HTC Hero launched in London

Third Android handset unveiled

24 June 2009 11:57 GMT / By Duncan Geere

Whilst other handset manufacturers continue to procrastinate about launching Android handsets, HTC has gone ahead and launched its third running the Google mobile phone operating system.

The HTC Hero, as it will be known, follows the trend set by the G1 and HTC Magic forebears sporting the Android operating system. Much information about the handset has previously leaked, but now it's official.

The new handset will feature a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen, and will be packed out with the normal array of HSDPA, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera around the back. There's also a welcome 3.5mm headphone jack.

HTC is also debuting "Sense" - a customised user interface for Android that'll feature across HTC's range of handsets. It allows users to access social media sites and create profiles for your phone around different times and handsets.

If previous reports are correct, the handset will be exclusive to Orange. That makes it Orange's first high-profile smartphone exclusive. Previous HTC Android handsets have been exclusive to T-Mobile and Vodafone.

The HTC Hero will be available across Europe in July. It'll migrate to Asia "later in the summer" and eventually make it to North America "later in 2009".

UPDATE: The HTC Hero will be offered via Orange and T-Mobile as the G1 Touch.