HTC Evo 4G Is Sprints First WiMax-Ready Smartphone

By Nicholas Kolakowski

During the presentation, Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse called the HTC Evo 4G the country’s first 4G smartphone. Its operating system is Google Android 2.1.

The HTC Evo 4G includes two cameras: an 8-megapixel module with auto-focus and an HD-capable camcorder, and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera.

A kickstand allows the device to be set upright.

The kickstand in action. During its presentation, Sprint executives highlighted the smartphone’s supposed facility with video, thanks to a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 4.3-inch screen.

The HTC Evo 4G has a slim form factor similar to that of the HTC Droid Eris and Nexus One.

The buttons along the bottom front of the device.

Sprint has been gambling that potential customers will be drawn to a 4G network and its ability to handle more intensive multimedia.

HTC, Sprint and Google have apparently been working on the device since May 2008, according to HTC CEO Peter Chou.

The HTC Evo 4G also emphasizes social networking, by aggregating various social networking feeds such as Twitter and Facebook into a single “flow.”

Google Android applications include a weather widget.

HTC CEO Peter Chou referred to the goal of the smartphone as a “holistic video and multimedia experience.”

Once synced into a Google account, HTC Evo 4G users will have access to Android Market, for downloading additional apps.

Of course, not only can the HTC Evo 4G display multimedia, but it can actually place a phone call, as well.