Shameless plug for a Google Android handset from the stables of HTC, who have led the Android pack of one to date. Hats off to HTC then for releasing their third handset, the Hero.

Seriously people, if you have never used Android then you really do not know what you're missing. It is a bit good and a real delight to use.

Expansys, not my favourite store for prices, have the HTC Hero out for £399.99 SIM Free which is precisely £100 cheaper than the Nokia N97 and light years ahead of it too (in my opinion).

At this price it is highly competitive with all of its competition, such as the iPhone and even its siblings the G1 and HTC Magic. Being SIM free you can stuff any SIM in there that you like and enjoy the benefits of your favourite mobile network provider.

Check out the link if you're interested, meanwhile a few snippets to keep you going ...

With its 3.2-inch HVGA display, the HTC Hero is optimized for Web, multimedia and other content while maintaining a small size and weight that fits comfortably in your hand.
It also boasts a broad variety of hardware features including a GPS, digital compass, gravity-sensor, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, a 5 mega-pixel autofocus camera and expandable MicroSD memory.

HTC Hero - Highlights:
  • Display 3.2-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with 320x480 HVGA resolution
  • Platform Android™ - Touch-sensitive front panel buttons responding perfectly to your finger gestures when scrolling through contacts, browsing the web, and launching media
  • Network Surf and download at broadband speed with HSPA internet connectivity
  • GPS Intgrated GPS antenna, Google Maps enhanced by the wide screen viewing platform
  • Camera 5.0 megapixel color camera with auto focus for quality stills and video
  • Connectivity Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g), Bluetooth 2.0, Built-in 3.5 mm audio jack
Note that last bit - finally HTC have fitted the ubiquitous 3.5mm audio jack instead of the mini-USB connector for headsets. That was a major criticism of the HTC Android handsets to date. Well done HTC, thanks for listening.


NB: Those screen shots, if anyone is wondering, are of the upcoming Google Android version 2.0 software codenamed Donut. This will be available to all Google Android handsets later this year and has a strong focus on Multimedia. The current firmware is version 1.5 (Cupcake).