Sprint News

Thanks Sarah for posting this info.

Sarah,

The photos you posted look a lot like the ones leaked earlier in the week with the metalic finish and the gold trim.  I can't zoom in to verify.  Just curious really, although I have a preference for the style in the video.

Thanks!

That's funny, the Hero in the video looks 100x better than the one sprint is getting. I was really looking forward to the Hero with the original design, but sprint dropped the ball once again. Looks like I'll be leaving when my contract ends next month.

I have a Sero and a Blackberry.  With BlackBerry you're required to have an extra BlackBerry plan which costs $30 bringing my MRC to $60.

If they do not have the phone restricted to "Everything" plans, I can switch my plan back to SERO that I signed up for 3 years ago and drop the $30 BlackBerry add-on saving me $30/month.  If it requires me to switch to an "Everything" plan, I can switch to the SERO Plus plan with no increase in MRC, but I loose the option of Changing back to SERO if I so choose later on which is something I don't want to give up.  SERO includes unlimited Data, 500 minutes and unlimted texting (when I signed up).

SERO is the best deal in wireless PERIOD.  SERO Plus is next in line and then reqular "Everything" plans are third, if I can save $30 though, I'm going too.  I have mouths to feed at home.

Well, my SERO plan has unlimited data + text, so I'll look forward to getting the HTC Hero when my contract expires next month.

Tom, thanks for your question and sorry for any confusion.  The device in the David Owens video is the one Sprint will offer.  The other video is something we posted to provide a basic overview of the device in general.  Again, sorry for any confusion and I'm glad you are excited about the phone.

Rich Pesce,

Sprint, Social Media Communications

My question and concern is will it have navigation, and sprint tv. I have a samsung instinct. tho i dont use the tv i heavily use the navigation on it and i wanna know if the hero will have it before gettin it. and even more important i see u have the price with a two year agreement but what is invoice? I jusr resigned a contract in march, so i can't get the upgrade cheaper, but i'm willing to pay invoice if its reasonable, within the $300-400 range. Id like to know now so i can save. please and thanks

I agree I have a family plan with five phones on it I  am the only one that uses data, I don't text and we hardly ever use more than 250 minutes of our shared minutes.  I think it is unfair that they force you to go to a more expensive plan to get an advanced phone I knew on some of the other carries you can have on phone a family plan have a data add on and the rest don't need to have data.  Sprint only offers a family data plan and it sucks.   I don't need more minutes I just need a data add on. Maybe I should let my contract and my family's contracts expire and transition to a phone company that has more flexible plans. I hope sprint gets there act togther before then.  If they allow this phone and others like this to be sold with any plan and have data add ons I definetly won't switch.  I would really like to updgrade my phone but not if I can't get any phone I choose. I am even will to pay the pro pack price which is required for the htc phones that sprint has why can't they do that.

Sprint Rep: Will this phone be able to be activated on an old SERO plan that has unlimited data?  Specifically, SERO F&F 500 at $30/month.

Roni,

Great!  My SERO F&F 500 includes unlimited data!  Since you're a Sprint Employee and have identified yourself as such, I take your posting as official communication from the Sprint Nextel Corporation and stating that the only requirement is  "A plan with unlimited data is necessary" and my plan, which so happens to include "...unlimited data" is MORE than qualified for activation of the HTC Hero.

I have taken screenshots of this and assure you that I, and suggest to everyone that they use it as official communication from Sprint Nextel in case there happens to be issues with activating the HTC Hero on our SERO plans.

I don't want to go on a seperate plan that will end up costing me 45 dollars a month more that what I am paying now and I am happy with sharing minutes with the family I don't talk that much on the phone.  I have a htc touch right now and I use the internet on it for 15 dollars a month I don't text and I use the phone to keep track of my callendar. I need a plan that I won't get my moneys worth out of.  At&t offers the iphone for $99 a $69.99 a month family share plan a $30 dollar add on for data and the extra line after the first 2 phones are only $9.99 a month on sprint in order to keep a family plan and get an advanced phone I would have to get a plan that would cost $129.00 a month with additional phones costing $19.99 a month. So that is why I don't want an individual plan.

Where did you get this information from Linenoise? I don't see it posted in this discussion.

Aesthetics are important and I can say that I am EXTREMELTY glad I don't see any gold accents as on the leaked photos.  However, I have a Touch Pro which is a decent looking phone with very poor performance because of the OS.  I would GLADLY trade for an uglier phone in a heartbeat if it were better.

To me the phone is a tool and if the best phone isn't the prettiest, I can live with it.  To me much of the complaining sounds (I don't mean to put words in anyone's mouth) that an inferior phone is OK as long as it is cool looking.

But, I do think Sprint missed the boat because the phone and design were so widely anticipated that variation from what people expected was surely going to dissapoint regardless.  It would have been hard to surprise on the upside.  The new design will more than likely cut into sales and send some to the Pre.

Hi Tomas, do you know where this posting is that roni originally wrote this info? thanks in advance.

Last time I checked, anyone can change their plan with no problems and no commitment. I'm hoping for the best though.

It's the 6th post in this thread, SprintLoyal.

Sep 3, 2009 8:04 AM../../../../../../../../people/Jeter

Jeter

Sprint Employee

Jeter says in response to LineNoise :

This makes buying the TP2 seem like a big mistake. I want the Android operating system, but I'm can't bring myself to buy a phone with no keyboard.  But then again it almost seems insane to pay $350 for touch pro 2 running on WinMo 6.1, right before WinMo 6.5 comes out. I've been waiting for the touch pro 2 to come out for so long and it's such a disappointment while this phone seems like a steal.  I wonder what motivated HTC to go in the direction away from the G1 with the flip and the keyboard because now they've got the MyTouch and Hero.  I just can't go for the no keyboard thing.  I'm so stuck.  I just hope amazon gets ahold of the sprint version of the TP2 and cuts the price down like it did with the T-Mobile version

Why would they drop the white sleek chin shaped GSM version and make it look like a cheap tin can and basic looking phone... under the hood is the same which is great but why ... why ... why change the design and make it look like an instinct ... bad move on changing the design ... people would of liked the different design

Thanks everyone for jumping in as I didn't get to see the response from LineNoise until this morning. I apologize if I wasn't clear before. To clarify, the HTC Hero will require an Everything Plan.

Thanks,

Roni

It's also upsetting to the customer, it's as if Sprint are being Indian givers--exclusively to those on SERO: they offer an awesome plan to people, but, in return treat the customer like, you know what, because they didn't forecast ahead. It's not are fault that we capitalized on something Sprint advertised and gave to the public and now it has turned around and basically bit Sprint in the behind, as far as profit maximazation. I understand that the company goal is to make a profit, but the only way that can be achieved is by customer satisfaction, because we are the one's who are taking are hard earned money and deciding to give it a way for your service. Do you call limiting the customer of use of any device on a plan or forcing them to change their plan to one that the company wants good and quality customer service?

Just my two cents...

Thanks for your feedback!

We want to make sure that users on our highest end phones have a full-featured rate plan so they can get the most out of the device. The Everything plans have all of the bells and whistles to help you get the most out of this new Android device...

I keep going to the contact us section here to look for a hate mail section... Am I skipping over it, or is there one? if there isn't, there should be one...

I was all excited about signing up to another 2 year contract on Sprint SERO with a new a new HERO. ****.... ****.. ****, ****.

Joel, thanks for your message and insight.  Great to see how passionate you are about the phone.  There is a poll at Mobile Crunch asking people to vote on what design they prefer.  As someone else has said: Long live the candor of the Internet!  You can check out the poll here.  To 'chin' or 'not to chin.'  http://bit.ly/2Dz0Tm

-Rich

Sprint Communications

For those of you complaining about the redesign of the HTC Hero and are threatening to leave Sprint, DO IT.  That was exactly my intentions when I saw the European design.  I wasn't crazy about the white Teflon but more than anything I hated the chin.  Who wants  a Jay Leno like protruding chin that will inevitably jut out of anything put it in.  Your jean pocket, jacket pocket any pocket.  I want a phone that can slide easily into my jeans, my bag, my purse.  IF you want a chin go to T-MOBILE.  You won't be missed.  Or as another poster stated go get the I-PHONE and deal with their overpriced sub par service.  When I thought Sprint was going to get that "White Backed Monster" I planned to leave and head over to Verizon for the Samsung Omnia 2.  But thanks to the redesign, I can stay right where I've always been for the past 11 years, with Sprint.  Those of you who actually are leaving, don't worry you'll be back and you'll love your HTC Hero redesigned and all.

The Press Release States:

I was told once not to believe postings on here.  As it stands, official word (via the Press Release) states that it needs a plan offering unlimited data.  SERO is a pricing plan that offers unlimited data.  Sprint does/has offered other plans than the Simply Everything plans and they should honor them.

Two questions...

Will the Hero have push to talk technology ( you know " Say a Command " ), and what about live search?

Looks like your only hope will be that Sprint releases the device to a wider-spread national retailer like RadioShack.

Couldn't agree more....

But honestly what I found the most disturbing was that Sprint pushed for 'exclusivity' with the "Hero".  That's well and good...but this device CERTAINLY is not a "Hero".  So, they are keeping other networks from providing the US public with a "LEGIT HTC Hero" [henceforth referred to as LHH] all the while masquerading their version of a Magic as a "Hero".  Some consumers probably would never have known there is such a thing as the LHH...and thankfully (in Sprint's eye's) they never will, as I think there would be a much larger base of Americans outraged at what you've done with the LHH.  If you just didn't want to release the same phone as T-Mo (USA), just release it publically by its codename Sapphire...no one will be any the wiser...while the rest of us...well...we'll just remain wisest to this charade.  At least they saved me the time and effort of decoding the Magic-al Plan Requirements.  It requires a plan with "Unlimited Data", which is in included my FnF1250.  Unfortunately, I do have to pay the $10/15 for unlimited txt messages after Sprint just randomly changed my plan without any warning last year.  But, Jeter really summed it up best...

"We want to make sure that users on our highest end phones have a full-featured rate plan so they can get the most out of the device."

...just wanted to say thank you...and glad to see that the $print Magic/mytouchCDMA/Sapphire/HERO200 (whatever you insist on calling it) is one of your 'highest end phones" at $179.  Man those people who shelled out $599 for the Touch Pro II sure are suckers.  They're REALLY going to feel terrible when they see Verizon's got it coming for $199.  That's not even taking into consideration that in Europe (as is with most devices) the LHH is free when signing a new/renewing contract.  Now, just to cover all the bases, even the GSM version of our Sprint MagicCDMASapphire thing is free...well at least the US$ equivalent to 0,00GBP£.

Thanks again for looking out for 'us' Sprint, and just making all of those tough decisions for us...heck...I mean someday we might be bored on the train and remember...thanks to your spot on foresight, and cunning, we really DID need to pay twice as much a month...that GPS/SprintTV is TOTALLY go'nna be worth it.

the chin is ugly anyways, and with that chin sticking out from the bottom of your phone all its gonna do is just break easier.

May I ask why Sprint decided to get this other version of the hero instead of sticking to the original? I am curious to know if because Sprint and htc think american taste is different or what?

Thanks

I actually really like the look of the Sprint Hero.. I have an Instinct now and almost always carry it in my shirt pocket I think the chin would make this practice a little more difficult to pull off. My girlfriend has a G1 and seems to like the customization and applications that it provides however being the first Android out of the shoot it has its drawbacks.. particularly when she loads it too full of said applications... it tends to lock up if not provided with enough elbow room to run correctly.

I can't wait to see the Hero run on Sprint's Network, to see Sprint's twist on the UI et cetera. Several months ago Sprint's CEO said that Android wasn't yet ready for his clients... I'm paraphrasing here... and after buying the G1 for my girlfriend [she's a T-Mobile Customer], six months after its release, I'm of the opinion that Sprints CEO was correct. I already have the Everything Plan, been a long time Sprint client, I trust they know their business and hardware.. so I'll be the first in line to buy the Hero when the doors open here in Columbus, Ohio 10/11/2009  

I'm tired of these new phones only being available with very expensive plans.  Sprint's motto used to be "fair and flexible," but now it has become completely unflexible.  Why not offer a range of options, such as cheaper plans with fewer minutes and data limitations (even with a higher initial price for the unit itself), rather than just one, limited set of options with unlimited use of a bunch of stuff that most customers probably don't use?

The unlimited plans are great if you spend every minute of your life playing on your phone, but I doubt that's the average Sprint customer.  Moreover, the Pre has sold a few units, but it's not exactly like it has been flying off the shelves so quickly that Sprint and Palm can't keep it in stock, so at this point there's not much justification for not letting people with more reasonably priced plans (e.g. $40-50) buy them.

It would cost me over $1000 over a two year contract to switch to an "everything" plan, plus the cost of the equipment.  I use less than 100 daytime minutes a month and less than 1GB of data.  Why treat me like someone who uses five times as many minutes and 100 times as much data?

Sprint, why not go back to "fair and flexible?"  Offer a range of plans and different prices for the phones themselves based on the plans purchased.

I agree, the "Sprint Hero" is nothing more than the T-Mobile "My Touch" running the HTC Hero Rom. They aren't fooling anyone. Also, I think in the long run, this practice of forcing a whole plan change on people will eventually cause a huge lawsuit against the corporation and will be challanged in court. What are thy going to do, say five or six years down the line, when just about all phones become "exclusive," like the Pre, and requires the so called plans that gives you all the "bells and whistles?" Also when the vast majority of their users, who are on older legacy plans, not on on a everything plan that keeps their current device and has TEP, needs their phone repaired and it can't be fixed, the customer then has to make a claim, which costs more money, and Sprint and or the Insurance company discontinued the phone or runs out of stock? Then they are more than forced to change their plan all due to the limit of inventory and not on the consumers choice of upgrading to a new phone? I'ts just not fair to the consumer! Sprint has a lot of rethinking to do.

Both the Hero and the MyTouch have the same processing power. The Hero has 288MB of ram vs 192MB in the MyTouch (memory rules with these devices). Hero 5 megapixel vs 3.2 in the MyTouch. Hero battery capacity 10% to 15% greater than MyTouch. Hero features HTC Sense and with comparable 2 year contracts the Hero is $20 less than the MyTouch.

I will stay with your comparison Sprint's lowest service plan is the Everything Data with 450 minutes and unlimited text and unlimited data (Sprint Navigation included) all for $69.99. T-Mobile's lowest plan for the MyTouch is a 300 minute plan unlimited data and text for 74.99.

I post this so that you don't single out Sprint. All the cellcos are pricing this way.

It appears that they want the "basic phone" users to move to PrePaid plans. I look at the Reclaim being offered for $50 after MIR but when you look deeper you will see that you only get the rebate if you add a $30 data plan to your package bringing your monthly charges to a minimum of $60 without texting. I haven't seen this trick used by the other cellcos but their "basic" plan rates seem to be on par with Sprint.

Just a quick note...

The reason you see folks complaining about Sprint here and not other carriers is that this, er, how can I put this, uh, this is a Sprint-centric site populated by Sprint customers...

Question if y'all ahd a choice (which ya do) what would you preferrr Hero or Touch Pro 2?

I would be hard pressed to ever own another Windows Mobile phone again.  I have the Touch Pro and find it rather user-unfriendly and slow.  Even with the pitfalls of the G1, it runs much much better.

When are we going to see an Android phone with DIRECT CONNECT?

I mean, we already have a Blackberry, so I want to hope one day....

Just the opposite for me, while I admit I got really good at pressing 33377448383337444 to do texting on my A-940 ( even to the point I didn't need look at the phone to know I was typing correctly ) Nothing beats the virtual experience in my opinion. I prefer haptic to physical anyday ( wonder if the Hero will offer such a delight ).

When watching the video of the typing on the hero, you'll notice that qwerty is available in portrait mode, while I would love this luxury, some goofball decided that in portrait mode we Instinct users would benefit from using a portrait abcdefg mode ( Hooked on Phonics anyone??? ) So it would be nice if they would address this before MR60 rolls out.

Kudos to SprintLoyal on your post...this simply everything plan is for the birds...changing my family plan simply because I wanted the new hype didn't seem fair during purchase, and after a lengthy arguement with why my plan was a better deal, I was told I couldn't buy my new phone without changing, thus costing me an extra 40$ per month ( for gps???) I had unlimited data already ( what is Sprint's definition of unlimited?  Is it the same as Webster's? ) and it cost me extra to enjoy this new phone...

Cheap pricing on the phone gets cancelled when you end up paying an extra 960$ over two years.  My previous plan is still a better plan, and it included tethering...but it seems nowadays it's what Sprint wants you to believe is a better deal for you over your common sense...

It's Sprint's show people...It's what they want, because it's best for you, lol...yeah right....

This is for sprint employees,

Will the Hero have the updates to correct the sluggish out of the box? Or will you provide that later, Also will I be able to use my music I purchased with Sprint Store, as I know Android uses Amazon. One more thing, Yeah it sucks the design has changed but I have better things to be outraged about (all the specs appear to be the same) and that's what matters. Anywho, with all the Android phones coming out Sprint will have a better one in six months.

I actually like the Sprint version better than the "classic" version. A chin would probably not sit too well in a pocket where I carry my (hopefully soon to be replaced Instinct) phone.

you guys that want a android phone with a keyboard should wait for the next sprint phone from samsung called the "instinctQ"

Because it was always been like that, trust me, do you ever check the 2 versions of Nokia N70, the 20 versions of the v3 in Korea, China, Mideast, Europe, North America & Latin America, the 2 versions of the Nokia N73,Samsung's multiple models of T-mobile t239(If you check Tracfone there's the same model with another name,the Samsung E215 that another model of the t239 for Latin America & some europen countries, 5 versions of the Nokia 3395 around the world & other repetive models from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Apple also, etc . I dont know if they do it because of strategy, because of the network, well, probably , because the American people like things with no sweat , slick,very easy to use, also easy to hide & store.

PLEASE PEOPLE LOOK AT THE INFO-COMMERCIALS,MARKETING STUDIES, ETC. ALL OF THEM SAYS "AMERICAN PEOPLE LIKE THEIR THINGS TO BE EASY IN EVERY ASPECT." Dont you think???
Because it was always been like that, trust me, do you ever check the 2 versions of Nokia N70, the 20 versions of the v3 in Korea, China, Mideast, Europe, North America , Latin America. I dont know if they do it because of strategy, because of the network, well..... that will be the question

I was excited to hear about spring finally bringing android to the market place. I have been with sprint for 2 years and have had much better luck with their service than ATT. I dont mind the design. My treo 800 is pretty dang ugly as well. I find it disappointing that sprint has decided to throw those of us on the SERO plans under the bus as the new phones come out. Just from a customer retention stance it seems a bad move. My choice now is to trade my plan from $30 a month to $70 a month thus increasing my cost over 2 years by $960 and then add in the cost of the phone. I am reasonable and can understand that they dont want to subsidize the phone with my plan. I am not stupid. I am willing to buy the phone outright if i can keep my current plan. If I have to pay more for the plan that makes me think that sprint doesnt value me as a customer and that I should go elsewhere. Right now the Samsung Galaxy on tmobile is looking like the place to be.

If any sprint reps would like to comment on why sero customers are less important than other customers and how the new plans really provide anything i dont already have I would be interested in hearing it. My expectation is that you will state the gps which didnt work on the pre that I had for 2 weeks and the TV which is a useless feature and I would guess gets pretty minimal usage.

I just got an e-mail a day or two ago from Sprint customer service saying that my SERO plan WOULD qualify for the Hero.  Yet people here, including Sprint representatives have said the exact opposite.

What can't Sprint just get is act together and get everyone in the company on the same page about something that should have a simple yes or no answer?  If it turns out that SERO customers aren't going to be allowed to get the Hero, there are going to be a lot of upset customers who had their expectations up because Sprint representatives told them in writing that SERO was approved.

There's no upside to this - Sprint should have been able to anticipate that people would want to know as soon as it announced the device whether SERO and other legacy plans would be allowed or not, so why couldn't it have just made and announced the decision at the outset?  Instead it is just upsetting a lot of long term customers, including this 10+ year customer whose contract is up this week.

I put a deposit down for the HTC presell today at Best Buy, but forgot to ask them how much it will be if I don't qualify for an upgrade and am not renewing my contract, since I just did that about two months ago.  I noticed Best Buy's phone prices are much higher (about $100) without rebates and instant savings for upgrades/new activations.  Anyone know anything about this?  I really hope I don't have to pay $100 more for the phone because I preordered it from Best Buy.

I've moved 9 times in the last 10 years across 3 states.  Saying that coverage is spotty is a gross exageration.  My experience has been that Sprint has far surpassed service friends and colleagues experience with other carriers with the exception of Verizon.

Sounds like Sprint won't be missing much if you leave.

For anyone who was wondering the same thing I was about the full retail of the Hero.  I did a chat with Sprint and their full retail is $329.99.  That seems low to me since the touch pro and touch diamond are so much more expensive.  I hope it's true, and I hope Best Buy doesn't price it $100 over that like I have seen that they do with other phones.

Let me start by saying i am a Sprint customer care specialist, i will be the one you speak with you go to activate that phone or change your plan. WE have not been advised specifically on plan requirments for this device as of yet, it will most likely not require an everything plan in my opinion based on the fact that it is not stated an everything plan will be required like with the PRE and Instinct. That being said, i would like to see an everything plan required, let me defend that statement. Without this plan when you are on a talk only plan, and you "never" us the feature you don't want to pay extra for you always end up using them because of the commonality of them on these devices, you may not even be aware of it, and even if YOU are, the other 90% of people who are not represented here have NO idea that the GPS, and half of the other features these devices are capable of and will contact us three times a day to dispute these valid charges. In the end it may be more expensive than on your current plan, but if it saves you 10 hours of dealing with a CS to find out the charge are valid and we can apply 1/2 credit to help offset the amount it may be worth. And as far as the re-designed goes, just wait, a newer, better faster w/e phone will be coming soon enough, every day you wait probably saves you $10 on the phone. any way...

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Like I said before even the reps they have little info about & for privacy policies they cant say anything(I dont know why you did it Josh but I hope your sups doesnt find it out) & remember Josh, as you known, not everyone wants to get a data plan with their phone. Also Josh its let in us know that some people they like to "test" apps that you that use internet (nothing is free )or internet & later cry or scream over the phone for the usage that THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

If I use internet in my phone knowing that its not included in my plan & doesnt have any restrictions & I get a **** of bill, I HAVE TO PAY IT, even if Im broke, I had to do it because I did it, I dont need to scream or cry (like some people but not all) for adjustments.

Also as you know when you buy a phone like a Palm, HTC, BB the Mail in Rebate tells that for getting the rebate you have to change your plan to a data plan, so after you wait & get you Mail in Rebate, you can call to CS (disclaimer:I do not guarantee that you will change your data plan to talk only plan withe the mentioned phones, I only mentioned that it can be done, so take your chances , do it under your own risk, dont expect to get it changed in the first call.Yeah I know it sucks) & tell them that you want a lower plan without data & even tell that to a sup.

This what I know about this

Hey guys while I was checking a post about the Hero & SERO, I found this, seems that more phones on the way & I'll mention them:

-HTC Hero

-Samsung Instinct HD

- LG LX400

- Samsung Intrepid

-Samsung Moment

you can look in the site for a copy of the recent Mail in Rebate form

because of the chin. it does make sense to complain over there being no chin.

No I was calling the material in use crappy but I am redacting my statement now having had my hands on a working Hero a few days ago. The pics in almost every review do no justice to the Hero, the build quality is much better then it looked.  That isn't to say that I wouldn't still prefer a solid piano black teflon case over the black/silver case that the Hero does have.

You may think that NFL app is sick but that is because you haven't seen the Sunday Ticket Super Fan application on Win mobile.  Until I see it for Android the extra service I have to sign up for isn't worth another $720.00 over the life of a 2 year contract.