The Evo gets Froyo

Editor's note: Though Froyo also can add Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, the update will not change the Evo's current hotspot feature.

Sprint announced Thursday that starting next week it will push the Android 2.2 "Froyo" update to the HTC Evo 4G. The Evo will be the first Sprint device to get the much-anticipated upgrade, which adds a selection of new features and fixes two of the largest drawbacks of the Android OS.

As with most Android updates, Sprint will issue Froyo in waves, with the first batch of users receiving notifications on Tuesday, August 3. The rollout then will ramp up gradually, with all Evo owners scheduled to receive the Froyo by the middle of August.

Two of the most welcome Froyo updates are the addition of voice dialing over Bluetooth and the ability to store apps on external memory cards. Until now, Android devices have lagged behind competing handsets in offering those features. Users will also see faster OS performance, an updated Android Market interface, additional Microsoft Exchange features, support for alphanumeric passwords, rotating camera icons, and an updated browser with Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine and Flash 10.1.

When their devices receive the over-the-air update, users will be told via a notification on their display. They will then be prompted to download and install the update before restarting their phone. Evo owners also can check for the update manually by accessing the "HTC software update" option under the "System update" folder in the Settings menu.