The biggest and baddest Android phone to date has been released today and available for the public.  Actually last night it went sale, through the Sprint Store online, but today with a early opening at Sprint’s retail store, the HTC made, Sprint EVO 4G, is now up for grabs!

This device is by far the fastest, most powerful and exciting Android phone to date.  It easily surpasses the Nexus One and probably the Droid Incredible, as the number one Android handset.  Not only that, but it is the world’s first 4G capable phone.  Although from what I’m hearing coverage and speeds are not that great yet, and Sprint charges everyone a premium to have the 4G, even if it’s not yet available in your area.  Currently there only a few major markets that have full 4G coverage, but Sprint has recently announced that they plan to expand coverage to major cites like Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh by the end of the year.

Enough with that stuff, getting back to the EVO 4G, which includes some big multimedia features.  They include massive 4.3-inch 480 x 800 pixel LCD screen (no AMOLED), the ability to record in full 720p with a nice 8-megapixel camera with LED flash.  It also the first of its kind to include a front facing 1.3-megapixel camera with sensor.  Perfect for video calling and taking self-portrait pictures of yourself, if you’re vain like I am.  I’m kidding, but really, it’s impressive all around.  Finish it all off with Android 2.1 and Sense UI, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB of RAM, and huge 1GB of storage, now you got yourself something to brag about.

As good as the EVO is, Sprint unfortunately released it with a small firmware bug already.  A handful of EVO’s sold had issues locating and/or writing to the microSD card.  Which can be a big problem, but Sprint and HTC quickly identified the source and have already issued the first OTA over-the-air update (1.32.651.6) update for the device.  The only other thing to watch out for with this over-the-air update is that it WILL break your root access.  So if you have your EVO rooted already and aren’t having microSD card issues, probably stay away from it.

Interested in upgrading to the EVO, well looks like your best bet is to order in online through Sprint.  If you want one in your hand by the end of day, most all stores are still reporting a in-store stock of them, as well as your local RadioShack, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart stores. The device costs $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate.

[via Android Central]

If didn’t persuade you, maybe this funny little video on YouTube will :)