The Android Site

What would seem like a case of vaporware on the scale of something like Duke Nukem Forever, the Android 2.1 Eclair update for the GSM version of the HTC Hero has suffered endless delays, empty promises and rumors. Orange just issued a statement saying they hope to begin rolling it out next week:

“We apologise for the delay in Orange Hero customers receiving their Éclair update. Testing the update across European markets took longer than anticipated. However, we hope to receive final approval by the end of the week and Orange handsets should start updating from next week.”

Does that mean we should still keep our fingers crossed? Let’s hope not.

[Orange via Phandroid]

HTC has a new ROM upgrade for your Hero. Version 2.73.405.5 is up now at the HTC UK site, for owners of Orange, T-mobile, and other UK Hero users. To upgrade, head over to the HTC support page for full instructions on installing the new firmware.

The update will speed things up a bit for a snappier experience and touch-to-focus for the your 5MP camera. And unlike other software upgrades for Android phones, you will need a Windows PC to install the update, sorry Mac and Linux users.
[thanks to @burrom for the tip]

All of you should know what the HTC Hero is, arguably the sleekest, most powerful and sexiest Android handset available on the market today. You’ve seen the pictures, the videos, the specs. We all drooled over the HTC Sense UI, and some of you may have installed a hacked Hero ROM on your T-Mobile G1 or MyTouch.

So far, the Hero has only been released by carriers in Europe, such as T-Mobile UK, and Orange. But it has been available via eBay and other third party sellers to US residents. Although the 3G bands are not compatible with AT&T or T-Mobile, unlocked European versions can be used fine on EDGE and WiFi.

So, the question of the day is: How many of you in the US are using the HTC Hero?

Let us know in the comments if you have one or are planning to buy one. Also if you have AT&T or T-Mobile. And of course, how do you like it.

Engadget posted a story Tuesday showing a support page on HTC’s website all but confirming the HTC Hero coming to Sprint, which has been the rumor for quite some time now. They didn’t post a direct link but a quick Google search or some URL hacking would reveal the page. As of right now, HTC has changed the page and removed the word Sprint. But the Google search still shows it as “HTC Hero (Sprint). This all but confirms it. And if we are to believe the tipster from xda-developers, the projected release date is October 11th. Now we just wait for the leaked spy shots and internal documents from Sprint.

As the story goes, way back in April, a post over at xda-developers claimed the HTC Hero would be launching in the US on Oct 11th and everyone pretty much brushed it aside. Now we have a bit of photo “proof” from the same poster, which backs up what sounded like quite a wild claim back in April. Even though the HTC Hero has already cleared the FCC with AT&T 3G bands, it’s still not a far stretch that Sprint would carry HTC most advanced Android phone yet.

We also can see that something called the Samsung Q is set to launch the same day. But there’s no solid evidence at the moment exactly what that handset may be. Although some are speculating it could be the CDMA version of the Samsung Galaxy.

[via Engadget]

The HTC Hero (aka T-Mobile G2 Touch) is now available from T-Mobile UK as well as Orange UK for the low, low price of FREE with select voice/data plans.

Here’s the T-Mobile offering:

And from Orange:

Another little interesting tidbit is this pink HTC Hero that has poped up on mobiles.co.uk as an exclusive. Not quite as vulgar as the bright magenta from the first time we saw the Hero in the leaked HTC roadmap from so long ago. Available for £79.99 with a qualifying new contract on Orange UK, well not quite as nice as free, it’s still reasonable. Although the phone is unlocked, it does not appear that you can order it without signing a contract.

Gizmodo and Engadget both recently posted picture galleries showcasing the upcoming HTC Hero alongside it’s brothers, the T-Mobile G1 and the T-Mobile myTouch 3G (aka the Dream and the Magic). If you still haven’t gotten your fill of HTC Hero and you wanna drool over more pictures, hit the links for some HTC family reunion photos.

[Gizmodo] and [Engadget]

If you thought “Rosie” aka Sense UI on the HTC Hero was hot, wait till you see what Sony Ericsson has in store for us on the rumored upcoming Xperia “Rachael” handset. Posted over at an unofficial Sony Ericsson blog is the above video, showing off a very slick UI, similar to HTC Sense, but with more eye candy. We already showed you the leaked pictures and some of the specs on the Sony Ericsson Xperia handset that is rumored to be running this version of Android, and it definately has the hardware to pull it off. Between this and Sense, Apple is going to have their hands full at trying to keep Android from eating up its share of the smart phone market.

[via USEB]

The HTC Hero was approved by the FCC for the US, and it’s carrying AT&T’s 850/1900 MHz 3G bands. This doesn’t rule out the rumor of Sprint being a carrier of the Hero, but it seems more than likely AT&T will be the first to release the hot new handset. We’ll keep you posted once we start seeing leaked internal memos.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, head over to the FCC’s website for some really dry reading PDFs on the Hero.

[via Engadget]

Although not yet available for preorder yet, the HTC Hero has appeared on the Orange UK website. Sporting the sexy graphite, which I think looks better than the white. According to their earlier statement, it should be available within a week or two, with prices starting from FREE with qualifying plans and contract.

[Orange UK]