HTC Hero Appears Destined for Sprint

UPDATE: This article has been fully confirmed. For more information, read this article: HTC Hero Will Be Released by Sprint on October 11

Evidence is mounting that Sprint will release the HTC Hero, a smartphone shaping up to be one of this wireless phone company's first Android-based models.

While not as definite as an official announcement, the latest evidence is almost as solid: HTC's support website has a clear -- if not easily found -- reference to "HTC Hero (Sprint)".

According to an earlier unconfirmed report, the launch is scheduled for October 11.

A Double Launch
Sprint's CEO Dan Hesse recently expressed strong support for Google's Android OS, and the company appears willing to back that up.

If the earlier report is correct, the Hero won't be the only model running this operating system Sprint will release on Oct. 11 -- it will also introduce one named the Samsung Q on that same day.

While the HTC device is well known -- it's already available in Europe, and from grey-marketeers in the U.S. -- the other is a complete mystery.

An Overview of the HTC Hero
The Hero has a 3.2-inch HVGA display with an anti-fingerprint screen coating for improved smudge resistance. This is set in a tablet shaped device with a distinct "chin" which HTC says has been contoured to fit comfortably in the user's hand and against their face while on a call. 

This company's previous models running Android have used the default user interface, but the Hero marked the debut of a UI that's been dubbed HTC Sense.

That didn't effect the suite of applications that comes with Android, many of which have strong ties to Google's services, like Gmail and Google maps.

Other features of this smartphone include a-GPS, digital compass, gravity-sensor, 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, a 5 megapixel auto-focus camera, and a microSD memory card slot.

Sprint's version -- if it's actually coming -- will almost certainly support this carrier's EV-DO mobile broadband service. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also considered likely.

As mentioned earlier, a GSM version of model recently debuted in Europe.

Source: Engadget