Isaiah's Tech

Just because Telus and Bell launched their amazing Android-based handsets doesn't mean that MTS will be left out of the picture. MTS has released their Android handset as well and they're calling it the HTC 6250 which is Sprint USA's HTC Hero. It's been a while since any handset like this has been launched so you'll need a refresher. The HTC 6250 packs a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display with a 320 x 480 resolution, a 5MP AF camera, WiFi b/g / Bluetooth 2.0 support, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 512MB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, GPS support, and social networking integration thanks to Android and the Sense UI.

The carrier has priced this handset for $99.99 on a 3-year contract and for $199.99 on a 2-year contract. Get it here if you want.

[Mobile Syrup]

Canada may be getting another version of the HTC Hero, thanks to MTS. On Much Music, the device above was spotted and it's the Sprint HTC Hero that could make its way to Canada sometime in the future. Of course, the handset is pretty outdated at this point but if they slap Android 2.1 on it then it should do for most people.

[Mobile Syrup]

If you live in Canada and you're willing to get the HTC Hero than now is a better time than any other. You can get it now (here) for $29.99 on a 3-year contract. Other contract prices are still the same: $399.99 on a 2-year contract, $449.99 on a 1-year contract, and $499.99 contract-free. Of course, you could also wait for the HTC Triumph / Desire that Telus should be launching soon.

[Mobile Syrup]

We don't know when North America (or more specifically the US) will be getting the Android 2.1 update for the HTC Hero, but now we know when Taiwan will be. April 26th is the date, so they're pretty lucky. This update will, of course, feature the Sense UI over top of Android and it'll be a great update for those of you who haven't done it yourselves yet.

[Engadget]

The latest rumour states that Sprint's HTC Hero could be getting the Android 2.1 update starting on April 9th. Of course, this is unconfirmed, but those owners are definitely waiting for this upgrade - especially the people that are afraid to do it themselves.

[Phandroid]

It looks like HTC Hero and Samsung Moment owners on Sprint will have to wait at least a couple more weeks to get their Android 2.1 update. The update will be taking place sometime in April and Sprint is reportedly working really hard to push this update out. It's great news for those users who are a bit afraid to flash the 2.1 ROM themselves.

[Unwired View]

It looks like two handsets will be getting the Android 2.1 in the near future. The HTC Hero is getting the Android 2.1 update in the middle March with Sense UI. This one's confirmed. It'll also bring a new Friend Stream widget "that aggregates user updates across services."

This one's unconfirmed but if you believe Boy Genius' sources then the Motorola CLIQ (on T-Mobile) will be getting the Android 2.1 update as well. If true, this should be available in March as well.

HTC Hero Getting Android 2.1: Engadget
Motorola CLIQ Getting Android 2.1: Boy Genius

With these Christmas holidays passing, more and more news is starting to flow in through the door. And today, there's just this new video on the upcoming HTC Espresso's UI. As you can see in the video below it's an improved HTC Sense UI, it's being demoed on an HTC Hero and the build isn't final. That means, yes, there are some laggy spots but don't forget that the Espresso will have a slightly faster CPU as well. Enjoy.



[Engadget]

Sprint's official Twitter account has just announced that both the Samsung Moment and the HTC Hero will be getting Android 2.0 in 2010. We don't exactly when in 2010, but we're guessing it'll be in Q1, but don't quote me on that. HTC still has to polish up their Sense UI to work properly with Android 2.0, so I'm sure they're having a ball doing that.

Update: According to Slash Gear, although Sprint's official Twitter account mentioned that they'd update the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment to Android 2.0, they have backtracked on that. The good news here is that they'll still be updating both handsets, but it'll get the slightly newer Android 2.1! It's still scheduled for the first half of 2010. Yes, the tweet is above.

[Engadget, Electronista]

An HTC exec has just announced that successor to the HTC Hero will make its debut at MWC 2010. This will take place in Barcelona in February and it's going to be an exciting event. Some requests for the successor. I'm hoping for a larger display, no chin, and an upgraded camera would be nice.

Update: According to Phone Arena, there has just been an HTC Espresso that has just been spotted in the HTC Profile. The Espresso appears to be an HTC Hero with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Maybe this could be the "successor" but I really hope not.

[Engadget]

You should already know what this is. Well, it's the HTC Hero (the European and Canadian look alike) and a lot of people are assuming that it's headed to AT&T seeing how this has just passed the FCC. To be honest, there's just something about it that seems... different. Kind of like a Chinese fake or something. Nevertheless, it passed the FCC and the filing is here.

[Phandroid]

Woah, woah, woah! What's this? A picture has just been spotted which is an HTC Hero running Android 2.1, which is quite a leap. Of course, with this new update comes HTC's own Sense UI. This could be getting rolled out in the next couple of days or weeks or months. We really don't know, but it's a heads up. Check out more photos at Be Geek.

Update on December 2nd: According to Phandroid, a new video has just been spotted online. It's a video of a European HTC Hero running Android 2.1. Check it out below.



[Engadget]

Android 2.0 has been out for about a month on the Motorola DROID and it looks like Google is already going to release Android 2.1 in the near future - December 11th to be exact. If the rumour is true, it could be making its way to the DROID, the Droid Eris, and even the HTC Hero - as we saw in the leak the other day. This won't be that big of a change, but it should fix some problems that were found in Android 2.0.

[Electronista]

Yup, that's right! Bell launched theirs yesterday and Telus has launched theirs today! All the pricing plans are below, courtesy of Mobile Syrup. I've noticed just one mistake in the pricing details below though. The LG BL40 aka New Chocolate is actually available for $99.99 CAD on a 3-year contract and not $79.99 like it states below. The Bold 9700 is $249.99 on a 3-year contract, which is slightly more expensive than what Bell offers ($229.99) but cheaper than what Rogers is asking for ($299.99). I also think it's great that they decided to launch the HTC Hero for just $99.99! Yup, don't forget the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

Check out Telus' website here.

[Mobile Syrup]

According to what we've been hearing lately the recently announced Android 2.0 "Eclair" OS will be headed to the HTC Hero. Right now it's unclear whether Android 2.0 will be coming to other Android handsets and we also don't know if HTC will skin Android 2.0 with their Sense UI. Either way it seems to be confirmed, now we'll just have to wait for it.

Update: According to GSM Arena and Boy Genius, HTC will be porting their Sense UI over to Android 2.0 to make it all nice-looking and stuff like that.

[Engadget Mobile]

Canada's Telus has just announced that their new HSPA network will be launching next week, on Thursday, November 5th. They have also confirmed [again] that they'll have the 8GB iPhone 3G, 16GB iPhone 3GS, and 32GB iPhone 3GS at launch. They'll be available for $99.99, $199.99, and $299.99 on a 3-year contract, respectively, and $599.99, $699.99, and $799.99 contract-free, respectively. Check out what Telus had to say here.