HTC Hero: Popular and Practical

This week the Mobile World Conference 2010 saw the launch from HTC of the Legend and Desire. These phones are descendants of the HTC Hero, HTC's smartphone pioneer with the Google Android OS. We look back at the great features that still make the HTC Hero a popular choice.

In terms of tech specs, the HTC Hero matches many of its smartphone counterparts. It has outstanding connectivity, with the full complement of Bluetooth, mini-USB, WiFi and an audio jack. You can also use the Hero for fast 3G data transfer on the Orange network as a pay monthly phone.

However, what sets the Hero apart from other mobile phones is the combination of the robust Android operating system and HTC's user interface, Sense. Sense gives you seven screens to scroll through that you can customise as you wish with widgets and shortcuts to the applications you use the most. You can also:
• Alter the design and size of the widgets.
• Create multiple profiles or ‘Scenes' to match the functions you need for your work, weekend or holiday situations.
• Download a number of useful apps from the Android Marketplace.
This gives a great user environment that the can be personalised to your taste.

The HTC Hero is also an effective tool for syncing up all your communications easily into one single device. Besides the basics of making calls and messaging, the phone:
• Prompts you for the details of your Google, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr accounts.
• Lets you handle your contacts list with photos and updates from your Facebook friends.
• Manages e-mails with a handy widget, Exchange and POP3/IMAP support and the option of using the Gmail app too.
• Lets you create virtual ‘postcards' related to a specific place with its Footprints feature. Simply identify a place by its GPS co-ordinates and attach notes, pictures and videos to that Footprint.

Even though the technological world moves onwards rapidly, the HTC Hero still holds its own as a powerful mobile phone. A popular choice amongst users looking for a polished smartphone, the Hero is available at the Orange shop.