This morning, HTC launched their latest Android phone, and some say “flagship” phone with its state of the art HTC Sense user interface (“Sense UI”), the Hero, in MidValley Gardens Hotel. If you had been following me on Twitter, much of the information will be known to you already. Please see my tweets for more pictures taken at the event; I attach some additional ones below.
Here are some takeaway points from the launch, based on information in the press kit, presentations as well as answers to my questions which I posed during the event:
- the recommended retail price of the Hero in Malaysia is RM 2,399. It’s available in white or brown. The white version has a Teflon coating, presumably to help keep it clean(er). Both versions will have a fingerprint/smudge resistant screen. I couldn’t test this claim, as I believe the demo unit I handled came with a screen protector, which naturally had some fingerprints on it, with the Hero being a touchscreen phone!
- Celcom will be announcing their own plans and packages for the HTC Hero at a later date. It’s confirmed coming to Celcom, only the details need to be worked out. I suspect the plans will be very much similar to the plans on offer for the HTC Magic, the first Android phone in Malaysia.
- the Hero, being a non-Google branded device, will not come with the Android market. Instead, users will download and install applications using an application called SLIDEMe, which comes as a part of the Hero firmware/operating system. There is an additional application called “mroidstore”, also known as “marketroid” application (which can be downloaded from http://drop.io/mroidstore), which the user can install to download and install additional applications. I’ve been told there are some “local” applications, but I can’t tell for sure because I don’t have a review unit yet. The reason for the exclusion of the Android Market is because of licensing issues, HTC assures me that they are currently working on sorting this out, and if and when the Android Market becomes available, a new firmware upgrade/update will be issued to include the Android Market.
- I neglected to ask about the availability of the Hero in stores, but you can always call up your favourite PDA/smartphone retailer to check! Alternatively, you can call the HTC Call Centre, at 03 – 5569 8878 to check!
As you know, I have been playing with the HTC Hero’s ROM/operating system on my old T-Mobile G1 aka HTC Dream, HTC’s first true Android device, for some time now. The experience was not optimal due to the old hardware on the G1, with the software lagging all the time. I’m happy to report that based on my very limited time with the Hero, it is fast. The transition from homescreen to homescreen is quick, applications launch fast, and there were no noticeable lags whatsoever. I shall have more to report when I receive a review unit (hopefully soon!).
At RM 2,399, I think this warrants serious consideration to people wanting to try out a new platform. The use of the HTC widgets in the “live” homescreens (ie. the content of the homescreens change whenever you are online) is unparalled in any other smartphone platform. So is its use of 7 homescreens. HTC has done a stellar job of hiding the complexities of a mobile operating system from the end user, and should be applauded. I hope this “more reasonable” pricing beginning with the Hero (the Magic retailed at RM 2,699 when it was first released, leading to below expectation sales, in my opinion) will spill over into HTC’s Windows Mobile (WinMo) devices as well. We all want to see more affordable devices, and more of them! And my only major sore point with HTC devices has been somewhat erased with the reasonable pricing of the Hero.
HTC Hero™ from HTC at a glance:
|
Processor |
Qualcomm® MSM7200A™, 528 MHz |
|
Operating system |
Android™ |
|
Memory |
ROM: 512 MB |
|
Dimensions |
112mm (L) x 56.2 (W) x 14.35 mm (T) |
|
Weight |
135g (with battery) |
|
Display |
3.2-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with 320×480 HVGA resolution |
|
Network |
HSPA/WCDMA:
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
(Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.) |
|
Device Control |
Trackball with Enter button |
|
GPS |
Internal GPS antenna |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one) |
|
Camera |
5.0 megapixel colour camera with auto focus |
|
Audio supported formats |
MP3, AAC(AAC, AAC+, AAC-LC), AMR-NB, WAV, MIDI and Windows Media® Audio 9 |
|
Video supported formats |
MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 and Windows Media® Video 9 |
|
Battery |
Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
Standby time:
(The above are subject to network and phone usage.) |
|
Expansion Slot |
microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) |
|
AC Adapter |
Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz |
|
Special features |
G-sensor |
|
Value Added Applications |
HTC Sense™, HTC widget, HTC Scenes, HTC Sync, Google Maps, Microsoft® Exchange synchronization, PDF Viewer, Quick Office, AK Notepad, Stock, Weather, Footprints, Twitter Peep, Smart Dialer, and Teeter game |
In the meantime, enjoy the additional pictures I took at the event below. Please, no insults about the quality of the photography – I have shaky hands, the venue was rather dark and I’m generally three quarters blind, so I can’t frame shots properly!
Very sweet…i mean the lady…
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
@JC, yes, both models were very accommodating…
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Seems SlideME’ SAM is also available in Vietnam HTC hero devices.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
@Juno, I’ve been tweeted by the SlideME CEO that we can expect to see the SlideME app in more HTC Heros as it’s launched in more countries
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celcom does not hold exclusive rights for Hero right? anyone can just walk in to any pda shop and buy?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
@artic, correct. They didn’t even have the exclusive for HTC Magic what?
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Jesh Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
But magic really overpriced. RM2699, asked at lowyat 2 days ago.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 10th, 2009 at 12:07 am
@Jesh, the RRP for the Magic should now be RM 1,999 instead of RM 2,699. It was revised some time ago. Even the Celcom website is stating the RRP as RM 1,999 if I’m not mistaken.
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Jesh Reply:
September 11th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Ic, just noticed it. Thanks for your information.
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newb,
that teflon coating covers the white plastic body or screen or both? I’m confuse…
when u say it is fast, did u managed to check the firmware version number?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
@artic, if that Teflon covered the screen, habis loh! No la, it’s only the body to prevent it collecting smudges easily. That’s why I never buy anything in white! No, I didn’t check the firmware version, it’s running a customised Cupcake 1.5 anyway…
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artic_xp Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 pm
hehehe, my bad, let me check what teflon is…
I read over internet that HTC is preparing a new firmware update with a lots of tweaks that will improve performance and make it more snappy. Maybe HTC Hero that was launched today comes with the latest firmware (which most sites predict that it will be released by middle of sept or oct) and that explains why you feel it is fast?
Btw, nice coverage about the launch this morning! I follow your tweeter and watching the upload pics makes me feel that I was physically there!
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
@artic, Teflon = the stuff that non stick frying pans have on their surface so things don’t stick to the pan
Oh, there’s already a new firmware for the Hero? No wonder you asked the question. I will be able to check the firmware version when I receive the review unit…let’s hope it’s not too late before that happens!
Yeah, today maybe was one of my better days live micro-blogging about an event. Let’s hope the next one is even better!
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artic_xp Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
oooo, now I remember what Teflon is! and u remind me of my non stick frying pan …. hehehehe
There is a firmware release by modaco and they claimed that this might be the pre firmware update leak from HTC. You may check in youtube and you’ll be amaze with the vast improvement compared to current firmware! Imagine the improvement that might Hero achieve once the official firmware update from HTC is going to be release, soon!
Sprint will be getting chinless HTC Hero (source engadget), which does looks better! Is it true that chin HTC Hero does feel better and was built for a purpose? I guess have to wait for you next review to know the thruth!
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 10:04 am
@artic, let’s hope I will be able to get my hands on the review unit before it turns stale and no one is interested anymore, eh? Let me know what else you want me to check for!
Thanks for the live tweets. Great coverage. You gave us all the important info as it unfolds.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
@BigMacky, you’re welcome. Actually the price was known at the outset, but if I tweeted about it early no one is interested to know anything else!
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Can someone confirm Hero BT protocol is complete eg OBEX etc etc? Heard fr other place some BT profile missing.
And for those wan the gps navigation software, can buy Papago X5 Malaysia edition, http://www.papago.com.tw, Malfree supported i believe
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
@YC, according to specs, it supports BT 2.0 EDR and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets, so I guess it doesn’t support file transfers.
I don’t know about the Papago software. Haven’t got the time to try it on my G1 yet…
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Is it so difficult to include file transfer for Bluetooth?? ai…
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
@JC, I don’t know. Maybe they need to pay extra licensing fees to the Bluetooth SIG?
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I have been waiting for the HTC Hero to launch and your live tweets and blog post was a great source to read, uncovering of the event.
I hope when it retails the price is good enough to decide between a Magic and a Hero.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
@Marvin, well, the Magic is retailing at RM 1,999, while the Hero is going to retail for RM 2,399, so it’s a no-brainer actually!
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good…..but only free 2GB memory card!!!
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 10:05 am
@Niewyy, memory card prices are very cheap nowadays, so the 2Gb is nothing la…
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let me update the mirco sd memory price.about
8GB RM70 , 16Gb Rm180 , 32GB Rm (very expensive ) , saw it in taiwan pc fair.
remember look for lifetime warranty brand…. and well keep the receipt…
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Galaxy can now kiss my pecker!
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 10:03 am
@AKilla, goodness, such language in a family oriented blog! Hahahahahah!!
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RM2399 seems a tad high compared to other countries, But I guess that’s the side effect of having warranty?
Yes, this is a good set for Android newbies to get their feet wet, but they better get the Android Market issues sorted out asap….it’s like getting an Iphone now with no access to the App Store, only Cydia.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 10:01 am
@Ken, remember how we Malaysians always get shafted?
At least it’s cheaper than the Magic which had a retail price of RM 2,699 when it launched!
Yep, a good phone indeed for newbies. But the Android platform is still in its infancy, so if people expect iPhone type/quality apps and games, they will be disappointed. And yes, that Market issue needs to be sorted out ASAP. Unless slideme can take over?
BTW, is the Hero launched in Singapore yet? How much for unlocked set?
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From what I read it will be on sale 8th Sep at S$898, standard 2gb microsd….small difference of around RM200 I guess?
Of course, it will be sold cheaper definitely then the RRP, that will be true at your end too.
http://www.htc.com/sea/press.aspx?id=109708&lang=1033
For Magic users, some good news.
“HTC Magic users can soon experience HTC Sense on their Magic when a free upgrade is made available in November 2009″
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
@Ken, thanks for that! I was in the midst of writing the new post when you commented! Talk about good timing eh?
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Ken Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Hehe….good news spreads fast.
Looking forward to your post.
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[...] Original post: HTC Launches The Hero In Malaysia « -:: Malaysia Mobile Tech News ::- [...]
Can anyone confirm if the HTC Hero to be sold in Malaysia comes with Chinese input/IME?
Thanks.
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ANDY Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
i believe dont have , since is english version.
but this hero is selling in TAIWAN and CHINA ,may be u can find it or google it …i do remember MAGIC can install and suport Chinese input/IME.
or u can call out HTC in malaysia or singapore , usually technical department , most of them is helpful….which i think , to give you a answer..
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 12:37 am
@andy, there is Chinese input support built in. Wait for my second part review where I will have some screenshots.
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[...] T-Mobile G1, aka HTC Dream, and HTC Magic. The Hero was launched in Malaysia around 10 days ago, which I covered here. The Hero is the first HTC Android device to come with what HTC calls its Sense user interface [...]
how come the malaysian version of htc hero does’nt come with the market application? why does the other country have it and we malaysian dont have it, its suppose to have the market application so that we can get new application for free, the android market should be free so that the user can fully utise the potential of the android platform….
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 11:06 am
@gamma hermit, read this post a couple of times and you’ll know the reason why
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