Category Archives: HTC Holiday

Sprint Playbook Reveals New Devices, Fees and Programs – Outs HTC Holiday Launch Date?

Posted by on September 1, 2011 No comments

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Looks like “Change is the name of the game” for Sprint moving forward and with that comes a handful of policy changes and fee increases. In an effort to keep customers from walking away onto rival carriers, Sprint is attempting to make it less attractive for those trying to get out of their contracts early. Yesterday, we reported on the rumored increase of Early Termination Fees that will only be affecting new customers starting September 9th and this latest leak confirms that. Gone is the old $200 ETF which will now be replaced by the $350 penalty for breaking your contract early. Keep in mind, Sprint will still prorate your ETF by shrinking the penalty the closer you get to the end of your term.

I don’t see a problem with Sprint trying to protect themselves when it comes to ETF’s but this new increase on their “Upgrade Fees” definitely raised my eyebrow. Effective Sept. 9th, Sprint will also be increasing their “Upgrade Fees” from $18 to $36. What’s strange is I’m pretty sure I was already being charged this here in Cali (not sure if it was different in other regions?). Upgrade fee’s are usually pretty easily waived if you buy from certain retailers, sweet talk a Sprint rep or buy your device on Sprint.com.

 

Starting October 2nd, Sprint will be eliminating their 1-year contract option from their list of plans they currently offer. I honestly didn’t even know they offered 1-year plans being a 2-year subscriber myself. Switching to this “Sprint Rewards Me PLUS” program, this is specifically for Sprint employees and doesn’t have anything to do with Sprint customers (I knew it sounded too good to be true). Bummer. Thanks, _epic!

Moving on, it looks like Sprint is anticipating a September launch for the upcoming HTC Holiday (Raider). I don’t imagine they have any kind of inside info on the device and more than likely, they’ve just been keeping up to date on Phandroid with all the rumors and leaks. So, I would take this with a grain of salt.

Last but not least, (okay — maybe least) is the next Android handset from Kyocera dubbed the Milano. This device will fit snugly into Sprint’s line of mid-range devices featuring a single 3-inch screen, Android 2.3, 800MHz processor, 512MB of RAM/ROM and a cheap $50 price tag.

Alright, so that just about sums it up for “the new Sprint.” We’ve seen gobs of new plans, fees and policies from just about every other carrier this year and it seems Sprint will be no different. Any of the news here make you wary about jumping onto Sprint this year? Pound for pound, I still feel like Sprint is the best option when it comes to pricing, premium handsets and service (if you have it in your area). But make no mistake — with all these new changes, I’m keeping a close eye on you, Sprint…

[Via AndroidCentral]

HTC Holiday Prototype Turns Up on eBay

Posted by on August 31, 2011 No comments

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It takes a ballsy phone tester to decide a prototype handset’s 4.5-inch qHD display is just a bit too big for them and put the prerelease device up for auction on eBay, but that’s exactly what one HTC Holiday guinea pig did. Aside from the large screen, the listing confirms the 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 8MP rear camera with 1.3MP front-facing camera, and 1GB of memory housed withint the phone. Also confirmed is Bluetooth 3.0 baked into an Android 2.3.4 build running Sense 3.0. The rear of the phone reveals a dual-LED flash and some sort of unidentified connector on the back of the battery cover not seen in the most recent leaked photos. The phone is AT&T compatible and should run on the carriers 4G LTE network when it launches later this fall.

One downside to this auction is a cracked digitizer and other cosmetic wear and tear, though the seller claims the touchscreen is still in tact. At the time of posting its going price was $900. Who’s buying?

[via eBay | Thanks, Alex!]

HTC Holiday Case Appears on eBay

Posted by on August 31, 2011 2 comments

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Looks like accessory vendors have already gotten word about HTC’s newest, biggest (maybe not), baddest smartphone coming – the HTC Holiday A black silicon case for the phone has appeared on eBay well ahead of any official announcement. If for some reason you expect to get this phone when it comes out (before even knowing which regions and carriers will get it) you can purchase one yourself for six dollars.

Rumored specs are a 4.5 inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera, a 1.3MP front camera and Android 2.3.4. You can also expect HTC Sense, of course, but no word if it’s 3.0 or 3.5, but we’d sooner guess the former.

The case is a tad revealing – we can see where the camera and speakerphone will go, though we’re not sure what that thin slit to the right of the camera’s hole is for. We’re thinking a secondary microphone for noise cancellation, but we can’t say for sure. In any case, this is as close as we’ll get to any sort of confirmation. $6 (plus $7 shipping) if you want it. [eBay, Thanks Orion!]

AT&T’s HTC Holiday Now Known As The Raider?

Posted by on August 30, 2011 No comments

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We all saw this coming. Its a very common occurrence where a phone’s name will change right before its release and the HTC Holiday will be no stranger to this. According to this user agent profile obtained by PocketNow, the HTC Holiday will now be known as the HTC Raider which we saw HTC recently apply for a trademark not too long ago. Sounds like a pretty cool name to me but that title too, will likely change once this 4G LTE enabled device is finally released on AT&T. Internally, AT&T is calling this device the Waikiki but there’s no way that will stick if AT&T knows what’s good for them. This phone is likely to make a big splash once it lands on AT&T later this year with it’s 4.5-inch qHD display and unique styling. I’ve actually gotten some hands on time with this device and I must say, that screen was absolutely gorgeous.

[Via Pocketnow]

HTC: “Join Us to See What’s Next” in London Night Before IFA

Posted by on August 19, 2011 No comments

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Well it looks like we have two major OEMs hosting their own shindigs coinciding with IFA in Berlin, Germany. Along with Samsung, HTC has announced an event titled “Join us to see what’s next,” set to kick off on September 1st, the day before the massive conference is scheduled to kick off. So what could we be in store for?

Many HTC devices have been rumored over the past couple of months. Considering this is all Europe-centric, I’d venture to guess that the HTC Ruby will be at the top of the list of announcements we see. It’s poised to be HTC’s most powerful smartphone ever with its 1.5GHz dual-core processor. Other rumors peg it as having a 4.3 inch qHD display and 1GB of RAM.

There’s also tthe HTC Holiday which is rumored to be a 4.5 inch device but falls more in line with the HTC Sensation 4G specs wise.

Other possibilities include the HTC Puccini, HTC’s first honeycomb tablet which we believe will have scribe support and is in line with most current Honeycomb tablets in terms of specs. We’ve also been hearing of an HTC Pico lately that could be the next smallish device from Europe.

And how could we forget about the HTC Vigor rumored to be HTC’s first “Beats by Dre” phone following an announcement that they’ve bought the company out? That’ll surely be a treat to see if they bring it along for the ride

And we’re hopeful there will be some other surprises to be had at the event. It’s open to the public so if you’re just as curious as we are, be sure to get on over there and check out everything they have in store. Come on back and give us your thoughts and impressions if you do attend! Facebook.com for event details.

Broken HTC Holiday Appears on Craigslist; HTC Ruby’s Specs Revealed (1.5GHz Dual-Core)

Posted by on August 15, 2011 No comments

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A couple of nice news items coming out of the HTC camp over the weekend. First off, the HTC Ruby that we’ve been hearing so much about has gotten its specs leaked. As has been suggested in recent days, it’s supposed to be a dual-core high-end beast for T-Mobile.

Rmored specs are a 1.5GHz dual-core processor (clocked higher than any of their phones and tablets on the market), a 4.3 inch qHD display, an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 2 megapixel front camera and 1GB of RAM. As usual, expect Android 2.3 with some form of HTC Sense 3.0. If ever there was an HTC phone to get excited about, apparently this is it.

Their possible soon-to-be owner AT&T is also getting a dual-core HTC device for themselves, it would appear, as one broken HTC Holiday test unit has been put up for sale on Craigslist. An interested enthusiast bought the device and put up photos of it for all to be jealous of. Unfortunately, it’s got a cracked screen.

It’s not the aesthetics we’ve come here for, though. The HTC Holiday will reportedly have a 1.2GHz processor, a 4.5inch qHD display (something not usual from HTC), 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 1.3 megapixel front camera and Android 2.3 with HTC Sense 3.0.

Considering the name, well, it’s quite easy to say we should see this one in time for the “Holiday” season. And no, your secret love for California is not being celebrated here – it’s likely only a decal applied by the new or original owner. [SlashGear via AndroidForums.com, Engadget]