HTC debuts new Android phone: HTC Hero
HTC has released details on their new smartphone, the HTC Hero which comes with the new Android interface; Sense. The specs are as follows:
Processor: 528 MHz with 288MB of RAM
Network: 900/2100 MHz
Capable of up to 2Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds
Other connections: GPS, Bluetooh 2.0 and WiFiCamera: 5 MP with autofocus.
Audio: plays Mp3s and assorted audio files (AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV, MIDI etc..).
Video: Plays Mp4s and Windows Media Video 9
Battery: Talk time up to 470 mins, Standby 750 hours.
Expansion Slot: microSD 3.5 mm audio jack
The main differences between this and the HTC Magic (besides the new Sense interface) are the 5 MP camera (from 3.2 MP), an audio jack (instead of having to use the included mini-usb headphones) and a better battery. These are the improvements I've been clamoring for and it significantly elevates the mobile to one-up the iPhone 3GS.
From what I've seen from Sense, it's basically the Android OS with a different skin so people who've used this platform shouldn't have to re-learn anything.
Other points to note are that the phone will support Flash (but every Android phone will be able to do that come October) and that it will be released in Europe in July and in Asia later that month. I'm guessing that the phone should reach New Zealand around Spring.
This is certainly a better alternative to the Vodafone Magic and the iPhone 3GS, but of course we will have to wait for the price to be announced before making a definite conclusion. Till then I remain pretty excited about this phone.