HTC Hero hands-on: Flash, keyboard and ruminations (updated!)

We're going to need some real time with the device to make a final opinion, but we're cautiously optimistic that HTC has a winner with its new Hero. Here's what we've got from our first looks at the phone in London and NY:

* The beveled edges along the back makes the handset sit comfortably in the hand, and while the teflon coat doesn't necessarily feel revolutionary, it's going to make a world of difference after a couple of months riding in our grubby pockets. It's certainly solid, but much more so than other "brick" phones.
* The Sense UI (or as HTC terms it, "user experience") riding a capacitive touchscreen offers a people-centric approach to managing your information that is absolutely dreamy at first blush -- though it shares a lot of TouchFLO heritage. In fact, HTC promises to have a very similar Sense-branded experience for Windows Mobile.
* The on-screen keyboard also seems quite useable with a nice simulated haptic forced-feedback bounce when you strike each key in either landscape or portrait mode (which can naturally be deactivated). HTC has built its own touch keyboard from the ground up, and in our brief couple of tests we'd say it's probably the best touchscreen typing experience we've ever felt. It never lags behind, and has great colorful visual cues for its auto-corrected words -- green means it's suggesting a correctly spelled word, red means we've gone off the beaten path, and the T9-style multiple suggestions are heavenly.
* This intuitive one-hander isn't shy with the specs either as we've already seen in the official press release. Our only concern is possible sluggishness from the Qualcomm processor that cause the graphic transitions to stutter a bit and results in screen rotations that feel dangerously uncomfortable.
* We were told that the device we saw was running pre-production firmware so there's still time to tweak -- though not much with a July European launch.
* The Hero is not a "Google Experience" device. As such, you won't find the Google logo anywhere (no big deal) but you also won't be downloading any firmware updates over the air -- sideloading only kids. Not a deal breaker but an annoying and seemingly arbitrary limitation nonetheless. There's still a small lack of clarity of how updates will work with HTC's "mods" living on top of basic Android -- even if they're able to port in new Android versions seamlessly, we imagine there will be some breakage.
* For a device without a physical keyboard, the Hero seems a little thick up against its HTC Magic, Nokia N97, and iPhone 3G counterparts, but not overly so.
* HTC has confirmed that whichever (unspecified) carrier gets the phone in the US will have a modified version, both in software (carrier-specific services) and in hardware chassis tweaks. Just don't take our teflon away, ok HTC?
* Battery is the same larger slab that's in the myTouch, and HTC also claims to have done some vague, unspecified things OS-side to improve battery life as well. "Heavy users will be able to get through a day."
* The camera is responsive and seems to do a fine job at autofocus, but wasn't astonishingly great at first glance.
* The phone will be available for free on T-Mobile UK -- if only we could be so subsidy lucky in the US.

Adobe demos Flash on the HTC Hero

Been hankering to see what Flash -- via the Open Screen Project -- actually looks like on an Android (or any modern mobile) device? Well hanker no more, ya'll. Adobe has helpfully dropped a video on us which has Flash team member Adrian Ludwig demo'ing the newly minted HTC Hero (multitouch gestures included). Once the content loads up, it seems to run at a pretty snappy rate, though waiting on Flash content to appear doesn't look encouraging if you're in the midst of casual browsing (or on a weak connection). We'll be interested to see what this is like in the real world -- and for platforms beyond Android -- but for now at least we've got something to go on.

HTC Hero running Android and Sense UI leaks from HTC's own website

As we prepare for HTC's official launch event today, we're starting to see some details appear on HTC's own website of the much rumored Hero. Through some URL trickery, we've managed to unearth several details that confirm the previous rumors. Hero includes the new HTC Sense widget-based interface that puts at-a-glance info right up front on the home screen where it belongs. A new Scenes profile feature lets you transform your phones focus from business to weekend mode. Viewing your contacts shows the usual data in addition to the interactions you've had through social networking status updates and photos from the likes of Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter. A dedicated search button searches the phone as well as services like Twitter. In fact, like Palm's Pre, the HTC Hero seems ready to fully integrate your local data with all your subscribed social media sites. The biggest deal here, however, might just be that HTC is touting this as the first Android device to support Flash out of the box.

Inside you'll find Qualcomm's MSM7200A proc running Android at 528MHz, 512MB/288MB ROM/RAM, 3.2-inch TFT-LCD with 320 x 480 pixel rez, 900/2100MHz HSPA and Quad-band GSM, trackball, GPS, 802.11b/g WiFi, 3.5mm audio jack, G-sensor, compass, and 5 megapixel auto-focus cam with microSD expansion. It's all there baby. The White version of the device has an industry-first Teflon coating (right, just like your pans) to keep things clean and grime free. Multi-touch and anti-fingerprint coating too. Hero arrives in Europe in July with T-Mobile and Orange, Asia later in the summer, and North America even later in 2009.

HTC's Warhawk and Fortress are AT&T's Touch Diamond2 and Pro2

We know that Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile are all getting versions of the Touch Pro2, but what about little ol' AT&T? Turns out that device is codenamed "Fortress," and it'll accompany a Touch Diamond2 version known as "Warhawk" to market this summer. The Fortress is actually listed as targeted for May 25, which seems a bit unrealistic -- but we think the document we're looking at is a little stale, so we're sure the inevitable delay has crept into the schedule by now. It's expected to launch with WinMo 6.1 AKU6 (presumably upgradeable to 6.5 down the road) with full HSPA on three bands, AGPS, a 3.2 megapixel AF cam, 3.6-inch WVGA display, and Video Share support. Curiously, the bottom of the slide mentions that a "WM 7.X refresh" is in the works with a September 2009 launch date, which underscores the fact that this slide is likely a little old -- there's no way anything running Windows Mobile 7 is hitting this year if 6.5 will just be coming to market in volume toward the holiday season.

HTC Touch Pro2 brandishes Verizon logo, poses for camera with Cedar

Not that it wasn't without warning, but we've now got some pretty definitive picture proof that HTC 's Touch Pro2 is set to bask in Verizon's CDMA goodness -- we guess your Sprint friends won't be having all the fun, after all. Also caught on camera here is the HTC Cedar, a CDMA version of the HTC Maple / Snap. It's got a slightly different button layout just under the screen than the Sprint version we recently saw, which itself is different from its initial unveiling. According to 474RPR, who leaked these pics, this one's bound for Alltel's network, which while we don't see any proof from the image, we could totally buy that. Of course, none of these pics give a release date of any sort, so hang tight while we all anxiously wait in unison.

Rogers to sell HTC Dream, Magic for $199.99 on contract

Canadians have had to wait quite a while to get their first official taste of Android, and even longer to know how much it'd cost, but it looks like that last detail has now finally been cleared up. According to The Boy Genius Report, Rogers will be asking the ever popular $199.99 for both the HTC Dream and HTC Magic on a three-year contract when they launch on June 2nd, or a hefty $649.99 off-contract. As Boy Genius points out, that's actually $100 more than the previously rumored off-contract price, which briefly spurred talk of a too-good-to-be-true $149.99 on-contract price.

New video of HTC Hero's Android build offers Frenchy vision of widget utopia

The verdict is still out on whether what we've been seeing is indeed some precursor to Android 2.0 "Donut," or (more likely) some elaborate HTC skin designed bring HTC's Android home screen experience up to par with its extensive Windows Mobile reskinning. Either way, things are shaping up quite nicely for the HTC Hero, with another leaked build showing widget functionality galore, including weather widgets that actually show the weather. Interestingly, this isn't a complete replacement for the existing home screen, since in the add widget dialogue you can pick an HTC Gadget, a Google Gadget, or other regular things like Shortcuts, and most everything seems to cohabitate well in the example video. With the rate these leaks are coming, we're guessing we'll be hearing more about the HTC Hero before too long....!

Rogers nabs HTC Dream and HTC Magic for Canada's first look at Android

Rogers is launching both the HTC Dream and the HTC Magic in June of this year, snapping a "cold spell" of Android-lessness up north. The phones will Rogers exclusives in Canada, and it's one of the first spots we've heard of -- other than the fairly inevitable T-Mobile USA -- to be getting the elusive HTC Magic outside of Vodafone. Otherwise details are scarce, but Rogers promises more information soon, and has an online countdown for "the revolution" on June 2nd. How polite.

HTC Snap reviewed: QWERTY keyboard, Winmo 6.1, no great shakes

We know you've been dying to get your hands all over the HTC Snap... oh, wait. You haven't? Well, neither have we -- but no matter, 'cos Smartphone Daily has a review, and they've filled us in on the luscious deets. For the uninitiated, this is a 2.4-inch, Windows Mobile 6.1, touchscreen deficient candybar, and something of a BlackBerry doppleganger (if only in the looks department), featuring WiFi and a camera. Wild, huh? Overall, the reviewer found it to be "decent" -- if you're looking for a "business device," that is. The Inner Circle feature was singled out for some praise: little more than an Inbox filter for your, erm, "inner circle," you have to wonder why a manufacturer hadn't thought of it before. On the downside, he did find the inclusion of a TAB key (where the A key belongs) to be particularly annoying. This bad boy will go on sale this summer in Europe, at which time the S522 (as it's known 'round here) should hit the shops Stateside.

HTC's XV6175 for Verizon outed in render form

Yo, T-Mobile, you guys might want to speed that Snap / Dash 2 / whatever along, because you've got a few carriers nipping at your heels with their own WinMo-based portrait QWERTY models fresh out of HTC's foundry. There's a whole jumble of codenames and model numbers used to identify this thing, but basically, you can look at the XV6175 as Verizon's answer to the GSM-powered Snap and S522 -- a device that's been seen in Sprint's roadmap as the Willow and in various regulatory agencies as the Cedar (ridiculous, yes, we know). We don't have any better idea of when it might launch, but in the meanwhile, feast your eyes on this render we've unearthed -- and enjoy the Verizon logo-free bezel while you can, because we'll bet you a bazillion dollars that's not lasting.

T-Mobile-branded HTC Touch Pro2 appears in the wild

It's really no secret that the Touch Pro2 is destined to arrive in the States on T-Mobile, but this is the first time we've seen the T-Mo edition not, uh, drippings with goo. And yes, that's a US-spec keyboard and the "fewer dots" US T-Mobile logo, so this looks like the real thing -- hopefully that means a launch is imminent.

HTC first quarter earnings fall a not awesome 30 percent

HTC's unleashed a barrel of bad news on the world today with their first quarter earnings statement. The company's profits fell 30 percent during that period, with a net of NT$4.89 billion -- $148 million -- down from NT$6.94 billion (or $210 million) at the same time last year. HTC still managed to best analysts estimates (shows what they know) which forecast that the company's earnings would be in the area of NT$4.64 billion ($140 million). HTC said that the profits fell in part to missed product shipping deadlines, which have been pushed into April.

Optus' HTC Dream spotted, photographed passionately

Low light, candles in the corner -- seriously folks, these shots are downright sultry. Optus' HTC G1, er, Dream has been spotted and photographed in some random corner of the world, and while it basically looks like every other G1 you've ever seen in this hue, we're absolutely certain that Australians in attendance are more than happy to have a look. You know where to head for the rest.

First hands-on with the HTC Touch Pro2

So this thing's definitely got some heft to it -- and honestly, especially for a business-centric device in this class, we don't think that's a bad thing. As with just about everything HTC churns out, the Touch Pro2 is exquisitely manufactured, feels rock-solid, and the WVGA is absolutely awesome -- we noticed that the gestures and animations are totally smooth and responsive, proving that WinMo is perfectly capable of handling this kind of UI dazzle. The Straight Talk functionality for seamlessly moving between different types of communication will be appreciated by anyone who spends half their business day on the phone and seems to work (and look) positively lovely -- and as for that speakerphone? We can totally picture ourselves slamming this thing upside down during a meeting in a fit of "our company just lost a $100M contract"-style rage with a satisfying, weighty "thud" and instantly bringing the whole room into the conversation.

HTC Touch 3G

HTC Touch 3G is a cool looking phone and in line with the insustry trend of making keys obsolete. Starting with the network support, the new HTC Touch 3G is a quad-band phone that allows global roaming. It offers 3G HSDPA connectivity which means you can enjoy up to 18 times more download speed on it than the standard 3G. Live Video streaming from Youtube can be enjoyed on the HTC Touch 3G as well. Other than 3G, it also offers GPRS, EDGE & WiFi support. Its Native support for Google Maps along with A-GPS means you won't miss the directions, where ever you are..

Specifications:

Form Factor	Bar
Size	102 x 53.6 x 14.5 mm
Weight	96 g
Display Size	240 x 320 pixels
Display Colors	TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
Ring tones	Polyphonic (40 channels), MP3
Media Player	Yes
Games	Yes
Ports	Yes
Total Memory	192 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM
Talk Time	Up to 6 h 30 min
Standby Time	Up to 450 h
Operating Frequency	GSM 850/900/1800/1900

HTC Touch HD

HTC Touch HD is a very impressive Windows Mobile handset with a large 480 x 800 pixel screen, a 5 megapixel camera, HSDPA and WiFi support plus inbuilt GPS.It comes with a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus (but no flash), plus a secondary video calling camera. Although there are plenty of non-Windows phones with better cameras, the Touch HD has possibly the best unit for a Windows device.The Touch HD features GPS support, so it can be used with Google Maps or another application.

Specifications:

Form Factor	Bar
Size	115 x 62.8 x 12 mm
Weight	146 g
Display Size	480 x 800 pixels
Display Colors	TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
Ring tones	Polyphonic (40 channels), MP3, WAV, WMA
Media Player	Yes
Games	Yes
Ports	Yes
Total Memory	288 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
Talk Time	Up to 6 h 30 min
Standby Time	Up to 450 h
Operating Frequency	GSM 850/900/1800/1900

HTC DIAMOND

The HTC Diamond is defined by its compact size, game-changing Internet and the new so called TouchFlo 3D technology, resulting in a 3D touch screen. HTC has taken a great leap forward in touch screen innovation with the introduction of its new 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D. HTC TouchFLO 3D provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather and more. In addition, HTC is introducing a new innovative touch-sensitive control for interacting with Touch Diamond.

Specifications:

Form Factor	Bar
Size	102 (L) X 51 (W) X 11.35 (T)
Weight	110 g
Display Size	640x480 pixel resolution
Display Colors	large 2.8 inch VGA display
Ring tones	40 polyphonic
Media Player	Yes
Games	Yes+Downloadable
Ports	MicroSD slot
Total Memory	4 GB
Talk Time	up to 4 hours
Standby Time	up to 300 hours
Operating Frequency	Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional