HTC Hero: Newest iPhone killer on the block?

Of course, in the past several handsets including Nokia N95, Nokia N97, Nokia 5800XpressMusic, Samsung Omnia and Palm Pre were touted as iPhone killers but HTC Hero stands apart from the rest because it does not have the looks or features of a killer but that a cold-blooded assassin.

Why? Take for instance its drop-dead gorgeous looks that can put any Hollywood hotshot to shame. HTC Hero sports a curvy, sexy look, weighs only 130 gm and with dimensions of 4.46 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide by 0.54 inch thick, it fits easily and comfortably into any hand. At the same time, the smartphone is rugged enough to take a few knocks.

But HTC Hero does not score on looks alone. It also comes loaded with 5-megapixel auto-focus camera, 3.2-inch (320x480 pixels) HVGA capacitative touchscreen display, trackball navigation for quick access to almost all applications, and patented TouchFlo 3D user interface.

HTC Hero also comes equipped with HTC Sense, which is based on the principles: "Make it mine," "Stay Close" and "Discover the Unexpected." This allows the user to create his own environment, to conveniently communicate with contacts through multiple channels, while the innovative features make the difference between local phone and online disappear. HTC Sense slightly resembles the TouchFlo which we have seen on other models, but HTC Sense takes things just that little bit further.

The HTC Sense is, in fact, a nice addition to the smooth Android menu, not only because of the extra widgets and the structure, but also because all of it is just that little bit more beautiful when it comes to the graphical design, and the colour scheme has been improved. This way, HTC has really created a surplus value compared to the standard Android operating system.

For the net-addicts, HTC Hero is perhaps the closest to perfect smartphone till date as it incorporates EV-DO Rev. (a support for 3G data) and integrated 802.11 b/g WiFi.

The smartphone also comes packed with microSD slot (with 2GB card, expandable to 32GB), integrated Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo support, integrated GPS receiver, HTC extUSB/mini USB port for charging and PC connectivity, virtual Qwerty keyboard (in both landscape and portrait mode) and lo and behold - a 3.5mm headset jack (uncommon in most smartphones).

The phone's 1500 mAh Lithium ion battery promises a decent 4 hours talktime but it could have done better.

Most importantly, HTC Hero, like T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile Pulse Android, Samsung Galaxy and HTC Magic, runs on the acclaimed and tested Google Android OS, is powered by 528 MHz Qualcomm processor and comes sim-free.

With HTC Hero, you also have instant access to Android Market where, like the Apple AppStore, the users can find many games and applications both free and paid.

This is good news as HTC Hero is also perhaps the first Android phone to run Flash. This is important as according to Adobe, over 80 percent of all videos and games delivered online are based on Flash technology. In other words, many Flash elements and components on the web will run smoothly on the HTC Hero and users will be able to watch YouTube and many other videos, play Flash-based games, etc.

Not surprisingly HTC Hero has already beaten off stiff challenges from the likes of the iPhone 3GS and the Nokia N97 to grab the top prize at this year's Stuff magazine Gadget Awards.

According to Fraser McDonald, editor of the magazine, HTC Hero had been recognized for its creative use of the Android platform, impressive user interface and novel approach to social networking.

"With the HTC Hero, we've finally got a phone that fully exploits the potential of the Android OS to be as clever and as sexy as the iPhone," McDonald said.

We agree. Finally the world has found a killer, nay, an assassin that may spell the doom of iPhone.

HTC Hero is being sold in the UK by Orange and other select mobile operators for £399 onwards (contract-free).