Samsung Vibrant Android Phone T Mobile

Posted by Smartphone Review on August 29, 2010

Samsung Vibrant Android Phone T Mobile

Ideal for those looking to combine mobile entertainment and communication in one device, the Android-powered Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile is pre-loaded with a variety of games and video–including The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition (a T-Mobile exclusive) and James Cameron’s blockbuster, Avatar. It also comes with the pre-loaded Kindle for Android app–enabling you to search and browse more than 500,000 books–and offers access to MobiTV streaming video.

Enjoy on-the-go entertainment with pre-loaded games and video on the bright, vivid 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display.

One of the slimmest smartphones on the market, the Vibrant measures just 0.39 inches thin and weighs 4.16 ounces.

Enabled for T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network, the Vibrant offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites. And the 3G-enabled Vibrant will benefit from the enhanced speeds of T-Mobile’s upgraded HSPA+ network, which is being rolled out nationwide to reach up to 185 million people by the end of the year and offers speeds close to 4G connectivity (read more about HSPA+ below).

With integrated Google technology, the Samsung Vibrant brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, Gtalk, YouTube, Picasa, and contacts/calendar synchronization. The Samsung Vibrant also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. And through Android Market, you’ll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets, and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.

Optimized for watching videos on the go as well as game play, the Vibrant offers a 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display for a bright, vivid viewing experience. It’s equipped with a 5-megapixel camera with digital zoom and autofocus, and it also captures HD video. Other features include a 16 GB internal memory, microSD memory expansion (for up to 32 GB of additional storage from optional cards), Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, intuitive typing via integrated Swype keyboard, and up to 4 hours of talk time.

Entertainment On The Go

The Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile includes the following pre-installed applications and content:

• Exclusive The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition brings exciting new gameplay and endless possibilities all on your mobile phone. Enjoy unexpected moments of surprise and mischief, as you choose whether (or not) to fulfill your Sims’ destinies and make their wishes come true.
• James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar comes pre-loaded on the internal 16 GB memory, and it’s optimized for viewing on the Vibrant’s high-resolution screen.
• Amazon’s Kindle for Android app provides the best reading experience available on your Android phone. You’ll be able to access your Kindle books even if you don’t have your Kindle with you as well as automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with Whispersync. (Learn more)
• MobiTV mobile offers access to live and on-demand TV on your phone, including favorite channels such as MTV, NBC, COMEDY CENTRAL, ESPN and more are available. Plus, when you subscribe to MobiTV, your first 30 days of service are free.
• Slacker Radio allows you to listen to free personalized radio and choose from millions of songs from thousands of artists. Listen for free to over 100 expert-programmed radio stations from every genre or create your own custom stations.
• Gogo Inflight Internet service offers an added bonus: up to six months of free in-flight Wi-Fi access on their device, with Internet access on 2,500 daily flights in the continental U.S. and growing.

Key Features

• Powered by the Android 2.1 operating system with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market.
• Fast 3G connectivity via T-Mobile’s HSDPA/UMTS network (1700/2100 MHz bands) with enhanced speeds thanks to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ super-fast network (limited to areas with HSPA+ network coverage; see more about T-Mobile’s 3G service and HSPA+ rollout below).
• Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands).
• Integrated A-GPS for location-based services and navigation via Google Maps.
• 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor speeds up everything–from playing games to watching shows to opening files from work.
• Innovative 4-inch capacitive touchscreen Super AMOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen reproduces sharper and brighter colors with better battery consumption (480 x 800 pixels, 16 million color depth).
• Swype input system allows you to input text faster and easier by gliding your finger around the keyboard, moving from letter to letter in one continuous motion. The Swype technology then calculates what word you’re intending to type (learn more below).
• 5-megapixel camera with up to 3x digital zoom, multi-shot capabilities, and multiple shot modes.
• HD video capture capabilities
• Multi-format digital audio player
• Ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
• Next-generation Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity provides faster throughput while minimizing on power requirements. It’s compatible with new Bluetooth 3.0-enabled devices as well as backward compatible with older Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as headsets and printers. It includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile–enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
• 16 GB internal memory
• Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB (a 2 GB card is included).
• YouTube app for streaming video over 3G and Wi-Fi connections.
• Rich HTML e-mail application seamlessly syncs your e-mail, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. The Gmail application provides features such as conversation view, spam filtering, search, and labels that Gmail users enjoy on their computer while offering new features such as integration with the phone’s contact list. And it multitasks, so you can read a Web page while also downloading your e-mail in the background.
• Full HTML Web browser enables you to view more pages and enjoy better Web content delivered efficiently to your phone.
• Instant messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. It also supports advanced text messaging features, enabling you to easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging.
• Text (SMS) and picture/video (MMS) messaging
• Google Calendar app syncs with the Web-based version, so any event that you add to your phone will show up on the Web-based Google Calendar (and vice versa).
• Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off.

Vital Statistics

The Samsung Vibrant weighs 4.16 ounces and measures 4.82 x 2.54 x 0.39 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 96 hours (4 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile’s 3G network (1700/2100 MHz).

What’s in the Box

Samsung Vibrant handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 2 GB microSD memory card, USB cable, wired stereo headset, quick start guide

Learn More

Kindle for Android

Enjoy your favorite books on the go with Kindle for Android.

Kindle for Android is a free application that lets readers around the world enjoy Kindle books on their Android phones. Like all Kindle apps, Kindle for Android will include Amazon’s Whispersync technology, which saves and synchronizes a customer’s bookmarks across their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, and soon Android, so customers always have their reading material with them and never lose their place. The Kindle Store includes over 500,000 books and the largest selection of the most popular books that people want to read, including New York Times Bestsellers and New Releases from $9.99.

• Search and browse more than 500,000 books, including 105 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers, directly from their Android device
• Access their library of previously purchased Kindle books stored on Amazon’s servers for free
• Synchronize last page read between their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, and soon Android
• Choose from five different font sizes and three color modes: read in White, Sepia, or Black color modes and adjust the brightness of the display from within the app
• Read books in full color, including children’s books, cookbooks, travel books, textbooks and graphic novels
• Read in portrait or landscape mode, tap on either side of the screen or flick to turn pages

Swype Keyboard

An alternative to the Android virtual keyboard, the Swype virtual keyboard allows you to input text by swiping the finger with one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard. Based on testing, speed and accuracy are equal to or better than the traditional keyboard-tapping method. You can activate the Swype keyboard by pressing and holding in a text field, wait for popup to appear, click Input Method, and then select Swype.

Simply Trace a Path

In the image to the left, the word “quick” was generated from tracing the path shown above in a fraction of a second, by roughly aiming to pass through the letters of the word. A key advantage to Swype is that there is no need to be very accurate, enabling very rapid text entry.

T-Mobile Services

T-Mobile’s New, Expanding Super-Fast HSPA+ Network

As of June, 2010, T-Mobile has upgraded its traditional 3G network to HSPA+ in 25 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., and it plans to continue rolling out this network upgrade to over 100 metropolitan cities and up to 185 million people by the end of 2010. HSPA+ provides our fastest data speeds, up to 3 times faster than AT&T and Verizon’s standard 3G networks, while allowing simultaneous voice and data capabilities for the ultimate wireless voice and data experience.

You’ll enjoy 4G-like speeds with HSPA+ enabled areas, with a theoretical capability of up to 21 Mbps peak download speeds (and typical download speeds averaging between 5 and 8 Mbps).

While T-Mobile doesn’t currently offer mobile phones with HSPA+ compatibility, many 3G devices can benefit from enhanced speeds when they’re on the HSPA+ network today–including the Samsung Vibrant.

High-Speed Data Connectivity via T-Mobile’s 3G Network

In addition to its quad-band GSM connectivity, this phone is also compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile’s EDGE network (which stands for “Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution”). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and e-mail on the go.

While this phone is optimized for use with T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network, many of its functions will also work well on the moderate-speed EDGE network. If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G network coverage may serve you best.

Activities that work well on EDGE or 3G networks:

• E-mail, instant messaging, and texting
• Downloading ringtones, CallerTunes, wallpaper, light data files
• Sending photographs via e-mail or picture messaging

Activities that work best on a 3G network:

• Viewing content-heavy websites (lots of images or videos playing)
• Viewing YouTube and other video files (they will play on EDGE, but require loading time)
• Uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing websites
• Downloading large files from an e-mail or a website

T-Mobile’s 3G network is currently available in more than 220 cities nationwide and covers more than 160 million people.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars T-Mobile’s Official Superphone
First off, let me explain my title. The Vibrant is T-Mobile’s official superphone because it is sold at T-Mobile whereas the Nexus One was being sold by Google. There you have it.

Let me start off by saying that I was an early follower of Android with the first T-Mobile G1. Android has definitely come a long way since then, in hardware and software.

I admit, I hated the G1’s hardware so I sold it and moved on to the Blackberry Bold. With the Bold, I hated the software but loved the hardware. Unfortunately, my Bold’s LCD cracked. I didn’t want to purchase another phone yet, I was waiting out on all the new stuff that is suppose to come out such as the G2, Thunder (if it’s TMO bound) and etc… I had no choice, I needed a phone so here I am with the Samsung Vibrant.

First, photos of this phone doesn’t do this phone justice. I was a little wary at first because it has an iPhonesque shape to it (Maybe that’s why they took off the physical home button from our many versions). After seeing it in the store, I fell in love with the phone. The design is wonderful. The phone is very light (actually too light for my taste but that’s all about preference). Let’s move on to Pros and Cons

Pros

-Nice screen size. 4 inches is perfect. It’s not too big or too small.

-Super AMOLED screen is beautiful and must be seen in person. Best screen I ever laid eyes on. If you are considering, go check it out in person. Again, pics and vids doesn’t do it justice.

-Android!!!

-Battery not spectacular compared to my Bold but much better than the G1. Should last a good part of the day. (People state that the don’t want to turn the brightness down from 100. I have mines on 50 and it’s still beautiful, I don’t think you need it that bright all day. Get a brightness widget and turn up when you need it)

-Camera. This is a great camera. I told myself that I wouldn’t get a phone without flash after the G1 but this Vibrant camera is wonderful. Night mode feature is great and very useful, you wouldn’t even think about flash anymore. Trust me, the camera has a lot of useful features and the 720p video recording is awesome.

-1Ghz Hummingbird processor. Very speedy and didn’t notice any type of lag whatsoever.

Cons

-I don’t like the placement of the Micro USB port on top on the phone. It just seems weird.

-The plastic battery plate. I mean it’s nice and comes with a different style spare but seriously? I wished it was metal or something similar.

-Touchwiz UI. I don’t like the iphonesque UI here. I wish it was stock Android but we could always change that later on……lol….

There you have it. I recommend this phone, that’s why I wrote this review. If not, go into a T-Mobile store, you can buy it and try it for 14 days. You can always return it but with this being their best phone, I don’t think you would have a similar alternative if you did exchange it…..

4 Stars Major Features and Benefits override the few minor inconveniences
By Far, this has been the most advanced phone to rival the iPhone without having to deal with AT&T’s crappy service or jailbreak an iPhone. Everything is great, but instead of repeating all the awesome things all the other reviewers posted, here are the short list of (my) negatives:

1. Unlock Screen button seems inconveniently placed and then requires you to swipe the screen to continue to unlock - seems like an unnecessary step.

2. Locked (lit) screen doesn’t show battery level - My old G1 and Motorola Cliq showed % of battery power left

3. Mini USB Charger is located on the top. I continually pick the phone up while charging and just assume the USB port should be on the bottom, like nearly all other phones/MP3 players.

4. Contacts don’t allow you to keep multiple numbers for the same person under one profile.

That’s it… I’m a picky person so little things get to me, but EVERYTHING else on the phone is FANTASTIC… enjoy!

(T-Mobile review - their customer service is going to pots with this required data package tied TO the phone line - they are trying to keep everyone from sharing upgrades which is going to cause me to leave them if they don’t get rid of that policy by the end of my contract)

5 Stars Samsung Vibrant
I have been with tmobile at least 10 years. No doubt their service is getting better each year as I can see. I was so close to get an iphone 4 even though the antenna problem was only fix by a case they provide. When I see the Samsung Vibrant I was impressed the respond,screen resolution, and the phone’s weight.

With Tmobile HSPA+ (They say it is close to 4g speed) is coming up at the end of August, the speed is going to get even more faster. I personally work for a big company as a sale associate and went to a tmobile training. When they showed the JD power and Consumer Report. Tmobile is second behind Verizon. Yes, it is surprised for most of people but it is true. Most of people still have that bad impression about Tmobile like ten years ago when they first came out. Oh wow, for god sake get rid of that idea!!!!! TMobile really changed and catch up really fast.

I showed this phone to people who OWN Iphone 4. They admit that this device is so much better than their phone. Android apps 70 percents are free. HD movies on this device is amazing. The swype makes them say WOW. Seriously, when Im on the bus sit next to the people who has iphone all they do is texting because the internet is slow. When they see my samsung vibrant load a web page no longer than 5 seconds I wonder how they feel.

No regret, get the phone you wont like it you will love it

5 Stars Very satisfied
As a person who is fairly well familiar with new gadgets and technology (in a non-techie way), I must say that I am very satisfied with this phone.

The goods:

1. It’s a good phone, first and most important. No reception issues at all.

2. Great screen, very good touch sensitivity.

3. Stable OS, haven’t had any issues with apps not working, etc, although I’ve limited myself to apps that have been tested and proven.

4. I like the TouchWiz interface, although I do not have any prior experience with HTC’s sense UI.

5. Very convenient file transfers after setting up a FTP server on the phone and connecting via WiFi to home network. I use a nifty app called SwiFTP on the Vibrant and FileZilla on the PC, with files stored in a folder of choice on the SD card.

6. Excellent android OS, very customizable. With fantastic apps (like Tasker) non-android phones are generations behind.

7. T-mobile’s unlimited data plan for the web is superb, no worries about data usage, etc.

8. I personally like the T-mobile customer experience.

9. Although I initially desired a physical keyboard, after getting familiar with Swype technology, I don’t think I’m ever going to bother with the tiny buttons on any phone again. I’m an experienced typist and I think I’m faster on the phone with Swype than with my twiddling fingers on any phone’s physical keyboard. Swype probably works even better for folks with large fingers or less experienced typists since button accuracy isn’t critical in the presence of very good word prediction and AI.

Could have been better:

1. Battery life - I’ve had to charge the phone every night and restrain some of my use later in the day, but with lots of web usage, and running background apps for email, social networks, etc.

2. A little too big for the pocket, but then I’d rather have a screen this size than a pocketable phone (but that’s again personal preference.)

Hopefully, the promised update to Android OS 2.2 will be seamless.

Bottom line: I would buy this phone again in a heartbeat.

5 Stars Samsung Vibrant is the one i was looking for.
I just got back from Japan and i’ve seen really hi tech phones we currently dont have in the US and when i said hi-tech that means bigger screens, crazy phone appearance ( shapes and sizes ). video call in every phone including pre paid phones, HDTV phones and etc. Why did i mention that? because those arent the kind of phone i was looking for. I was looking for cheap, smart phone with camera and video and big memory and boom voila!

Samsung Vibrant for $0.00 ( 2 year contract, Amazon.com)

- Huge 4 inch screen with 480×800 resolution HD

- Camera ( no flash, but i never use flash so im good)

-16 Gig internal memory and 16 more gig expandable thru external memory card.

I have an iphone 3GS from Japan and this Vibrant t-Mobile phone comes close or exceeded it. I’ve had the luxury of choosing any phone and any network, i settle for this because this is the only phone that i dont have to pay $199 at least with a 2 year contract. Being service member also includes 15% off every month for the plan so that is really sweet. I love this phone up to this point. its really slim sexy looking and i just love it specially the screen. for you guys out there, there’s alot of smart phones around but this is no mistake one of the best. PS. this will sell for normal $199 with 2 year contract soon. It is now selling for $ 69.99 Amazon only. Grab yours soon and lets experience Samsung Galaxy S phone

Buy/More Info

T Mobile myTouch Slide Android Phone Black T Mobile

Posted by Smartphone Review on

T Mobile myTouch Slide Android Phone Black T Mobile

Updating the original myTouch 3G with a roomy slide-out QWERTY keyboard and the latest version of the Android operating system (version 2.1), the T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide mobile phone also offers a variety of unique new features to help you connect more easily with friends and family. Enabled for T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network, the myTouch 3G Slide offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites.

The sleek, lightweight T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide with 3.4-inch touchscreen display and slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.

Similar in design to the original, the myTouch 3G Slide has a 3.4-inch touchscreen display and a five-pane home screen (with the option to increase to seven panes) that provides plenty of screen real estate for apps and widgets. In addition to the virtual keyboard, the myTouch 3G Slide also includes a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard that makes typing longer messages a breeze.

With integrated Google technology, the myTouch 3G Slide brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, Gtalk, YouTube, Picasa, and contacts/calendar synchronization. The myTouch 3G Slide also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. And through Android Market, you’ll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.

The myTouch 3G Slide offers GPS location services for turn-by-turn directions using Google Maps and Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and business networks as well as hotspots while on the go. Other features include a fast 600 Mhz processor, 5-megapixel camera/camcorder with LED flash, included 8 GB microSD memory card (with expansion support up to 32 GB), Bluetooth for both hands-free communication and stereo music streaming, a digital audio player, and up to 4 hours of talk time.

T-Mobile WOW Family Features

With the myTouch 3G Slide, T-Mobile introduces an innovative software suite of WOW Family Features, which includes the following:

• Faves Gallery presents up to 20 of your favorite people and the different ways to communicate with them–calls, texts, e-mail, instant messaging, social networking updates–in a dedicated application accessible through a soft button and an easy-to-use widget complete with photos, contact information and one-touch ability to respond.

  All of your Faves get special status on your myTouch 3G Slide; anytime they communicate with you or update their social network you get a notification in the notification pane. Even if you’re not using your phone, a custom green light lets you know you’ve got a communication waiting from one of your Faves. And you can respond directly from the Faves Gallery, without launching e-mail or other applications, so you connect more quickly and more often with the important people in your life.
  

  Powered by Android OS 2.1, you can customize your myTouch 3G Slide with thousands of apps available via the Android Market (see larger image).

  The myTouch 3G Slide also includes a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash on the back as well as video capture capabilities.

• myModes helps you draw the line between work and home by creating different themes with home screen apps, widgets and wallpapers to empower people in the different roles they play each day. You can set myModes to switch at a designated time, by location, or manually with the option to create and store up to 10 customized modes.

  Want to forget about work on the weekend? No need to hide your work phone or switch to another device; just put away your work tools, like e-mail and your calendar by switching modes, and bring forward all the things you love to do on Saturday.

• With Genius Button voice commands (powered by Dragon Dictation from Nuance Communications), pressing the easy-to-access button on the front of the myTouch 3G Slide allows you to access a variety of voice commands. Press the button, speak the command, and control such features as making a call, composing and sending texts and e-mails, and searching the Web or your surroundings. It will even read text messages aloud, and lets you dictate responses naturally as if you were speaking directly to a person.
  

  Key Features

  • Powered by the Android operating system with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market.
  • Fast 3G connectivity via T-Mobile’s HSDPA/UMTS network. (1700/2100 MHz bands, UMTS/HSDPA; see more about T-Mobile’s 3G service below)
  • Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity. (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands)
  • 3.2-inch touchscreen display (480 x 320 pixels, 262K colors) with customizable, intuitive home screen.
  • Slide-out full QWERTY keyboard with built-in familiar layout lets you type messages easily without searching for the letter you want. Also includes virtual on-screen keyboard.
  • Built-in GPS with turn-by-turn directions provided by Google Maps and other third-party apps (for real-time directions). With Google Maps, you can instantly view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business. And Google Maps Street View enables you to explore cities at street-level virtually while on the go.
  • 5-megapixel camera with video capture capabilities and LED flash
  • Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile–enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
  • Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
  • 8 GB pre-loaded microSD memory card with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
  • Multi-format digital audio player
  • YouTube app for streaming video over 3G and Wi-Fi connections.
  • Rich HTML e-mail application seamlessly syncs your e-mail, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. The Gmail application provides features such as conversation view, spam filtering, search, and labels that Gmail users enjoy on their computer while offering new features such as integration with the phone’s contact list. And it multitasks, so you can read a Web page while also downloading your e-mail in the background.
  • Full HTML Web browser enables you to view more pages and enjoy better Web content delivered efficiently to your phone.
  • Instant messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. It also supports advanced text messaging features, enabling you to easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging.
  • Text (SMS) and picture/video (MMS) messaging
  • Google Calendar app syncs with the Web-based version, so any event that you add to your phone will show up on the Web-based Google Calendar (and vice versa).
  • Organizer tools including calendar, calculator, and tasks.
  • Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off.

  Vital Statistics
  The myTouch 3G Slide weighs 5.9 ounces and measures 2.3 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches. Its 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 144 hours (6 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile’s 3G network (1700/2100 MHz).

  What’s in the Box
  myTouch 3G Slide handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, 8 GB microSD memory card, wired stereo headphones, quick start guide

  T-Mobile Services

  High-Speed Data Connectivity via T-Mobile’s 3G Network

  In addition to its quad-band GSM connectivity, this phone is also compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web.

  In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile’s EDGE network (which stands for “Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution”). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and e-mail on the go.

  While this phone is optimized for use with T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network, many of its functions will also work well on the moderate-speed EDGE network. If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G network coverage may serve you best.

  Activities that work well on EDGE or 3G networks:

  • E-mail, instant messaging, and texting
  • Downloading ringtones, CallerTunes, wallpaper, light data files
  • Sending photographs via e-mail or picture messaging

  Activities that work best on a 3G network:

  • Viewing content-heavy websites (lots of images or videos playing)
  • Viewing YouTube and other video files (they will play on EDGE, but require loading time)
  • Uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing websites
  • Downloading large files from an e-mail or a website

  T-Mobile’s 3G network is currently available in more than 220 cities nationwide and covers more than 160 million people.

  User Ratings and Reviews

  5 Stars Killer phone, weak battery.
  My first smart phone and reasonably easy to figure out, a simply amazing phone.

  Battery struggles to make it through a day! Hopefully will improve after pairing back unneeded apps…

  Very, very nice.

  4 Stars my thoughts on this phone.
  I had the Behold and I can tell you that compared to the myTouch Slide, the Behold might as well be a paperweight. RE your comment about the lack of Snapdragon, you honestly won’t even notice it. There are moments (however, VERY small) that you will wait for things to show up but this is normally due to the strength of your network or wifi….

  Concerning battery life, I’ve been using it almost constantly so I can’t give you any real thoughts on this until my consumption slows down. Then, I’ll try to update you on the battery life under normal circumstances. I can already tell I’ll be using it MUCH more than the Behold.

  I haven’t noticed any glitches–though I wouldn’t doubt that they exist. Speaker volume seems great, both on speakerphone and otherwise. Signal strength depends on area so that is a N/A field. It does have flash but hulu doesn’t allow videos on android–version 2.2 should fix this but it isn’t certain yet. GPS with voice navigation is by far a favorite of mine–used with the Genius button, navigating while driving is quite simple.

  Now for the not so good things, in my humble opinion–the Genius button is great but sometimes isn’t exact when sending texts…Speak clearly and you’ll have a better chance. The touchscreen is way more sensitive compared to the Behold so there is a learning curve there. Also, the Genius button has a connection time out for some reason. I can’t think of any others at the moment, but I’ll be sure to update you should I come across any more.

  All in all, compared to the Behold, this phone will blow your mind. Android has literally thousands of apps and, unlike the Behold, they install painlessly.

  Good tips at [...]
  

  4 Stars A solid 3rd gen choice for T-Mobile G1 veterans.
  T-Mobile must have contracted a refresher for the G1 with HTC, and it’s a weird one for sure. Armed with an ARM11 600Mhz processor, it’s an upgrade over the 1st gen G1 processor in terms of speed and RAM, but the keyboard and optical trackpad are steps backwards from the G1, as is the microUSB connector away from the more-common miniUSB.

  In searching for a replacement for my twice-bricked G1, I evaluated the Garminfone and MyTouch Slide. The conclusion I’m fast approaching is that the new Droid2 from Motorola looks like my long-term choice, but that means switching networks.

  Within the context of T-Mobile Android phones with keyboards, this one is very good. Outside of that context, it hassome dubious design choices leaving me flat.

  To begin, it has a good camera with a flash, it has Android 2.1, and an OTA update just hit it. Terrific. It has some built-in apps and makes use of HTC’s Sense UI for an improved feel over stock 2.1 and 1.6. However, you will look in vain to change the desktop wallpaper directly; you’ll either alter the “mood” as provided by T-Mobile, or you’ll pick you wallpaper with an app that supports making it your desktop (Astro File Manager being your best bet for this and all Android tasks).

  The keyboard lets you avoid fat-fingered input at every turn. If Swype and Graffiti and even Dragon Dictation fail you, the keyboard surely bails you out? Well, maybe, if you can decipher the bizarre, non-standard silk-screened letters and numbers. It’s a four-row, not the five-row of a G1, but it’s spaced a little more and has shift/function keys on both sides. However, the top row has numerals the same size and color of the letters, so you aren’t reading QWERTYUIOP, you’re reading Q1W2E3R4T5Y6U7I8O9P0, which screws you up when you are looking for a zero or “O”. Like I said, bizarre. A second color for alt-keys or a smaller font would have helped immensely. You get used to it over time, but why do I need to get used to bad silkscreening? This should be fixed in later versions.

  The Genius button is fun. You press it, and the Dragon Dictation listens and tries to figure out what you want. Call your wife, find pizza near your location, open an app, whatever. Over time the Genius button is likely to expand functionality, but for now, it is limited by its Dragon engine and its lookup ability. The more I try it, though, the more I like it. This may be a killer feature if the API is readily accessible.

  In all, this is better than the Garminfone and original G1. I would love to keep the G1 keyboard and physical trackball but that’s not going to happen; I would love to keep the thin form of the Garminfone but I need a keyboard. Compromises aside, this is a solid 3rd gen Android device and if you can get it close to zero on contract, you’re coming out way ahead. T-Mobile is very good about OTA updates, so you can plan on 2.2 very soon as well.

  –#

  5 Stars Best Phone Ever
  I think this phone is fantastic. I think it is way better than an iphone. I owned an iphone for years, and I think it was a bit like a monopoly. This phone is so much more impressive.

  Thanks Android!

  5 Stars Great Phone
  This is a great phone. I have had it for a couple weeks and I love it. People say the price is too high but I got it for free off Amazon. If you’re thinking about getting a phone, go with this one because the keyboard was what the deal breaker was for me because all other touchscreen android phones are exactly the same to this minus the physical keyboard!

  Buy/More Info

HTC Hero Android Phone Sprint

Posted by Smartphone Review on August 28, 2010

HTC Hero Android Phone Sprint

Built on the Android Platform, the HTC Hero for Sprint offers a rich mobile Internet experience, an intuitive user interface for extraordinary personalization power, and a full capacitive touchscreen display. With the Android smartphone platform, you’ll be able to access built-in Google mobile services–including Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube. And through Android Market, you’ll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.

Stay connected using the integrated social networking apps including Facebook, Twitter and Flickr, as well as add more apps via the Android Market.

Capture on-the-go memories with the 5.0-megapixel camera/camcorder.

It also includes HTC Sense, a user interface overlay from HTC that makes it easy for you to create an individualized mobile experience tailored specifically to your needs.

You’ll enjoy high-speed connectivity via Sprint’s dependable 3G network (EV-DO Rev. 0.) as well as such optional services as Sprint Navigation for GPS turn-by-turn directions and Sprint TV’s video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound (see more details on optional services below).

Stay connected using the integrated social networking apps including Facebook, Twitter and Flickr, and capture memories with the 5.0-megapixel camera/camcorder. You can also get quick and easy access to specific voicemail messages via the Visual Voicemail feature, which enables you to go directly to a specific message, without needing to listen to or skip past previous messages. Other features include Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), microSD memory expansion (up to 32 GB), access to personal and corporate e-mail, and up to 5 hours of talk time.

HTC Sense and Smart User Features

The intuitive HTC Sense overlay allows the HTC Hero to be completely customized according to your desires and needs via the seven-panel wide home screen, which can be populated with customizable widgets that bring information to the surface.

The HTC Hero users can easily create and switch between Scenes to reflect different moments or roles in your life, such as work, social, travel and play. For example, a work Scene can be easily set up to include stock updates, work e-mail and calendar; a play Scene could have music, weather, and a Twitter feed; or a travel Scene could offer instant access to the local time, weather and maps.

You can silence the HTC Hero by simply turning it over. It also offers an advanced smart dialer for quickly accessing contacts with just a few letters or numbers and a dedicated search key that automatically searches for only information relevant to the current function. When pressed in the mail application, the search will be for text within the mailbox, while a press of the same key from the browser will initiate a Google search.

This device also offers the HTC Footprints application, which enables you to chronicle your on-the-go special moments by capturing a digital postcard on their phone. Once captured, Footprints provides the ability to take notes and an audio clip of that favorite restaurant or special place while identifying its specific location. In addition to identifying each postcard with its specific GPS coordinates, Footprints also auto-names each postcard with its general location or area.

Key Features

• Powered by the Android operating system with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market.
• Fast 3G connectivity thanks to Sprint’s EV–DO, Rev 0 network
• GPS using Sprint Navigation for turn by turn directions, and points of interest searches
• 3.2-inch touch-enabled screen (320 x 480 pixels, 262K color depth, LED backlighting)
• 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus lens
• Video capture capabilities
• Digital audio player allows you to transfer music files from a PC or download tunes from the Amazon MP3 Store.
• Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
• Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as hands-free headsets and car kits.
• Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
• Access to personal and corporate e-mail with Microsoft Direct Push Technology and HTML support. Send and receive email from multiple corporate and personal email accounts. Also, get wireless email access to popular commercial POP3 and IMAP accounts like AOL, Gmail, and Yahoo!
• Instant messaging via popular services including Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger.
• View documents including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF on the go to maximize your productivity
• Visual Voicemail gives you quick and easy access to just the messages you want to listen to by letting you go directly to a specific message, without needing to listen to or skip past previous messages.
• Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
• TTY compatible
• Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) with a rating of M3 for hearing aids operating in the acoustic mode. This handset has a HAC rating of T3 for hearing aids operating in the telecoil mode.
• 3.5mm stereo headset jack

Vital Statistics
The HTC Hero weighs 4.5 ounces and measures 4.5 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. 0 frequencies.

What’s in the Box
HTC Hero handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 2 GB microSD memory card, USB cable, quick start guide, user manual

Sprint Services

• Broadband-like 3G network: Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity provides average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps, with peak rates up to 2 Mbps.
• GPS capable with Sprint Navigation: This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.
• Sprint TV enabled: With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.
• Stay Sporty with Sprint: With NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, instantly connect to the NASCAR information you want, when you want it. Follow NASCAR action from practice to race day with real-time leaderboard and alerts. Get exclusive access to your favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with real-time driver stats, breaking news and more. Live in-car audio, race radio, NASCAR on SPEED and other audio/video only available on select phones. Visit sprint.com/speed for details.

  To access, just text “NASCAR” to 7777 on your Sprint phone or visit the Sprint Digital Lounge to download NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

  This phone also provides access to Sprint Football Live–free for any phone with a data plan. You’ll be able to follow all the live play-by-play action with the Live Game Center for both pro and college football games, as well as stay on top of the pro football draft with a Live Draft Tracker and in-depth analysis and bios on nearly 500 top prospects. Access by texting “FOOTBALL” to 7777 on the handset to download Sprint Football Live from Sprint Digital Lounge (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Dials in your pocket
I have this phone about a year. It will dial numbers on its own once you put it in your pocket(even in a case! Touch the screen the wrong way and major units pre loaded on the screen when you got it will disappear. I have an i-touch and so I can compare applications in both. The Android applications I have down loaded, for the most part, are second rate. If you have adult fingers like mine, you are constantly entering the wrong letters into the phone, because the symbol is too small. The touch pad dialing is flawed. If you press too hard instead of dialing the number an edit/information screen comes up and you have to close and start all over. All in All the phone is more trouble then the internet connection it allows is worh. It has turned me off on any HTC phone.

2 Stars Very Slow! Always Freezing!
I purchased the HTC Hero as my first android phone. I previously have owned both an iPhone and a Blackberry, so I am not new to smart phones.

Here are some things I liked about the Hero:

1. Track ball: I find the trackball makes surfing the internet and going through pictures easier.

2. The call quality: The people on the other end sounded good and they said they had no problems hearing me.

3. Camera: The camera is a 5mp camera and it takes great pictures. Camcorder function also works great.

4. Screen Lock: The screen is not unlocked my enter numbers like most phones, instead you create a pattern that you have to trace to unlock it, I feel it is hard to remember that then a number, making it more secure.

5. Quality of the phone: The phone seemed like a high quality phone, it was heavy but not to heavy.

Things I didn’t like about the Hero:

1. Incredibly slow! To open the clock on the home screen it took 10 seconds and to open the weather it took 15 seconds (these are not apps, I’m talking about the default HTC Sense Clock) It doesn’t happen all the time but enough to be incredibly annoying.

2. Always Freezing: My phone would always freeze when I tried to type messages, and I would have to enter the same number 5 times (I’m not exaggerating) when trying to place a call because would not register)

3. Android Market: I know it’s not fair to compare it to Apple but the market is nothing close to what iPhone has to offer. From what I have found (this may not be true, but from some research on the internet I found it) Android apps can pretty much be made by anyone. So they are a lot of not so great apps on the market. The number of apps related to Marijuana is ridiculous. A lot of the apps that had to be purchased were in Euros, which I found to be strange as well.

4.Email: I have always used yahoo mail. I knew that when I got the phone I had to have a google account to activate it which was no big deal. The problem is that you can not use yahoo mail with the email program that android has, unlike most phones. The email either has to be a gmail account or a pop account. There are 2 ways to solve this: pay yahoo $20/yr to allow pop access to your email or you can download the yahoo mail app (which is free) and have your mail there. It’s not a big hassle but still annoying.

Bottom line: To me a phone should be able to make calls and send text messages with out any problems. Since the Hero can not do that, I feel that what ever else it has to offer is worthless. I have found that you can root your phone to make it faster, but I don’t like messing with the programming of my phone. I never had to jailbreak my iPhone to get it to cooperate, so I should not have to root the Hero to make it work. It is a fairly simple smart phone, but it’s not right for me.

5 Stars Great phone at a great price!
I purchased my Hero when it first came out almost a year ago. At the time, I thought I wanted the newest Windows Mobile phone since that is what I was used to, or maybe the Palm Pre. When I saw the Hero at the Sprint store I knew this was the phone for me. I have been pleasantly surprised and very happy ever since. The phone is a nice compact size - a benefit in most cases as it slips easily into a pocket. The newer Evo has a much larger screen which makes things easier to see but with a drawback of bulk. I have owned many PDAs and smart phones in the past but this was the first one that I felt worked the way it should. If I had to choose again today I might pick the EVO 4G for the bigger screen, 4G and faster processor, but I don’t feel compelled to upgrade right away as I am still happy with the Hero. These two phones seem to be fine choices and at the lower price of the Hero now it is a real bargain. Spint service has been great and just seems to get better. I don’t have reception or service issues, the voice quality is excellent and Sprint customer service has been very good (not like the old days of waiting forever for an operator) - plus the price of my plan is so much cheaper than Verizon or ATT. My friends on ATT with their iphones get dropped calls all the time - knowing what they pay for servcie, I just chuckle. Just try making a call at the Javitz convention center with an iPhone - ha. I have not used any cases for my Hero and it has held up great.

2 Stars great phone, terrible lag.
i hate being the one to give negative reviews, but my experience with the hero has been a very, very laggy one. yes, being a geek, not only have i used all sorts of task managers and whatnot to keep the phone as clear as possible, i have even flashed some custom ROMS on it. the 528 mhz processor just doesn’t cut it. a big issue with the phone is that when trying to type landscape, the delay between hitting the key and the letter appearing is too long to merit use. the portrait keyboard is only slightly less laggy. nearly every aspect of this phone is framed by lag, holding back what is otherwise a beautiful, wonderful android experience. the HTC sense UI is stunning, and android is just wonderful. that being said, don’t waste your time and energy on this sub-par device, sprint ahead(see what i did there? lulz ^_^) and pick yourself up an evo or epic that can take advantage of sprint’s wonderful high speed (even on 3g) network, with those phones that can handle the wonderful android experience.

3 Stars Decent, but not perfect
This was my first android phone, and won’t be my last.. but the phone is lacking, I’ll say that much.

The good:

Android is a great phone OS, hands down. The platform has rich community support, and isn’t locked down like Apple’s iOS.

The android app store makes this phone MUCH MORE than just a phone.

Call quality is great, phone feels comfortable (haven’t found a “grip of death” on it, either).

I get great signal.

Battery life is fairly good. I can go about 2 days on a single charge, and I use my phone quite a bit.

HTC’s Sense UI is one of the best out there.

Multitasking works well.

The bad:

Sluggish response. It’s got some slower hardware compared to devices like the HTC Evo, which will be very annoying at times.

A pain to update to the latest android OS, which I recommend.

Preloaded apps are mostly crap. Thank goodness for the android store.

No flash on the camera. I don’t get what is with phone manufacturers not putting flashes with the camera anymore.

Camera software uses the click of the trackball to operate the shutter… while rolling the trackball handles the zoom. Needless to say, this gets frustrating when you’re trying to flip the phone around for a snapshot of yourself doing something obnoxious, like eating an iPhone.

No HTC Sync support for Linux, which drives me up the wall. Glad I still have an XP-loaded desktop, otherwise I would be very, very pissed.

The side stuff:

The screen is “meh”. Nothing spectacular, but not horrible. Touch response can be a little flaky since the phone is so sluggish. It gets a little hot sometimes when playing games/charging, too, so keep that in mind. Watch out when placing it in your pocket, though; I’ve had mine do all sorts of random stuff without my intent (no pocket dialing, thank goodness). When I put it in my pocket, I slide it in facing out, with the buttons/trackball up at the top, which has eliminated most of those problems.

There are better phones out there. The Evo is amazing (aside from the battery life), for one.

One thing to note with Sprint: They may have a slower data network, but it has been 100% reliable for me. I’d rather have reliability over speed (and the speed isn’t that bad - I’ve tethered it to my laptop via USB to utilize the data connection when I’m away from legit wifi sources).

If you’re looking for a smartphone to use with your day job (I’m a systems manager), be sure to check on your corporate policies regarding smartphones. Some only support Crackberries syncing with Exchange, so while the Hero will support it, your corporate IT staff may not.

Buy/More Info

HTC EVO 4G Android Phone Sprint

Posted by Smartphone Review on

HTC EVO 4G Android Phone Sprint

Exclusively from Sprint, the HTC EVO 4G mobile phone is the world’s first 3G/4G Android handset, offering simultaneous voice and data connectivity and download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. Additionally, the HTC EVO 4G can still connect to 3G data services in areas not currently served by Sprint’s 4G network (learn more about Sprint’s 4G network below).

The HTC EVO 4G’s 4.3-inch screen is perfect for watching video on the go (see larger image).

Packed full of powerful mobile communication and multimedia features, the HTC EVO 4G has a large, vibrant 4.3 inch display and a built-in kickstand for easy viewing of videos–from Sprint TV programming to HD movies captured on the 8-megapixel auto-focus camera. It’s powered by a screaming fast 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and Google’s Android 2.1 operating system. With integrated Google technology, the HTC EVO 4G brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by Voice, YouTube and Picasa. The HTC EVO 4G also provides easy access to both personal and corporate email, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail.

And through Android Market, you’ll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day. The HTC EVO 4G also includes HTC Sense, a user interface overlay from HTC that makes it easy for you to create an individualized mobile experience tailored specifically to your needs.

The forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera makes it easy to have video calls using the two-way voice and video service from Qik (upgraded account service required). And with built-in mobile hotspot functionality, the HTC EVO 4G also allows up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices–including laptop, camera, music player, video player and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device–to enjoy the benefits of 4G speeds on the go. Other features include music downloads from the Amazon MP3 Store, microSD memory expansion (8 GB card included; optional 32 GB cards supported), Adobe Flash support, HDMI audio/video output, and up to 6 hours of battery life (learn more about power management on the HTC EVO 4G).

The HTC EVO 4G offers lightning fast 4G speeds, Android 2.1 operating system, and a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor (see larger image).

The handy kickstand makes it easy to watch videos on-the-go.

Sprint’s Blazing Fast 4G Network

Sprint Services

• GPS capable with Sprint Navigation: This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.
• Sprint TV enabled: With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including the NFL Network, ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.
• Stay Sporty with Sprint: With NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, instantly connect to the NASCAR information you want, when you want it. Follow NASCAR action from practice to race day with real-time leaderboard and alerts. Get exclusive access to your favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with real-time driver stats, breaking news and more. Live in-car audio, race radio, NASCAR on SPEED and other audio/video only available on select phones. Visit sprint.com/speed for details.

  To access, just text “NASCAR” to 7777 on your Sprint phone or visit the Sprint Digital Lounge to download NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

  This phone also provides access to Sprint Football Live–free for any phone with a data plan. You’ll be able to follow all the live play-by-play action with the Live Game Center for both pro and college football games, as well as stay on top of the pro football draft with a Live Draft Tracker and in-depth analysis and bios on nearly 500 top prospects. Access by texting “FOOTBALL” to 7777 on the handset to download Sprint Football Live from Sprint Digital Lounge (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

Learn More

HTC EVO 4G Power Management

The HTC EVO 4G offers new capabilities for a smartphone that require more power, which can impact its battery life more than what you may have experienced using other smartphones.

• It has more radios to power (3G, 4G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS).
• It features a larger screen than most typical smartphones.
• It offers more capabilities than most typical smartphones, including:
  • Management of multiple email accounts and syncing
  • WiFi access point
  • WiFi Router capability
  • 4G data
  • GPS
  • Access to several 3rd party applications through the Market
  • Applications and Processes running in the background

With the HTC EVO 4G, you have the ability to manage your phone’s power consumption to optimize its battery life. These include:

Battery Usage Tools
Before you are ready to charge your phone you can view what has been using your battery during this charge cycle.

• Settings -> About Phone -> Battery -> Battery use

Multiple Radios

The multiple radios on this device will use battery life even when you are not using them.

• To improve battery life, turn off your Bluetooth, GPS, 4G, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Sprint Mobile Hotspot if you are not using them.

4G Connectivity

The 4G radio should only be turned ON when the improved network speed is required for an application, such as YouTube, Web Browsing, or Sprint Mobile Hotspot. When not in use, its important to use the built-in 4G widget (preloaded on Home tile left of center) to turn the 4G radio OFF.

If you have your 4G radio ON, but are no longer in 4G coverage then your device will be scanning in an attempt to re-acquire the 4G network. Your battery can be significantly drained by the scanning processes, so if you know you will be out of 4G coverage for an extended period of time or if you are not acquiring a 4G signal as indicated in the task bar, it would be important to turn your 4G radio OFF.

E-mail Applications Settings

The e-mail settings allow you to setup peak and off-peak hours for e-mail sync on each email account.

• Pop Account
  • Mail -> Menu -> More -> Settings -> Send & Receive -> Set Download Frequency
• Exchange Account
  • Mail -> Menu -> More -> Settings -> Send & Receive -> Schedule

Generally, less frequent syncing equates to better battery life.

Google Talk

As soon as you sign up for the Google Market or Gmail with your Gmail account information, you are also signed in to the Google Talk instant messaging application. The Talk application tracks the presence of your Google Talk contacts in order to let you know who is available to instant message. Each presence change uses a small amount of power even if you do not have the Talk application open.

If you have numerous contacts who are changing presence throughout the day all of these small impacts to your battery can add up to significantly shorten your battery life.

To see a complete list of power management tips for the HTC EVO 4G, click here to read this PDF overview.

Switching between 3G and 4G coverage

Browser app connection warning.

Mail app connection warning.

When switching between 3G and 4G coverage, the HTC EVO 4G may experience a very brief interruption of data service as the device switches network connections. During this brief interruption, applications attempting to access data may be unable to do so and may display an error message. Below are some examples of how to proceed if an error message appears on the device. Other data-usage applications may experience a very brief interruption and will continue functioning once the network handoff is complete.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Best Android Phone on the Market Today
So, my husband and I bought this phone on a whim mainly because they were sold out everywhere and we found a store that had it in stock. He got the black one and I have the white one, which is exclusive to Best Buy stores. I totally didn’t expect it to live up to the hype, but it does.

I’ll start the pro’s with:

1) The kick-stand. It’s such a tiny feature, but for me, it really helps it stand out above it’s Incredible competition. I don’t have to buy a special case or anything to allow it to prop up to easily watch videos.

2) Even though it is the most obvious, and the sales pitch for the Evo– 4G! It is definitely not available everywhere, but when you are on the 4G network, you’ll know it! It’s awesome. A lot of people say that it not being available everywhere is a con, I’m going to say that it being available at all is a pro.

3) Wi-Fi hotspot without having to root the phone. With many other Android models, Wi-Fi sharing is only available after phone has been rooted and rooting is not the for the faint at heart.

4) Honestly, it’s an AWESOME phone. It is definitely going to give the iPhone and all other Androids a run for their money. HTC did a remarkable job one-uping everyone.

However, there are downsides to having such an awesome phone:

1) The battery isn’t great, it will last all day, but you must charge it at night. I am on my phone pretty regularly throughout the day so I feel that for as much use as it gets, it’s not terrible. Pay the $20 for the car charger though, just in case. If you do not put it in standby, it will die very fast. You can also download apps, the one I have is called “Advanced Task Killer,” which helps your battery life by shutting off programs you are not currently using.

2) It’s big. Bigger than you might like. I was pretty alarmed at first, but now I’m used to it and a blackberry looks like a toy phone to me. The bigger screen is good for watching movies/TV and surfing the internet. My 2 year old daughter has no problem watching shows on it.

3) No physical keyboard. All typing must be done on a touch screen. You get used to it easily (or at least we did), and the auto-correct is outstanding at fixing typing errors.

4) Wi-Fi Sharing disconnects users if you receive a phone call for more than 10 seconds. That is a drag.

So, overall this phone receives 4 stars from us. I’d say 4 and a half but that’s not allowed. We didn’t review Android Operating System itself. I’d recommend this phone, because it really is more than Incredible…(pun intended)

3 Stars I used to like The Evo
originally, loved this phone. Used it for about 2 months. After the 2.2 upgrade was downloaded, phone did not detect charger. Waited 3 days for a replacement phone. First call made with replacement phone, the “End Call” started freezing and phone randomly calls contacts without even touching anything. Another replacement has been ordered. Dissapointed!

1 Star Amazon price good, Sprint sales bad
I’m “still” trying to buy this phone. To start at the beginning: I purchased a Droid X with the the basic data plan from Big Red only to find that, despite the coverage map advertised, the phone would not work in my house or within a range of several meters. I cancelled the plan and sent the phone back and the company was agreeable about the matter. After speaking to several Sprint customers who live near and around me, I found that they have good service around and (more important) in my house. This includes data.

So, great! I can get a Evo 4G for a little more per month after the premium service charge and the warranty. It’ll cost about the same up front and I still get Android 2.2 on a screen big enough for large fingers to type with. Whats not to love?

I’ll tell you. Unless you didn’t even look at the price of this phone as you typed in the credit report info, you will be spending more for this phone up front than $200.

If you purchase this phone here you will quite likely receive an email from Sprint saying that there was an error processing your order and you need to call them before they are forced to cancel it.

Upon calling the number they provide in that email you will speak to a meticulously polite representative of their sales department who will inform you that, due to their credit check, they need a deposit that will be returned to you in 13 months.

Now this is a little annoying to me as I’d already passed previous credit checks from their competition. Its more annoying because of a habit I formed early in my use of Amazon and other websites.

I never keep more than $50 over the agreed upon amount of a large purchase in my checking account before sending the order(s) and I keep it that way until the order is processed. This is due to a previous problem with another site where the “company” attempted to take out their amount with another 0 added to the end.

So when I called Sprint thinking I’d need to verify my billing address, I was surprised by the extra 13 month interest free $100 loan they wanted from me. Verizon didn’t need it for their flagship device. But, after some considerable stubbornness on the part of the representatives (and on me, I don’t appreciate when people start shaking me like a money tree) I was convinced that there was no option but to give them more money if I wanted this device on their network.

It should end there, right? We renegotiate an agreement, I transfer more funds to my checking account,they take it out start of business next morning and give Amazon the green light.

All is well!

Not quite. The funds were not removed from the account. Another call is placed. Why have the funds not been taken out? Why is the order still pending? Well, they need me to authorize the withdrawal. But I authorized it last night. Spoke to a supervisor, said he would see to it personally. Start of a brand new day; not going to work that way. Fine, whatever. I’m here now, authorize it. Take the hundred bucks; authorize Amazon to take my money; the amount we previously agreed upon.

“Yes sir,” they says. Then silence. Then “may I place you on hold?”. Then “may I have another hundred dollars please sir?”

You read that last part right. After some simple math we are now paying four hundred dollars for the phone (or at least I am). You see, there has been a “discrepancy” when the representative placed the order. Sprint will blame it on Amazon until they find out you have two phone lines in the house, call Amazon tech support and Amazon confirms–several times over a speaker phone so the Sprint supervisor can hear–that they are not placing any hidden charges, and you are only being charged (by Amazon) $199.99 for the phone to ship.

After about an hour you will hear (and make sure to have at least one hour of free time to hear this come out of the new Sprint Sales supervisor’s mouth) that there was an error when processing the credit check/loan/whatever you want to call it and that you have been, basically, charged twice.

You are left with 2 options: cancel the original plan, or pay Sprint another $100. No, the consumer didn’t do anything wrong. No, its not the fault of Amazon (not once their representatives can hear every word Sprint says anyway). Sprint finally says “We made a mistake”. And then they say, in the most politically acceptable way possible, Please give us more money or cancel the order and recreate it. Yes, this will put you down to the bottom of the ordering que. No, you will not be getting this phone on the previously agreed time. You will now get it some time in October…if you’re lucky.

So, I ask, if I cancel the order and start over then I don’t have to give you more money? “Thats right,” Sprint says. “Not going through another credit check?” No, already done. “Not going to ask me for another hundred dollars on this?”

No. Of course not.

Okay, I’ll remake it. I expect a credit for this; this is crazy stupid and a bunch of bull (and I’ll be completely honest, “bull” was nowhere near the level of four letter words I had dropped on this Sprint rep come round 3 with Amazon on the other line; I am certain I was the quaint essential “nightmare customer” by now).

I cancel the Amazon order. I create a new one. I will receive an email within a few days from Amazon (actually I received the processing confirmation from them within minutes).

Okay, I turn to the Sprint phone and let the Amazon rep go. We’re good now? Order is going to go through now, right? We’re done with each other and I’m sure you’re as happy to see the end of me as I am to see the end of you?

“Well sir,” I hear on the other line, as a very tired Sales Supervisor begins again, “We’re going to need the new order number first”.

Okay, I’ve got it. Move the hundred bucks you took out of my checking account a few hours ago onto this order.

We can’t do that, says the supervisor. We need our order number. And we can’t move the money from this old order to this new order. You’ll receive your original hundred dollars in 2-7 business days. You will not have to go through the same credit check…but…you will have to release another hundred dollars for the new order.

You read that last part right too.

5 Stars Awesome Phone…screw iPhone
I was using iPhone from 2007 till now. Got tired of Apple trying to spin iPhone 4 antenna issue.

That’s when I started looking for an iPhone alternative. I was initially thinking of Droid X.

Then I saw HTC Evo and I fell in love.

This is an awesome phone. Sprint offers great plans…save $$$s over ATT.

Bye Bye Apple.

20 years back…Microsoft beat Apple…seems like history is repeating itself….now Android is beating Apple.

Some things never change.

4 Stars I found peace with Evo. HD2 Horrible
I purchased the HD2 by HTC a windows mobile phone and it was a horrible experience. The phone locked so much that ended up purchasing the EVO less than six months later.

The main issue I had was locking and user friendliness with the HD2. Besides never being able to recover the two Blocker Buster Films that came with my HD because of an storage card mistake on my part. The HD’s beautiful screen was the only thing I liked. Oh and my Napster to Go subscription worked quite well. On the HD2 books I paid for with Barnes and Noble weren’t compatible because of a compatibility issue between the phone and Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble is advertised with the phone, but only the older titles like “Little Women” would load. My Audible books weren’t compatible w/ the HD2 nor was Napster. Slacker radio was okay but it stopped loading and failed all the times. Bottom line, I feel like a sucker for buying the HD2. I predict they will end production and stay away from the HD name. I’m wrapping up my little expensive brick a birthday present for my sister and hopefully she’ll like.

EVO Advantages:

EVO calls clearer

Email (Google Reliable w/Evo)

Text messaging works

Calendar-Attractive Color Interface to help me stay organized.

EVO a billion applications that are FREE!

EVO has seamless integration of apps over the air vs HD’s USB transfer or trying to figure out whether to save to the SD card or the device. I was really hesitant to even look at another HTC but my previous phone a G1 was great (screen size is important since I’m approaching 40).

No Freezing and taking the battery out five times per day.

Buy/More Info

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