Hero -- Engadget

hero posts

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXL: HTC Hero gets iPhone flair

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 9th 2009 at 4:44PM

It's just like the old riddle: what looks like a Hero, thinks it's an iPhone, and does double-duty as an old-school FM handheld? Why, it's the TVG3 -- and when combined with some prototypical shanzhai flair, its (con)fusion of attributes from all over the cellphone space make this one a stunning exemplar of KIRFness. Behold! 3.2-inch touchscreen, G-sensor (aka gyroscope), dual sims, Bluetooth, WiFi, built-in TV tuner, HTC looks and an almost-iPhone UI: not bad for $130, eh? In case you won't be in Shenzhen any time soon, you can get a closer look after the break.

[Thanks, Jules H]

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake, part CCXL: HTC Hero gets iPhone flair

HTC Hero / Eris mega faceoff on video

by Paul Miller posted Nov 6th 2009 at 5:45PM

Now that we've got the DROID Eris in the mix, we're up to our ears in HTC Hero-derivative devices. We decided to sit the whole crew (GSM, Sprint and Verizon editions) down for a little modeling session, and we're finding ourselves reticent to pick a favorite. There are really plusses and minuses to each of them, but any way you lean it's a pretty good handset with some perhaps overly bulky software, a wonderful pricepoint (on Verizon, anyway) and probably a limited time in the sun with upcoming Android 2.0 devices, faster processors and wild new screens rolling on in. Check the video out after the break and you can make up your own mind.

Continue reading HTC Hero / Eris mega faceoff on video

DROID ERIS hands-on and unboxing!

by Paul Miller posted Nov 5th 2009 at 10:03AM

Hey look, it's a Hero! We've got the brand new DROID ERIS for Verizon in hand, and it's not hard to see which particular family of phones it hails from. Still, Verizon has its own twist on the form factor, almost scoring a compromise between the "shiny" Sprint Hero and the more angular, matte GSM Hero. Confusingly, the capacitive touch buttons along the bottom of the ERIS' screen are a haphazard twist on the DROID's arrangement (though it's really Motorola that's the non-standard one here), but the phones don't look completely unrelated. In all the rounded, black matte body of the ERIS sort of "fades away" and you're just left with a nice, bright LCD -- it's not making a statement, which is sort of the statement. There's also an iPhone-style face proximity sensor for turning off the display during calls, and HTC has multitouch pinch-to-zoom on here, something Motorola hasn't seemed to manage. Sure it can't stack up to the DROID for aggressiveness or sheer specs, but it's got it's own sort of budget-friendly charm that's not overshadowed by the DROID's bombastic ways, and two out of three Engadget editors agree that the HTC keyboard beats the pants off the stock Android keyboard.

Gallery: DROID ERIS hands-on and unboxing!

Leaked docs show HTC's DROID Eris launching on November 6th for $99, running Android 1.5

by Paul Miller posted Oct 31st 2009 at 1:20PM

Like it or not, we've got it on pretty reasonable authority that HTC's first "DROID" phone is nothing more than a rebadged, shape-shifted Hero (something we've been hearing for a while now), and that it'll be launching on Verizon on November 6th, the same day as Motorola's DROID. That means Android 1.5 "Cupcake," Sense UI, 3.2-inch screen, 528MHz processor and so forth. The Eris will retail for $199 but with a $100 mail-in rebate. It'll pack in an 8GB microSD card and the hopes and dreams of a generation of cheapskates that will be hopin' and prayin' that HTC manages to push Android 2.0 onto this thing so they don't look too bad in front of their DROID-toting buddies on Verizon.

[Thanks, anonymous]

Gallery: HTC's DROID Eris leaked docs

Workaround for HTC Hero battery life issues discovered

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 29th 2009 at 5:26PM

Well, there still isn't a fix for the problem some people seem to be having with receiving text messages on their HTC Hero, but it looks like a workaround has been discovered for another pesky issue that can put a strain on the phone's battery life. Apparently, the phone has a bit of trouble going back into sleep mode after you send a text, or after you simply turn on the phone and immediately disable the screen without any activity. While some fairly elaborate fixes were tried by some users initially, it looks like the simplest actually works the best: just don't use the default SMS app to send texts. Instead, you can use a third-party app like ChompSMS or HandCent, which apparently have no problems letting the phone go back to sleep after you send a text. Of course, an official fix would still be the best but, in the meantime, you can hit up the link below for all the necessary details on making the (hopefully temporary) switch.

[Thanks, Sean]

HTC confirmed to be cooking up Android 2.0 update for Hero, other devices unclear

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 28th 2009 at 7:19PM

Anyone with an existing Android device and a nasty case of DROID envy today might want to hold off before switching devices, emptying the bank account, and possibly switching carriers in the process, because HTC's got a little bit of information here to end our day on a high note. Here's the full quote:

"Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero."

Bottom line, the Hero is signed up for Android 2.0 and it's just a matter of HTC getting Sense ported and tested -- makes sense (no pun intended), and we imagine Motorola will have to go through these same hoops with BLUR. The company went on to mention that it intends to bring the update to all versions of the Hero, though it's up to partners (like Sprint, for instance) to help coordinate how and when that's going to go down. We don't have any information on the sundry Dream and Magic variants around the world at this point -- but it's important to remember that the Hero uses the same processor as its older siblings, so at least there's hope for a good xda-developers port if nothing else.

Telus kicks off HSPA+ network with iPhone November 5th, HTC Hero, LG New Chocolate and more to follow

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 26th 2009 at 9:10PM

Telus already announced that it'd be launching the iPhone in November, but it's just now gotten official with an actual date: November 5th -- which just so happens to also be the day that it lights up its brand new HSPA+ network. Unfortunately for anyone hoping that a little competition would spark a price war, Telus is matching Rogers' prices across the board, starting at $99.99 for the basic 8GB iPhone 3G, and moving up to $199.99 for the 16GB 3GS, and $299.99 for the 32GB 3GS (all on a three-year contract, of course). What's more, Telus has also taken the opportunity to offer the first official confirmation of some of the other devices that'll take advantage of its new network, including the HTC Hero, the previously rumored LG New Chocolate (a.k.a BL40), the Blackberry Bold 9700, and the Nokia E71 (plus a USB stick, for good measure). No prices or release dates for any of those just yet, unfortunately, but the Hero and New Chocolate are apparently Telus exclusives.

HTC Hero having intermittent text messaging problems?

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 26th 2009 at 3:38PM

There's not exactly much in the way of official statements on the matter just yet, but it looks like support forums have been piling up with reports of text messaging problems on the HTC Hero over the past few weeks, and with no signs of a fix in sight. Apparently, the phone can send texts just fine, but runs into a little trouble when it comes to receiving 'em, with most folks reporting only intermittent problems, and at least some not receiving any at all. Interestingly, the problem seems to be occurring in both the US and the UK, so it would seem to be a problem on the phone's end and not the carrier's, and a few people seem to have had some (brief) success after resetting the device. Of course, there are also plenty of folks having no problems at all, but there doesn't seem to be any question that the issue is out there. So, have you been missing some texts on your Hero? Let us know in comments.

Some HTC Hero units shipping sans EV-DO Rev. A on Sprint? (update: nope!)

by Darren Murph posted Oct 12th 2009 at 9:09AM

Ruh roh. Without claiming that there's some sort of high-speed conspiracy going on at Sprint (read: there's not), we'd like to point out that quite a few early adopters are claiming that their Hero refuses to hop on the carrier's EV-DO Rev. A network. We took a peek back at the company's press release for this very phone, and sure enough, the Rev. A experience is promised. We're guessing that a simple firmware update will be all it takes to remedy the issue (if there's truly an issue at all), but 'til then, there's always WiFi! Right, guys?

[Via Examiner, thanks Tracknod]

Update: We just heard directly from HTC about this snafu, and as it turns out, the message that Sprint Hero users are seeing is merely a mislabeling. If you're within an EV-DO Rev. A area, you'll get Rev. A speeds -- despite that fact that your phone says it's only on Rev. 0. We're also told that a future maintenance release will address the message. Check the full quote after the break.

Continue reading Some HTC Hero units shipping sans EV-DO Rev. A on Sprint? (update: nope!)

Sprint HTC Hero now on sale to everyone

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 11th 2009 at 1:57PM

Sure, you've been able to get it a little early in one way or another, but the Sprint HTC Hero officially launched today, which means a second US carrier is now selling an Android device. High five. Now, is anyone spending the $179 ($479 off-contract)? And Sprint customers, we have to ask: Hero or Pre?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Sprint HTC Hero available today to Best Buy Reward Zone members

by Paul Miller posted Oct 9th 2009 at 10:47AM

Joining the world's shortest list of exciting exclusives, Sprint's HTC Hero is available for purchase to Best Buy Reward Zone members only today, two full days before the October 11 street date. You'll need to be a Reward Zone member as of yesterday to participate, but if no Best Buy clerk has already hard-sold you a Reward Zone card during a particularly momentous purchase of yours, you're clearly not one to be swayed by petty early purchase options anyway.

[Thanks, Ted]

Anxious Sprint users ordering HTC Hero now through telesales

by Darren Murph posted Oct 8th 2009 at 8:08PM

Too impatient to wait for October 11th to arrive? Yeah, we feel you. If you're up with killing a few minutes and dealing with what may end up being four or five CSRs, word on the street has it that the Android-powered Hero can be ordered this very moment via Sprint telesales. A number of members over at Sprint Users have had success in getting the phone headed their way, and one even mentioned that his SERO plan was set to remain firmly in place even with this new phone on the bill. Let us know if you stumble across similar luck in comments below, won't you?

[Thanks, JayTV]

Second Verizon Android phone to be an HTC, Motorola Sholes makes an appearance

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 6th 2009 at 1:04PM

Google and Verizon were awfully coy this morning regarding the upcoming Android devices that'll be launching on Big Red over the next few weeks, but you know, that certainly looks like a Verizon-branded HTC Hero in Eric's hand there, doesn't it? And over on the right, well, that's exactly what the Motorola Sholes looks like, isn't it? Cat's out of the bag, fellas -- might as well push up those launch dates.

P.S.- This also jibes perfectly with that HTC Desire rumor from last month, but we'd bet almost anything the internals are the same as the Hero.

[Thanks, Berry]

Cellular South scoops up Sprint-spec Hero

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 21st 2009 at 7:41PM

If you'd told us that privately-held regional Cellular South would be just the third carrier in the US to properly offer an Android handset, we would've laughed until we cried -- but now that it's official, our laughter has turned to steely solemnity and respect for a tiny company going above and beyond the call of duty. The carrier hasn't announced an availability date, but interested parties can now sign up to be notified when the Hero -- an exact duplicate of Sprint's version -- will be launching. Just like Sprint, you get Sense, a 5 megapixel cam, and that chinless bottom that's less likely to make your thumb upset in day-to-day use than its GSM cousin. We'd say "sign us up," but then again, we're not Cellular South subscribers, nor could we be if we wanted to -- that's the perpetual tragedy of the regional carrier, sadly.

[Thanks, Bill]

Engadget Podcast 163 - 09.20.2009

by Trent Wolbe posted Sep 20th 2009 at 4:27PM

We're a couple days late, but the podcast is back, people. Join Josh, Paul, and Nilay as they run down another hectic week in news, including the Zune HD, some hands-on impressions of the Motorola CLIQ, and the latest in the ongoing Apple / Google saga. Get clicking!

P.S.- Josh recorded this on on the road, so he had some audio troubles -- thanks for bearing with us.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: NOISEWAVES - As Days Go By (Family Matters Theme Song)

Hear the podcast