Friday AM Update on the HTC EVO 4G LTE

8AM

MANY people are now playing with their new EVO LTE - but some are still waiting. Despite the lack of internal updates, here's what is known as far as delivery/pickup dates.

Also.. if you're wondering what that 2nd package is that you're receiving - it's a free Gel Case for your new HTC EVO 4G LTE! Sprint's way to say 'sorry for the delay'!

Sprint:
Online orders are mostly all delivered, and in-store pre-orders should be arriving at some point today. There has still been no word internally on why it's taken so long to get them to our own corp stores, but the wait should be over within 24 hours according to what I'm seeing.

Best Buy:
Online orders have shipped overnight, and in-store pre-orders were able to be picked up in more stores as of yesterday

RadioShack/Target:
Pre-Orders will be arriving at most locations this morning via FedEx, and will be immediately made available for pickup for pre-orders.

Wirefly/Amazon:
I still haven't heard a definitive answer on these two 3rd party resellers. For this one, you probably have better information that I do. However, no one has yet been able to say for sure where the delay is at.

Other notes...

Late last night it was discovered that a few shipments had mismatches between the ESN(serial number) on the outside of the box, and the device inside. This was not due to Customs, but rather a labeling error from HTC. It's not a large deal, and care or webchat can clear it up for you, it will only take a few extra minutes when activating.

There is an expedited process in place for lost/damaged/not received packages... so if you get the runaround if you are having this issue, keep escalating until someone offers it.

And we still have no official launch date. The delay of this has been for a couple of reasons, the primary one being the promise to make sure that all pre-orders are available before the launch date. And this has taken a day or two longer than expected. Will we hear word of an official launch today? I'm optimistic that we will.

Remember twitter (@InsideSprintNow) is where you'll get the news first, as it's easier for me to sneak a tweet sooner than a full post for breaking news, like a launch date, as soon as it happens :)

HTC EVO 4G LTE - 5/25 Official Launch

Just as tens of thousands of you are peeking out your windows watching for the UPS truck, as your phone is out for delivery today, we have received official confirmation:

Tomorrow, Friday 5/25/12 WILL be the official national launch day for the HTC EVO 4G LTE.

UPDATED AT  AM

This has been assumed since yesterday, but could not confirm until just now.

 

HTC EVO 4G LTE: Cleared by Customs

It would appear that customs has cleared the HTC EVO 4G LTE. According to the TaiPei Times:

"In a twist to the US’ import ban on various HTC Corp (宏達電) smartphones, the company yesterday said some of its products blocked by US customs because of patent-infringement concerns had been allowed to enter the US market after passing the customs’ review."

I have not seen anything internally yet as far as shipping dates, but I would expect to have that info either later tonight or super early in the morning. I do know there were several plans drafted based on when they would be cleared, so I'll get that info and match it up and see where we're at. Hang tight, it's going to be a fast paced next 24 hours! :) And who knew customs worked on the weekend for commercial stuff!

Thanks to about 200 people that sent me this article! I was out at brunch and having drinks with some friends on a lazy day, and had no expectations of anything breaking today :) At least now I've got some snooping to do.

 

HTC EVO 4G LTE Update - 6PM

I know you all want to hear better news - but I don't have it. Word is that there was supposed to be a promised/scheduled inspection by those wonderful customs folks today (after 3+ weeks of them dragging their heels).. but it never happened. Why not? That I have no info on. It is the government we're dealing with here.

What I can tell you is that the mere fact that they promised/scheduled an inspection for today is better news than we've had for the previous 3+ weeks the phones have been in the FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone). Progress? Yes. Perfection? No. So let's hope we get one on Monday, and still make the new launch date that was mentioned before.... I wish I could tell you more, but I simply don't have any more info to give. Should something crazy come up tonight or over the weekend (or some should CBP worker decide to claim some overtime), I'll post it asap... but our weekend 'pipeline' is composed on Fridays (basically all the info that will be distributed over the weekend) and there's nothing in there yet.... so I'll keep checking, and you'll be the first to know as soon as I hear anything - good or bad :)

 

ISN

Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE - Full Launch Delay

In continuation of our earlier post - we can now (un)officially confirm that the FULL launch of the HTC EVO 4G LTE is now officially delayed. This is very preliminary, however, as of 11PM tonight, we can report:

• FULL Launch DELAY


• No pre-orders will be shipped


• No HTC EVO 4G LTE devices will be sold in stores on 5/18


• Internal conversations put the launch delay at least 10 days out, however that's up to customs and a court right now

PLEASE NOTE: This can and likely will change over the next 12-24 hours, but as of right now, that is the status. We will know more after 10AM on Wednesday, and I'll try to post an update as soon as I can after that.

The official response is "The launch of HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard issue with U.S. Customs". see the previous post for more details, but basically Apple is claiming that the shipments from HTC contain software/features that violate a patent it holds.

• U.S. Customs routinely inspects International Trade Commission (ITC) exculsion shipments.


• HTC is working closely with U.S. Customs to secure approval.

Here's the official responses:
If customers inquire about the delay, share the following reactively:

Q: What response do we provide customers about HTC EVO 4G LTE availability?
A: The U.S. availability of the HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed. HTC is working to resolve this issue and appreciates your patience as they work to get products into Sprint channels.


Q: What impact does this have to on the HTC EVO 4G LTE that I’ve already purchased through pre-order?
A: The arrival of your HTC EVO 4G LTE will be delayed until HTC is able to resolve this issue.

Q: What is the status of pre-order and when will pre-order devices be delivered?
A: HTC is working with U.S. Customs for a speedy resolution and your pre-order fee still holds the device. We will provide a ship date as soon as possible. We maintain the promise for the preorder customers that they will be among the first to receive their HTC EVO 4G LTE units.

Q: When will HTC EVO 4G LTE be available to consumers?
A: We can’t provide specific timing for product availability at this time and we appreciate your patience as HTC works to get products on store shelves as soon as possible. Educate the customer to chek the HTC EVO LTE microsite (http://www.sprint.com/evo4glte) for the availability date.

Q: What happens if I break or need to return my HTC EVO 4G LTE? Will I be able to get a replacement?
A: The delay in availability does not currently impact pre-ordered product returned for repair or replacement.

Remember: We appreciate our customers enthusiastic support and appreciate their patience as we work to get HTC EVO 4G LTE in to their hands as soon as possible.

CONFIRMED: HTC EVO 4G LTE Launches 5/18/12

We can now confirm the HTC Evo 4G LTE will launch on 5/18/12

BONUS! Here's the user guide for the new HTC Evo 4G LTE:

20120418_HTC_EVO_4G_LTE_User_Guide

 

HTC EVO 4G LTE: Online and In-Store Pre-Order Device Wait List

Starting 05/07/12, customers can preorder the HTC EVO 4G LTE (APX325CKT) online or use the In-Store Pre-Order Device Wait List (DWL).

• In-Store Pre-Order Device Wait List is scheduled to remain open until national launch.


• DWL could end early if demand exceeds allocated inventory.

How the Device Wait List works:

• Customers visit their nearest company-owned Sprint Retail Store to purchase a $50 Sprint gift card, which adds their name to a waiting list.


• Customers make one $50 Sprint gift card purchase for each device they are reserving.


• Customers will be contacted by the Sprint Store when their device is available for pick-up.
  
  
  
  • An appointment to pick-up the device will be scheduled.
  
  
  • If customer misses their scheduled appointment time, customer has until end of the business day on the day of the agreed appointment to pick up their device.
  
  
  • Customers who fail to pick up their device on the day of their appointment will be placed on the DWL until another device becomes available for them.
    
    
    
    • These customers will be contacted 3 times before their name is removed from the DWL permanently.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Sprint gift cards
  
  
  
  • Are non-refundable and do not expire or lose value.
  
  
  • Can be used to buy any device or accessory or towards their bill.
  
  
  
  

What you need to do:

• Answer any basic questions the customer has about the In-Store Pre-Order Device Wait List process.


• Refer customers to acompany-owned Sprint Retail Storeto:
  
  
  
  • Purchase a Sprint Gift Card and add their name to the list.
  
  
  • For questions/changes to the appointment time to pick-up their device.
  
  
  • For customer reported issues with the Sprint gift card where the dollar amount was not loaded correctly at the time of purchase.