Wireless carrier Sprint announced today that it would soon launch its first mobile phone that ran under Google's Android operating system, the HTC Hero. The new handset, already available in other markets around the world, is able to deliver a rich mobile Internet experience to its users, as well as support for a series of Google mobile services, including Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube, not to mention the access to a wide range of applications it provides via the Android Market.

The HTC Hero is expected to become available for purchase from Sprint starting with October 11, when the carrier's subscribers will find it at all Sprint retail channels, through telesales and on the carrier's website, as well as at Best Buy. The price tag for the phone has been set at $179.99 (excluding taxes) upon the signing of a two-year contract agreement with the operator and after a $100 mail-in rebate. Those who would like to reserve their HTC Hero can do so starting today on Sprint's website.

“The arrival of HTC Hero and the Android platform to Sprint’s network is an important milestone for our customers and the U.S. wireless industry,” Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product development for Sprint, said. “With the dependability and coverage of Sprint’s 3G network, HTC Hero users will appreciate a much better experience than is possible now with any other Android phone operating in the United States. They will enjoy the robust potential to personalize their wireless experience as well as the best value in wireless with a Simply Everything plan from Sprint.”

What the new HTC Hero brings to Sprint's users includes the HTC Sense, “an intuitive experience that was built with a guiding philosophy to put people at the center,” and that provides great customization possibilities. Users can build and switch between different scenes, so as to benefit the most from the phone's capabilities. Work, social, travel or play are just some of the possible Scenes that can be created.

The specification list of the phone is also impressive. It includes a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen and a 5-megapixel photo snapper, along with Wi-Fi capabilities, a GPS receiver, the stereo Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, an accelerometer, a microSD memory card slot for up to 32GB of additional storage space, support for social networking sites such as Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, as well as for e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging, music streaming, support for a series of services like Sprint TV, NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, and others more.