HTC exec promises Hero successor in 2010, debut at Mobile World Congress
By Ross Miller 
posted December 4th 2009 5:06PM
posted December 4th 2009 5:06PM
Yet another reason to love the Swedes: they give us juicy details. Former LG Sales Manager turned HTC Sweden exec Patrik Andersson has dropped word that a sequel to HTC Hero is coming next year. We know what you're thinking: an upgrade to the company's successful multi-carrier flagship Android device? You don't say! The real interesting point here is when it'll make its debut, and that's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this February. Happy Valentine's, indeed, and if you get to the press conference early, save us a seat?
Hopefully there will be a GSM version that can be used on T-Mobile. Oh! No 528 MHz either HTC! We're on to you!
I can't wait till the HTC Jesus comes out
hope it comes to att. we need android or I'm going back to sprint!!
@cell128 AT&T sucks
@cell128
I'm just curious, but why would you actually WANT to stay on AT&T?
I'm on a family plan and my contract doesn't end for another year or so, but I really wish I could get on Sprint or T-Mobile. I wouldn't mind Verizon either, just that their plans are more expensive.
I can see why you wouldn't want T Mobile if they don't have coverage in your area, but AT&T's network is so congested with all the iPhones that their infrastructure doesn't seem to be able to handle it and so I get incredibly slow 3G speeds..
Maybe AT&T's network is actually good for some people?
It's great for me, but then again there's around 8 carriers who all have fine service in my area. :)
@Junzhi
I find AT&T's service to be very adequate for every day use. Of course, I have a Blackberry 8900, but the EDGE speeds aren't really that bad.
@Junzhi For me, I want android on AT&T because my work pays for my phone on AT&T, but only AT&T.
Any other network adds a huge cost for me.
-Taylor
@AndroidRokz
AT&T has fantastic coverage where I am... you are wrong.
@cell128 Because the iPhone is AT&Ts bread and butter the chances of an Android phone is very slim. It's too much of a direct threat and Apple would work hard to prevent it. Even if AT&T decided to jump in the Android pool it is very likely it would have limited offerings to appease Apple.
Shit my friend just got one
More Hero lovin' is good in my book.
No worries. It'll still include their ultrafast and new Qualcomm 529 (up from 528!) processor. It'll be sweet.
I was wondering about how some one can promise Hero SUCCESS in 2010...
Please include 3g radio for att and tmobile, Also no 528mhz, needs camera with good optics , 5 megapixel or better, thanks
@Hydra the update fixed the camera - nicer faster shots now.
@Hydra Maybe he like many of us want some sort of flash?
I really wish they would make an Android phone with hardware similar to their WinMo keyboard sliders. The HTC G1 and Moto Droid physical keyboards are kind of crap, yet their WinMo sliders have awesome keyboards. Why must they do this?
@Luffy motorola isnt htc
@(Unverified)
Duh, I was just pointing out that there are no Android devices with good physical keyboards
@Luffy Well the Samsung Moment has a fantastic keyboard on Sprint. Not to mention the LG GW620 is coming soon. Don't give up hope.
@Luffy
I disagree. While the Droid's keyboard is absolute garbage (just played with one today), I like the Cliq's quite a bit.
It may be called the HTC Bravo
keep an eye on this guy on the xda forums, he's just announced a new list of HTC devices that are upcoming (more than just the ones in the 2.1 rom)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=5077283#post5077283
As long as sprint gets it again, ill be happy.
It better be faster! No more 528MHz crap... My hero is as slow as balls rolling uphill during a windstorm... My iPhone 3GS kicks the crap outa it.
@mrt2
This is partially a software issue, if you try MoDaCo's custom ROM (now at 3.0) you can see the speed and smoothness you can get out of a well tweaked system.
@mrt2
Even the HTC HD2 is noted as laggy and slow at times, and that has a 1GHz processor! It's the software, and partially the hardware, the iPhone 3G only has a 412MHz processor and that is much smoother than the stock Hero.
The 3GS only has a 600MHz processor, you really think the 72MHz difference between the 3GS and the Hero really matters? It's all about the software, Android needs to be further refined for the hardware and HTC need to further hone the Sense UI (as it seems to be dragging down even 1GHz processors at times).
MoDaCo really proves that the software is what is at issue, not necessarily the clock speed.
@(Unverified) ... you are (somewhat) right that the clockspeed doesn't make a huge difference, but that is compounded with the fact that the newer CPU on the 3GS makes a huge difference. The Cortex A8 is significantly faster than the old ARM11 core at the same clockspeed.
@vikingblade
OK, I'll concede to the 3GS, but I think my point still stands. The iPhone 3G is still much smoother than a stock Hero with a faster clock speed, and the HD2 is still laggy on a modern high-clocked processor.
What HTC need to do is really optimise their software for their hardware and put the stability of the UI as a top-priority.
Slap a physical qwerty keyboard on that biatch, integrate an Nvidia Tegra on that biatch, install the latest Android on that biatch, slap a camera that can record 720p on that biatch and you got yourself an awesome phone.
@adriannn
I agree with a better camera(with flash) and better processor but unless it won't effect thickness much, a physical keyboard is not needed as the on screen one is pretty damn good.
Needs(imo of course)
-Better Camera(with flash)
-Better Processor
-Latest version of android
-Better battery life
-Separate the end call and power screen. It sucks being on a call trying to simply turn off the screen and instead hanging up. Which brings up another issue. Needs a proximity sensor.
@adriannn You better lookout man, I bet HTC is watching this page and wants to hire you to design their next phone. We already know the name you'd choose - The HTC Slap-a-Biatch.
@(Unverified) The Eris on VZW has a proximity sensor and you can now get software on xda that is a software proximity sensor.
Hero with Snapdragon and 2.1 Android please. Then I'll be upgrading again from my current Hero.
@qrius
That makes too much sense, It'll never happen.
@qrius You know, I'm starting to loathe Snap Dragon now. Why you may ask? Simply because people just don't get it: Clock Speed DOES NOT DETERMINE SPEED.
@SomePerson
You saying the 1ghz performs the same as a 528mhz given that both cpus are the exact model?
The reason an iPhone 3GS running at only 600mhz is light years faster than the 528mhz cpus HTC likes to use is that Iphone's CPU is a different architecture. It's like comparing an Atom to a Corei7
@SomePerson actually, it's also more energy efficient.
@SomePerson Clock speed does determine speed when using the same architecture, but here's where it gets really good... Snapdragon uses the Scorpion architecture which is slightly faster and much more energy efficient than the mighty Cortex A8.
@qrius
Bring it to the sprint network and put tegra, wimax, and 2.0 or more.
I got the hero now and thats what they will have to do for me to upgrade at this point!
To HTC an upgrade means same specs, different packaging. Case in point, HTC Dream, HTC Tattoo, HTC Hero, all the same specs, give or take a slide out keyboard or a few camera megapixels.
If I remember correctly the Tattoo has a smaller resistive screen, vs the captive screen of the other devices.
This is disappointing to hear, I've just recently taken out a 24 month contract with a HTC Hero. If this new one comes out with a half decent camera then I'm going to be bummed as that's my biggest complaint with the current Hero, everything else is pretty sweet. The only other improvements I can think of are a higher res. screen, more built in memory, and a faster processor, maybe some sort of graphics chip if that's what floats your boat.
@Kieran
I'm in the same boat as you, I started my 24 month contract with a Hero this month, but I really like it (with the MoDaCo custom ROM to give the thing the speed it needs). My hope is that HTC will continue to streamline the OS for the Hero hardware, especially on to Android 2.1.
But even if HTC don't improve it any further we can at least rely on the custom ROM scene, lots of people have Hero's and lots of people want a fast and reliable experience...at least I hope so, I have no idea if Orange would let me upgrade my handset without taking out a new contract.
Does Hero imply Sprint? Does this mean we have to wait that long for a confirmation on the Dragon/Passion? Or is there still a chance that we will see that this year? Specifically after this BOGO Droid sale ends...
@okthirteen
No, Hero doesn't necessarily mean Sprint. There were very many variations of the Hero as the article implied, like the one for Verizon, and there's an international GSM one as well which uses the original design.
Whatever happened to a G1 replacement?
Then again, the G1 just keeps coming back for more, Android 2.0 OTA in Jan?
@recharged95
yeah man, g1 just doesn't wanna die!
After you've seen the HD2, all their other phones look pretty low end in comparison.
@ok13, since the Hero line includes even the Droid Eris I would assume it would not just mean Sprint. I cant see HTC missing a chance to get the sales from Sprint as well as Verizon unless there is a sweet exclusive deal in it for them. Even then it can be with two companies one European and one American.
How could this phone not be the Passion/Dragon/HTC Myth?