Tech Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

The Apple iPad launched yesterday and I will admit that there is a small part of myself that wishes I had pre-ordered one last month instead of investing in a new camera and assorted equipment.  However, I think holding off is still the best course of action in my case for a few very good reasons.

First off there is the impending HTC Evo 4G that was announced at CTIA a couple of weeks ago which is the long rumored Supersonic with better stats than the rumor mills speculated that it might pack (an entry on that later on).

Then there is the fact that the 3G enabled versions of the iPad haven't launched yet and I think that would be the better option if I were to buy one.  Unless Sprint makes that whole mobile hotspot app on the Evo 4G free like Verizon recently did for the Palm Pre Plus.

And finally there is the fact that this is a whole new product category and it's first generation hardware.  If something is going to go hinky on the thing then it will shake out over the next few weeks and if I were to buy one then it would be after any "fixes" to those issues.

What I am planning to do is make a trip to the Apple store next weekend here in the Raleigh area to get some hands on time with the iPad.  I realize that by doing the "hands on" thing it will probably get me to drink the Apple/Steve Jobs Koolaide, and that's fine too.  I did some research on the iBooks app and found that it will support ePub books that do not have DRM (which is what most of my ebook collection is) so that is one less worry.  Oh, and the Netflix app for the iPad is one thing that has got me VERY interested!  If there are two things that would push me to getting one it would be the ebook reading and Netflix streaming app combined with 3G connectivity.

WiMax Sprint Phone 1H 2010

A recent article at Forbes.com reveals that Sprint is firmly committed to bringing its first WiMax capable phone in the first half of 2010!  It goes on with Sprint executives stating that they plan to have "dozens" of WiMax enabled devices by the end of this year.  Indications are it will be a device by HTC and be a dual-mode device that can switch between EVDO and WiMax.

My guess is that the first 4G phone on Sprint will be the HTC Supersonic that has been making the rounds of the online rumor mill the past few months and that we will probably hear more about these upcoming devices and plans at CTIA next month in Las Vegas where Sprint CEO Dan Hesse is one of the scheduled key note speakers.

It looks like I'll be sitting on my upgrade from Sprint for at least another month.

HTC Announcements

HTC held their "big" event at the Mobile World Congress this morning and all I can say is, huh?  Either they decided to downplay a lot of stuff or the online tech rumor mills were way off base as far as what to expect from the company.  Underwhelming is the word that comes to mind.

Three new devices were announced:  the HTC Legend, HTC Desire, and HTC HD Mini.

According the the folks from HTC, "HTC Desire has been accepted by almost every key carrier in every key country we work with".  No word on which carriers, meaning will it be a GSM only show or will it be available in both GSM and CDMA flavors?  That's the question I hope gets answered sometime today at MWC.  Of the three the Desire looks to be "best of breed".

The other big thing from the HTC even is that Sense has been revamped to allow pinch and zoom on all screens offering up something very similar to the card view of WebOS.

The big disappointment for me is a lack of any sort of news or announcements about the HTC Supersonic.

Le sigh.

Surprising Restraint

This past week I think I showed a surprising amount of restraint.  How so, you may ask?

As of February first I was eligible for an equipment upgrade with Sprint and I DIDN'T order a new smartphone!  Most folks who know me well know that I've got a bit of an obsession when it comes to this category of device.  It got so bad that between February 2008 and June 2009 I went through four different smartphone devices:  Motorola Q9c, HTC Touch Diamond, Blackberry Curve 8330, and finally my Palm Pre.  The Q9c was my first smartphone and got it at new customer pricing ($80) by signing a two year contract with Sprint.  The Touch Diamond was a device I purchased off of eBay in November 2008, the BB Curve was purchased in February 2009 with my annual upgrade with Sprint (big mistake!), and then I was one of those fools who grabbed a Pre on the device launch day on June 6, 2009.  In late April 2009 I got so fed up with the Blackberry 8330 that I switched back to using the Touch Diamond until the Pre came out.  Needless to say, I'm a very picky smartphone user.

I'm not saying that I won't be getting a new smartphone.  In fact there is one device in particular that I'm waiting for, the rumored HTC Supersonic.  However, rather than running to the store the first day this device is out I will hold off until I can read some reviews AND play with the device in a store.  I really like the user experience on the Palm Pre and it will take quite a bit to make me leave that behind.  A reliable 4G network connection, 1Ghz processor, and that 4.3 inch display will be very tempting to say the least.

However, something else to keep in mind for ANYONE looking to buy a new smartphone right now is that Mobile World Congress is coming up in about a week and there will be A LOT of new and interesting devices announced then that may be worth waiting on, at least a month or two.

Sprint HTC Supersonic?

A new render of what is supposed to be to the HTC Supersonic that is slated to come to Sprint sometime in the next few months has hit the internet.  If what I've been reading is true about this beast of a phone then it will be THE Android handset to beat this year. 

• Android 2.1
• 4.3 inch AMOLED Capacitive Display
• 1Ghz Snapdragon CPU
• HTC SenseUI
• 4G WiMax

There's been some hints that this may be coming to T-Mobile as well but I for one am hoping that Sprint will get this puppy.  Sooner rather than later.  More than likely this will be one of the announcements HTC is planning to make at their press conference at the Mobile World Congress next month.