HTC

How the Hero tops the MyTouch 3G

Now that Sprint finally has announced its first Google Android phone, we thought we'd take a closer look at how it stacks up against the competition. Sprint has chosen the HTC Hero, which is the third Android phone HTC has made. The Hero was first released overseas shortly after the HTC Magic, which T-Mobile launched in the United States as the MyTouch 3G. The Hero and MyTouch 3G are similar, but the Hero offers a few key advantages.

Memory The Hero and MyTouch have the same processing power, but the Hero should be faster thanks to its increased memory. The Hero features 288MB of RAM compared with the 192MB RAM on the MyTouch 3G. Many current Android users have complained about speed issues, which normally are caused by background processes that slow the phone down. Having more free memory will let the Hero be more responsive, even when multiple programs are open.

Multimedia Media fans will be pleased to find a 3.5-millimeter headset jack on the Hero. This was a major complaint of the first two Android phones, but now HTC has committed to including a 3.5-millimeter jack on all future devices. The Hero also includes a 5-megapixel camera, which is an improvement over the 3.2-megapixel shooter on the MyTouch.

Battery The first Android phone, T-Mobile G1, suffers from battery issues that HTC addressed in the MyTouch. The Hero takes it to the next level by offering a 1,500mAh capacity battery, which is the highest capacity available on an Android phone. In contrast, the MyTouch has a 1,340mAh battery.

Software The Hero's software is another of its advantages. The Hero will be the first U.S. phone to feature HTC Sense, an HTC enhanced version of Android.… Read more

BOL 1056: Time to get a pimp

Ok, but just to be clear, when I say it's time for me to get a pimp, what I MEAN is that it's time to get a PMP -- a portable media player. That is, perhaps, an iPod Touch. Anyway, you'll understand. In other news, the MPAA is trying to clamp down on your analog hole and break your DVR all at the same time and Apple's Snow Leopard is having a rough landing ... apparently because of the picture on the box.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) … Read more

Sprint announces Android HTC Hero

Just a few days after we caught a few glimpses of a Sprint HTC Hero, the carrier surprised absolutely no one by finally announcing that it would carry the smartphone beginning October 11. Sprint's first Google Android phone will cost $179 with a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year Simply Everything plan.

With a large touch screen, a few physical controls, and a trackball, the Hero more resembles the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G than the GSM Hero available in the United Kingdom. It also has a few unique characteristics, of course, but the design isn't a rapid departure from … Read more

HTC Touch2 launching October 6 with Windows Mobile 6.5

Just yesterday, Microsoft announced that the first batch of Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones would launch on October 6, and on Wednesday, we learned the identity of one such model: the HTC Touch2.

The Touch2 will include the new features of WM 6.5, such as a revamped Internet Explorer Mobile with Flash support, Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and Microsoft's My Phone backup service. As part of the HTC's Touch series, the smartphone will also use the company's TouchFlo 3D interface and include the touch-sensitive zoom bar that we first saw on the HTC Touch Pro2 and … Read more

Sprint's Hero gets a face-lift

It's been a long summer for Sprint customers waiting to purchase a Google Android phone. Sprint has confirmed that it would launch at least one Android device, but have given no specifics since then. Mounting evidence now points to an October release and new photos reveal what their first Android phone might look like.

We've long expected that the HTC Hero would appear on Sprint first. The phone first launched in the U.K. and was made popular by the new HTC Sense user interface.

First it was reported by an inside source that the HTC Hero would … Read more

Alltel snatches up the HTC Snap

Joining T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless, Alltel announced on Tuesday that it is now offering the HTC Snap for $79.99 with a one-year contract and after a $70 mail-in rebate.

The Windows Mobile 6.1 device is geared for messaging fanatics with its full QWERTY keyboard and we're happy to see that HTC's Inner Circle feature is included in this model, which lets you prioritize e-mails with a press of a button. In addition, the Snap offers world-roaming capabilities, EV-DO Rev. A support, Bluetooth, and a 2-megapixel camera.

While Verizon offers the HTC Ozone, the Snap is … Read more

Sprint HTC Touch Pro2 launching on September 8

Start saving your pennies, Sprint customers. The carrier announced on Monday that it will finally release the HTC Touch Pro2 on September 8 through its Web site and telesales, but like the T-Mobile model, it'll cost you a hefty $349.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 rebate.

The Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone does offer a couple of advantages over the carrier's other smartphones, however, including the Palm Pre and RIM BlackBerry Tour. For one thing, it has world-roaming capabilities in addition to a brilliant 3.6-inch, WVGA, tilting touch screen.

Plus, the Touch Pro2 … Read more

HTC readies budget Android phone

HTC has yet to announce its Click smartphone, but images now floating around the Web reveal details about the low-priced Google Android handset. The Click, which should launch in the fourth quarter of this year, is reported to cost about $300. This would put the Click on track to being one the lowest priced Android phones available.

Check out the HTC Click photos.

The Click's design is similar to the MyTouch 3G with some minor changes. The phone is touch screen only and it features a smaller 2.8-inch display. Gone is the trackball and in its place is … Read more

HTC patents stylus for capacitive screens

Just a few days ago, we read about BlackBerry's patent on a hybrid resistive capacitive touch screen. This would give you the best of both worlds--the sensitivity of a capacitive screen for finger input and the flexibility to use a stylus when needed.

Well, it looks like HTC has a similar idea, according to its latest patent, but achieved more simply.

The Taiwanese company has concocted a stylus with a magnetic tip. Being able to conduct electricity, it simulates the human finger so it will work with regular capacitive screens.

The advantage is, of course, its thinness compared with … Read more

T-Mobile HTC Touch Pro2 on sale now for $349.99

Seven months after its official debut at GSMA 2009, the HTC Touch Pro2 is finally stepping out on U.S. soil. The highly anticipated smartphone is now available from T-Mobile for a pricey $349.99 with a two-year contract and qualifying data and voice plan.

While expensive, the Touch Pro2 offers a lot, including HTC's Straight Talk technology for better message and call management and a spacious touch screen and QWERTY keyboard. It also finally replaces the T-Mobile Wing and brings such improvements as a faster processor and HTC's slick TouchFlo 3D interface.

We've had the smartphone … Read more