This week, Sprint is hosting its ninth annual developer conference in Santa Clara, CA and the theme is definitely smartphones. Android, Palm webOS and Windows Mobile are all featured heavily as Sprint attempts to catch up to T-Mobile and ATT in the smartphone market.
I really only care about the Android. I was anxious to see Sprint’s version of Android and try it out on their network. Would they muck up the interface with a lot of Sprint-only apps designed to make money for them and stand in the way of my using the features in my phone? Charging me to change ring tones, share pictures, and use the navigation software is simply not going to fly anymore.
Sprint was giving out a new HTC Hero plus a month of service to the first 400 developers who proved they could build a “Hello World” application before 6:30 PM. I got a late start at 3:00 PM (this isn’t my real job, you know) and barely made it, delivering my app at 6:10 PM. Most of that time I was waiting for 750 MB of developer tools to download over the crowded WiFi and EVDO infrastructure. The actual app writing took only 20 minutes. But, all’s well that ends well; after too many lattes I got my phone (and a bad case of the jitters).
The Hero is a really nice phone; lightweight, attractive, with a stunning OLED screen that automatically adjusts to room brightness. Its performance is very snappy, especially in the browser. The software is pretty standard Android stuff, with a few little twists. For example, your contacts are now integrated with their Facebook profiles (more useful and less annoying than I thought it would be), there is an included PDF reader, and Microsoft Outlook and Exchange is supported via HTC’s Sync application.
I was glad to see that Sprint had largely left the Android operating system intact. A layer of big phone carrier goo would have been a deal killer for me.
Unfortunately, the phones are running Android version 1.5 while the rest of the world is on 1.6. This means that a lot of newer applications (including the new version of the Android Market) won’t run. With everyone else talking about releasing 2.0 next month, Sprint is saying “2010” for version 1.6. That’s bad.
Worse is the fact that Sprint’s network doesn’t support OTA (over the air) upgrades for the Android. This means that, while other carrier’s customers get their phones upgraded automatically, Sprint users will have to visit the Sprint store or go through some complicated software installation procedure using their PC and a USB cable, a gymnastics exercise which is beyond most users.
So, bottom line, is it time to move back to Sprint? They have snappy data speeds and really broad coverage in most of the country, plus a lot fewer dropped calls than T-Mobile, and I’ve been really happy with their customer support. A lot of people should be really happy with Sprint’s new Android offerings.
But I can’t do business with them if they don’t have the products I want, and what I want is the current version of the Android operating system and all the latest software. After all, what would my friends say?
I agree with you about the software except.. I as a consumer would not care about the lack of 1.6 or 2.0 just yet. I do not have a android phone at the moment, as I am waiting for the verizon android release. After using phones with android 1.5 and 1.6 overall its the android experience that made me want a android phone. As of right now for me at least a android is a android in my opinion..only because I don’t have one now
This is the only thing keeping me from getting a HERO. Only Sprint and Verizon have coverage everywhere I go. I am looking forward to the DROID and the ERIS, but if Verizon does not come down in the price of their data plans, I cannot afford either of those.
I think average consumer will start to care after the announcement of the new Google maps today. Having Google maps give you turn -by-turn directions, in addition to all of the other new features, is a game changer. It’s only available on 2.0. Hearing now that Sprint is struggling just to get 1.6 out does not sound good for Sprint.
Caught with their pants down, Sprint really does seem to be scrambling to catch up. Although they are not committing when, they are are publicly saying that they will be moving to Android 2.0 “soon” and updating existing Hero devices. The rumors are that it won’t happen before the end of the year.
After a lot of soul-searching, I’ve decided to move back. Their data performance is better than T-Mobile’s and for me, the data is more important than the device.
Related story here: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sprint-to-Deliver-Android-2-0-and-WM-6-5-Updates-Shortly-125687.shtml
It was stated a few times at the conference that they would skip version 1.6 and go directly to 2.0 in the “near future.” Who knows how long that will take, but at least they recognize the issue.
Switch to Verizon, they’ve got the Droid on 2.0 plus awesome data coverage. With the Nexus One coming to Verizon in the spring sometime it should be a blazing device on a great network…however it does cost you, and I hope all cell companies move to a more reasonable data plan for consumers, most are $20-$35 PER device…yeah sucks I know 🙁
This is the only thing keeping me from getting a HERO. Only Sprint and Verizon have coverage everywhere I go. I am looking forward to the DROID and the ERIS, but if Verizon does not come down in the price of their data plans, I cannot afford either of those.
I think average consumer will start to care after the announcement of the new Google maps today. Having Google maps give you turn -by-turn directions, in addition to all of the other new features, is a game changer. It’s only available on 2.0. Hearing now that Sprint is struggling just to get 1.6 out does not sound good for Sprint.
Just obtained a Mythic for myself and is going to be having 1 for my wife quickly! It has just the proper mix of capabilities. just brief of a full smartphone. I’m retaining an eye within the Captivate for any possible long term cellphone..
.price ranges are way too higher when released. I’ve been in substantial tech for 20+ years and fundamentally hack every thing I own to produce it superior laptops, GPS, vehicle navigation methods, and so on. and yes cell phones as well. In the couple of days I’ve owned the cellphone I have by now set up Opera Mini, Bolt 2.1, freecaddie, Google Maps w/GPS functionality, deleted all locked ineffective apps right after backing them up and fully modified the menu system to my exact requirements with no all ineffective apps.