View source for HTC Hero

{{Short description|Smartphone developed by HTC}}
{{Infobox mobile phone
| name         = HTC Hero
| image        = CreativeTools.se - PackshotCreator - HTC Hero Android.jpg
| manufacturer = [[HTC]]
| networks     = '''GSM version:''' [[quad band]] [[GSM frequency bands|GSM 850/900/1800/1900]]&nbsp;MHz [[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]]/[[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]], and<br />[[dual band]] [[UMTS frequency bands|UMTS 900/2100]]&nbsp;MHz [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA]] (Europe), or<br />dual band UMTS 850/1900&nbsp;MHz HSPA (North America)<br />'''CDMA version:''' dual band [[CDMA2000]]/[[EV-DO Rev. A]] 800/1900&nbsp;MHz
| predecessor  = [[HTC Magic]]
| successor    = [[HTC Hero S]]<br />[[HTC Legend]]<br/>[[HTC Desire]]
| type         = [[Smartphone]]
| form         = [[mobile phone form factors#Slate|Slate]]
| size         = {{convert|112|mm|in|abbr=on}} H<br />{{convert|56.2|mm|in|abbr=on}} W<br />{{convert|14.35|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
| weight       = {{convert|135|g|oz|abbr=on}}
| os           = [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Android Cupcake|1.5 "Cupcake"]], upgradable to [[Android Eclair|2.1 "Eclair"]] with [[HTC Sense]] UI
| cpu          = 528 MHz [[Qualcomm]] [[MSM7600A]] or [[MSM7200A]] ARM11 processor
| gpu          = [[Adreno]] 130, [[OpenGL ES]] 1.1
| memory       = 288 [[megabyte|MB]] DDR<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htc.com/us/support/hero-sprint/tech-specs/ |title=HTC Mobile Phone Support - HTC Hero (Sprint) - Tech Specs |publisher=Htc.com |access-date=2011-10-31 |archive-date=2011-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723012652/http://www.htc.com/us/support/hero-sprint/tech-specs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[random-access memory|RAM]]
| storage      = 512 MB, 165 for applications
| memory_card   = [[Secure Digital|microSDHC]] 2 [[gigabyte|GB]] (supports up to 32 GB)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htc.com/us/support/hero-sprint/help/storage-card#449 |title=HTC Mobile Phone Support - HTC Heroâ"¢ (Sprint) - Storage Card |publisher=Htc.com |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2011-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723012500/http://www.htc.com/us/support/hero-sprint/help/storage-card#449 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| battery      = '''GSM version: '''3.7 [[Volt|V]] 1340&nbsp;[[mAh]]<br />'''CDMA version: '''3.7 V 1500&nbsp;mAh<br />Internal rechargeable removable [[lithium-ion battery]]
| input        = [[Multi-touch]] [[capacitive touchscreen]] display, [[#Audio|volume controls]], [[low-key lighting|ambient light]] sensors, 3-axis [[accelerometer]], [[magnetometer|digital compass]], [[assisted GPS|A-GPS]]<br />
Specific hardware:
* Asahi Kasei: AK8973 3-axis magnetic field sensor, AK8973 orientation sensor,
* Bosch BMA150 3-axis accelerometer
* Capella Microsystems: CM3602 proximity sensor, CM3602 light sensor
* Google: gravity sensor, linear acceleration sensor, rotation vector sensor
| display      = 320 × 480 [[pixel|px]], {{convert|3.2|in|mm|abbr=on}}, [[HVGA]], 65,536 color [[liquid crystal display|LCD]] at 180 [[pixels per inch]] (ppi)
| rear_camera  = 5.0 [[megapixel]] with [[autofocus]]
| media_formats= Audio MP3, AAC/AAC+/AAC-LC, AMR-NB, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, MIDI, Windows Media Audio 9 <br />
Video MPEG-4, H.263/264, Windows Media Video 9
| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] ([[802.11b/g]]), [[Bluetooth#Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR|Bluetooth 2.0+EDR]], [[ExtUSB#Proprietary connectors and formats|ExtUSB]]
| sar          = Head 1.13 W/kg <br /> Body 0.711 W/kg
| hac          = Sprint: M3/T3<ref>{{cite web |title = HTC Hero Official Specifications |url = http://www.iphonekiller.com/htc-hero-official-specifications/ |access-date = 2009-10-21 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091018150939/http://www.iphonekiller.com/htc-hero-official-specifications/ |archive-date = 2009-10-18 }}</ref><br />Droid Eris: M3/T3<ref>{{cite web |title = HTC Droid Eris |url = http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5070 |access-date = 2009-11-13 |archive-date = 2013-02-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130209232901/http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5070 |url-status = live }}</ref>
}}
'''HTC Hero''' (marketed as '''T-Mobile G2 Touch''' by [[T-Mobile International AG|T-Mobile]] in the UK, Austria, Germany, Croatia, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Hungary; and as '''Era G2 Touch''' in Poland) is the third phone manufactured by [[HTC]] running the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] platform, announced on June 24, 2009 in London.
It is the second flagship Android phone, and the fourth Android phone after [[HTC Dream]], [[HTC Magic]], and the original [[Samsung Galaxy (original)|Samsung Galaxy]].<ref name="HTCflagships">{{cite web |last=Nield |first=David |title=Path of the One |publisher=TechRadar |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/path-of-the-one-the-headline-hits-and-flagship-flops-from-htc-1236414#articleContent |access-date=2 April 2014 |archive-date=28 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328083957/http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/path-of-the-one-the-headline-hits-and-flagship-flops-from-htc-1236414#articleContent |url-status=live }}</ref> Notably, it is the first phone by HTC to feature a 3.5&nbsp;mm audio jack, [[multi-touch]] ability, the [[HTC Sense]] user interface, and a "Lite" version of [[Adobe Flash]].<ref>{{cite web |title=HTC Hero: The first Android device with Flash, 24 Jun 2009 |publisher=Adobe |url=http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/articles/htchero.html |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=2009-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627131344/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/articles/htchero.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Release and availability==
The device was released in Europe in July 2009; and in the U.S., via Sprint on October 11, 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/10/11/sprint-htc-hero-now-on-sale-to-everyone/ |title=Sprint HTC Hero now on sale to everyone |publisher=Engadget |date=2009-10-11 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=2010-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213114101/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/11/sprint-htc-hero-now-on-sale-to-everyone |url-status=live }}</ref> and via [[Cellular South]] on November 9, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cellularsouth.com/cscommerce/products/phones/product_phone_detail.jsp?id=prod26560022&navCount=0 |title=HTC Hero 6250 {{!}} Cellular South<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725194405/https://www.cellularsouth.com/cscommerce/products/phones/product_phone_detail.jsp?id=prod26560022&navCount=0 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Hero'' was the first Android phone released in Russia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Обзор коммуникатора HTC Hero: Первый Android в России |language=ru |trans-title=Review of the HTC Hero communicator: The first Android in Russia |publisher=[[Mail.Ru]] |url=http://hi-tech.mail.ru/review/misc/HTC_Hero-rev.html |location=Russia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101090715/http://hi-tech.mail.ru/review/misc/HTC_Hero-rev.html |archive-date=2010-11-01 }}</ref>
FCC documents surfaced to show, that there would be a version of HTC Hero supporting [[Rogers Communications|Rogers]]' and AT&T's 3G bands. One such model version was later released in Canada for [[Telus]]'s new HSPA+ network.<ref>{{cite web |title=HTC Hero hits FCC with US 3G |publisher=Engadget Mobile |date=2009-07-02 |url=http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/07/02/htc-hero-hits-fcc-with-us-3g/ |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=2009-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102173604/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/07/02/htc-hero-hits-fcc-with-us-3g/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The phone was made available in the UK on Orange, 3, T-Mobile, BT Broadband Anywhere ([[MVNO]]), and SIM-free. In Australia, it was available exclusively SIM-free (without a contract) through the [[Harvey Norman]] retailer.
==U.S. variants==
===U.S. and Canada version (Android 6250)===
[[File:HTC Hero (CDMA - Sprint).jpg|thumb|right|alt=HTC Hero for Sprint|Redesigned HTC Hero for Sprint, available in Canada from Manitoba Telecom Services as the HTC Android 6250 (Hero)]]
The [[Sprint Nextel|Sprint]], [[Cellular South]], [[Cellcom (United States)|Cellcom]], [[Bluegrass Cellular]], [[Manitoba Telecom Services]], [[NTelos]], and [[Cox Communications|Cox Wireless]] version of the HTC Hero is different from those that are sold in Asia, Canada and Europe. The outer body is significantly altered, with the controversial "chin" that is present on the Asian, Canadian (some providers) and European models being removed in favor of a smooth, beveled surface where all but two of the once raised buttons now lie flat. Also due to performance issues some of the clock animations were removed. Some carriers may market it as the HTC Android 6250.
===Droid Eris===
A modified version of the Hero, the HTC Droid Eris, was released on the [[Verizon Wireless]] network on November 6, 2009. Pictures of Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt were circulated showing him holding the Droid Eris after a press conference that announced an Android-centric partnership between Verizon and Google.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/06/what-verizon-android-device-is-eric-schmidt-holding/ |title=What Verizon Android device is Eric Schmidt holding? « Boy Genius Report |publisher=Boygeniusreport.com |date=2009-10-06 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=2010-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227074150/http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/06/what-verizon-android-device-is-eric-schmidt-holding/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Verizon Wireless version, unlike the Sprint and GSM versions, features a [[proximity sensor]].
The Eris was succeeded by HTC's [[Droid Incredible]] in 2010.
==Updates==
===Android 2.1 update development===
HTC Hero was the first phone to feature HTC's own "Sense" software, which includes a customized user interface. There had been initial issues regarding lag on the device, however a firmware upgrade resolved the problem to some extent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slashgear.com/htc-hero-updated-firmware-arrives-in-denmark-1156117/ |title=HTC Hero updated firmware arrives in Denmark [Update 2] |publisher=SlashGear |date=2009-09-11 |access-date=2010-06-01 |archive-date=2017-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518192324/https://www.slashgear.com/htc-hero-updated-firmware-arrives-in-denmark-1156117/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htc-hero.com/htc-hero-updates-and-cupcakes/sprint%27s-hero-finally-gets-official-android-2-1-upgrade/ |title=Sprint's Hero finally gets official Android 2.1 upgrade |publisher=HTC Hero |date=2010-05-19 |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2010-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523101000/http://www.htc-hero.com/htc-hero-updates-and-cupcakes/sprint%27s-hero-finally-gets-official-android-2-1-upgrade/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
HTC announced their intent to release an update for the Hero in the first half of 2010 that would upgrade the Android OS to version 2.1 while incorporating ''Sense''. This news was released via [[Twitter]] on December 17, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/htc/statuses/6778453533 |title=Twitter / HTC: Anybody notice the clarifi |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2009-12-17 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=2010-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114194933/http://twitter.com/htc/statuses/6778453533 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sprint further clarified on their own [[Twitter]] that the 2.1 update would be released early in the second quarter of 2010.<ref>{{cite web |author=sprint |url=https://twitter.com/sprint/status/9189584357 |title=Twitter / sprint: Android update! Upgrades t |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=2010-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406131851/https://twitter.com/sprint/status/9189584357 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Android 2.1 update release and carrier issues===
By May 14, 2010, [[Verizon Wireless]] had made a system update to Android version 2.1 publicly available for their Droid Eris. The Sprint Hero 2.1 update was released on 19 May 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slashgear.com/sprint-htc-hero-android-2-1-update-released-1986138/ |title=Sprint HTC Hero Android 2.1 Update Released |date=19 May 2010 |access-date=2010-05-19 |archive-date=2010-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522050240/http://www.slashgear.com/sprint-htc-hero-android-2-1-update-released-1986138/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The update to 2.1 was officially released on the HTC website for the Sprint (CDMA) version. On June 4, 2010, the Android 2.1 update for the GSM Hero was made available in Taiwan. On June 17, 2010, the first part of Europe was provided the update, the second part on June 28, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htc.com/europe/support.aspx |title=Support |publisher=HTC |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2010-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229172142/http://www.htc.com/europe/support.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The Worldwide English (WWE) version was released on June 28, 2010. HTC suggested that they would not be updating the device further to version 2.2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/21/android-2-2-froyo-no-update-to-htc-hero-legend-and-droid-eris-phones/ |title=Android 2.2 Froyo: No Update to HTC Hero, Legend and Droid Eris phones? : Product Reviews Net |publisher=Product-reviews.net |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2010-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116203232/http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/21/android-2-2-froyo-no-update-to-htc-hero-legend-and-droid-eris-phones/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Although the 2.1 update was officially released by HTC, a few networks refused to allow the Hero phones running on their networks to receive the update. Most notably, Orange in Europe did not announce any official update policy or guidance for the phone despite numerous requests from their customer base until late July 2010. This proved to be so frustrating to consumers that a Facebook group<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140327502658782 |title=Niet compatibele browser |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2021-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826163704/https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140327502658782 |url-status=live }}</ref> was set up to try to gain more information from Orange and their lack of support for the HTC Hero. Nevertheless, on 28 July 2010, part 1 for the 2.1 update was released OTA (over-the-air) to Orange handsets. Three UK released the full 2.1 update OTA on 26 August 2010. The 2.1 update noticeably increased the browser speed and there appears to be an automatic closing of background apps as system resources diminish with increasing multitasking.
Telus had also refused to offer guidance or an update for their HTC Hero. While initially slated for release in May 2010, by mid-August<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mobilesyrup.com/2010/04/06/telus-htc-hero-2-1-update-delayed-to-the-first-week-of-may/ |title=Telus HTC Hero 2.1 update "delayed to the first week of May" |date=6 April 2010 |publisher=MobileSyrup.com |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2015-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606034431/http://mobilesyrup.com/2010/04/06/telus-htc-hero-2-1-update-delayed-to-the-first-week-of-may/ |url-status=live }}</ref> no update had yet been released to Telus customers. Furthermore, customer service at Telus complained that the fault lies with HTC.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} On the morning of 25 October 2010, Telus officially pushed down the Android 2.1 update to its clients.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htc.com/ca/support/hero-telus/downloads/ |title=HTC Mobile Phone Support - HTC Heroâ"¢ (Telus) - Downloads |publisher=Htc.com |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2011-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921151928/http://www.htc.com/ca/support/hero-telus/downloads/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Android 2.2 Froyo update and beyond===
[[File:HTC Hero with CyanogenMod 7.jpeg|thumb|right|alt=HTC Hero with CyanogenMod 7|HTC Hero running CyanogenMod 7]]
[[Sprint Nextel|Sprint]] drew the ire of many of its HTC Hero and [[Samsung Moment]] customers when it announced in June 2010 that it would be upgrading its Android devices to Android 2.2, but later corrected the statement to say that the upgrade would only be available for the [[HTC Evo]]. The criticism had been particularly fierce from those who purchased the Hero on 2-year contracts shortly before and even after Sprint effectively ended the upgrade lifespan of the phone. Widely reported problems with Android 2.1 on the Hero<ref>{{cite web|url=http://androidforums.com/sprint-hero-support-troubleshooting/82618-2-1-problems-issues-quirks.html|access-date=2010-11-09|title=2.1 Problems - Issues - Quirks|publisher=Android Forums|date=2010-07-06|archive-date=2010-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015142041/http://androidforums.com/sprint-hero-support-troubleshooting/82618-2-1-problems-issues-quirks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> further fueled criticism among customers who felt Sprint had shirked its responsibility to acknowledge and fix confirmed problems with the device.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://community.sprint.com/baw/community/sprintblogs/buzz-by-sprint/announcements/blog/2010/06/25/sprint-expects-to-launch-android-22-in-near-future |title=Sprint expects to launch Android 2.2 in near future |publisher=Sprint Community |date=2010-06-25 |access-date=2010-09-05 |archive-date=2010-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628135758/http://community.sprint.com/baw/community/sprintblogs/buzz-by-sprint/announcements/blog/2010/06/25/sprint-expects-to-launch-android-22-in-near-future |url-status=live }}</ref>
Separately, numerous groups have created custom ROMs for both the CDMA and GSM versions of the HTC Hero based on various versions of Android 2.1, including the popular VillainROM, [[CyanogenMod]], and others. Although there is not an official version of Android 2.2 for the Hero, several third-party groups have created functioning ROMs which include this. A popular Android 2.2 ROM for the GSM HTC Hero is FroydVillain.<ref>{{cite web|title=FroydVillain|url=http://www.villainrom.co.uk/vBwiki/index.php/FroydVillain|publisher=VillainROM|date=2010-11-22|access-date=28 November 2010|archive-date=2010-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116134413/http://www.villainrom.co.uk/vBwiki/index.php/FroydVillain|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CyanogenMod 6.0.0 for Htc Hero Gsm/Cdma Alpha Preview|url=http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/2059-cyanogenmod-600-for-htc-hero-gsmcdma-alpha-preview-alpha-0710/|publisher=CyanogenMod|access-date=22 August 2010|date=4 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825162416/http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/2059-cyanogenmod-600-for-htc-hero-gsmcdma-alpha-preview-alpha-0710/|archive-date=25 August 2010}}</ref> Android 2.3 has also been ported to the GSM HTC Hero by the popular aftermarket firmware creation team [[CyanogenMod]]. The final stable version 7.2 (based on Android 2.3.7) was released on June 16, 2012, and has been reported as fully operational.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cyanogen forum|url=http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/forum-79/announcement-23-cyanogenmod-72-released-2012-jun-16/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803034947/http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/forum-79/announcement-23-cyanogenmod-72-released-2012-jun-16/|archive-date=2012-08-03}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Galaxy Nexus]]
* [[Comparison of smartphones]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|HTC Hero}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKTDSfbcbBU HTC Hero features official video] (computer-animated)
{{HTC Android devices|phones=yes|tablets=yes|smart=yes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:HTC Hero}}
[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2009]]
[[Category:Discontinued smartphones]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) devices]]
[[Category:HTC smartphones]]
[[Category:Mobile phones with user-replaceable battery]]