HTC unveiled the HTC Hero today, the world’s first Android-based phone with a customized user interface. This new interface is called HTC Sense.
The HTC Hero is powered by a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7200A processor. It comes with quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz)and dual-band (900/2100MHz) HSPA connectivity, a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display (with anti-fingerprint screen coating), 288MB RAM and 512MB ROM, aGPS, Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and A2DP, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, a digital compass, a 5MP camera with auto focus, a 3.5mm stereo headset jack, a microSD slot, and a 1350mAh battery. The form factor is similar to that of the HTC Dream with the angled bottom.
HTC’s new interface, HTC Sense, is focused on three principles: Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected. The interface comes with widgets and a new profile feature called scenes that enables you to create different customized content profiles around specific functions or times in your life. It also integrates different communication channels (email, Facebook, SMS) and applications into one single view. HTC Sense will be available on all new HTC devices moving forward.
The HTC Hero will be available later this summer. In Europe, it will be available starting in July from T-Mobile and Orange. Asia will follow by the end of the summer. A separate North American version will follow later on (but still in 2009).