A Hero in the Making

Both Google and HTC have made quite a name for themselves with their strong partnership in pushing the new Google Android mobile OS out in the market. In a short span of less than a year, we've seen two HTC models supporting the Android platform, namely the HTC Dream and the HTC Magic.

Sadly, we weren't privy to the launch of the HTC Hero during its inaugural presentation in London just a few weeks back. What piqued our interested, was the HTC Sense UI video that was demonstrated during the said launch. You might want to check out the official video on the HTC YouTube channel, or right below.



Just a while ago, we managed to get our hands on a unit, but unfortunately, HTC mentioned that the UI is still undergoing review. As such, we are only able to provide a quick look at the HTC Hero's aesthetics and form factor.

The HTC Hero is like a cross between all that's good with the HTC Touch Diamond 2's distinctive metal border and petite buttons and the HTC Dream's non-glossy surface that prevents fingerprints smudges.

The four buttons on the front panel are kind of spread apart, which required some thumb stretching to reach the two buttons at the sides.

Like its earlier Android models, the HTC Hero also comes with a trackball for navigation purposes. The search and back buttons are oddly cramped together on the bottom right.

The curved chin guard is more or less here to stay on HTC's devices. It'll take some getting used to, but it will grow on you after a while.

Ah yes, the all too welcomed 3.5mm audio jack. We are very glad that HTC isn't using the USB port as its audio connector like most of its devices have been doing.

It's interesting to note how much more pleasing the HTC Hero (left) is to the eye than it's predecessor, the HTC Dream (left).

The HTC Hero's slim profile is a far cry from its predecessor, the HTC Dream's chunkier form factor. Of course the Dream has a full QWERTY keypad but the Hero doesn't.

We noticed that the chin area on the HTC Hero is more prominently curved than the HTC Dream. It does strike us as odd, but we guess it's a design identity that HTC would want to enforce.

Yup, that's all folks. But stay alert, because from what we've heard, the HTC Hero will be arriving in the Asia Pacific region by the month of August. That leaves us with just less than two weeks. So let the countdown begin, and we'll follow up with more updates when we get the commercial unit in our labs.