On June 4, 2010, Sprint began selling the HTC Evo 4G, the first WiMAX phone in the United States, which runs the Google Android operating system and has a great platform for streaming media and web browsing on the Sprint 4G network. The HTC Evo 4G smartphone has become a best seller for Sprint. It sold three times more on its launch day than previous hits from Sprint, Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre during their first three days combined. The HTC Evo 4G is so hot that it has caused a “temporary shortage” at some Sprint stores in the United States, according to the wireless carrier.
Sprint will launch its second WiMAX smartphone, the Samsung Epic 4G, on August 31, 2010. It is expected to be another Sprint bestseller due to its 4G capabilities combined with the industry-leading Epic features described in this article. Most 3G subscribers today can expect download speeds of up to 1 megabit per second. Currently, 4G networks offer a speed of 6 to 7 megabits per second and, over time, will be about 10 times faster than 3G networks. It should be noted that Verizon Wireless expects to launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) in 2010 followed by AT&T in 2011, while T-Mobile has no current plans to build its next generation network.
Samsung Epic 4G Features Review
Samsung is the second largest manufacturer of all types of cell phones. Samsung Epic 4G is part of the company’s plan to improve its position in the smartphone market by using a larger screen, faster processor, updated software, better camera, addition of a second camera, 5-row keyboard and quality of content for a superior user experience that offers a fully integrated multimedia, messaging and social networks. The Epic falls under the Samsung Galaxy S series of phones. However, it is different from other Galaxy S phones as it features a physical full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and 4G technology.
display
It features a 4-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touch screen with 800×480 resolution, the thinnest screen technology on the market today. The touchscreen supports a number of advanced touchscreen gestures, including pinch-to-zoom and swipe vertically and horizontally. It also features wider viewing angles to prevent blurring or distortion, and a faster response time to reduce ghosting. It has six-axis motion sensors to hone its ability to interpret simple movements and deliver an optimal gaming experience. Additionally, it enables an HD-quality viewing experience, offering the best color representation on a mobile phone that matches original content over 100 times the contrast quality of other leading displays.
Physical/virtual keyboards
It has a 5-row QWETRY slide-out keyboard. If you don’t want to use the physical keyboard, the Epic comes with six possible virtual keyboards. There’s the Swype text input method, which lets you drag your finger across the screen without lifting it, as well as portrait and landscape mode keyboards from Samsung and Google.
dual cameras
It has a 5-megapixel autofocus camera/camcorder with Power LED flash and 3x digital zoom for HD (720p) video recording for capture and playback on an HDTV, and front-facing VGA camera for video chat and more.
Processor
It’s powered by a 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird application processor that supports incredible 3D graphics, faster load and download times, and the sheer richness of HD-quality multimedia content. It works with the Sprint 4G WiMAX network and with the 3G CDMA network.
Google Android Software
Samsung Epic will initially run Google Android 2.1 operating system with an update to Android 2.2 coming soon, which will improve browser performance, including support for Adobe Flash 10x, voice dialing via Bluetooth and app storage on external memory . Users can access the Android Market for more than 65,000 useful applications, widgets and games available for download to personalize the experience.
mobile hotspot
It is capable of supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously to share the 3G or 4G experience for an additional charge of $29.99 per month.
Samsung SocialHub
This hub integrates all of the user’s social networking services, messaging, personal and business email, calendars, and contacts.
Samsung AllShare Service
This service wirelessly shares stored music, pictures, and HD video with other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified home electronic devices, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras, printers, and more.
Samsung Epic 4G prices
Sprint stores will open at 8 am on August 31 to sell the Samsung Epic 4G for $249.99 with a qualifying new line or upgrade, two-year service contract, after a $150 instant rebate and $100 mail-in rebate. RadioShack, Best Buy and Wal-Mart will also sell it for $249.99 but after a $250 instant rebate. You can also reserve it for purchase from the Sprint website at http://now.sprint.com/epic4g. Samsung Epic 4G service agreement requires plans with unlimited data, text and phone calls starting at $69.99 per month. Customers will also have to pay an additional $10 per month to take advantage of the richer data experience of 4D technology.