-in Flash, the ability to store apps to the memory card and much, much more

The award-winning HTC EVO 4G just got that much better. We are excited to announce that beginning the week of Aug. 1; Sprint will begin rolling out the Android 2.2 upgrade to its HTC EVO 4G customers.

Sprint will be the first wireless carrier to bring¹ the latest version of Android to its customers. The Android 2.2 software release provides a significant number of feature enhancements, including:

• Voice Dialing Over Bluetooth.
• Application Storage on External Memory, giving users more storage room for all their apps.
• Camera 4-way rotation allows the camera icons to rotate with the camera.
• Improved Browser Performance including a faster JavaScript engine and Flash 10x Support improving the user’s ability to view videos and available content associated with web pages.

"Sprint is thrilled with our customers' response to HTC EVO 4G and the innovative and exciting experience it offers,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development for Sprint. “It is exciting for us to lead the industry in bringing the Android 2.2 update to these customers and improve on the amazing experience they receive with America's first 4G capable phone.”

Easy Downloading

Sprint will begin sending update notifications to users in waves beginning Tuesday, Aug. 3 and the upgrade should be available for all HTC EVO 4G users by the middle of August.

The notification will let the users know that the update is available and it will provide the simple two-step over-the-air download process.

1. Users will receive a notification that Android 2.2 is available for download.
2. Once the user has downloaded the update, they will be prompted to install the update. The user will be notified that their device will be disabled during the installation process. The phone will be ready to use once the process completes.

For those who just can’t wait to get Android 2.2, there will be an easy user initiated option to download the upgrade. Customers can access the software update through their HTC EVO 4G under the Settings Menu > System Updates > HTC Software Update. This will initiate the three-step process also.

UPDATE - The Android 2.2 update will not wipe your personal data (contacts, apps, settings, photos, etc.).  That said, it is always prudent to back up your device before any major software update.  There are many backup utilities available in Android Market.

Rave Reviews and Accolades for EVO

Check out what the top tech reviewers are saying about the device.

Walt Mossberg with the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) says:
"The HTC EVO 4G, when used on Sprint's 4G network, offers the highest consistent downstream data speeds I have ever seen on a cellular network. It also has a number of other strong features: a front-facing camera for video chatting, and the ability to serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot (for an extra fee of $30 a month) that can simultaneously connect up to eight laptops or other devices to the Internet."

Chris Ziegler with Engadget says:

"Let us be crystal clear: we love this phone. Nay, we adore it. ...truly one of the best smartphones ever made..."

Sascha Segan with PC Magazine says:

"...if you live online, the EVO offers a big, beautiful, and powerful window to the world."

"The EVO starts with a world-class 3G smartphone and adds 4G as a "turbo boost" option. If you're an intensive Web user, you'll like it even without 4G."

Bonnie Cha with CNET says:

"Overall, the HTC Evo 4G is, hands-down, the best smartphone that Sprint has to offer and certainly ranks as one of the best Android phones on the market today."

Jessica Mintz with the Associated Press says:

"HTC's Evo 4G phone is fast, powerful and fun to use — as long as your heart isn't set on tapping into the speedier new network it was designed for."

Mark Spoonauer with Laptop Magazine says:

"Even if 4G hasn’t yet reached your neck of the woods, the Evo 4G is a killer device thanks to its zippy processor, huge display, and an interface that makes Android more intuitive and user-friendly. While the keyboard could be better and the battery life longer, the Evo 4G richly deserves our Editors’ Choice award. It’s a no-brainer for Sprint customers, and a tempting choice for those on other carriers."

Matt Buchanan with Gizmodo says:

"It's actually staggering how different the experience is of using a phone that has over 4 inches of display, diagonally, versus more conventional screens, which run closer to 3.5 inches. Even when you're using the same OS at the same resolution—in this case, Android 2.1 with HTC's Sense UI at 800x480, seen on their last few Android phones.

It's kind of like when the jeans you've been wearing forever start to fit a little too snugly because you've been eating a little too well, and you finally cave and buy a bigger pair of jeans, there's a mindblowing moment when you close the button for the first time of how much freedom you suddenly have to breathe. So you kind of hyperventilate."

CNET, LAPTOP Magazine and eWeek gave HTC EVO 4G awards for Best of Show when it was announced at CTIA this spring. It was also recently cited on MobileTechReview’s Best Smartphones and Best Touch Screen Phones lists.

Customer favorites on HTC EVO 4G’s long list of features include the 4.3-inch screen, dual 8MP video camera capable of capturing HD quality and front-facing 1.3MP camera. They also appreciate the HDMI output jack making it simple to start a movie for your children in the backseat of the car with the phone and then connect to an HDTV to finish it when you arrive at home.¹ Business customers highlight its super-fast 1GHz processor, simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G or Wi-Fi coverage areas enabling Web surfing and more during conversation, and built-in mobile hotspot for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices.²

For HTC EVO 4G images visit Sprint’s image gallery.

Amazing at 3G, Unbelievable at 4G

Sprint is the first national carrier offering the next generation of broadband technology today in 43 markets. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G from any other wireless carrier³, giving HTC EVO 4G a faster data speeds than any U.S. wireless device available today. HTC EVO 4G’s exciting features and applications are compelling and powerful in a 3G world, but they become even more amazing when experienced with 4G speeds.

###

Visit www.sprint.com/newswroom or www.sprint.com/presskits for more information and images.

¹Users of Google’s Nexus One may currently use Android 2.2. Sprint is the first carrier to offer Android 2.2 to its customers.

² HDMI cable sold separately.

³ An optional charge of $29.99 per month required to access Wi-Fi mobile hotspot.

⁴ “Up to 10x faster” based on download speed comparison of 3G’s 600 kbps vs. 4G’s 6 Mbps. Industry published 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.7 Mbps); 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary. Sprint 4G currently available in over 40 markets and counting, and on select devices. See www.sprint.com/4G for details. Not all services available on 4G and coverage may default to 3G/separate network where 4G unavailable.

Sprint has a longstanding commitment to embracing innovation.

Innovation is an integral part of the phones and services Sprint offers. And Sprint also supports innovative partners through its work with leading technology companies and other initiatives such as the Application Developers Program.

Fared Adib, Vice President, Product Development & Operations at Sprint will share some of Sprint’s perspective about the importance of innovation when he gives a keynote presentation at the July 28 Innovation Conference 2010.

The event, organized by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sprint campus in Overland Park.

As the Chamber describes the event, it is an opportunity to “Engage with dynamic Kansas City business leaders and learn how they are developing and delivering effective strategies, managing change within their business culture, inspiring their organizations and growing their business. Speakers will address how they apply innovation to everyday business practices whether through internal processes, manufacturing capabilities, marketing campaigns, or customer satisfaction and service experience.”

More information, including information about how to register, is available here:

Additional information:

Attend Innovation Conference…Be Amazed By Brilliant People 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jul 19, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Industry-leading Push-to-Talk with access to thousands of Android(TM) plications for less than $150? Now that is taking care of business!

Sprint (NYSE: S) today shared pricing and timing for the world's first Android-powered smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect^(R) - it will be available first on Sunday, July 25, through direct ship sales&n; channels, including Business Sales, telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Web sales (www.sprint.com/motoi1) for $149.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate (taxes & surcharges excluded). It will then be available in all remaining Sprint sales channels beginning on Sunday, Aug. 8.

With more than 17 years of experience, Sprint is the undisputed industry leader in push-to-talk, serving the world's largest push-to-talk community with millions of Nextel Direct Connect subscribers on the fastest national push-to-talk network. More U.S. workers communicate in less than a second with Nextel Direct Connect than with any other push-to-talk service.

With solid body construction that meets military specifications for protection against dust, shock, vibration and blowing rain¹, Motorola i1 is designed for those who work and play hard. It offers the Android 1.5 operating system, and automatically syncs and integrates office and personal information such as emails, calendar appointments and contacts.

"Motorola i1 is the only Android device to offer Nextel Direct Connect as well as the latest smartphone features and the ability to withstand some of the harshest environments," said Fared Adib, vice president - Product Development, Sprint. "This phone brings a new level of smartphone to our Nextel customers making it one of the most efficient devices to get work done, and our customers who rely on Direct Connect will appreciate this feature-packed phone that doesn't miss on must-have features like Wi-Fi and a 5 megapixel camera."

Motorola i1 enhances the Nextel Direct Connect experience with the ability to view who is calling regardless of what application you are in, whether you are managing your emails, checking your calendar, composing messages or viewing media.

Motorola i1 also offers a variety of robust business and entertainment applications through the Android Market(TM), and when combined with the built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, it provides a great view of what's happening both personally and professionally. Applications like Scan2PDF Mobile 2.0, Unit Converter - ConvertPad and RealCalc Scientific Calculator can help get work done, while staying connected to friends through Facebook(TM) or Tweeting using an easily customizable Twitter(TM) app like Touiteur.

In addition, Sprint partner applications available for businesses on the Motorola i1 include:

• Xora(TM) mobile workforce management solutions provide businesses with real-time visibility into field operations, and helps automate payroll and job workflow processes. The Android version of Xora Time Track(TM) includes new features like photo barcode scanning and signature capture, eliminating the need to purchase additional hardware to support such capabilities.
• TeleNavTrack(TM) uses the latest technologies to make mobile workforce and asset management reliable and affordable for businesses of all sizes. It lets businesses use wireless barcode scanning to track inventory and assets, manage deliveries, better predict arrival times, change schedules on-the-fly and deploy workers. It can also reduce paperwork by allowing the mobile workforce to complete invoices, orders and timesheets on the device.
• Sprint Mobile Locator is a Web-based solution that allows businesses to easily track and locate workers, and view a mapping display on a PC in near real-time using a wireless phone's built-in GPS capabilities.

Key features include:

• Popular business tools such as Microsoft Document Viewer and corporate sync ensure Word or PowerPoint files can be accessed on the go
• Message entry is a breeze with both Android standard virtual keyboard and Swype(TM) virtual keyboards being offered
• A 5 megapixel camera with flash, geo-tagging and panoramic capabilities provides crisp photos and clearly displays them on the vibrant 3.1-inch HVGA screen, and video can also be recorded and stored on a provided microSD for sharing or future viewing straight from the device
• The Android browser allows you to see web pages and Flash 8-enabled sites in full view using Wi-Fi, and the latest Opera Mini 5 browser enables quick browsing over the Nextel National Network and Wi-Fi
  

With the new Sprint Free Guarantee, the most robust satisfaction guarantee in the wireless industry, customers can try a new line of service with Sprint for 30 days. If they aren't completely satisfied with Sprint during that period, they can cancel service and return their device to be reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get the early termination fee waived, get a full refund for monthly service plan recurring charges incurred and get all associated taxes and fees waived.

In addition, Sprint will waive the restocking fee for new customer exchanges as part of this policy. Refund excludes usage not included in the plan, premium content, third-party billing and international charges.

Application development information for Motorola i1 is available on the Sprint Application Developer web site at www.sprint.com/developer. Sprint offers developers a free sandbox with iDEN capabilities to test their apps. Sprint is a charter member of the Open Handset Alliance(TM) and the Sprint Application Developer Program has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, and is the first and only wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless and instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. With its customer-focused strategy, you can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

¹ Meets MilitarySpec 810F for blowing rain, dust, shock vibration, temperature extremes, low pressure, salt fog, humidity and solar radiation.

Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas; additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Contact your service provider for details. All features, functionality and other product specifications are based upon the latest available information and are believed to be accurate; however such product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. Android, Google, and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc.All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © 2010 Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: Sprint

Sprint
Mark Elliott, 603-621-4511
mark.j.elliott@sprint.com

Sprint continues to receive accolades for the value and service it provides customers. We’re excited about the latest recognition, which comes from Frost & Sullivan, who awarded Sprint the 2010 North American Customer Value Enhancement Award in Consumer Location-Based Services for Sprint’s easy customer access to a wide variety of GPS apps at a great value and tools for developers to access its location platform, allowing them to easily create location-based apps for Sprint customers.

- Len Barlik, Sprint Vice President of Wireless and Wireline Services

“With unlimited data and GPS navigation included in our Everything Data plans, Sprint gives customers more value and the freedom to use their phone the way they want to. That’s why we offer access to thousands of apps on our Android, BlackBerry and even feature phones and make it easier for developers to create and innovate. We’re pleased to be recognized by Frost & Sullivan for the value we offer our customers with GPS apps and for empowering more developers to create location-based apps.”

We thought this was a great time to highlight some of the useful GPS apps available to customers directly from Sprint or through Android Market, Blackberry AppWorld or GetJar:

• Sprint Family Locator enables a parent to use their phone or PC to find the location of a family member, which is displayed on a map along with the address, surrounding landmarks and accuracy of the information within a specified radius. Convenient Safety ChecksSM can be set up so parents receive automatic e-mail or text alerts of a loved one’s location at a specific time and place. See a video demonstrating Sprint Family Locator and other great apps for parents here.

• Google Maps™ allows users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, get driving directions, and view real-time traffic information on the go. See a video demonstrating Google Maps and other useful travel apps here.

• Smarter Agent Homes for Sale allows users to search all publicly viewable MLS listings in more than 300 markets, using GPS to find property listings in your immediate area with the touch of a button.

• WHERE helps users connect with the world around them: find friends nearby, discover restaurants and events with reviews, locate cheap gas, and much more. See a video demonstrating WHERE and other useful travel apps here.

Developers can get in on the location-based apps action with Sprint through its industry-leading open approach and Application Developer Program. Sprint offers access to more APIs than any other carrier so developers can make their apps richer, and will hold its 10th annual Open Developer Conference Oct. 26-28 in Santa Clara, Calif. Developers can register for the conference at http://developer.sprint.com/devcon2010.

PC Magazine awarded Samsung Restore with its GreenTech Approved award for meeting six of out of seven the magazine’s established green criteria: an Energy Star charger, compliance with hazardous materials standards, use of recycled materials in the phone and packaging, a free take back policy, and membership in a battery-recycling group.

LG Remarq also won PC Magazine’s GreenTech Seal for its Energy Star charger, compliance with hazardous materials standards, use of recycled materials in the phone and packaging, and membership in a battery-recycling group.