@ CTIA: Sprint Nextel continues to push 4G device depth in face of growing competition

ORLANDO, Fla. – Looking to recapture some of that “Evo” magic, Sprint Nextel Corp. launched a new halo device for its smartphone line up sporting updated specs and 3D capabilities that do not require specs. The new device comes one year after the carrier unveiled its strong selling HTC Corp. Evo 4G device that continues to be a solid competitor in the rapidly changing smartphone space.
The new Evo 3D, which despite the number “degradation compared with the Evo 4G, one-ups its relative with a QHD 3D Display that is not only sharper than the previous 4G’s glass, but also includes glasses-free 3D capabilities. The 4.3-inch screen is indeed sharp in person, though the “3D” effect does take some getting used to, especially if viewed from any angle off center.
In addition to the new screen the Evo 3D sports a 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Inc. dual-core Snapdragon processor and runs the next iteration of Google Inc.’s smartphone operating system, Android 2.3. To support all that power and screen, the device includes a slightly bigger 1730 mAh lithum-ion battery.
While the device can present 3D content on the screen, it includes dual five-megapixel cameras on the back that allow for the capture of 3D content in both pictures and video. The 3D video is captured in 720p resolution.
Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse, who sported a more casual look for the device presentation compared to the business attire needed for his dual with fellow carrier CEO’s during the day’s opening keynote, was quick to point out that the carriers expects the somewhat limited availability of 3D content to explode in the coming months as customers begin producing their own 3D content using the device that can then be shared through such sites as YouTube.
The Evo 3D also includes a front-facing camera, making it one of the few three-camera devices on the market. Not bad for an industry that only introduced single, low-quality cameras less than 10 years ago.
Device pricing was not set, though the carrier said it expects the smartphone to hit the market this summer.
And not to be left out of the booming tablet space, Sprint Nextel also showed off HTC’s first foray into the space with the Evo View 4G. (Don’t worry, even Hesse had a tough time with that name.)
The device is sized at the smaller end of the tablet space with a 7-inch screen as well as compatibility with a stylus under HTC’s Scribe Technology. The offering allows users to interact in greater detail with the content on the screen as well as a voice synchronization technology for note taking that allows for the capture of audio of a meeting at the same time notes are being taken.
Powering the device is a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor, while the device includes both a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video conferencing. The Evo View 4G, as its name implies, also can connect to Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX network and runs Google Inc.’s tablet specific Android 3.0 OS.
Similar to the Evo 3D, pricing and launch details for the Evo View 4G were scarce, but with its 32 gigabytes of embedded memory it’s a safe bet to assume the device will come in at a price similar to what other 32 GB, 3G-enabled tablets are fetching, around $730 or so.
Trevor Van Norman, director of consumer product marketing at Sprint Nextel, noted that both devices will bolster the carrier’s Evo line up that has gained some sort of recognition with customers. The carrier currently offers two models in the Evo line, the Evo 4G and more recently launched Evo Shift.
The new Evo models follow up on the previously announced Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Nexus S 4G that the carrier unveiled earlier this week. That model is powered by a Samsung 1 GHz processor, sports Android 2.3, a 5-inch Super AMOLED screen and 16 GB of embedded memory.
The Nexus S 4G is set to launch this spring at a fully subsidized price of $200.
In total, Sprint Nextel noted that the new devices brings the number of “4G-equipped” models to 23, a number it will continue to tout in the face of recent “4G” network launches by its rivals that so far lack a deep portfolio of compatible devices.