Sprint Launches its First Android Smartphone with HTC Hero CDMA

Kim Poh Liaw — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:17:13 +0000

The leaked HTC Hero CDMA photos are real, Sprint is launching the HTC Hero for its CDMA network, but in a revamped design. Beginning on Oct. 11, customers will be able to purchase HTC Hero for $179.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 instant savings and a $100 mail-in rebate with a two-year service agreement. The HTC Hero offers synchronization for built-in Google mobile services, including Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube as well as access to thousands of applications built on the Android platform.

“The arrival of HTC Hero and the Android platform to Sprint’s network is an important milestone for our customers and the U.S. wireless industry,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product development for Sprint. “With the dependability and coverage of Sprint’s 3G network, HTC Hero users will appreciate a much better experience than is possible now with any other Android phone operating in the United States. They will enjoy the robust potential to personalize their wireless experience as well as the best value in wireless with a Simply Everything plan from Sprint.”

“Sprint and HTC are helping to drive openness and innovation in the mobile industry with the introduction of the Android-powered HTC Hero,” said Andy Rubin, vice president, mobile platforms at Google. “As the world’s first truly open mobile platform built with the Internet in mind, Android provides to consumers the same Internet services they have become accustomed to on their desktop PC. Offering access to thousands of applications, a suite of Google™ services, and unique personalization features, the HTC Hero offers a compelling mobile experience.”

The HTC Hero is also the first Sprint device to offer HTC Footprints, an application experience that enables the user to chronicle their special moments by capturing a digital postcard on their phone. Once captured, Footprints provides the ability to take notes and an audio clip of that favorite restaurant or special place while identifying its specific location. In addition to identifying each postcard with its specific GPS coordinates, Footprints also auto-names each postcard with its general location or area.

HTC Hero is a full-featured smartphone with Wi-Fi capability, a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen with pinch-to-zoom capability and a fingerprint resistant coating, integrated GPS navigation, and trackball navigation. Additional features include:

Stereo Bluetooth 2.0
accelerometer, light sensor and home screen widgets for improved usability
microSD slot (32GB capable, 2GB included)
Sprint TV with live and on-demand programming
NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
easy access to social networking sites, including Facebook, Flickr and Twitter
visual voice mail for quick and easy access to specific voice mail messages

Rumor: HTC Hero CDMA Comes in Different Design?

Kim Poh Liaw — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:06:00 +0000

While FCC has just cleared HTC Hero CDMA approval few days back as Hero200, 8080.net said that the variant will have a different body design compare to the GSM version. The leaked prototype is quite different to the original HTC Hero, especially the flat body below the touch screen with trackball and shortcut buttons on it. It is not sure that if there is changes for the hardware specs, according to the rumor it will be available for Sprint network in US soon. Check out more photos here.

[via engadget/clone-in-china]

SlashPhone » HTC Hero CDMA

Sprint Launches its First Android Smartphone with HTC Hero CDMA

Rumor: HTC Hero CDMA Comes in Different Design?