mmark27

Looks like the source just got posted, this means a release is imminent within a few days. [recent updates have been the next day, but could be longer]: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50266535&postcount=58

Holy schnikies! An acceptance in Madison! Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

They all have their trade offs. enjoy the sealed battery, no SD card, and lesser camera quality. for me, those are worth sticking it out with samsung. There's nothing magical with these android upgrades anymore, not like the days of yore where an update meant a new maps version and feature. Most features have become decoupled from the OS itself, in stand alone apps. The software optimizations generally don't affect phones with too much power like the S4. So all in all, 4.3 or 4.4.2, its all about the same. however, I am wanting for better/native MAP support through bluetooth in 4.4 Sammy has always baked it in, but its half assed.

Our crews must have finally given up with these temps. Awful cold year when we didn't need it to be for Sprint progress! Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

I don't know anything about what date we'll see the update, but over at XDA they are starting to see RDFs posted for the S4. This means that there are builds in testing by Sprint from Samsung. This, however, could last days, weeks, months, it really is unknown. It is good that we are seeing them at all though. My guess is that we'll see it in a couple weeks. That said, in the past they have not withheld software before the unveiling of the next phone. I've had the S2 (E4GT), S3 and now S4. Whatever version of Android we were always waiting on came before the next phone version if it was close (ie, RDFs posted and builds being tested). So I don't believe the theory that they're strategically waiting to release software to boost sales. Remember that is extremely rare for people to update to every iteration of the phone the way that contract pricing works (and is still the king despite the new loaner plans by the carriers). Especially for the S4, since that's their latest flagship. I'm not saying you're the only one thinking of this, many people always predict this is why software is not released, when in fact they are full of bugs. I try to test every leaked firmware for our Sprint models possible. Unfortunately that hasn't happened for the S4 like the S3 or Epic 4G Touch. Here's the link to check on latest RDF builds: http://device.sprintpcs.com/Samsung/SPH-L720-Chameleon/latest It works the best in IE for some reason, but there's a string and then a build number tucked in there, as of writing this, it is L720VPUFNAE

Except they did. Albeit limited. There's no band 41 equipment installed in the Madison area that I've seen. I'll run some calculations but I'd say we're over 70 percent 1900LTE. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Ha. Once I see all Madison towers with 800LTE, then I'll pop champagne. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Android Police and the public in general seem to really love the idea and logo for Spark, eh? ha.

Oh, as predicted to be today, it is now officially official for MKE: http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-releases/sprint-rolls-out-4g-lte-in-more-cities.htm?view_id=7008

Was in the Astor Hotel today and there was strong LTE in there. Very pleased and improved from early December. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Madison's map is way overstated. Hasn't changed at all since they announced Madison officially. Personally, I think official announcement is a bad thing because they apparently stop working in your area. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Aw, come on guy. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Oh those both have huge signals from the towers nearest them, so you'll be fine. The Fitchburg store is about a mile from my house. Those are both 3rd party stores though right? I know the one on University is a certified repair store, but not a corporate store.

Just don't go on the isthmus/capitol, near Hilldale Mall, the airport or Verona.....but other than that its fine.

Another quick Madison update, I was just on State Street for lunch. Haven't been down there for a couple weeks, but Frances St. tower is now broadcasting 1x800 and eHRPD. This is different from just before Christmas when those towers went 3G accepted, it was still stuck on 1xRTT and EvDO/eHRPD bouncing back and forth. Hopefully the backhaul is in place and perhaps they'll go LTE soon. It did look like some new antenna work had been done to cover up the RRUs with metal painted boxes too, but I haven't kept too close an eye on that since I first saw the RRUs go up.

I was in Green Bay two weeks ago with a guy that has a N5. He wasn't able to connect to band 26 despite our attempts to force the band priority. Perhaps they can't even see band 26 yet, but I thought they could, just not band 41. Man, Madison really has become stagnate for the past couple months without a single tower change. Unfortunately there still are some awful gaps in the coverage here now, especially downtown on the isthmus and capitol. Service is still unusable at MSN airport too. It's pretty great despite that though, look forward to any Band 26 showing up here. If there's a premier sponsor lurking here, perhaps just drop us a "hey there's a tower in your area" information when it does happen.

Ooh baby, Legere really gave it to Sprint today saying any Merger would end with T-Mobile on top and Sprint's Network Vision is a shit storm. He's a bit delusional. T-Mobile CEO John Legere refuses to deny acquisition by Sprint http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/8/5289316/t-mobile-ceo-john-legere-refuses-to-deny-acquisition-by-sprint Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Simple, tri band will get 800LTE and normal mono band will only get 1900LTE. 800LTE goes further into buildings and such increasing it's signal and speed everywhere. Despite the 2600 mumbo-jumbo, 800LTE will be the biggest improvement most will experience when it's finally on and usable. That outweighs the SVLTE IMO. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

I had this happening too. For me you could just tap the back and it'd restart. Take it to a Sprint repair center and have them send you a refurbished one as replacement. I did that and this refurbished one is great, doesn't do that like my original S4. No idea why it's happening, for me it did it with different batteries so it must be internal. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

I should have added a caveat to mine, IF I'm on a strong 800 signal, the voice quality is crazy clear. Most of the convos between my wife and I are on strong signals. However, on a weak signal, like in my office, the voice sounds awful and is practically unusable.

It's crazy, right? My wife will call me driving home with the radio, defrost, etc going and it sounds like she's in a sound booth and/or sitting next to me. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Most likely, many of these might be broadcasting LTE or 1x800 as well. Or it'll happen very soon. Map it up in Sensorly! Side note, I'm in STL, MO and although they have LTE most everywhere, they have no 1x800. Seems odd because they're also a Samsung market like Milwaukee. You'd think it would be similar here with 800 deployed. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

49 and 14 for Milwaukee proper? Happy guys? Cluster theory FTW. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Ha, how about North Wisconsin of all places being one of the first. Thanks AJ!

Yeah, I didn't seem to have any issues except once around 5:15pm, my wife tried to call me she claims but I never got it. She said it just kept ringing and never went to voicemail.