Some HTC Hero units shipping sans EV-DO Rev. A on Sprint? (update: nope!)
By Darren Murph 
posted Oct 12th 2009 9:09AM
posted Oct 12th 2009 9:09AM
[Via Examiner, thanks Tracknod]
Update: We just heard directly from HTC about this snafu, and as it turns out, the message that Sprint Hero users are seeing is merely a mislabeling. If you're within an EV-DO Rev. A area, you'll get Rev. A speeds -- despite that fact that your phone says it's only on Rev. 0. We're also told that a future maintenance release will address the message. Check the full quote after the break.
It turns out that while the phone reads that it is operating at EV-DO Rev. 0, there is a message error in the UI that states this, even if the device is working on a Rev. A network. So, the good news is that this does not at all impact the operation of the phone – if you are in a EV-DO Rev. A coverage area, you will get Rev. A speeds. However, any future maintenance releases will address the message that users see on their phones.
I got my Sprint Hero on Friday and can confirm that the Mobile network type is set to "CDMA - EvDO rev. 0" as well.
Bought a Hero yesterday, love it, but confirmed that yes, it is not using revA in Seattle area.
I got two of them friday from bestbuy. I thought it was rev A because i was getting about 1.1mbps in my test. It is still blazing for me, I can't imagine when it is updated.
What are the speed ranges for rev A?
There is no problem with these phones as confirmed by Sprint. The Rev speed indicated in the settings shows actual connection speeds. I have had my Hero show Rev A, Rev 0 and 1xRTT it just depends where you are located. There is no problem or conspiracy. Sprint first released models without "with google" on the back but changed their minds and decided to add that to the back covers of newer devices. There is no difference in the hardware and the capability of Rev A.
Just do a network speed check on a website or something, then we will all know
Hey you know what was odd? Yesterday I went to the local corporate Sprint Store and they didnt have the Instinct HD, the Hero, or the Intrepid out on display and it was like 3pm when I went there. They had like a 45 min waiting time to talk to a rep so I didnt have any luck looking into the phones before I ordered an Instinct HD online. I dont want another android phone I still have a G1 as my work phone so it was down to the IHD or the Intrepid, well actually the TP2 at $199 is also an option. With a company discount with sprint I'm able to get the TP2 at $199 vs the $349 it still shows on the normal site.
My reasoning behind not wanting android as my 2nd phone is because it has no PDF support, I was hoping to cover that need by getting a personal phone that would do it, but in reality neither does the Instinct HD. But at least it would fill a niche for having a better camera/video than the G1. I was considering Winmo because of its pdf support, and the fact that the new 6.5 version is a little more finger friendly. But the screen is too small, and too low rez for what it is. If it was a higher rez like the Tour I'd be more interested. Also comparing the sizes of the Intrepid to the Tour the Intrepid is too tall and too wide. I'd get a Tour if it had Threaded SMS. Even with Sprint having the best smartphone lineup I have no luck in finding the perfect phone for my needs and wants. :)
So I went from the corp store to the mall which has sprint stands all over the place that are owned by 3rd parties. None of them had anything regarding displays of the three devices. In one of them the sales guy had a Hero that he had as his personal phone. But he said that they only sell the Hero out of the three new phones yesterday. Also they had a stack of educational fliers for their sales people regarding the Instinct HD, I asked for a copy and he gave me one.
So theres my story for not having any success even seeing a device on sale at any of the local stores in Seattle. Not to mention that Best Buy doesnt sell Sprint in Washington State. I did get to play with that guys Hero for a sec, nice UI, solid feeling phone. But I dont want another android for a little while. I still have 1.3ish years before my G1 contract is up.
What are you talking about? The Hero comes pre-loaded with a PDF file reader.
You Guys and Gals are what most people call "early adopters" and this is simply part of the deal. Not only are you now the proud owners of a very top flight handset, you are also "unofficial beta testers" for people like me who may purchase this phone later down the road with Donut 1.6 & Rev A a few weeks or even a month from now. Congrats to you all, now stop bitching and get to testing:)