HTC Hero freed from generic box, called best Android device yet

It's not officially available yet, but the fine folks at Android Community have gotten their hands on a HTC Hero and posted up a quick unboxing and overview. Their unit is an unaffiliated generic whitebox model, so it's likely that the retail packaging the rest of us see from carriers will be different, but none of that changes the device itself, which AC thinks is the "best Android device to date." That's quite a statement, but we're inclined to agree -- we'll see if anything changes when we get that US 3G version in our hands. More pics at the read link, video after the break.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:26PM]

It still has that fugly chin.

[McPOW Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:58PM]

HUR HUR HUR

[gadgeek Posted Jul 17th 2009 4:53AM]

I beginning to appreciate the chin for its uniqueness and its, what i call 20/20... 20 feet away and moving 20 mph... anyone can see its a Hero. If this phone becomes a hit...i wouldnt put it past another manufacturer copying the lower "spoiler".

[joesko Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:27PM]

After owning both the iPhone and now, the G1... I have to say that this phone dissapoints in the lack of a physical keyboard. There really is no comparison between the two. Especially when you factor in VG emulators which absolutely suck and are completely unplayable on touchscreen phones *cough* iPhone *cough*.

Now if you don't do much txting, or typing of emails and could really care less about playing videogames on your phone... Then yes, I can see how this would be the "best android phone" or whatever... But for me... The G1 is still the king.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:46PM]

This.

I've been trying and trying to force myself to use my Cupcake virtual keyboard, but I just can't get into it, I still find myself flipping out the keyboard without even thinking. I've played with the virtual keyboards on the iPhone and Instinct as well, but still prefer physical.

I'm hoping the Hero comes out on T-Mobile (unless this is already confirmed?) and I'll be picking it up. I assume without the physical keyboard, I'll be forced into loving the virtual one.

Sink or swim.

[Obscurinata Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:30PM]

Agreed. I had a 1st gen iPod Touch and never got used to the virtual keyboard, still can't on my G1. I'll take a physical keyboard any day, though it makes me kinda sad that on the G1 the hinge thingy doesn't really keep the top half in place perfectly and gives the screen a bit of mushy feel when you press it. I imagine later Android phones with physical keyboards will have more solid construction, though.

[blueskyv201 Posted Jul 17th 2009 2:17AM]

Not a big fan of virtual keyboards either. I've had my iPhone for a few months now and I still can't get used to the keyboard.

[gadgeek Posted Jul 17th 2009 5:08AM]

I agree with the pack here..at least in my case. I'm a heavy email user by day and multi-contact texter managing my harem by night... so a physical keyboard comes at a high priority in my phone choices. If this phone had one it would make my next phone choice very tough. Until then it's Touch Pro2. An announcement of a HTC Hero (Pro?) before Sprint's TP2 release...and I would happily digress.

[Duscrom Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:32PM]

Can't wait to see this on AT&T? THe bane of the iPhone's exsistance?

Please..

I can't wait to see this on Sprint.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:37PM]

Without a keyboard, and from everything I've read it does not have one, it is not the best. Maybe a best in a Special Olympics sort of way but not THE best.

[Fry Guy Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:43PM]

Agreed. The physical keyboard is what made me switch from the iphone. My only complaint of the G1 are as a developer - android really needs a faster jvm so that the apps I have written don't crawl along as it interprets (int this day and age!) java, errr... dalvik... bytecode.

[sivan Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:52PM]

No keyboard, no thanks. Too many widgets and effects. Now you have a flashy UI with generic looking apps.

I'm afraid that's what Android UI's will be like, a playground for manufacturers and carriers trying to differentiate themselves with gratuitous effects.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:39PM]

What's wrong with innovation? Some people don't like having the same things as a million other people.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2009 10:50AM]

The touch screen keyboard has been improving a lot imo. I got an HTC Magic with The Hero Sense UI on it and I should say Hero Keyboard >> Magic Keyboard.

As for the widgets, they are useful and nice looking, why remove them ? If you really dont like them, go ahead, you can drag them to the trashbin...I dont see your problem here.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:12PM]

Got on, it is a fantastic device. on screen keyboard works just fine, probably better than on Iphone. Android is just great.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:16PM]

Why would they use a white trackball? It would just turn yellow after a few months of use. Thats one thing i hated from the old blackberrys.

[jim0068 Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:56PM]

The white trackball glows different colors for various notifications. I think it is going to glow a white, blue, and red based on missed calls, new emails and texts *i think.* I may not ne 100% on this but i do know it's white to have different color notifications.

[Chefgon Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:56PM]

If it's anything like the Magic, the trackball only lights up white and it's totally uncustomizable. It blinks while the phone is ringing and flashes ONCE for a quarter of a second when an SMS comes in. As a notification light, it's completely worthless. The actual colored notifications that blink different colors and go on until you dismiss them are up on the earpiece just like the G1.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:36PM]

Un-patiently waiting its debut in the U.S.

[Hydra Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:03PM]

Going to be nice when I load this OS on my regular G1 phone

[POZ Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:53PM]

I will say this until it is fulfilled - I want Android with a 4.1 inch AMOLED, SnapDragon hardware platform, 1GB RAM/ROM, Tegra graphics GPU, and a friggin snowblower attachment.

So far ACER is the one company who has --allegedly-- started testing Android on the Snapdragon.

Powertothepeople mofo.

[MinimalistChris Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:24PM]

Please let this come to Sprint!... In desperate need of an upgrade to the BB8830we!

[Chefgon Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:53PM]

Every one of these Android phones has got some positives and negatives. I'm still waiting for one with the G1's keyboard, the Magic's sexy looks, and the Hero's headphone jack. I guess the Hero is probably the best overall so far, but I just can't get over how old fashioned the hardware design is. It sort of looks like a cheap plastic calculator.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2009 1:43AM]

It looks good so far.

[theRise Posted Jul 16th 2009 6:21PM]

love the phone. the video is so slow right now.

[aniym Posted Jul 16th 2009 7:12PM]

will this be on AT&T without a data plan requirement? I'd get this in a heartbeat if that was the case. Wi-Fi only is perfectly fine by me, and covers everything I'd need it for.

[japii Posted Jul 16th 2009 7:46PM]

I'm just really happy that there's at least one manufacturer that isn't afraid to sacrifice thinness in order to make it comfortable. This phone looks like it would be so nice to hold.

[Zodiac Posted Jul 16th 2009 8:28PM]

I'm sorry but the words HTC Hero should be replaced with Boring Ugly!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 10:15PM]

If I could buy this unlocked for $400 I totally would. I like my iPhone but I'd also love to play with an unlocked android unit. But not the G1. Maybe if Google sells this as a developer phone...

[Zodiac Posted Jul 17th 2009 3:57AM]

Are you out of your mind? For $400, you could get 4 iPhone 3g. Save your money for accessories!

[vman81 Posted Jul 17th 2009 5:06AM]

@BruisedLee

I'm tempted to flame you, but I won't

The iphone does NOT cost 99$ I repeat, there is no way to buy an iphone for 99$ period.

[Cheesus Crust Posted Jul 16th 2009 11:02PM]

CDMA sucks period, everyone should be GSM(Verizon is going to be soon) so you aren't limited to the P.O.S phones the carrier offers

[gadgeek Posted Jul 17th 2009 5:41AM]

bonehead.... try to comment with intelligence. For data-centric users, you can't beat the two US CDMA carriers... From recent PC World and Wired Magazine, to your everyday readers here.... everyone knows the best 3G coverage and speed comes from Sprint & Verizon. And you mentioning VZW going GSM and the word "limited" in the same sentence is ironically what kind of phone selection you will find when VZW does switch over during initial phases. And how farkin' far in the future is that? It hasnt even been nailed down which year...let alone which quarter. I and probably many others don't have a necessity to switch phones daily, monthly, or even yearly. Maybe I fall into a sweetspot for contract expiration on my 3 lines, because Sprint has not failed yet to offer me a very compelling phone choice at re-negotiation time. This is in the month of March and I have been offered the 2-year discount as early as October! To make your argument even more baseless... Sprint offers Blackberry world phones with CDMA radios and SIM slots for GSM service.
Frankly..if you're a GSM user now...why would you even care about CDMA? And if you're on CDMA now... who do you think the cost of conversion ultimately falls on.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 11:31PM]

Nilay - No offense, but to suggest that saying the "Hero is the best Android device to date," is "quite a statement" is a little over the top. Given what's come before it (not to mention the inexorable march of progress), what would be surprising would be if it wasn't the "best Android device to date."

[xclntgig Posted Jul 17th 2009 12:32AM]

Anyone know why T-Mobile US went with the myTouch instead of the Hero? They were the first to market with Android in the US and they are about to let whatever carrier gets this phone pass them in technology. What's the point? I've heard they might be having financial trouble. It's not wonder with these kinds of decisions!

[Panerai111 Posted Jul 17th 2009 3:24AM]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. Be on T-mobile....

[gadgeek Posted Jul 17th 2009 5:47AM]

take it for what it's worth:

http://gizmodo.com/5310109/t+mobile-straight-out-says-no-htc-hero-from-them

...but i never known a Chief Officer of a corporation to lie. *cough cough*

[Lundmark Posted Jul 17th 2009 4:33AM]

Still a far cry from the iPhone 3GS in terms of usability.

[gadgeek Posted Jul 17th 2009 5:53AM]

thank you for your in-depth assessment... i'm sure your weeks and months of hands-on experience with this officially un-released cellphone qualifies you to make such an informative statement. * Picture Me (eyes) Rollin' *

[Lundmark Posted Jul 17th 2009 7:47AM]

Well sir, Android has been out for a while.

[PhoenixFox Posted Jul 17th 2009 8:20AM]

and this is Android with a totally reskinned UI. Hence, altered usability. hence, any statements made about Android's usability do not necessarily apply to this device.

[shpe11 Posted Jul 17th 2009 4:53AM]

they say android is an open platform...

so I can change the UI for example?

my concept phone is like this: http://concepts.shpe.ro/?id2=00040000
I want a phone that you can reprogram, with lots of APIs (for me flash APIs :) ), so I can do my own UI in flash... and if suports flash 10 it will be a dream for sure (because flash 10 has native 3D engine...)

[shpe11 Posted Jul 17th 2009 4:56AM]

look for example I did my own photo manager in flash for nokia 5800 which I think looks pretty good...
demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDJPBnSv0wc

key features:
-multi-touch alternative for single-touch mobile devices (zoom/rotate/pan controls)
-chaos order (thumbs allover the screen, like a pile of real photos thrown on a table)
-photo grouping (make groups, add/remove photos to groups)
-kinetic movements
-autoscroll when drag photos
-autosave custom arrangement (groups and photo arrangements)
-only photos loaded (from folder images/camera)

free download

[GBobBillyBob Posted Jul 17th 2009 7:38AM]

@lundmark - "Still a far cry from the iPhone 3GS in terms of usability" - oh so im guessing you own and have used both phones have you?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2009 9:45AM]

I love how OhYeah takes the time to mention his 52" Samsung LCD!!!!! Wow, welcome to the everyman's TV. It's like Michael Scott bragging about his Chrysler Sebring. Though I suppose it's better than a Vizio, so ya got that going for ya.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 19th 2009 12:25AM]

If I purchase an unlocked htc hero will it work in the U.S. now?