HTC Goes Supersonic with Launch of Sprint Evo

HTC and Sprint announced the new EVO 4G Android based smartphone at CTIA earlier today. The EVO will work on Sprints new 4G wireless network offering speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. While the 6MBps speeds that 4G offers is yet to be proven, the EVO is clearly targeted to take the best advantage of this new network.

The HTC EVO is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with dual cameras – an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD capable video and a front facing 1.3 megapixel camera. Say goodbye to those MiFi’s because the EVO also comes with a built-in mobile hotspot allowing you to connect up to 8 wireless devices to share the 4G data connection.

A 4.3 inch screen combined with the latest version of Android (2.1) and HTC’s Sense user interface results in an amazing device experience. The 8 megapixel camera allows for HD video’s and using an optional HDMI cable, you’re able to playback that video directly from the EVO to an HDTV.

The HTC EVO will be available exclusively on Sprints network this summer. You can sign up on Sprints website to be notified when it’s available. Slashgear has a number of pictures posted showing the device from all angles including behind the battery door, with the kickstand extended, and compared to the Nexus One. They also have a hands-on video showing it in action – well worth checking out!

In the mean time, I need to find a way to get Sprint service up here in Canada because this phone looks truly amazing! What do you think? Would you switch networks to get this phone?

Full press release can be found after the jump.

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HTC Snap Announced at CTIA 2009

Today at CTIA in Las Vegas, HTC officially announced the HTC Snap smartphone. The Snap marks the first messenger style device from HTC since the Dash (also known as Excalibur). This new smartphone features new software by HTC called “Inner Circle” that aims to automatically prioritize email from the most important people in your life. At this time, we don’t have too much information on how this software works. We are watching for more information and will keep you posted as we find out more.

The HTC Snap features a 528Mhz processor, 256MB ROM / 192MB RAM, a 2.4 inch QVGA screen (320×240), a 2.0 megapixel camera, Jog ball, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and with a 1500 mAh battery that claims up to 8 hours of talk time or 15.8 days on standby. There will be a 3G version available for Europe and North America. The European version is expected to be available during the second quarter of 2009, with the North American version hitting the streets in the summer.

There’s still a lot of information that we don’t know at this time. I have spent some time looking at the attached pictures, and I noticed a couple of interesting things. 1) there’s a messenger key on the keyboard – I’m not sure if this means it will be pre-loaded with MSN Messenger, or if it’s meant to launch a different application. It seems to indicate that HTC is serious about making this a killer messenger device.

2) The power button has been moved to the End key. Typically HTC likes to have their own power button and they use the End key for locking the keypad. Locking has been moved to the Q key. If you look closely around the sides of the device, you may notice that there doesn’t appear to be anything except volume buttons and power jacks. It’s a very clean design.

3) The camera button is a Function key away. So to launch the camera, you need to press the function key, then the messenger button. I’m guessing that HTC has determined that people using this device are not heavy into using the camera. That’s not what I expected, but it’s not a really big deal to me either way.

My initial thoughts on this device is – WOW. HTC has done a really nice job on this device. They’ve spent some time making sure that they built a rock solid, feature rich messenger focused device. I can’t wait until I can get my hands on this device and put it through some paces.

The full press release along with some more pictures can be found after the break.

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