HTC EVO 3D To Ship On Sprint With Blockbuster On Demand

CTIA 2011 is in full swing in Florida, and lots of new phones and tablets are being announced. Sprint has introduced one of the wildest at the show, with the HTC EVO 3D to become America's first 4G "glasses-free" device with a QHD 3D display. The phone's set to debut this summer, bringing with it WiMAX support, a 4.3" display, a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (dual-core), and dual 5MP cameras that can be used to capture 2D and 3D images/videos.

It's not surprising to hear of a 3D phone. It first came to TVs, then to tablets, and onto consoles. Phones just feel like a natural next-fit, but it will probably require lots of new 3D content before this becomes particularly compelling. The phone also has an HDMI port, DLNA streaming support, 3G/4G mobile hotspot capability, access to the Android Market, 4GB of internal memory, 1GB of RAM, a microSD slot, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), stereo Bluetooth, integrated GPS and a 1730mAh Li-ion.

The EVO 3D also ships with Blockbuster on Demand, the first 3D handset to do so. This is likely meant to compete with the LG Revolution, which will ship with Netflix support on VZW. It's hard to say if Blockbuster will be as compelling as Netflix, but it's definitely better than nothing. As of now, there's no price or release date set, but we get the feeling this won't be the first 3D phone that comes out of this particular trade show.

Sprint Introduces America’s first 4G “glasses-free” device with QHD 3D Display, HTC EVO 3D, Coming this Summer

Sprint also brings the popular and powerful HTC EVO experience to a 4G tablet, HTC EVO View 4G, this summer, with new digital pen technology that makes it possible to make notes on Web pages, ebooks, PDF documents and more, in an easy and natural way

ORLANDO (CTIA) – March 22, 2011 – As the first national wireless carrier to launch the groundbreaking data speeds of 4G, Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the upcoming availability of its 21st and 22nd 4G-capable devices – HTC EVO™ 3D and HTC EVO View 4G™ on America’s Favorite 4G Network.1 HTC EVO 3D takes the mobile multimedia experience to a new level, providing the ability to capture and view in 3D and share at 4G speeds, offering consumers the ultimate glasses-free 3D experience. Sprint also announced HTC EVO View 4G, introducing a tablet to the award-winning EVO family.

Both devices will be available for Sprint customers this summer. Pricing will be shared closer to launch. Pre-registration for both devices begins today at www.sprint.com/evo3d and www.sprint.com/evoview.

Built with the Gingerbread (2.3) version of Android™, HTC EVO 3D features America’s first QHD 3D 4.3-inch display and a powerful 1.2 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon® dual-core processor. HTC EVO 3D also features dual 5 megapixel cameras, which can be used to capture both high-quality conventional and stunning 3D images and videos, opening up new frontiers for user-generated content, social networking and streaming video.

“Sprint is taking wireless innovation to the next level once again as we bring our customers the ability to experience 3D on their phone without glasses,” said Steve Elfman, president - Network Operations, Product and Wholesale, Sprint. “HTC EVO 3D makes it easy to take pictures or movies in 3D when you are on vacation, and then feel like you are there again when you view it months later. This device takes full advantage of Sprint’s powerful 4G network and offers the innovation one would expect as the next benchmark device in the prestigious EVO product line.”

As 3D has become more sought-after in both movie theaters and family rooms, the ability to enjoy 3D on a wireless phone – 3D glasses-free – will change the way customers interact with their devices. According to The NPD Group's 3D 360° Monitor (September 2010), consumers show a high degree of interest in working with personal media in 3D (with one-third saying they would like to take photos in 3D). For details, visit http://www.3dmarkettrends.com.

The countless ways customers benefit from HTC EVO 3D’s dynamic ability to capture and playback video in 3D include:

    * Real estate agents can create and share 3D virtual tours of homes that let out-of-town buyers “walk through” the house and truly experience the listings before they can see them live;
    * Dad can feel like he is in the bleachers watching the ball leave the park for a homerun even if he’s forced skip a Little League game because he is stuck at the office;
    * 3D mapping of terrain will help build new and exciting features for navigation, and hikers will be able to get aerial views of the topography of rivers and mountains while in the backcountry; and
    * Families can “relive” the excitement of their vacation and feel like they are there again.

“At HTC, we believe in offering a wide portfolio of beautifully designed, powerful and highly customizable devices for our customers, and the HTC EVO portfolio at Sprint does just that,” said Jason Mackenzie, president - HTC Americas. “As HTC continues to push the limits of innovation, we are looking forward to delivering the HTC EVO 3D and our first 4G tablet, the HTC EVO View 4G, to Sprint customers this summer.”

According to ABI Research (Dec. 20, 2010) mobile 3D devices will be driven by three key applications: creation of user-generated 3D content by integrated video and still cameras, playback of 3D content and 3D gaming. It also anticipates that mobile devices may turn out to be the most successful form factor towards bringing 3D technology into mainstream markets.

With integrated 3D HD (720p) video capture, 4G speeds, and the latest version of the acclaimed HTC Sense experience, HTC EVO 3D makes it possible to become part of the action and then easily and seamlessly post high-quality video to YouTube™ or Facebook, or share moments in real time over the Internet live, via Qik. Its integrated DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) capability makes it fast and easy to share stored music, pictures and user-generated HD video wirelessly with other DLNA-certified® home electronics, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras, printers and more.. Using an HDMI cable (sold separately) makes it possible to also share user-created 3D video content via a 3D TV.

Additional key features of HTC EVO 3D include:

    * 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat
    * 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
    * Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 useful applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
    * Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Calendar, Voice Actions, and YouTube™
    * Sprint’s unique implementation of Google Voice, allowing customers to keep their Sprint number and seamlessly move to Google Voice
    * Corporate e-mail (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®), personal (POP and IMAP) e-mail and instant messaging
    * 4GB Internal memory/1GB RAM
    * microSD slot (supports up to 32GB memory card)
    * Wi-Fi – 802..11 b/g/n
    * Stereo Bluetooth®
    * Integrated GPS
    * 1730 mAh Lithium-ion battery

Blockbuster On Demand Provides Access to the Latest Movies

HTC EVO 3D will be the first 3D handset pre-loaded with the Blockbuster On Demand® mobile application that has access to one of the largest catalogs of movies, including 3D titles. This movie store in your pocket offers video optimized for viewing on HTC EVO 3D’s 4.3-inch screen.

“Consumers want to watch the latest entertainment anywhere, anytime,” said Scott Levine, vice president of Digital, Blockbuster. “Sprint and Blockbuster are taking the movie watching experience to the next level with enabling 3D on a smartphone.”

Blockbuster On Demand offers the hottest new releases on the same day they become available on Blu-ray and DVD. Customers can buy or rent digitally and download directly to their smartphone, along with select 3D movies.

If a video isn’t available digitally, Blockbuster also gives customers access to more than 100,000 movies and TV shows, as well as games, through store inventory at any of the Blockbuster stores nationwide. Also, Blockbuster® by Mail is another option for consumers. They can manage and update their mail queues from their phone, while on-the-go.

Blockbuster On Demand purchases can also be watched on other Blockbuster On Demand-compatible devices. Rentals range from $1.99 to $3.99 each, and purchases are $5.99 and up. Rentals will be available for viewing on one screen within 30 days of rental, with a 24-hour viewing period once the title is first played.