Sprint's $199 HTC EVO 4G Gets Release Date of June 4 182
Chameleon Man writes "The first 4G phone ever to be released, the HTC EVO 4G, announced back in March, has finally been given a release date of June 4. Along with the release date, Sprint has provided information on phone plans and pricing. From Engadget: 'Unfortunately, there's a downside to all this: customers will be paying a mandatory (as confirmed to us by Sprint reps) $10 per month "Premium Data add-on" on top of their plan — ostensibly for the privilege of enjoying WiMAX when they're in a Sprint 4G market — and the 8-device Wi-Fi hotspot feature runs an extra $29.99 a month, which Sprint is quick to point out is half what you'd pay for a dedicated mobile broadband account.' In 4G areas, it might be a formidable option for anyone who hates their ISP *ehem* Comcast *ehem.*"
No... (Score:5, Insightful)
In 4G areas, it might be a formidable option for anyone who hates their ISP *ehem* Comcast *ehem.*"
While paying for 4G might allow you to get rid of Comcast for "ordinary" browsing, mobile phone providers are going to be a lot more strict about caps and such than Comcast most likely because bandwidth is more limited.
WiFi hotspot for 30 dollars a month (Score:4, Insightful)
30 dollars just to turn on a feature of the mobile phone? Who are they kidding? Will anybody pay that price? And how long until somebody hacks the device to turn it on? Or maybe they are just relying on some businesses and rich people that don't care about 30 dollars a month?
Personally I think it's a ridiculous amount - and I do think they simply disable it because they are afraid of large downloads. Ultimately, I do think that is ungrounded, it will be some time before wireless beats wired internet for continuous downloads.
That said, at least there is the option. I am happily using my android phone as 3G modem while on the road. I've got only 128kbit, but for browsing while I'm in a train, it's just perfect. But there's no way I'm going to pay 30 dollars for that kind of infrequent use.
(in June there will be Android 2.1 for the Hero, I'm looking forward to using bluetooth instead of the USB cable, although that will drain the phones battery instead of charging it)
Re:Not quite.. (Score:5, Insightful)
A) $100 Mail-In Rebate (so $299). And remember how much fun trying to claim a Mail-In Rebate is (and the lengths that they'll go to deny such claims?)
B) You have to be able to switch phones.. for those of you who still have an agreement length date.. if you really want it.. throw in an early termination fee.. ($449)
C) Plus you're locked in for two years.
So, in other words, all the normal things that happen when you get a new phone/upgrade an existing phone.
You may be able to avoid the MIR if you get the phone at Best Buy, though I can't recommend 'experiencing' Best Buy just to avoid an MIR. *shudder*
Re:Buzzkill (Score:4, Insightful)
Let me fix this for you...
"Why is it every time I'm really excited about a telecom device, companies IN THE UNITED STATES find a way to make me completely lose interest? Why is it that telecom companies IN THE UNITED STATES in particular try so hard to make sure you can't get excited about anything they do HERE?"
My friends in the UK and other countries have told me they don't pull any of this shit over there. Buying the handset and the service are completely separate, and once you have them you can use any feature you wish on the handset. The only restriction is staying under a monthly data limit (which tends to be higher than what they offer here).
We here in the US get a raw deal when it comes to communications. Regional monopolies and poor choice in providers make that a fact.
Re:No... (Score:4, Insightful)
Seriously though. If you have to extra on top of the data plan to get a "Truly Unlimited" data plan. Sprint would find it very difficult in court to justify any cap.
It should be difficult in court to justify unlimited not really meaning unlimited, but alas, they have shaken our faith.
This is well earned distrust.
Re:Buzzkill (Score:5, Insightful)
Your friends would be liars, as we've noticed with all the iPhone buzz more of the time it turns out that you get the same contract style offers there OR the option to buy the phone outright for a lot more money.
Ok, so they aren't really lying, but you certainly aren't presenting the full story.
Go ask them how many buy $600 smart phones without a contract rather than $100 phones with a contract.
Re:No... (Score:3, Insightful)
Easy. Start downloading high-quality 1080p movie encodes (12-15 GB avg) and high-quality 720p encodes of TV series from Blu-Ray (50-75 GB a season). Adds up quickly.
But, the last month was just a freeleech on one of my private trackers. It was upload - not download.
On most private trackers, you have to multiply everything you upload by 2 just to hit a 1.0 ratio, and I tend to seed to significantly higher than that. 250 GB is easy to hit. Hell, 2.5 TB isn't that difficult. :P