This news comes with words from chief financial officer Chia-Lin Chang who noted that “a bigger softness is from Europe than the U.S.”, this allowing investors to understand that it’s their international launch, not their launch in the states, where the HTC One line has not met demands. Opinions abound that the Apple ban on the HTC EVO 4G LTE and HTC One X earlier this year had a bit to do with slow sales, though now it appears HTC is keeping up.

HTC’s second-quarter revenue target is now T$91 billion ($3.03 billion) down from T$105 billion, this compared to last quarter’s actual revenue at T$67.79 showing the actual growth of HTC after last year’s lest-than-awesome sales on the whole. Chang continued, saying “sales in China are better than we thought; we expect China will contribute a representative percentage to the revenue this quarter. Given all the things happening in the second quarter here, we certainly hope we can get the right guidance and have a more smooth transition going forward.”

Keep up with HTC’s big Android push in the timeline below and stay tuned as the HTC One series continues to blow up!

[via Rueters]

This May 24th shipping date for the HTC EVO 4G LTE only appears to apply to customers who pre-ordered directly through the carrier at the moment, with businesses like Best Buy not having spoken up on the situation as of yet. Last we heard from Best Buy, the EVO was still delayed indefinitely. Now we must wait just three more days until the red kickstand-having beast arrives on smartphone loving fans’ doorsteps across the nation.

Earlier today we had a look at the HTC EVO 4G LTE as it compared to the HTC One X, both smartphones being top-tier Android monsters for their respective carriers. Have a look back at our [HTC EVO 4G LTE full review] as well, and head to the timeline below to follow the EVO back to its origin earlier this year. And don’t forget to join us on our ImageChip Tour of New Orleans with the HTC EVO 4G LTE as well – fun stuff!

Wrong – at the moment the AT&T 4G LTE network is spreading at a relatively high rate while the HTC EVO 4G LTE has just Baltimore and Kansas City to call its own for 4G – and that’s it. AT&T’s LTE, not to mention the rest of its data network on 3G and below, have worked a whole lot more reliably than any connection on the EVO 4G LTE – have a peek at our reviews of both devices we’re looking at at this point to get an idea of what the carriers have provided us as far as data coverage across the nation:

• HTC EVO 4G LTE Review
• HTC One X (AT&T) Review

Then make sure to keep up with the HTC One S as well, if you’re up for it. This smartphone contains a whole lot of the same awesome specifications that these other two titans do, but it’s a bit smaller for those of you with human sized hands. Consider the fit!

• HTC One S (T-Mobile) Review

Then back to the main competition – the HTC EVO 4G LTE has a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution display, that being the same as the HTC One X, both of them with a fabulous 312 PPI in the end. The difference between these two in their displays though is the Super LCD technology in the EVO with just LCD tech in the X. Have a peek at the difference in the straight-on photos above and below (they’re all taken with full brightness on all screens.)

The EVO has the ability to carry microSD cards in its one slot with 32GB capacity, while the X has no storage and 32GB built-in. The EVO then has 16GB built-in which allows it to have up to 48GB of storage in all. The HTC One X weighs a bit less than the EVO (though both sit right around the X’s 130g, light!) To keep up with its slightly brighter display (we must assume,) the EVO has a bigger battery, with 2,000mAh instead of the X’s 1,800mAh.

Hands-on with the HTC EVO 4G LTE:

Hands-on with the HTC One X with AT&T:

Both devices run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, both run HTC’s own Sense 4.0, and both are extremely well put together. The EVO has a dedicated camera button where the X does not, the X comes in white while the EVO just comes in red/black, and both devices will end up costing you a bit over $150 if you can grab the right weekend deal. In this battle now more than ever you’re going to have to consider the data speed. If we had to choose solely based on data, we’d choose the HTC One X without question.

On the other hand, if we had to choose based solely on the amount of kickstand either device had, we’d have to go with the EVO – last kickstand in the west!

Best Buy pre-order users have reported to us today that they’re all receiving the same message, it saying essentially that Best Buy itself had received a note from the carrier of this device that they’d have their hands on it sooner than later, but that now they’d taken such a note back. In other words, Best Buy is caught with its pants down while the HTC EVO 4G LTE is sitting near the shore as US courts hash out whether or not HTC infringed on Apple’s IP with several elements in the software of these smartphones – not the best situation in the world for the smartphone makers at HTC.

Meanwhile though, we can report that case makers remain relatively confident in their push for the HTC EVO 4G LTE, the image you see above showing off the latest pre-production case we’ve gotten our hands on just this week. So fret not, ladies and gentlemen, this phone will see the light of day sometime – maybe not any time soon, but someday! Meanwhile have a peek at our HTC EVO 4G LTE full review while you wait as well – it’s pretty nice hardware, that’s for sure!

Have a peek at our two giant hands-on experiences with this device before you go running open-armed to Best Buy, folks – though they’ll probably encourage you to turn around and run twice as fast anyway. First peek at our HTC EVO 4G LTE New Orleans ImageChip Tour, this made possible by the fine folks at HTC and their CTIA 2012 tour bus bringing us along the coast to some graveyards, the red light district, and more.

Then check our our full review of the HTC EVO 4G LTE in all its glory. This smartphone is the only one outside the HTC One series to feature the HTC ImageSense chip for advanced photography action and is so thin you’ll not find a more fantastic feeling phone on the carrier it rolls with – guaranteed. This device also has a kickstand, for those of you missing it since HTC stoppered up that process back at the ThunderBolt, and also works with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 4.0.

This smartphone also works with Qualcomm’s fabulous Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor which you’ve just got to get to know better if you’ve not done so already. It’s a swift beast from mobile heaven! Also – thanks for the tips to everyone who sent this in!

The ITC found that HTC’s messaging app was infringing on Apple’s patent, along with the stock Android browser and messaging app. The patent in question deals with the action performed when a user clicks on a phone number or email address – currently, an option menu pops up asking the user what they want to do, which HTC has been found to be infringing on. The One X and EVO 4G LTE remove this action, instead launching straight into the dialler or email client.

Devices sold in the United States also feature a new menu in the Settings which show app associations, allowing the user to manually change what app opens when you select a number or email address. The international HTC One X, meanwhile, doesn’t have such a menu: the menu actions appear as soon as you select an address or number.

Right now it’s not clear if the different software will let HTC get the One X and EVO 4G LTE through the customs block. It does potentially spell trouble for Android manufacturers, who may have to ship different versions of their software across the world in order to avoid patent troubles.

Most frustrating for HTC is the fact that the company believes it has already implemented a workaround to the patented technology, which details how information from one point in the phone – such as a phone number – can be linked to another aspect of the handset. However, the ITC must review the devices to ensure those changes are in compliance with the “limited exclusion order” granted to Apple back in December 2011.

“The US availability of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of shipments that is required after an ITC exclusion order” HTC told SlashGear in a statement yesterday. “We believe we are in compliance with the ruling and HTC is working closely with Customs to secure approval. The HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE have been received enthusiastically by customers and we appreciate their patience as we work to get these products into their hands as soon as possible.”

Sales of the One X had already begun on AT&T, though now HTC is warning that supplies could be constrained. The release of the HTC EVO 4G LTE, previously expected to take place this coming Friday, will now be delayed the company has confirmed.

No estimate for how long that delay may last, or just when One X supplies might come through, has been given, with HTC pleading ignorance and saying it depends on how fast Customs works. Apple is yet to comment on the ITC decision.

Hardware

The device you’re looking at right now is essentially as thin as the HTC One S with as large a display as the HTC One X, and is extremely flat compared to the whole HTC One series thus far. This device feels much nicer and more powerfully built than any HTC EVO in the past and indeed does take on a lot of what HTC has promised for the whole HTC One series. The back panels include one with micro-arc oxidation like the HTC One S has and one that’s hard plastic, these separated by a hardcore kickstand that’s as strong as any we’ve seen on ANY device before – and no HTC One device has one (yet!)

HTC One X vs HTC EVO 4G LTE vs HTC One V: the real choice!

This device has an 8 megapixel camera on the back with 1080p capabilities (which you’ll see later in this post) and runs the fabulous Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor for ultimate next-level processing power. You’ll find that this device works as well as the HTC One X and HTC One S in essentially every way, just now here on this third network where the first two sit on AT&T and T-Mobile instead. There is currently no equivalent on Verizon, believe it or not, with the DROID Incredible 4G being extremely similar but not carrying the HTC ImageSense chip for photo power – it’s just not the same, man!

This is easily the nicest Android device on its carrier and certainly trumps everything that’s come before it in the same brand lineup. Check out a couple of benchmarks here to see part of the reason why:

Software

This device runs Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich with Sense 4.0 on top. This experience is essentially exactly the same as we’ve seen in the whole rest of the HTC One series save for a few additions by the carrier for apps. You’ve got NFC and Google Wallet apps right out of the box, a fabulous iteration of ICS with HTC’s own look at customization for your home screens, and the whole device runs everything as quick as you could hope for. Believe it when we say this device is amongst the most impressive Android devices on the block.

Have a peek at the device’s software as well as some of its hardware features here in this hands-on video and note how similar it is to the rest of the HTC One series in the following timeline’s worth of reviews we’ve got up from the past few weeks.

Camera and Battery

The battery life here is pretty excellent, just like the HTC One X on AT&T and the HTC One S on T-Mobile, you’ve got the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 backing your whole system up with its ability to stay strong without draining the life out of your day via the battery. Count on this device to last you what it’s lasted us, that being 10+ hours a pop with heavy use, no problem. If you’re the type of person who only uses a device lightly during the day, don’t worry about charging it up except at night when you head to bed – always a good practice anyway.

Snapdragon party!

The camera is first class, easily equalling what we’ve seen on the best smartphones on the market and exceeding the vast majority of smartphone and tablet cameras we’ve seen in the past as well. With a combination of powers from the HTC ImageSense chip and the Snapdragon S4 processor’s dedicated architecture for image processing, you’ve got both amazing video and photos coming your way all day long – and all night, too, with night-shot photos as well. Have a peek at our HTC EVO 4G LTE New Orleans ImageChip Tour post to see a massive amount of media from this device and have a peek at a few examples here below as well.

Data Connection

Though this device is being branded as 4G LTE, we cannot say much for the speeds we’ve seen thus far. We were handed this device earlier this week in New Orleans where there is no 4G LTE on the network this smartphone is connected to, and the connections we’ve seen on 3G weren’t all that impressive either. The connections you get aren’t really any worse than we’ve seen on other devices connected to WiMax, but they certainly aren’t any better either.

Count on the hardware, but beware the data.

Wrap-up

As mentioned above, this device easily beats the rest of the Android devices on its chosen carrier and certainly trumps what HTC has done in the past with every other EVO. This smartphone is both thin and light, has the same HTC One features for on-the-surface images with the display being essentially impossible to tell apart from the glass that covers it, and the whole smartphone feels nice to hold in general. This is the Android smartphone to have if you don’t have the option at the moment to pick up any other HTC One device – pick it up soon!

This device is the first HTC smartphone on the market outside the HTC One series to feature the HTC ImageSense chip. If you’ll remember back to launch of the HTC One S and HTC One X, this chip is its own separate chipset outside the main processor in the device, here dedicated to the camera exclusively. The Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor is the chipset that powers the majority of this smartphone’s functions, but it also has architecture dedicated to the processing of photos as well.

With the HTC ImageSense chip in combination with the Snapdragon S4, you’ve got a powerhouse for photography as well as video that’s as strong as any other smartphone on the market. Aside from that, you’ve got a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 pixel resolution display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and HTC Sense 4.0 over the top. Have a peek at all the hands-on photos we’ve got with this device here and in our HTC EVO 4G LTE hands-on from earlier this week and follow the gallery below as well!

NOTE: This post is live – we will continue to add photos taken with the HTC EVO 4G LTE as we continue on our tour through the night – stay tuned!

Once again, note: the bus we’re being taken on tour with is moving at high speed in the above shot. The majority of the rest of the photos you’ll see are still shots. Gotta catch em all!

Also feel free to enjoy the rest of the hands-on experiences and reviews we’ve got of the HTC One series so you’ve got a full understanding of the power of HTC here in 2012, and check out our CTIA 2012 portal as well to see all the CTIA action all week long!

Video update!

There’s always room for educated hypothesis work here in the wide world of public relations and advertising for mobile devices. It’s actually quite common that a supposed slip-up such at this will happen in a video promoting one device or another – we’ve just got to be able to catch it! T.C. Sottek from The Verge has his eye on this one, and by jove it certainly appears to be what it looks like. HTC will very likely be sticking with the “red band” design for several devices this year, starting here with the 4G LTE version of the all-powerful Evo.

For those of you who’ve never experienced the original HTC Evo 3D, please feel free to head back to our full review of it. It’s a strange device, to be sure, but not without its interesting twists and turns. Does one strange turn deserve another? HTC apparently things that it does! Here comes another generation of the third dimension!

This device will be working with the Snapdragon S4 with speeds up to 1.5GHz per each of its two cores, and should be an interesting device to compare to the first S4-laden device on the market. That first device is of course the HTC One S, one of HTC’s 2012 hero phones in the HTC One family, it having the processor we’re seeing here, with the HTC One X appearing similar to this device in many other respects – such as in the display department.

The HTC Evo 4G has a 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display sitting at 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, works with Beats Audio, and comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as well as Sense 4.0. This Evo has NFC capabilities, a microSD card slot, and a 2,000mAh battery that we won’t be worrying about because of the S4′s fantastical abilities in battery conservation.

You’ll also notice that this device has a red ring around its 8-megapixel back-facing camera as well as a bright red strip across the middle. This strip can be pulled out as a kickstand, making this the third device in the history of HTC to give you the ability sit up without 3rd part products. The device will cost you $199.99 on a two-year contract and will only work with 4G in one of four of its carrier’s activated LTE area’s here in the USA – good luck with your speed!

The 8-megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash is still present, complete with 1080p Full HD video recording (with stereo sound). The EVO 4G+ also has stereo speakers for playback, as well as supporting MHL for HDMI connections via the microUSB port. Other connectivity includes Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi, a microSD card slot and quadband GSM/EDGE.

The dual-core processor is paired with 1GB of internal ROM, and there’s HTC Sense with access to the HTC Watch download/rental movie store. DLNA streaming and the clever active lockscreen are also present.

No word on when, exactly, the EVO 4G+ will arrive in South Korea, though HTC is taking the wraps off of the phone officially today.

[via Android Community]

Yesterday we spoke of what appeared to be terrible sales of both the Motorola XOOM and the ATRIX 4G – today AT&T and Verizon have called back to say that they completely “pleased” with the results. Don Reisinger would lead you in the other direction, on the other hand, with his column by the name of Why you should spend more on a TV and less on everything else. Quite the guide. See one unlikely player telling you that you don’t need a TV, you just need a really expensive toy: Toys “R” Us may stock iPad 2 next month. – Buy a big box of Lego and an iPad 2 to stack them on!

See some leaked images of the HTC Droid Incredible 2 or the Motorola Droid 2X or even the HP Palm Mysterious! – Not to be mistaken for the Palm Reader or the HP Non-existant!

We’ve got your back but it’s best to watch your front: Pandora’s the one who sends user GPS, gender, birthday, and more to ad servers – they be pullin stunts. See Andy Rubin respond to the rumors that Android was going closed-source. The HTC EVO View 4G is now once again non-Honeycomb. SEE the T-Mobile G2X get a real release date and pricing.

Next, see what’s happening in the world of HTC with their oncoming HTC Pyramid, aka HTC Sensation – a complete fact and rumor roundup. See yourself a wild animal out there in the wild being wild with the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 SPOTTED! Learn a lot with Chris Davies in another installment of our expanding stack of teachings: SlashGear 101: What is AMD Fusion? Then have yourself a lovely bit of speculation with the possibility of Apple’s iOS 4.3.2 coming in under two weeks time.

For everything below this belt line, check out our world-famous SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up and know the early daytime truth!

Android’s sure to be interesting day starts off with Google’s Andy Rubin insisting that Anti-Fragmentation rumors are FUD. FUD, for those that do not know, means “fear, uncertainty, and doubt,” and refers to a term that means disinformation used to build doubt about one’s competitors. Chris Davies columns all about it. We’re sure Andy is feeling pretty secure with word of Android owning 49% of the smartphone market by the end of 2012.

A couple of bonus tidbits: HTC EVO View 4G back to Gingerbread and
Hands-On with the Samsung Gem on U.S. Cellular and
HTC Pyramid Roundup

Then you’ve got a stack of games waiting for you in Atari’s Greatest Hits being released for iOS. Next, grab yourself your childhood dream in the retro-themed, brand spanking new Commodore 64 keyboard computer. So weird! You need not worry about the Japanese earthquake delaying the release of the NGP. EA gets punched in the face with a class-action suit over football game antitrust – aka EA, YOU MAKE GAMES WAAAY TOO WELL.

And YES you can have your Apple news too: Apple seeks patent for hybrid display which employs e-paper and LCD for a dual-purpose device. Exciting!

Video demo after the cut

While we would’ve liked to have seen a larger display than 3.6-inches – something closer to the original EVO 4G’s 4.3-inches would be perfect – the keyboard does look reasonably well spaced. We’ll have to wait until we can have a play ourselves at CES 2011 this week before deciding whether the EVO Shift 4G is a worthy successor.

[via Android Community]

SlashTABLETWAR You know there’s a barrage of bad tablets coming out now as if the biggest tabs were falling down a mountain, knocking the smaller ones free as they topple. Here’s something that, when you watch the Queen-laden introduction video below, might be excellent enough to take flight and knock free a few pebbles of it’s own. This is the “Kno,” the “text book of the future,” founded by semiconductor physics PhD holder Babur Habib and serial entrepreneur Osman Rashid. This video is traveling fast across these internets, and I kinda sorta wish I had one of these “Kno” devices when I was in school, for sure. Find more information at the Kno homepage and/or watch the uplifting video below.

R3 Media Network

SlashPhone
Opera Mobile 10.1 beta Available on Android Market [RELEASE]
HTC HD7 For T-Mobile Now Available [RELEASE]

Android Community
Adobe Flash Updated, Now Gingerbread ready as well [UPDATE]
HTC T-Mobile G1 Receives myTouch 3G Android 2.2 ROM [HAX]
Dell’s Stage User Interface Now Available for Devices with Android 2.2 [RELEASE]
O2′s Galaxy S being treated to Froyo November 15th [RELEASE]
Skype 1.0.1 Update for Android Added Today [RELEASE]
Permanent Root for G2 [HAX]
Galaxy Tab Shot with CO2 Powered Pistol to Test Gorilla Glass [BLAST TESTING]
Angry Birds gets 45 level update, QVGA support, more [ADDICTION SUSTAINED]
Android 2.1 for Motorola CLIQ finally released [RELEASE]
White Samsung Galaxy S arrives in UK care of Carphone Warehouse [RELEASE]
Motorola DROID 2 Global and DROID PRO arrive on Verizon [RELEASE]
HTC EVO 4G records video of “UFO Sighting” in Virginia [OUTER SPACE]

SlashGear
Tron Legacy Trailer #3 [VIDEO] [TRON]
SlingPlayer Mobile Available for Windows Phone 7 [RELEASE]
Rosemary’s Baby: iPhone 3G and Android 2.2 Froyo Combine to Form Adobe Flash for iPhone [UNHOLY MATRIMONY]
Microsoft Suing Motorola Due to Excessive Royalties on Network Technology in Xbox 360 [LAW]
BlackBerry Storm 3 Now Called the Monaco, Not Dead After All [NAME CHANGE]
The Swiftness of Internet Justice [COLUMN]
OmniVision 8MP CMOS Sensor Rumored to be Heading to the iPhone [RUMOR]
Huawei S7 Preview [REVIEW]
Microsoft relents, moves Xbox Live Indie Games back into limelight [POWER TO THE developer PEOPLE]
iPhone 4 “Glassgate” sees Mophie & other slider-cases ousted from Apple Stores? [GLASSGATE]
Samsung Display demo 4.5-inch flexible AMOLED [BENDY]
Lenovo IdeaPad U260 leaks: Core i3/i5 12.5-inch ultraportable [LEAKY]
Snails, nails, and puppy dog tails, that’s what the iPhone is made of [CONCEPTUAL DESIGN]
Alienware M17x R3 coming soon with Radeon HD 6970/6870 GPU [RELEASE]
Trendnet TPL-304E powerline network adapters now shipping [RELEASE]
Hasbro my3D brings 3D gaming, movies and AR to iPhone [WEIRD]
E Ink debut Triton color e-paper [ELICIOUS]
Kno price educational tablet: $599 for single screen, $899 for two [EDUTASTIC]
T-Mobile HTC HD7 sells out amid “strong interest”? [SOLD OUT!]
Kindle magazine & newspaper publishers get new 70% revenue share deal [STOCK UP!]

To see more Daily Slash posts, click here: [The Daily Slash]

From Around the Web

Robot Teaches Itself to Fire Bow and Arrow: We know robots are getting smarter, and better at pretty much everything, thanks to the ingenious engineers and designers behind their creation. This robot, developed by Dr. Petar Kormushev at the Italian Institute of Technology, has taught itself to not only fire the bow and arrow, but fire it better over time. The robot is designed from open source software, and features Augmented Reward Chained Regression (ARCHER) technology, which is the learning algorithm that made it possible for it to learn how to hit bulls eyes. The possibilities are certainly endless, and slightly disturbing. [via TechnaBob]

R3 Media Network

SlashGear

Sony Introducing Google TV on October 12th
Verizon and Apple Not Seeing Eye to Eye
Apple’s FaceTime Unavailable in UAE
SlashGear Pad and Quill iPad Case Giveaway
SlashGear You Rock Guitar Giveaway
HTC Adding Sense to Windows Phone 7 Later

Android Community

Google Won’t Make Manufacturers Include Vanilla Android
FPS Cap on EVO 4G Removed After Update

SlashPhone

Marvell Armada 628 Tri-Core Processor is Real
Terrestar Genus Satellite Phone Available for AT&T

Thanks to a promising hacker out there, we can now safely say that it is indeed possible to play your favorite Nintendo games, through your emulator, on your Android-based device. Well, if that Android device happens to be the HTC EVO 4G for Sprint, that is. The specifics mean you need to plug the NES controller into a Sparkfun prototyping shield, which has a BlueSMIRF Bluetooth modem attached to it. Courtesy of the Arduino programming language therein, the controller (connected to that Bluetooth modem) will seamlessly playing nice with the Android device.

There’s a few technical steps needed to get the process finished, but considering the end result, it would be worth it, right? As of right now, the hacker’s project is still in Alpha mode, but if you really want to give this a shot, you can head on through this link, and find the instructions you need. But, enough of us talking about it — check out the video below.

[via IntoMobile]

Some commentators are predicting a negative impact on Sprint’s ability to pull in high-end users, suggesting that Packingham was primarily responsible for pushing the carrier toward flagship high-speed devices.  The EVO 4G has been a surprising success, difficult to find in stock (though the supply limitations have been compounded by shortages of components at a manufacturing level).  For its part, Sprint says it sees no real problem with Packingham’s departure.

[via Electronista]

To update, either wait for the OTA firmware to be offered automatically, or trigger it manually by going to the Updates section of the Settings menu and choosing “HTC software update”.  We’re hearing mixed reports from the new software, with some saying the battery issues and Flash 10.1 support are still patchy at best; let us know how you get on in the comments.

[via Android Community]

The update is going out OTA but can apparently be triggered manually via the EVO 4G’s settings page.  Instructions on how to do that – which basically amount to finding the “HTC Software Update” option in the “System Updates” menu, and tapping it when you have an AC connection and twenty minutes or so to spare – can be found here.

According to the changelog, the new update (3.26.651.6) contains the following changes:

Android 2.2 FroYo OS, including:

• Ability to install applications to external storage
• Improved Bluetooth device support
• Bluetooth Voice Dialing
• Flash Player 10.1
• Improved OS performance

New version of HTC Sense, including:

• Ability to view and add comments to Facebook images in the Gallery
• New Dialer which includes the caller’s Facebook updates and upcoming events
• Improved Facebook calendar integration
• More pre-loaded HTC Widgets
• App Sharing
• Flashlight application
• Improved keyboard and text entry options
• LED flash can be enabled while video recording

Various minor bug fixes

[via Android Community]

That now makes forty-eight metropolitan areas with WiMAX coverage – the full list is in the press release below – and Sprint reckon subscribers will see up to ten-times the performance of a regular 3G connection.

Now it’s just a case of getting the supplies of handsets that use the 4G network to cater for demand; Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has already admitted that shortages of flagship devices such as the HTC EVO 4G have undermined the carrier’s advantage over rivals.  In the meantime, HTC has announced plans to use Super LCD displays alongside AMOLED panels so as to alleviate the bottleneck.

Press Release:

Sprint Launches 4G Coverage in Delaware, Florida and Michigan and Extends 4G Coverage in California

Modesto, Calif., Stockton, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., Wilmington, Del., and Grand Rapids, Mich., Launched Today
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Aug 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Today, Sprint (NYSE:S) unveiled 4G service to populous areas of California, Delaware, Florida and Michigan. With today’s launches of Modesto, Calif., Stockton, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., Wilmington, Del., and Grand Rapids, Mich., Sprint boasts 48 metropolitan areas enabled with the new mobile broadband service, which allows for Internet traffic at super fast speeds. Unlike competitors, Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to actually launch wireless 4G technology in cities across the country. Wilmington, Jacksonville and Grand Rapids are the first cities in Delaware, Florida and Michigan to offer 4G service.

With 4G, Sprint customers experience fast mobile downloads, streaming video without the lag, and turbo-charged Web browsing. This new wireless technology boasts download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.1 Users can video chat with friends and family via the popular HTC EVO(TM) 4G, America’s first 3G/4G wireless smartphone. And in the near future, Sprint customers will be able to purchase Samsung Epic(TM) 4G, the company’s second 4G enabled smartphone.

With the Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless, users can create a 4G hotspot on the road or at home. With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can try 4G for 30 days and if they are not satisfied, they can cancel service and have the opportunity to be fully reimbursed.2 Sprint also offers simplicity and savings vs. competitors with Everything Data plans, which include unlimited Web, texting and calling while on the Sprint network for one low price.

“Sprint customers are the first in the country to use 4G with either a smartphone like HTC EVO or one of Sprint’s other 4G devices like the 3G/4G Overdrive Hotspot to wirelessly connect a laptop to the Internet,” said Matt Carter, president of 4G, Sprint. “Later this year, Sprint will launch Boston, Miami, New York and Los Angeles, enabling millions more to harness this powerful new service.”

As summer travel continues, people will find that 4G is available in many markets across the country: California – Merced, Modesto, Stockton and Visalia; Delaware – Wilmington; Florida – Jacksonville; Georgia – Atlanta and Milledgeville; Hawaii – Honolulu and Maui; Idaho – Boise; Illinois – Chicago; Maryland – Baltimore; Michigan – Grand Rapids; Missouri – Kansas City and St. Louis; New York – Rochester and Syracuse; Nevada – Las Vegas; North Carolina – Charlotte, Greensboro (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon – Eugene, Portland and Salem; Pennsylvania – Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading and York; Texas – Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco and Wichita Falls; Utah – Salt Lake City; Virginia – Richmond; Washington – Bellingham, Seattle, Tri-Cities and Yakima. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network.

Below, you’ll find the official list from Sprint, giving you a quick run down of all the cool new features that the Froyo update is bringing your 4G device. So, without some more rambling, here you go:

This update offers:
- Ability to share applications
- Display events and birthdays from Facebook on Calendar
- Use camera LED as flashlight
- New user interface for the FM radio
- Add unknown users in Facebook as friends in Friend Stream
- Photo Gallery supports Facebook comments function
- Send contact as vCard using SMS
- Addition of MMS slideshow editor
- New pre-loaded widgets including Calculator, FM radio, Message list view, Profile settings and Ringtone settings
- Camcorder can use camera flash so video can be shot at night or in low light
- Flash 10.1 support
- Numeric PIN and alpha-numeric passwords to unlock screen
- Search widget and search bar able to switch to search in different types (web, specific application, or all)
- Adjustable alarm volume
- Android Market widget allows installation of applications on SD card

As you can see, it looks like HTC managed to throw just about everything, plus the trunk, into this update. Which makes sense, considering that everyone who’s bought the EVO since it came out has been aching to get their fingers on this version of Android. Some stand out features are that Market widget that will let you install applications from the SD card, and the new pre-loaded widgets like the calculator. Using your calculator without having to go into the menu, or into the application itself is pretty cool, if you ask us. Plus, don’t forget that new user interface for the FM radio. How cool is that?

Let us know in the comments if you’ve downloaded it from Sprint’s site, or if you are waiting for the OTA update. And, if you’re deciding to wait, let us know why — you’ve got to have a good reason to be holding yourself back from all these goodies, right?

UPDATE: HTC yanked the download not too long after, but if you look around we’re pretty sure there’s a copy floating around.

[via Sprint]

According to an official press release from the wireless carrier, EVO owners should expect to get an OTA notification beginning August 3rd. Now, as is the case with all other OTA updates, for pretty much every other carrier out there and every phone that can do it, this is going to be a staggered roll-out. Not all the EVO owners out there are going to get it at the same time, or the first day. There’s just too many of you, after all.

However, Sprint is also quick to mention another way you can get the update notification. Instead of waiting with your hands under you, at the edge of your chair, you can just go into the Settings menu of your EVO, and find System Updates. Just selecting that will make your EVO start searching for the update, and as soon as it’s found, you’ll go through the process. So, no waiting. Check out the full press release below.

[via Android Community]

Press Release

Sprint is the first wireless carrier to bring Android 2.2 to customers using the award-winning HTC EVO™ 4G beginning Tuesday, Aug. 3

Android 2.2 offers HTC EVO 4G feature enhancements including Bluetooth® voice dialing, built-in Flash, the ability to store apps to the memory card and much, much more

The award-winning HTC EVO 4G just got that much better. We are excited to announce that beginning the week of Aug. 1; Sprint will begin rolling out the Android 2.2 upgrade to its HTC EVO 4G customers.

Sprint will be the first wireless carrier to bring1 the latest version of Android to its customers. The Android 2.2 software release provides a significant number of feature enhancements, including:

• Voice Dialing Over Bluetooth.
• Application Storage on External Memory, giving users more storage room for all their apps.
• Camera 4-way rotation allows the camera icons to rotate with the camera.
• Improved Browser Performance including a faster JavaScript engine and Flash 10x Support improving the user’s ability to view videos and available content associated with web pages.

“Sprint is thrilled with our customers’ response to HTC EVO 4G and the innovative and exciting experience it offers,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development for Sprint. “It is exciting for us to lead the industry in bringing the Android 2.2 update to these customers and improve on the amazing experience they receive with America’s first 4G capable phone.”

Easy Downloading
Sprint will begin sending update notifications to users in waves beginning Tuesday, Aug. 3 and the upgrade should be available for all HTC EVO 4G users by the middle of August.
The notification will let the users know that the update is available and it will provide the simple two-step over-the-air download process.

1. Users will receive a notification that Android 2.2 is available for download.
2. Once the user has downloaded the update, they will be prompted to install the update. The user will be notified that their device will be disabled during the installation process. The phone will be ready to use once the process completes.

For those who just can’t wait to get Android 2.2, there will be an easy user initiated option to download the upgrade. Customers can access the software update through their HTC EVO 4G under the Settings Menu System Updates HTC Software Update. This will initiate the three-step process also.

Customer favorites on HTC EVO 4G’s long list of features include the 4.3-inch screen, dual 8MP video camera capable of capturing HD quality and front-facing 1.3MP camera. They also appreciate the HDMI output jack making it simple to start a movie for your children in the backseat of the car with the phone and then connect to an HDTV to finish it when you arrive at home.2 Business customers highlight its super-fast 1GHz processor, simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G or Wi-Fi coverage areas enabling Web surfing and more during conversation, and built-in mobile hotspot for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices.3 For HTC EVO 4G images visit Sprint’s image gallery.

Amazing at 3G, Unbelievable at 4G

Sprint is the first national carrier offering the next generation of broadband technology today in 43 markets. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G from any other wireless carrier4, giving HTC EVO 4G a faster data speeds than any U.S. wireless device available today. HTC EVO 4G’s exciting features and applications are compelling and powerful in a 3G world, but they become even more amazing when experienced with 4G speeds.

Hesse blames the recession and manufacturers response to it – “general high-tech capacity was taken offline and now it needs to be brought back up” – while Sprint continues to heap emphasis on 4G sales.  Executive bonus calculations now take twice as much notice of WiMAX subscriptions as they did before, jumping from 10- to 20-percent.  Meanwhile Verizon’s own LTE network should launch in certain markets by the end of 2010, and AT&T plan their own 4G network for 2011.

Both handsets are now running Android 2.1 with the Sense UI.  If you’re wanting Android 2.1 on your Hero, meanwhile, as it’s still running the original 1.5 build, an OTA update has been going out recently; make sure your phone is charged, powered on and preferably connected via WiFi and you should be offered the update.

[via Twitter]

1. Network – The EVO is a CDMA device running on Sprint’s 4G network. If you’re in a 4G area, you’ll see some wicked cool speeds that will leave you gaping in amazement. Most likely though, you’re not living in a 4G area so you’ll see very good 3G speeds until Sprint gets to you. Your phone is also US-only, world travelers need not apply. The iPhone runs on AT&T. That means you’ll get 3G speeds and can use the Internet while talking at the same time. Of course, you’ll also be dealing with AT&T’s spotty coverage and sometimes over-capacity network. I’ve had pretty good luck with both for the most part but when I do have network connection issues, it’s usually with AT&T more than any other carrier. AT&T is also based on GSM standards so your phone will roam overseas most places, but you’ll pay a pretty hefty fee for it.

2. Open/Closed – It’s not an issue most users care about but if you’re reading this column, it might well be an issue for you. The nature of the Android OS is that it’s inherently more open than Apple’s iOS platform. That means if you want to install apps that aren’t in the app store you can go right ahead on the EVO. For iPhone users, unless you’re willing to jailbreak your device, you’re pretty much going to use whatever Apple has approved for you. As there are over 250,000 iPhone apps, you won’t be hurting too much. It really comes down to choice and personal risk. Want to use a cool keyboard replacement like Swype? Easy on Android, not possible without a lot of hacking on iPhone. On the other hand, you’re far more likely to find a malicious app on Android (or one that’s just poorly written that does bad things in error if not design) than you will on the iPhone. Apple also has a very impressive lead on apps. While sheer numbers aren’t the issue, it does mean that you’re likely to find the cool app you’re looking on in the Apple store well before the Android marketplace.

3. Battery life – It’s a big issue because the best smartphone on the market is nothing more than a brick in your pocket once the battery dies. The EVO’s been hit with a bad reputation for battery life. I’ve been carrying one for a while and I don’t find the EVO battery life to be worse than any other device in this class. Of course, if you’re on a 4G network, using your EVO as a mobile hotspot to connect four or five devices while you make long phone calls, don’t expect the battery to do miracles. iPhone 4 looks to be a winner in battery life mostly due to some efficiency with the A4 chip powering it and the fact that Apple put in a bigger battery. It’s too early to call battery life just yet but it looks like the iPhone 4 might have better stamina.

4. Widgets – I like widgets, small applications that reference glanceable information without the need to launch an app. It’s a core part of the Android experience and HTC has refined it with their Sense UI. I love quickly seeing my Twitter feed, news headlines, weather, stock reports and other snippets of information customized to my liking. There’s nothing like it for iOS yet.

5. Multi-tasking – Android does it for real but it comes at the expense of performance and battery life. Apple takes a somewhat different approach that might not technically qualify it as multi-tasking but unless you’re an Uber-Geek it won’t matter. Bottom line, both will let you play Pandora in the background while you’re doing something else but at the moment, Apple does it more efficiently preserving performance as well as battery life. The flipside is apps have to be written to take advantage of the feature for Apple’s platform where it’s a given on Android.

6. Screen – Tough call. The EVO 4G has an amazing bright super large display. It’s so large, the phone has a kick stand. One must respect any phone with a built in kickstand. iPhone 4 has a new “retina” display. Whether your eye can discern the pixels or not, Apple’s display is the sharpest I’ve ever seen on a mobile screen. It’s a tough call, maximum size or resolution? It’s worth seeing both and then making the call as to what’s right for you.

Bottom line? Both phones are state of the art and redefine the top end of the smartphone line. Both phones, though, carry a different design philosophy and where you stand on some of the issues I’ve outlined will lead you down one path or the other. The really fun part? Neither company was a major player in the mobile space. If we were chatting about the mobile market just three years ago, neither Apple nor Google would have been an integral part of the discussion. That velocity of mobile just means we’ll no doubt be having this type of conversation over and over again in the weeks and months ahead, and that’s just fine for me.

Still want more? Check out the SlashGear reviews of the Apple iPhone 4 and HTC EVO 4G. Want to share your opinion on the iPhone 4 and the EVO 4G? Head over to SlashGear Roots and leave your own review!

“As work on finalizing the software is underway, Sprint expects to launch Android 2.2 in the near future. It will also be available as an upgrade on the recently launched HTC EVO 4G. With the Android 2.2 upgrade, customers can expect improvements to include the following benefits among others: updates to user interface, improved EAS Support, improved browser performance including Flash 10x Support, voice dialing over Bluetooth and application storage on external memory” Sprint

Which other handsets will get an update remains to be seen, however, as does a definitive timescale for the new software’s release.  We’re presuming that Sprint have been working closely with HTC to get the Sense UI running on the EVO 4G up to speed with the newest Android release; whether that means HTC are imminently ready to release 2.2 for other Sense devices, such as the HTC Desire, is also unclear.

[via Android Community]

The Best of R3 Media

HTC EVO 4G Primed for June 28th Software Update: Don’t get your hopes up, though. We’ll go ahead and tell you right now: it’s not Android 2.2. Basically, the update itself is pinned as a minor software update, and it’s going to address some bugs to the system, and that’s about it. Things like issues with the Facebook application, as well as alterations to the social networking sync. Basically, things are getting fixed. And, that’s never a bad thing. So, start counting down the days, folks — unless it turns out not to be true. Then we don’t know what to tell you. [via Android Community]

Optimum Popularis Keyboard Features Awesome Keys: When a keyboard features things like changeable digital keys, we’re fans. Even if it’s not the greatest thing since sliced bread, we’re going to be fans of things that make us think the future’s happening now. When the original Optimus Maximus was unveiled, things weren’t all that warmly welcomed, as the touch-keyboard wasn’t very easy to actually type on. But, now that the Optimus Popularis is unveiled, we have keys that have actually grown in size, making them easier to type on, while the keyboard itself has slimmed down significantly. [via SlashGear]

ParkVu Music WithMe App Syncs BlackBerrys to iTunes Wirelessy: While the iPhone doesn’t have WiFi sync to iTunes quite yet, there’s an application for BlackBerry owners out there right now that will let you do it. Using either WiFi, or your 3G signal, you’ll be able to connect to iTunes and sync your playlist of choice. The application doesn’t even need to be running to work, as it can run in the background. Additionally, the app itself works with the BlackBerry media player, so it just works. Consider those BlackBerry users lucky, eh? [via PhoneMag]

The Dredge ‘Net

Sony Wants Hulu on the PlayStation 3: Hulu wants to be on everything, and apparently everyone wants Hulu on everything else. That’s not a problem to us, considering we figure the subscription-based service is coming whether we have it on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, so, we’ll take it where we can get it. Sources have told Bloomberg that Sony’s in talks, and is allegedly close to closing the deal to activating Hulu on the PlayStation 3. It would be an extension of the PlayStation Network. No more details, sadly, but we’ll keep our ear to the ground on this one. [via Electronista]

RIM Sells 100 Million BlackBerrys: So, you heard about wireless sync to iTunes, now lets find out how many phones Research in Motion have sold, shall we? Despite the fact Apple launched the iPhone 4 today, RIM wanted to tell their story, too. And, it’s actually not that bad. They sold 100 million BlackBerrys, and they had a fiscal growth of 24 percent year-over-year. And it had 11.2 million shipments of smartphones this quarter alone. Pretty fantastic, right? Yeah, we thought so. [via Engadget]

Microsoft Kinect Can be Played at Microsoft Stores — Now Find One: Want to play Kinect before you decide to buy one? Yes, yes you do. So, we figure we should just tell you where to find one: Scottsdale, Arizona, Mission Viejo, California, Lone Tree, Colorado, and one that just opened today, actually: San Diego, California. Yes, Microsoft unveiled today that you can visit any one of their stores and take a shot at it, but considering the low amount of stores, you’ll probably have to wait in a line. At least, Microsoft is probably hoping for lines. As for a price? Nope. Still no official word. So, keep holding your breath. (Not literally.) [via Microsoft Twitter]

Oh, and one more tid-bit of information we wanted to pass on. Interested in the iPhone 4? Then check out the new Roots page! http://roots.slashgear.com/iPhone-4 — it’s our new project, and we’re happy to show it off to everyone! So check it out, and let us know what you think!

Video demo after the cut

The inductive coil can be removed from a spare battery cover plate for the Pre, which costs $46.  That then has to be attached to the correct points on the EVO 4G’s mainboard – not, it’s worth noting, to the battery connections – with four magnets around the coil to hold the phone in place on the Touchstone itself.

The main drawbacks are that those magnets mess up the EVO 4G’s digital compass, and that – without some case reshaping – the battery cover no longer closes exactly.  According to an interview with infinitemods, there’s a tutorial as to how to hook up the inductive coil to the EVO 4G on its way.

[via Good and EVO]

That’s still impressive – and we still have a soft spot for the Sprint EVO 4G – but it’s certainly a lot less impressive than originally expected.  It’s unclear what caused the error in calculations on Sprint’s end, though the most obvious explanation is that whoever drafted the press release got overwhelmed by the numbers and simply made a mistake.

As for EVO 4G sales, Sprint reckons they continue to outpace those of the Instinct and the Pre.  In fact, you may have trouble finding one in stock; there are multiple reports of the EVO 4G being difficult to find in retail stores.

Sprint says that the EVO 4G sold more phones in a single day than either of the two previous record holders – the Palm Pre and the Samsung Instinct. Sprint claims that the EVO 4G sold three times as many units on launch day as the Pre and Instinct did over their first three days of sales combined.

Reports last year when the Pre went on sale had the device selling about 60,000 units over the course of its first weekend of availability. Sprint also reports that demand was so strong there were shortages of the device at some of the sales locations around the country and more stock is going to be coming on a daily basis.

A good place to start is our first-impressions article (complete with unboxing details) and then the full SlashGear review of the EVO 4G.  There’s also a second review over at Android Community, with a different perspective on the phone.  Both come to pretty similar conclusions, however; this is one beast of a phone, with a huge display that’s perfect for multimedia and wireless connectivity options that leave you with a desktop-style browsing experience while mobile.

Sprint EVO 4G unboxing:

Convinced?  It’s worth checking out Sprint’s 4G maps to see exactly where you’ll be able to get WiMAX coverage for the high-speed connectivity that so impressed us.  Choose the “Data, Email and Multimedia” section and then the “Sprint Devices with 4G” tab, and enter your ZIP code – or the ZIP code of where you’ll be most using the EVO 4G, such as at work – to find out if there’s service there.  Remember, even if you can’t get WiMAX all the time, the EVO 4G will roll back onto the far more prevalent EVDO Rev.A network, though you won’t get the same sort of speeds.

You can find the EVO 4G at your nearest Sprint store, or alternatively buy it online.  Sprint’s online store has it for $199.99 though you’ll have to send off for a $100 mail-in rebate; Amazon, meanwhile, has it for the same $199.99 but there’s no sign of that rebate, as does Best Buy.  Of course, you’ll have to wait for it to ship.

It’s worth remembering that, while the EVO 4G supports 720p HD output via its HDMI port, Sprint don’t include the right cable in the box.  That’s available as a $29.99 accessory from the carrier’s online store (and likely in-store, too).  Alternatively, if you’ve already got an HDMI type D to type A cable, you’re all set.

Sample video taken with EVO 4G’s 8-megapixel camera:

The Sprint EVO 4G runs Android 2.1 out of the box, complete with HTC Sense; that’s a generation behind the latest version of Android, OS 2.2 Froyo.  There’s already an unofficial ROM for Froyo on the EVO 4G out there, but you might want to see how the phone performs for you first before you opt for hacking it.  One of the most anticipated features of Froyo has been the WiFi tethering, allowing you to share an Android phone’s wireless connection with nearby netbooks, notebooks or even your iPad, but Sprint have preloaded an app onto the EVO 4G that allows it to do the same thing.

Once you’re unboxed, charged up and running, the final step is to head over to Android Community, our Google phone obsessed sibling site, and register in the forums there.  There are plenty of knowledgeable geeks experts there who’ll be able to help you past any teething pains and give you suggestions as to what apps you might want from the Android Market.  We’d start with playing with Qik video calling while it’s free, and go on from there.  Good luck, and have fun!

Reckon we’ve missed anything?  Let us know in the comments, or tell us where you bought your EVO 4G!

Video demo after the cut

There’s also the ability to upload and share videos using the Qik system that have been filmed using the EVO 4G’s native camcorder app, and you can take photos while recording video.  Should things go wrong there’s also “priority” support.

Qik will be trying to get users hooked on the Premium features by offering them all free of charge until July 15th, after which point they’ll be part of a $4.99 per month subscription package.  To be honest, we’re not entirely sure most people will find it worth the money; it seems you get plenty for no extra cash anyway.

[Thanks Paul!]

If the absence of Android 2.2 Froyo is holding you back, never fear; even before the EVO 4G is officially on sale, there’s a port of the updated OS you can install.  The smartphone’s user guide has also been published online, just in case you want to run through its capabilities in-depth before you sign up.

Still, you can’t argue too much with a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, WiMAX and HTC Sense.  We’ve reviewed the EVO 4G both here on SlashGear and over at our sibling site, Android Community, so check out all the details to make sure this is the smartphone for you.

Sprint EVO 4G unboxing:

Video after the cut

“First is the beginning.
First kicks open the door and possibilities follow.
First resets everything.
First moves us forward, fast.
We all want first.
First isn’t later, it’s now.
What will you do first with EVO, the first 4G phone?
Only from Sprint, the Now Network.”

Still, banal copy aside, it’s a reasonably eye-catching ad that’s reminiscent of some of the Rube Goldberg style machines we’ve seen popular in recent months.  Of course, given the relative availability of Sprint’s WiMAX network in the US, what owners will “do first” might include hunting for a 4G signal.

Meanwhile the first EVO 4G retail units are apparently flocking into Sprint retail stores, ahead of the superphone’s launch tomorrow.   The smartphone will be priced at $199.99 with a new, two-year agreement; more details – and our full opinion – in our HTC EVO 4G review.

[via Android Community]

Inside there aren’t too many surprises, but it’s interesting to note that the Broadcom BCM4329 chipset used actually supports WiFi b/g/n while Sprint are only talking about b/g at present.  Otherwise there’s the expected flash storage, front-facing webcam and all-important WiMAX chipset.

“Firstly, rest assured that the core Qik service that lets you communicate live from your phone to other phones, web and desktop will be FREE. Yes – this means that the core capability of doing 2-way Qik video chat will be FREE for Sprint EVO 4G users. The subscription fee will be for some advanced premium features that we are working on, which we will be announcing on June 4th – the day the amazing HTC EVO 4G phone launches.”

The nature of those “premium features” is as-yet unclear, with Qik promising to reveal all on June 4th when the EVO 4G makes its retail debut.  Owners of the handset will be able to make video calls between EVO 4G units, together with other phones running Qik and indeed the regular desktop app.

[via Android Community]

The nature of the charge suggests it’s being levied by Qik rather than Sprint themselves, but either way it takes the likely monthly cost of an EVO 4G to $115; in other words, over the course of your two-year agreement you’re paying $120 for video chat service.  According to the document, Qik video calls will be available when the EVO 4G launches on June 4th, but we’re now wondering exactly how many people will opt to use the service, especially with the knowledge that Skype video calling is expected later on this year.

[via Android Community]

“Skype envisions a world where video plays a larger role in the way we communicate. The next generation innovation involving video calling will not be bound to the computer. We’re seeing a proliferation of video calling shared between all kinds of connected devices. It’s on computers (today 1/3 of all calls on Skype happen via video), televisions (Skype bringing video calls to living rooms via Panasonic, Samsung & LG partnership), and it will eventually be coming to mobile devices too. We’re betting big on video, and we intend to set the bar on mobile video calling, and it’s something we’re going to do this year.

We will be bringing a direct to consumer app to the Android marketplace later this year. This application will be available for all consumers globally to download regardless of carriers. (i.e. similar to how we offer the iPhone app today)” Brianna Reynaud, Skype PR

Described as a “direct to consumer app”, the new Skype Android software will be available later in 2010 and be accompanied by a new mobile video chat service.  Skype say it will be a global launch, and we’re presuming – though the company’s statement edges neatly around specifics – that it will also support VoIP voice-only calls as well.

The news seems to suggest that Verizon’s exclusivity deal is a relatively short-lived thing, which is unsurprising given Skype stand to be more successful in the mobile space if they can branch out onto other networks and introduce their Skype Out paid voice calls.  The current app only allows for Skype-to-Skype and discounted international calls, together with IM.

[via Android Community]