It’s definitely an exciting time to be a smartphone user!  First the Palm Pre and the iPhone 3GS and now a brand new Android device from HTC.  It will initially be available in Europe next month, later to follow in Asia and North America.

Here is the official press release from HTC.  The Hero will feature a new UI that HTC dubs “Sense” which looks great and somewhat Pre-like.  Engadget Mobile has a good write-up that discusses the phone itself as well as the Sense UI, including pictures and some enlightening videos.

Here are some of the specs:

• Qualcom 7200A 528 MHz Processor
• 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM
• 4.41 x 2.21 x 0.57 inches, 4.76 ounces
• 3.2 inch TFT screen, 320×480 HVGA resolution
• 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus
• Internal GPS, G-sensor and digital compass
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Anti-fingerprint screen coating and outer Teflon coating

I thought that the Teflon coating seemed like an interesting change that may go a long way towards getting away from the typical smudge-prone phones that I have seen from many smartphones in the past.  The Hero is also the second phone, after the iPhone 3GS, to tout an anti-fingerprint screen coating, a potentially good industry trend to nurture.  I do like the use of widgets in the phone’s new UI, much better, in my opinion, than a home page that is simply a list of applications.

One thing that definitely intrigued me was the brief blurb that mentioned porting Sense back over to Windows Mobile on HTC products in the future.  It seems to be a major step forward over TouchFlo 3D which is currently on my TouchPro and I’d love to see it come over to WM.  I’ll anxiously watch this phone as well as future releases from HTC!

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