Many geeks grabbed the official test Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) ROM for the HTC EVO 4G yesterday from over at XDA and we want to know what you think so far. Was it everything you wanted, what you wanted and more or not exactly what you expected?

What would you say has improved or needs more work? What we’ve heard so far from users so far are comments stating the phone runs significantly faster, smoother and the screen response time is better than iPhone devices in some peoples opinions.

Wanting to give it a shot and haven’t yet? When you get ready to give it a try you can download it from their MultiUpload mirror, and if you have any questions or need help, the source has all the answers. Be sure to let us know what you think! Leave your comments in the box below.

Source: XDA

John Taylor who is a spokesperson for Sprint/Nextel on public policy has clarified through his blog that the $10 monthly charge that is on EVO plans is not because of the 4G; it’s because it’s the most awesome phone ever!

“This is specific to the device. It’s not related to whether you are using 3G or 4G. It is required if you have the phone.” – John Taylor

Various people have been abuzz about this $10 charge and many were upset about having to pay it even though they don’t have 4G coverage where they are.  So now that we know it’s simply a premium added because of the phone, we can all move on, or at least complain for the right reasons.  John Taylor detailed, “Because the phone has a faster processor, a huge 4.3 inch screen and an 8 megapixel camcorder/camera, we expect you will be using a lot more data than you would with our other devices.” So the charge is because this phone has amazing specs!

I suppose it’s fair;  even with the $10 charge, Sprint is still the same or better priced than competitors.  For an unlimited nationwide plan with unlimited text and data is $119.98/month for a Droid Incredible on Verizon, where the HTC EVO on a similar plan will still only be $79.99/month after the ten dollar monthly charge.  It’s definitely not a hard pill to swallow when you look at what Verizon is stuffing down their users’ throats.

The PPC Geeks user base is frothing over this long awaited phone and rightly so.  This will be the first time in a long time that Sprint has the premier smartphone.  I think we may grumble a bit… but not after playing with our new EVO-cool smartphone.  Nobody said being awesome didn’t come with a price.  What do you think about the ten dollar charge?  Is it enough to dissuade you from buying the EVO?

Source:  John Taylor’s Blog

Cupcake. Donut. Eclair. Froyo- wait what? Yes Froyo, short for Frozen Yogurt, is the codename of the  next update for Android OS, which will be based on Linux Kernel 2.6.32. This tasty update was mentioned in the Developers Guide Sprint released for the HTC EVO a few quaint days ago. The interesting tidbit in the Guide is this following quote-

The Android Éclair release does not include the support for 4G radios like WiMax.  Sprint is actively working with the Android team to support WiMax in the Android platform level.  The below APIs will be used for Sprint 4G device until the official Android release includes 4G support.

From the looks of things, Sprint will be the first carrier to be using the Froyo update unless the EVO is initially released without 4G support. With this tasty update, the EVO just gets better and better. Now the wait is on for a release date and pricing plans.

Source- Pocketnow.com

Image Credit- leakdroid.net

Remember this post we had last week about the HTC Supersonic being announced at CTIA? Well, it has arrived and wow! This device is quite a sight to see! Officially named the HTC Evo 4G, this super smartphone runs Android 2.1 on a 480 x 800 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen that is as crisp as the lettuce at the local market. The magic behind the display is a Snapdragon QSD8650 1GHz processor, paired with 1GB of built-in memory and 512MB of RAM – specs that exceed most devices currently on the market.

If you are an avid photographer, then the Evo’s camera may have you leaving your cheap digital camera behind as a paper weight. The Evo boasts a 8 Megapixel auto-focus camera with dual-LED flash on the rear of the device. The most enticing quality of the camera is, however, that it can also record HD (720p) video and play it back through the HDMI-output (adapter sold seperately). The device also features a 1.3 MP front-facing camera – a first for any U.S. CDMA phone. The standard 802.11b/g WiFi connectivity is present as is an 8GB microSD card. Even the battery is maxed out, with a capacity that exceeds that of the HD2.

One of the best features in terms of competition is something that catapults the HTC Evo above the Apple iPhone, the Motorola Droid, and even the HTC HD2 – 4G network connectivity via it’s Wi-Max chip. With the speeds that Wi-Max will allow, this smart phone will be able to upload and download all types of goodies faster than you can open them. No more waiting for those epic Facebook pictures to upload or waiting half-a-day for Avatar to finish downloading.

As we all know, sharing is caring, and when you have access to 4G speeds, then sharing that capability makes you on par with a Care Bear. Luckily for your friends, the Evo has built-in mobile hotspot functionality that allows for eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 4G experience.

Additionally, since this device is dual CDMA/Wi-Max (with calls going over the CDMA network and data being handled via EVDO/Wi-Max), the ability to make voice calls and have a live data stream running concurrently is possible. As of right now Sprint says this feature is still in the testing phase. If the testing is successful, then Sprint will be the only CDMA carrier to have this feature available in the U.S. Market and it will also kill those AT&T ad’s that laugh at Verizon and Sprint’s incapability to run dual data and voice streams.

Sprint has committed to no specific release date, but has said the Evo will be ready by this summer. Device and plan pricing also have not been given, but expect an additional charge for Wi-Max access. You can pre-register for the device here.

Overall, this is the flagship device that Sprint has so desperately needed. Not only does it boast top-level specifications, it helps promote the carrier’s fledgling 4G network in a way that nothing previously has been able to do. The Evo finally gives the average consumer a reason to sign up for Wi-Max. Before now, the only way to access their 4G network was with  a Wi-Max capable mobile router or a dongle to plug into a laptop. But now that there is an actual phone capable of accessing Wi-Max, the hassle of setting up another electronic device is gone. Just turn the phone on and it is super fast internet access, no extra work required.

Do you live in an area with a Wi-Max network, or are you on the list to get a Wi-Max network sometime this year? If so, will you be getting this device when it becomes avaiable?

Sprint Press Release