Sprint HTC Hero on Android

Well, earlier this week I went to my local Sprint store, and upgraded from my Palm Centro (over 2 years) to a new HTC Hero running on Google’s “Android” operating system.

My new Sprint HTC Hero running on Google Android

This means that I no longer have a physical keyboard (the Centro’s was too small for my large hands anyway), and I no longer use a stylus for pointing and clicking. I now have a true “touch screen” instead. I am still getting used to the new operating system, locations of features, typing with my fingers — but so far I am very impressed and pleased with this phone.

New features that I did not have before include:

• GPS
• Wi-Fi
• A very robust Android Apps Store with thousands of applications, and more being developed all the time.
• Voice activated commands – even over Bluetooth, so I can control the phone while riding my motorcycle!
• Full integration and synchronization with all of Google’s web apps for business: calendar, email, documents, contacts, search, voice, maps, latitude, wave, chat, goggles, etc.
• Full control over and integration with social media sites such as WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and many others.
• Zooming in and out on web page content.
• A 5 MegaPixel camera with flash
• A standard size headphone jack for listening to music.
• Standard USB connection cable for linking to my MacBook Pro or other computer devices for file transfers, etc.
• Personalization of the interface with my own backgrounds, layout of widgets and preferences.

It’s a great size and weight, fits in my hand and pocket very nicely and “looks cool” with that big bright screen. Being a person that needs bifocal corrective lenses, this larger screen is easier for me to read as well. I’ve noticed that the added features also drain the battery quicker than the Centro… but I think there are some power management apps that I can download to help me increase that time.

Some may be wondering why a long-time Mac guy like me (since 1987) went with this phone instead of the iPhone? It’s pretty simple. I don’t like limited choices. I refuse to be “forced” to use AT&T when other carriers are superior is service and price. I think that was a very bad decision on Apple’s part. I like Googles approach to supply a fantastic OS that is open and can be developed by a wider group and for a potentially larger audience, with a number of different carriers. I think the healthy competition in this space between Apple and Google will be good for everyone!

I’m doing my part!