Sprint announces Android HTC Hero

The Hero is Sprint's first Android phone.

(Credit: Sprint)

Just a few days after we caught a few glimpses of a Sprint HTC Hero, the carrier surprised absolutely no one by finally announcing that it would carry the smartphone beginning October 11. Sprint's first Google Android phone will cost $179 with a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year Simply Everything plan.

With a large touch screen, a few physical controls, and a trackball, the Hero more resembles the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G than the GSM Hero available in the United Kingdom. It also has a few unique characteristics, of course, but the design isn't a rapid departure from previous Android devices. However, in an exciting change, the 3.2-inch capacitive touch screen will support pinch-to-zoom capability. The last we heard, multitouch wouldn't be available until Android 2.0.

You can expect it to have a loaded feature set with HTC Sense front and center. In fact, the Hero is the first U.S. device to have Sense, which offers seven home screens and a broad degree of customization. CNET U.K. got a chance to play with Sense in its review of the GSM Hero, and they loved what they saw. Another first (at least for Sprint) is HTC Footprints. It's a feature that lets users create digital postcards with photos, an audio clip, and GPS coordinates.

Other goodies on the 3G (EV-DO Rev. A) handset include a 5-megapixel camera with video recoding, Bluetooth with a stereo profile, an accelerometer, visual voice mail, Sprint TV, a microSD card slot, NFL Mobile Live and Nascar Sprint Cup Mobile, a speakerphone, personal organizer options, messaging and e-mail, a music player, Wi-Fi, and integrated GPS. Two especially welcome additions are a 3.5-millimeter headset jack (previous Android devices had only proprietary connections) and Outlook integration with e-mail, contacts and calendar (the MyTouch has e-mail only). Naturally, the Hero will support the full range of apps from the Android Market.

Though the Hero won't go on sale until October 11, you can preregister today at Sprint.com. Simply Everything plans start at $69.99 for 450 anytime minutes plus unlimited nights and weekends, data, messaging, and e-mail.

[steel36]

Finally. Now Verizon, you go and up this for me.

[pedrosantosjr]

I can't believe that HTC let Sprint modify the Hero this much. I have nothing against the design, I just wish they could have just given this a different name. The Hero after all is just the Magic sans the looks and the Sense UI. This makes for a very confusing Hero branding. And I thought HTC only does this with its WinMo phones. Bad call, HTC.

[slicker_916]

not even... HTC can do nothing wrong (jk).... there an article how the hero is quite different ... more ram, better battery, 5 mega pixel camera, teflon coating, multi touch, 20 bucks cheaper. id be very disappointed if I recently bought a magic. <br /> <br />http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10344881-251.html

[we-manf]

Sprint going with Android; somebody made a good move, finally.

[zmnatz]

Probably would have gotten this instead of my iPhone had it been released 2 months ago. Big fan of android and this UI looks pretty slick.

[linuxguy2001]

With the exception of the 3.5mm jack, my G1 already does all this thanks to the great rom mod by CYANOGEN.

[TyDiz]

Cyanogen doesn't make Hero mods...You might have a themed version of the Cyanogen mod, but its not the real Sense UI(actually Cyanogen refuses to use more of the HTC Framework that he hasn't incorporated yet), like the JACHero Rom, which is virtually impossible make it work good enough to use everyday.

[linuxguy2001]

By the way, here's a link to cyanogen for those interested http://www.cyanogenmod.com

[mypitts2]

The Google Android continues to sport a "blah" design.

[Ksal005]

I couldn't have said it better myself. It still looks very clunky. And the My Touch is very laggy for such a new device. At least Sprint now has an Android device but I'll pass. Once I went true multi-tasking (Palm Pre), there's no going back.

[Chao_Sama]

wowwwwwwwwwww i can't believe they pulled the original design i kinda don't want to get one anymore.

[Comrade_Luis]

i agree. the UK one didnt look like a mytouch 3g clone it was damn sexy

[Fishhella]

Wow... <br /> <br />Why do they even call this the "Hero"??? It's a different phone altogether. The form factor of the UK version was fantastic. <br /> <br />Way to make me hope and pray for a new iPhone to hit verizon....you almost had me sprint, almost.

[SDscorch]

i think it looks *great*<br /><br />!!

[mjs690]

You people are crazy. This phone is awesome. The only thing different about this phone and the UK version is the physical "chin" design. I admit the chin design was sort of good move in design but who cares! The phone still possesses all the features and hardware the UK version does.<br /><br />Been waiting forever for this phone so i can get rid of my wretched Samsung Instinct!!!

[iroq321]

i'd hit that, no doubt! i think the "chin" design looked way dated, not to mention it didn't look very pocket friendly. sense ui = so legit.

[mokio_o]

I can't decide which version I liked better, the chin design, or this new design which almost makes it look like any other touch screen phone. But I can at least say that the chin design made it look friggin sweet, even if it wasn't pocket friendly. Sprint, I hope you know what you're doing.

[GreySquirrel125]

The UK version was definitely an incredible looking design, but Sprint?s version is at least sleek and no weird colors (like gold trim?yikes) so we can thankful for that. Sorry Pre, you had me back in January, but you seem to not be able to live up to the hype.<br /><br />Hero and Sense will be a nice upgrade from the old Centro.<br /><br />How is the native Android calendar app?

[GreySquirrel125]

The UK version was definitely an incredible looking design, but Sprint?s version is at least sleek and no weird colors (like gold trim?yikes) so we can thankful for that. Sorry Pre, you had me back in January, but you seem to not be able to live up to the hype.<br /><br />Hero and Sense will be a nice upgrade from the old Centro.<br /><br />How is the native Android calendar app?

[drwbry]

does anyone have any details on the Hero's compatibility with the older Sprint SERO plan?

[skrtcsr]

WOW I have to say elated, excited, geeked up, uber happy, I can go on and on. <br /><br />This is a day that I have been waiting to arrive for what seems like an eternity.<br /><br />GOOD JOB DAN!! Looks like your going to actually beat Verizon to the punch... pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Its this sort of business acumen that will bring Sprint back to where it belongs, America's best carrier.<br /><br />[CNET editors' note: Promotional link deleted]

[bakedpatato]

I'm still scratching my head over T-Mobile passing up the Hero for the Sapphire. <br />Personally I like the UK GSM version's style; rounded edges were never my thing.

[aclsmb]

Does this support full Adobe Flash as the original HTC Hero does? This was supposedly a big deal when the phone was first introduced, but I haven't seen anything mentioned in the specifications for this Sprint version.

[TyDiz]

The original HTC Hero has a Flash Lite(which is part of the Sense UI), which is not full Flash...that should be rolled out in October, probably.

[skylancer]

This Phone will be the next hitter by itself, great 4G network, faster than previous HTC phones, and I still love my Diamond! I?m not even starting with you iPhony. Here?s the real deal from comeback king Sprint. Oh and saving $600.00 year helps also! Makes $EN$E (UI) to me? <br />YOU CAN'T LOSE WITH GOOG and HTC!!!!