Unboxing and Hands-on Gallery: The HTC Arriving for Sprint

Well well well, lookie here. In just 5 days, Sprint’s first Windows Phone 7 handset, the HTC Arrive, will… erm, arrive. Thanks to a surprise visit from Mr. FedEx this morning, though, we’ve got one a bit early. I’ll be taking it through the paces over the next few days, and should have a few review up in time for the launch — but in the mean time, be sure to check out our unboxing and hands-on gallery below.

(Oh, and for those wanting to hear our impressions so far, I’ve only got one: Oh my God, this keyboard seems nice.)

Kyocera Echo for Sprint doubling down with FCC approval

We don't have a launch date for Sprint's crazy double-screened Echo from Kyocera just yet, but this might be a bit of a clue: it just got FCC certification under its model number, M9300. The eternal optimist in us hoped for a last minute decision to throw WiMAX into the mix, but of course, no dice -- it's just a CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A radio along with 802.11b/g (no n, by the bye) and Bluetooth. The two screens is an interesting novelty, but we're dying to find out just how well that novelty translates into sales when it's finally on shelves.

Sprint now announcing Nexus S 4G, EVO 3D, and EVO View tablet at CTIA?

The media -- yours truly included -- has been trying to figure out why Sprint has booked an insane two-and-a-half hour slot at CTIA later this month. That's not the kind of event you throw together just to rehash the devices you've introduced over the last half year -- something's up, and if our source is correct, they're up to something big.

First, we're hearing that the carrier will launch the Nexus S 4G from Samsung, and judging from the name, the phone should be something akin to a Nexus S with WiMAX. It seems this one could be either the SPH-D600 or SPH-D720, both of which have recently received certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance, though the SPH-D720 is more likely; the D600 shows WPS support, which is available in TouchWiz-skinned devices but not in stock Gingerbread. You might recall that Sprint came very, very close to launching its own version of the Nexus One before dropping it in favor of the EVO 4G last year, so maybe they're ready to do the deed this time.

Next, a couple that we don't have much detail on: the EVO 3D, which is... well, a 3D-capable EVO of some sort. 2011 is certainly shaping up to be the year of 3D phones and tablets, so that wouldn't be much of a surprise. The other unit in the mix is the EVO View, a tablet that we're guessing will shape up to be something of a CDMA-powered Flyer. If this all pans out, it's looking like Sprint could own this show. CES was a bit of a dud for them, you might recall -- the EVO Shift 4G was the only handset announcement there -- so they're overdue.

HTC EVO 4G now coming to Japan's KDDI au, WiMAX and all

Talk about longevity: HTC's EVO 4G persists as one of the best phones on the American market well over half a year since its release on Sprint -- and it's just now getting ready to take its 4.3-inch, Snapdragon-powered act international. The phone is reemerging on Japan's big CDMA carrier, KDDI au, as the EVO WiMAX ISW11HT, which -- as the name implies -- means that it'll be carrying over the WiMAX radio. Interestingly, KDDI steers clear of the tricky "4G" label altogether, referring to the WiMAX network as "WX" in the status bar when you're in range of a signal. Otherwise, judging from the video, the phone looks like a fairly accurate carry-over (with Japanese localization, of course); sure, you could make the argument that it's been outclassed a couple times over since its original announcement, but we're pretty sure it's going to find some delighted buyers nonetheless. Follow the break for KDDI's full promo video.

Sprint's Total Equipment Protection app searching out lost Androids and BlackBerrys

Joining AT&T and Verizon in offering some software-based data security for owners of its handsets, Sprint is today introducing its Total Equipment Protection app. Funnily enough, it uses the same Asurion software as the aforementioned other carriers, which would be why its functionality mirrors them so closely. With the TEP app, you'll be able to track your phone via a web interface, force it to sound an alarm even if muted, lock it, and finally wipe your contacts (which can later be restored once you get your handset back). The app itself, compatible with Android and BlackBerry devices, is free, however you'll need to be signed up to Sprint's Total Equipment Protection program, which costs $7 a month. You'll find more details in the press release after the break. 

Sprint now allegedly talking to LightSquared over 4G infrastructure deal, Clearwire should be sweating

Bloomberg is citing "three people familiar with the talks" (it's not often that we get a specific number!) as saying that LightSquared is in active negotiations with Sprint to use its network infrastructure as it builds out its L-band LTEnetwork. As you might recall, LightSquared is the would-be 4G wholesaler that is in the process of repurposing some satellite spectrum for terrestrial LTE use -- a concept the FCC has approved, but concerns over GPS interferencecould end up delaying or derailing the strategy altogether if they aren't solved to everyone's satisfaction. Of course, building out any sort of national terrestrial wireless network is a multi-billion dollar, multi-year type of venture, and presumably a tie-up with Sprint to use some of its hardware would help move matters along. What this means for Sprint's existing dealings with Clearwire is unclear; the two operate a WiMAX network together, after all, but the carrier has made it clear in the past that LTE could definitely be an option in the future.

Samsung Temporarily Canceling Android 2.2 (Froyo) Update For Sprint Epic 4G

Samsung just can’t catch a break this week when it comes to updates. First the Windows Phone 7 update mysteriously bricks a bunch of Samsung handsets, and Microsoft pretty much lays the blame on Samsung’s lap. Now they’re having issues with getting the Sprint Epic 4G updated to Froyo.

The word comes from Sprint’s support forum, where a company rep claims that an “increased number of calls into Care” has lead to the update being canned “until a resolution for these issues is in place”. The issues they’re speaking of all seem to focus around spotty data connectivity and SD Card accessibility issues. Either one would be a bummer — but they’re still a lot better than handset brickage.

Having issues? Try giving your handset a hard reset (after backing up your stuff, of course.) While that’s never a welcome solution, it seems to fix the issue.

Sprint pulling Epic 4G Froyo update, cites data connectivity and SD card issues

Well, we're not quite sure what the trouble is with firmware updates for Samsung phones this week, but another one's just been pulled days after it was rolled out. This one affects the Epic 4G, which has now seen its recently released Froyo update pulled by Sprint, which says it's received reports of SD card issues and data connectivity problems from customers who've already installed the update. Still no word as to when a new update might be rolling out, but Sprint says that those who have already taken the plunge should be able to fix any problems with a hard reset -- after they backup all their data, of course.

Sprint renaming the HTC 7 Pro the Arrive, launching it tomorrow

Punch sprint.com/arrive into your address bar and the above is what you shall find. Not a generic error marker but a URL-specific "coming soon" message that would seem to confirm the existence and indeed near-future arrival of the HTC Arrive. Beyond that bit of web sleuthing, we also have ourselves a proven tipster informing us that this will be a carrier-branded version of HTC's 7 Pro and confirming that it will be launched tomorrow. A tweet from Sprint earlier this week, intimated heavily that it's about to introduce a Windows Phone 7 handset on the 24th, which we surmised to mean exactly the long-awaited 7 Pro QWERTY slider. Already available in Europe, this device will serve as the first CDMA representative from the WP7 stable, meaning that you'll soon be able to Glance and Go on the Now Network of alliterative advertising slogans.

Sprint To Announce Their First Windows Phone 7 Device, The HTC 7 Pro, Really On 2/24?

With all this talk of copy-and-paste (or, more recently, talk of failed updates bricking handsets), it’s easy to forget about the other feature of Windows Phone 7′s first big update: CDMA support. In other words, it opens the door to Windows Phone 7-ville to Sprint and Verizon.

Based on a handful of tweets out of Sprint and the discovery of a page lingering around on Sprint’s own server, it looks like they’re planning to hop onboard right quick.

Back on Monday, Sprint teased an impending phone announcement coming up on February 24th, saying:

What do you think the next new Sprint phone will be? Find out Thursday! #comebackfeb24

Shortly thereafter, they followed up with:

If you could design a brand new phone, what would it have? Ours will have a hub for gaming, music, pictures and video. #comebackfeb24

Gaming, Music, Pictures, and Video “hubs”? Given that Windows Phone 7 is the only OS that uses the term “hubs”, that narrows it down a bit. Then:

Wouldn’t it be great to have your phone integrated with your home game console, like Xbox? #comebackfeb24″

Xbox integration? Yeah, it’s Windows Phone 7.

To bring everything together, Engadget found a tipster claiming that the 24th would bring a Windows Phone 7 device called the “HTC Arrive” — and sure enough, heading tosprint.com/arrive brings you to a page that’s obviously more than the standard 404-Page-Not-Found error. The same tipster claims that the mystery phone is none other than HTC’s absolutely gorgeous QWERTY-slidin’ HTC 7 Pro, though it’ll be known around these parts by the aforementioned “Arrive” name.

What do you think, Sprint fans Sprintsters Sprinters? Is the HTC 7 Pro/Arrive enough to pull you away from your Pre, or EVO 4G, or whatever else you may be carrying?

Sprint taking to Twitter to tease next phone, tells us to check back on the 24th

If you somehow managed to make it through the Kyocera Echo event without firmly deciding what your next Sprint phone would be, you're going to want to set your alarms for this coming Thursday, February 24th. Sprint's just dropped a quick teaser on Twitter that asks its followers what they "think the next new Sprint phone will be," ending with a hashtag suggesting they check back in three days -- no hint whatsoever as to what kind of handset it could be. Clearly, Sprint's nearing the point when an upgradedEVO 4G would be nice, but with the lack of carrier exclusivity, the CDMA iPhone would make a nice fit, too. Any other guesses out there?

Sprint taking to Twitter to tease next phone, tells us to check back on the 24th

If you somehow managed to make it through the Kyocera Echo event without firmly deciding what your next Sprint phone would be, you're going to want to set your alarms for this coming Thursday, February 24th. Sprint's just dropped a quick teaser on Twitter that asks its followers what they "think the next new Sprint phone will be," ending with a hashtag suggesting they check back in three days -- no hint whatsoever as to what kind of handset it could be. Clearly, Sprint's nearing the point when an upgradedEVO 4G would be nice, but with the lack of carrier exclusivity, the CDMA iPhone would make a nice fit, too. Any other guesses out there?

Sprint tweet making February 24th launch sound like Windows Phone 7 -- is the HTC 7 Pro ready?

Announced late last year, Sprint's version of the HTC 7 Pro has been stuck in a holding pattern (along with Verizon's Trophy) while waiting for Microsoft to wrap up its first big software update for Windows Phone 7, which includes copy and paste functionality along with -- you guessed it -- CDMA support. Steve Ballmer's keynote address at MWC last week nailed down said update for launch in the first part of March, which means that there shouldn't be much else holding up Sprint and Verizon from getting their first WP7 devices out of the door. A follow-up tweet to an earlier teaser posted on Sprint's official Twitter account says that a device being announced on February 24th "will have a hub for gaming, music, pictures, and video," which sounds an awful lot like Windows Phone 7's hubs to us -- and we're not aware of anything but the 7 Pro in Sprint's Microsoft-flavored pipeline, so it's starting to feel like a lock. Who's buying?