Not surprising, despite news of legal issues being thrown back and forth between HTC and Apple, the smart phone manufacturer has been able to establish itself as an industry leader in the development of the Android smart phone. For one thing, their HTC Desire, Hero end Legend trio are continuously reigning on top of the Android charts –only giving a slight way to the Motorola Milestone when it came out during the holiday season.

Of course, HTC’s strong Android presence is also backed by the fact that they have been part of the development of the OS since the very beginning. HTC is among the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance and has been the manufacturer behind many Android smart phones –including the G1 and even the Google Nexus One.

More than just an Android leader, HTC has also been a prominent figure for Microsoft’s mobile platforms. The HTC HD2 is the best selling Windows Mobile handset and the company is now working on the recently leaked HTC Gold (formerly the Mondrian), a high end WP7 smart phone that is expected to come out later this year.

Speaking of the Gold, the handset has been leaked along with two other HTC devices, the Ace and the Vision. While little is known about the Ace at this point, the HTC Vision will be taking a page out of Motorola’s book by introducing the very first HTC Android that comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard.

Even though HTC has pushed the update to take place well before the end of this month, it just seems unrealistic, all things considered. All three mobile phone network operators have given word that upgrades to their units will come at a much later date. On the other hand, HTC Hero owners with unlocked units should be able to get their upgrade without a problem, much to the envy of network subscribers.

As it is with any major update, mobile phone operators would need some lead time to conduct tests to ensure network stability. At the very least this is to nip possible problems in the bud if ever unforeseen issues arise.

The most vocal of them all, Three has stated that their update is set to be released around mid to late July. Customers should not get their hopes up too high though because the patch is more likely to go live later as opposed to an early date.

On the other hand, Orange has released a statement that their upgrade will get released in the “very near future”. If this means an end of the month release date, the network operator may be the first of the three to make the switch.

Lastly, T-Mobile UK asked their G2 (HTC Hero variant for the mobile network operator) subscribers to stay tuned for further announcements. No hint of a date was given but hopefully subscribers will get some news before the month ends.

Considering the fact that Google has already released version 2.2. of the ‘Droid, this looks to be a big disappointment for paid subscribers of the three networks.

While no specific date has been given, estimates place the launch around or right before the June 23 –which is the announced launch of the Android 2.2 Froyo update for the HTC Desire.

Speaking of the Desire, the high end Android smart phone is actually included in the list of HTC handsets that will be receiving the update. So far, the list contains four smart phones: the HTC Hero, HTC Legend, HTC Desire and the HTC EVO 4G. So far, it has not been confirmed if the HTC Wildfire will be compatible with the software update, but since it already runs version 2.1, it may not need the patch at all.

With version 2.2 already out for the Nexus One and coming soon for the Desire, the move to release version 2.1 on these handsets may seem a little unnecessary, as it would have made more sense to just release a patch for the latest version of the OS instead. With all the new features and capabilities of Android Froyo, many HTC users will certainly feel that they have been left out of the new update.

In many ways, this is one of the main reasons why Google’s Android has yet to beat the iPhone OS. While they are providing Apple with plenty of competition, the compatibility issues and the fact that not all Android phones are running the same version of the OS is a serious issue that Google has to cope with if they are to compete with the iPhone and Windows Phone 7’s performance.

In a list which was revealed on a leaked Android 2.1 ROM for the company’s HTC Hero Mobile phone. The devices were spotted and the said ROM was preloaded on it. There was also another ROM for download immediately after, which also possesses codename for HTC’s current and Android-powered mobile phones expected to be released in the future.

Some of the names that were seen include: Bravo, Bahamas, Dragon, DesireC, Dream, Espresso, Halo, HeroCT, HeroC, Hero Huangshan, Incredible, Legend, Memphis, Liberty, Paradise, PassionC, Passion, Sapphire and Supersonic. Some of the name displayed above are no longer news to some of us while some are just brand names.

We can also notice that the Dream and Hero which are included are already part of Android phones list whilst there is also huge preference to some rumoured phones like the Passion or Dragon. There are also some that are relatively unknown such as the Huangshan or Espresso. It is also worth stating that some familiar names were not present on the list and that may give some antagonist a case to put forth.

Nevertheless, enthusiasts will definite reiterate that the list justifies the existence of brand names like the Dragon/Passion not forgetting the likes of Sapphire, Dream and Desire which were released as Magic, T-Mobile G1 and Droid Eris.

The 3 company said that by November they will offer a mobile phone package through HTC Hero, a leader in smartphones industry. This will mean users and subscribers can now download from Spotify, the relatively new but strong music streaming service.

Such will be allowed through the HTC Hero handset on a two-year contract where subscribers will have to pay £35 monthly, apart from the £99 start-up fee. Apart from the Spotify advantage, other included services are text messages, airtime and free calls via Skype.

3’s director of products and services, Charlotte Blanchard said that their company carefully thought of and devised such a package to include the most in-demand services and applications of smartphones. She added that it does not stop at having Spotify, and instead, a new beginning with the streaming service as they see synced ventures into other mobile broadband products.

For those who will take up the offer for subscription, they automatically enjoy full premium membership with Spotify, and access music streaming through their home PCs and laptops, apart from their mobile devices.

Industry analysts see the move of 3 to work hand-in-hand with Spotify as nothing new. At the turn of 2009, Apple offered a similar app in its iPhone that allows users to stream and store music. This is almost, if not completely, working in the same manner for Spotify hooking up with 3.

For his part, Spotify co-founder Danile Ek said they are seeing the early achievements of what lies ahead. He repeated their intent to expand music service made available for different devices, where users can share and choose their music.

For more information regarding this post, just click: Source: Times Online

Physical Design

The HTC Hero can be best described as a combination of two of its predecessors – the HTC Dream and the HTC Magic. The Hero screams HTC all the way, from its 3.2-inch TFT capacitive touch screen all the way to the button placement on the device. Much like its forbearers, the HTC Hero also has the familiar button set located right below the oversized screen, or the mobile’s chin as some would call it. Together with the ever-present track ball, there are also dedicated buttons for search, end call, send, back, menu, and home.

However, where the HTC Hero stands out is in its overall image and appeal. Unlike the Dream or the Magic, the Hero doesn’t feel cheap and plasticky. This is because of the fact that its finish is made of some kind of soft touch material – the white version even has a Teflon finish.

Overall Look

The HTC Hero is definitely one of the best looking Smartphones we’ve seen in a while. It has a modern and sleek feel and actually looks like a year 3000 version of the Magic. While some might not be too fond of the Hero’s “overbite,” it’s surely something that can be overlooked once the bigger picture is made clearer.  HTC was definitely successful in combining all the best physical features of the Magic and the Dream to come up with a device that truly has an innovative design.

HTC Hero Links:

• HTC Hero Deals
• HTC Hero Pay As You Go
• HTC Hero on T-Mobile

But then it does have an awesome teflon coating and fingerprint resistant screen, meaning our chip fat oiled fingers can play around with it with confidence. It’s capacitive touchscreen is equally amazing, and the pushes-you-back-as-you-type onscreen keyboard is a work of genius, quite possibly the best keyboard we’ve seen on a touchscreen, in fact.

But then they’ve felt the need to suppress the Google-ness of the phone, removing all logos and direct access to firmware updates and Android Market (you can still access both, it’s just a bit more of a pain in the ass).

But the dedicated search button is fantastic.

But then most of what they’re shouting about with the new Sense UI has been seen before.

But but but… can you see the dilemma reader. Can you see how, with the HTC Hero, we can’t find our usual stride, we can’t rant in ecstatic joy or hell-like pain about anything it has to offer. But maybe that’s a good thing, right? Bah. Anyway, maybe you can make your own minds up via the official product overview, or using this handy HTC Hero review. No? Try this video on for size instead.