It was exactly three years ago today that Sprint began offering its first Android smartphone, the HTC Hero. Monumental in more than a few ways, this was also the first time U.S. consumers were able to get their hands on device with Sense UI. Priced only $179.99 with a two-year service agreement (after a $50 instant savings and a $100 mail-in rebate), the phone was a bargain when you considered every other Android thus far was $199.99.
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HTC Hero specifications:
- Qualcomm MSM7600 528MHz processor
- Operating System: Android platform 1.5 Cupcake
- 512MB ROM
- 288MB RAM
- 2GB microSD memory card
- Display: 3.2-inch 320 x 480 HVGA resolution
- 262K-color TFT LCD touch-sensitive screen with LED backlight
- Battery: Rechargeable battery: 1500 mAh.
- Talk time: Up to 250 minutes. Standby Time: Up to 360 hours.
- Camera: 5MP camera with auto focus
- GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi (802.11b/g), HTC ExtUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
Where Are They Now?
At the time, the HTC Sense experience was such a fresh breath of air for Android, putting a whole new look to the growing platform. Thanks to a number of custom widgets and built-in app features, the Hero provided a much friendlier and more polished look. Over time we would see Android build some of the Sense features directly into the OS.
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