Semi-official no longer, Sprint has now officially announced the
HTC Hero for its network. Here's the skinny: it's coming October 11th and will be $179.99 after assorted rebates. Also noteworthy? It's the
chinless model we just spied just days ago, but otherwise it looks like the same internals, Exchange Active Sync, and Sense UI we've
been toying with for months now, plus
Sprint TV. Pre-registration (note: not pre-order) is now available for those eager to already claim stake. We can't help but notice there's no mention of exclusivity here, but regardless, well played, Sprint, between this and the
Pre, you're amassing quite a nice collection, there.
Update: We spoke to Sprint, and the Hero is in fact an exclusive for the company.
Read - Press release
Read - Hero pre-registration
posted September 3rd 2009 9:39AM
If i knew this was such a big deal, i would have had pictures of this thing months ago fellas!
will there be an unlocked version?
I really don't like the way the CDMA version of the Hero looks, but love the GSM version of it.
This idea has just come to me. What if I bought the CDMA version since I have sprint in the states, and then place the cover from the GSM version on the US sprint version.
They have the same dimensions so it seems that it would fit. I thought you guys would know a whole lot more than I would so I'm here asking you. thanks.
The original HERO has a sense of freshness about it. It is different, it is unique, and it makes people want to have another look. It has a real identity.
This one goes into that pile of other WinMo design of HTC phones that they have been crunching out for ages. BORING!
So it's official (disappointingly so):
It's the HTC Hero WITH GOOGLE, right?
selling my iphone for this one
damn, its exclusive
Great..... Sprint exclusive... does that mean that this won't be available on SERO either?
wow this is nice
For everyone that it saying this is a Google phone,
it is not it still will run the HTC Sense UI..
What do you think Sense UI is built on? It's not it's own OS. It's just HTC's slick and shiny interface they programmed for Android aka Google's OS.
Sprint's Launch Announcement:
http://community.sprint.com/baw/community/sprintblogs/buzz-by-sprint/announcements/blog/2009/09/03/sprint-to-launch-its-first-android-device
Look at Sprint's PDF that compares phones. Very top of the page, "HTC Hero WITH GOOGLE."
Looking good, hope it does well over here. This would be my second choice if the iPhone didn't exist.
this looks more like the magic. still a good phone. htc has the tendency of doing this to "american" models. the htc touch diamond was more squared but when ATT got it that style varied also. would be nice if the US would standardize gsm like other countries instead of still hanging on to cdma.
I actually like it more without the chin..
and besides the aesthetics, I had the G1 and found the chin to be pretty annoying but hey to each his own..
T-Mobile... how I've loved my G1. I don't regret to inform you that I will be going to Sprint as soon as my contract is up in January of 2010.
HERE I COME HERO!
cool
I don't get it... Can someone tell me why this phone is better then the pre? Or for that matter why the iphone is better then the pre. I have a pre pre but worked for apple and I can't find one reason that the iphone is better. I don't know much about htc. Oh and why would anyone want something other then sprint with there 99 buck deal. Is there better out there and I just don't know about it. Plus I should be getting 4g soon. To sum it up why htc or iphone over pre and why would I want anyone over sprint. Please explain
Visual voicemail (which means it also likely works with google voice), integrated google mail, open source OS, far more apps than the Pre has or ever might have, etc.
The big to do about the Hero is a new Android phone with HTC's Sense UI. It's going to be pretty sweat, and since Android is completely open, and Google's, the possiblities will be endless. Palm OS is pretty sweet to, not going to knock it, but I think Android's more open platform gives it the slight edge. And the iPhone hasn't been better than many phones for some time, it's just the fan boys that keep pushing it.
And I hear you entirely with Sprint. Cheapest plans that you get the most out of, and customer service has drastically improved in the last few years. I've been with Sprint for 9 years, and have had very little problems as it is. Why anyone wouldn't be on Sprint is beyond me. But even more confusing is why people still complain about Sprint. I think it's mostly people not getting their way, probably like the 14 year olds who want everything for free.
Couldn't agree more with mattemer. I think WebOS is a great platform. The main issue for me is serious hardware issues with the Pre that Palm has yet to resolve. They are still manufacturing phones without proper fixes to screen cracks, the "oreo effect" etc. Also there are many basic functions that Pre doesn't have yet, still waiting for updates. Android has the benefit of being out in the marketplace for about a year now. I think WebOS will get there but I have a feeling it won't be til they launch another handset or two. It's still in it's infancy and it shows.
As for Sprint service I've had them for about 10 years myself. Though have had other phone companies through work. I love Sprint. I think their service has only gotten better over the years. And I can't say I've ever had a problem that was left unresolved by customer service.
One more question... Why do you all think that sprint changed the way it looks I don't get any of it?
Good news is that it will be available through ALL Sprint channels from day 1, unlike the Pre which was held from SERO/ERP, Telesales, etc. for weeks.
If they allow old SERO (not current ERP) then I will definitely go for this even if I don't get VVM but that will probably be a cost add-on anyway.
Also to those asking about the oleophobic coating... read the press release.
"fingerprint resistant coating"
OK, I know about 1% of what everybody else here knows about these phones, so I need some help. Please tell me, if you can, what features I will and will not be able to use if I buy a European GSM Hero and use it on my AT&T account in the US.
Thanks again.
Jack
i did massive research in re to the same question, short answer is that phone will work, but if you pay for data, it'll be only Edge speed, 2G
T-Mobile running iphone pwns, what?!
Love the original Hero. Was considering switching to it over a 3gs. Not anymore for that ugly as POS. 3GS here I come.
Not sure if anyone has noticed but... Doesn't this phone look a lot more like the HTC Magic??
stupid idiots all
it's still an android phone never the less
and still probably the best android in the states
looks *awesome*
HERO here i come!!
:D
the change in hardware makes this look like the touch hd. When the chin thing first started i was against it but now its a staple in the hardware it makes it stand out.
Ummm, since when did having a chin become a desired feature on a phone? Seriously, are you all smoking crack? Ok, so the Sprint version doesn't have a chin (btw, good job Sprint) so as a result you're not gonna buy it, likely opting for some other phone that does not have a chin, right?
Honestly, if adding a chin to a phone was so cool, Steve Jobs would've placed one on an iPhone. Chins on phones are very retro, like a throwback to early gen cordless phones. I am so glad Sprint has some fashion sense with their design choices. Again, good job Sprint. I can't wait to retire this Touch Diamond.
Why can't everyone just look at the big picture here? The more carriers that pick up the OS, the more devices will come out and possible with better hardware. I am a G1 user on AT&T, and looking forward to switching to Sprint as soon as I can get my hands on this device.
On another note, service is service, who cares whom it is with. In this economy, price is the game changer and so far only Sprint has stepped up to the plate. Now they are finally getting new devices to take back some of the market share from the other guys.
Nowhere near the appeal of the other design.