14 DAY TRIAL // Android fans in the UK have now a reason to rejoice, as wireless carrier Orange will start shipping the HTC Hero as soon as tomorrow, Thursday, July 23. The handset is the third phone coming from the Taiwanese mobile phone maker HTC Corporation with the Google Android operating system loaded on it, and it is reportedly the best such device that came to the market until now.
The HTC Hero can already be spotted listed for purchase on Orange's website, and it comes for free on select post-paid plans. The device is expected to see a lot of traction on the market, since it brings a wide range of new features, including the HTC Sense UI and technology, and it is also said to arrive to UK via T-Mobile, which will have it available as the G2 Touch.
Previous rumors already pointed towards July 21 as a possible launch date, although Amazon.co.uk stated on its site that it wouldn't have it available until August 5, as it had been pushed back a few weeks. Fortunately, the handset will come to the market in the UK at the beginning of the expected launch window, although rather soon after its predecessor, the HTC Magic, has reached the country.
Those of you who are not yet fully aware of the capabilities of this device might like to learn that it should include a 3.2-inch touchscreen display with support for multi-touch input, coupled with a 5-megapixel photo snapper, as well as 3.5 mm audio jack, GPS receiver, speakerphone, MP3 player, video player, trackball, handwriting recognition, and a microSD memory card slot for additional storage space.
At the same time, users will also have the opportunity to enjoy Bluetooth, GPRS, HSDPA, 7.2Mbps, and WiFi 802.11 b/g connectivity, as well as email, Java and Internet browsing capabilities. The HTC Hero comes to the market with a battery that is capable of delivering up to 7.8 hours of talk time, or up to 18 days of standby time. The phone's color is graphite, and you can see it listed on Orange UK here.