In one of our previous posts on the HTC Inspire 4G we mentioned that we were able to sideload application from our SD card and Gmail account. This information isn’t really earth shattering since almost all Android phone are able to accomplish this feat. The only significant thing to note is that this is the first handset on AT&T to feature this functionality. AT&T has been locking down their handsets over the past year by only allowing user to install application from the Android Market. It certainly was not a deal breaker, but AT&T customers were left out in the dark, unable to test out beta applications (SWYPE and many others) and some of the incredible titles from GameLoft.
There have been a few people who simply didn’t believe our claim, so we thought we would walk everyone through the process on video. Just remember, the software on the HTC Inspire 4G may not be final. AT&T may roll out an update to the handset at launch which may disable the Inspire 4G’s sideloading abilities.
Update: as much as we enjoyed showing off the HTC Inspire 4G’s ability to sideload applications, we regret to inform you that the handset will not support this feature when it launches. With the help of Phil from Android Central, we discovered that the demo unit we received is not functioning properly. HTC informed Phil that the Inspire 4G will no be able to sideload application when it’s available at retail and that AT&T has not changed their policy of the subject. Android users who purchase phones from AT&T will still only be able to install applications from the Android market.
I think you were the first to show that sideloading is possible on the Inspire – despite everyone else saying that you can’t do it. Awesome videos on the device too!
LAME! Why must AT&T disable the sideloading of app, I just don’t get it! I guess I will wait on the xda developers to provide the method for rooting this phone so I can re-enabling of side loading.
I hope it’s okay to post this, but Android Central has a Sideload Wonder Machine program that should still push apps to the phone. It works via USB connection to your computer. No root needed.
Yeah, you should also be able to use HTC Sync which syncs all your contacts, bookmarks, music and pictures to your PC. https://htcsource.com/2010/11/new-features-accompany-htc-sync-3-0-release/