For months we've heard nothing but good about the Hero, but it seems that this past week one or two bad reviews have been hitting the net.
But sometimes it's not what the tech blogs say that's important - or relevant - it's what ordinary, every day users think that really counts. So if you've just got your HTC Hero and you use it as your every day phone, why don't you tell us what you think?
Should the rest of us be rushing out to get one too?
Discussion about
Have you got a Hero? What are your first impressions?
Nice phone, great screen and UI, only problems I've found so far are:
1) can't use wireless networks if the SSID isn't broadcast (apparently this is an Android feature), the wifi does seem a tiny bit flaky compared to some phones I've used but not bad..
2) can't sync with Outlook on Windows 7 (can't really complain about this, W7 isn't officially released yet)
Also thumbs up for HTC tech support, very helpful.
Yes, it lags a bit occasionally as has been repeatedly mentioned in the negative reviews but imho this isn't the massive problem everyone seems to think, it's certainly not a showstopper.
So far I'm very happy with it - it's a brand new bit of kit, there are bound to be a few issues but I suspect a few firmware fixes will sort these out.
1) can't use wireless networks if the SSID isn't broadcast (apparently this is an Android feature), the wifi does seem a tiny bit flaky compared to some phones I've used but not bad..
2) can't sync with Outlook on Windows 7 (can't really complain about this, W7 isn't officially released yet)
Also thumbs up for HTC tech support, very helpful.
Yes, it lags a bit occasionally as has been repeatedly mentioned in the negative reviews but imho this isn't the massive problem everyone seems to think, it's certainly not a showstopper.
So far I'm very happy with it - it's a brand new bit of kit, there are bound to be a few issues but I suspect a few firmware fixes will sort these out.
You mention about the lagging - how many widgets do you have open? If you only have a few of them does it still lag? My whole reason of wanting a phone other than a iPhone was the silly iPhone slowness.
I just read/watched Engadget's review of the Hero. I'm still tempted to get one (if it comes out for AT&T in the US, not switching back to T-Moblie, if that's who get it), but the lack of hardware power is kinda turning me away. I'm sure FW fixes could help, but will they all be sorted out when it's released in the US.
The HTC CEO/or what ever he was, said it wasn't even coming to tmobile, but that was at the launch party of the Mytouch. I think that they just didn't want to put people off of buying the Mytouch with the Hero hype lingering overhead. Its going to come to tmobile eventually, maybe not as the Hero but as a different model but Tmobile will be getting the over hyped Sense UI>
I was wrong it was the T-Mobile CTO. phonenews.com says "CTO Cole Brodman has confirmed that T-Mobile will not be launching the recently announced and highly anticipated HTC Hero Android device, stating that the myTouch 3G is the flagship Android device for the carrier this year." Also Phonescoop has CTO Cole Brodman saying "the company has no plans to bring the HTC Hero to market in the U.S. " at the same event. Im not saying T-Mob wont get it, but why would he specifically say no, when it is always S.O.P. to say you have no announcements, news, etc. I agree though, T-mobile will get sense ui. But I'm guessing it will be on HTC's next android phone.
The US will get the Hero its just a matter of time, i just think that they didn't want to say 'oh the hero is coming later this year but you can buy the mytouch now' it would have pulled away from both the mytouch's and tmobile sales. I think that the hero passed through the fcc with sprints wireless bands so it will come just a matter of time.
Actually its based off Android which is already had 1.0/1.1/1.5 although i am sure HTC will optimize the Sense UI the people at XDA have tremedously.
Finally got my Hero today. These are my first impressions:
1) It's absolutely gorgeous. It feels nice and solid in the hand too. And the screen is brighter than any other phone I've seen - including the iPhone and those OLED screens that Samsungs have.
2) The software is amazing and beautiful. Sense UI is, in my opinion, better looking than the iPhone software - although I do think that when you get to the native Android pages the iPhone shades it a little. (The 'annoying' lag that some reviewers have mentioned wasn't noticeable to me. Perhaps it's because I've never owned an iphone?)
3) I felt the phone was a little too small. Maybe my hands are too big but I'd have preferred it if the phone was a little larger.
4) The position of the back button is stupid. It makes one-handed operations close to impossible.
5) I felt the trackball was a little too sensitive. But perhaps I need to use it a bit more to get used to it.
6) The twitter app is nice, but nothing special. I much preferred WinMo's pockeTwit and the iphone's TweetDeck.
1) It's absolutely gorgeous. It feels nice and solid in the hand too. And the screen is brighter than any other phone I've seen - including the iPhone and those OLED screens that Samsungs have.
2) The software is amazing and beautiful. Sense UI is, in my opinion, better looking than the iPhone software - although I do think that when you get to the native Android pages the iPhone shades it a little. (The 'annoying' lag that some reviewers have mentioned wasn't noticeable to me. Perhaps it's because I've never owned an iphone?)
3) I felt the phone was a little too small. Maybe my hands are too big but I'd have preferred it if the phone was a little larger.
4) The position of the back button is stupid. It makes one-handed operations close to impossible.
5) I felt the trackball was a little too sensitive. But perhaps I need to use it a bit more to get used to it.
6) The twitter app is nice, but nothing special. I much preferred WinMo's pockeTwit and the iphone's TweetDeck.
I know its not a widget but twidroid is really good if you don't like the twitter widget.
I've installed Twidroid and, although I don't think it's as good as TweetDeck or PockeTwit, it works quite well. Thanks.
No problem, i have gotten quite use to it and have not used the others, but free is workable for me.
Am I imagining this or didn't all the pre-release demos have a way that you associate contacts with their twitter accounts so that when you view their details you also see their twitter timeline? I don't see a way of achieving this on my Hero. Is it possible?
I might be the first person on earth to say this, but I just might prefer the Windows Mobile OS on my previous phone to Android (or the iPhone). It mightn't have been a looker, but I like the way it was completely configureable.
TO ANY OWNERS:
Can someone please post a detailed post about the "lag" issue, specifically about if turning off a bunch of the widgets has a positive effect?
Can someone please post a detailed post about the "lag" issue, specifically about if turning off a bunch of the widgets has a positive effect?
Just a post to say that the 'lag' is hardly noticeable. The movement between screens is slighlty laggier than the glass smoothness of the iPhone but overall it seems faster to me.
I've moved from an iPhone (not 3GS) and overall the Hero is a lot snappier than an iPhone which hasn't just been formatted. Overall, the iPhone acts like windowsxP and tends to bog down after a few days of use. The Hero also seems faster due to the multi-tasking.
All I can say is that if you jailbreak an iPhone and use some winterboard themes you'll have a device thats about the same speed as the Hero.
I'm very happy with it and would recommend it no problem
I've moved from an iPhone (not 3GS) and overall the Hero is a lot snappier than an iPhone which hasn't just been formatted. Overall, the iPhone acts like windowsxP and tends to bog down after a few days of use. The Hero also seems faster due to the multi-tasking.
All I can say is that if you jailbreak an iPhone and use some winterboard themes you'll have a device thats about the same speed as the Hero.
I'm very happy with it and would recommend it no problem
Positive: Very good battery performance, easy to use, fast and stable, lie good in the hand, also the brown one is Teflon-coated, auto-spell correction accurate und useful
Negativ: Keys from on screen keyboard are to little, HTC mail client supports not all Gmail functions, Gmail client isn't in Sense integrated, only received Messages are shown under contacts
Negativ: Keys from on screen keyboard are to little, HTC mail client supports not all Gmail functions, Gmail client isn't in Sense integrated, only received Messages are shown under contacts
The brown one is definitely not Teflon-coated, at least not according to HTC's Chief Innovation Officer, www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2W05iL97Sk ~6min.
Is everyone in the US just buying Euro-spec phones and going without 3G?
To me, I can't imaging going without 3G right now (unless I get a Mifi and carry it all the time for the Wifi link to 3G), so I am going to wait for the North American version.
I really think this will be my next phone. I was considering the 3GS (gotta get the iPhone outta my system sometime, haven't owned one yet), but the Hero just seems so much more compelling.
To me, I can't imaging going without 3G right now (unless I get a Mifi and carry it all the time for the Wifi link to 3G), so I am going to wait for the North American version.
I really think this will be my next phone. I was considering the 3GS (gotta get the iPhone outta my system sometime, haven't owned one yet), but the Hero just seems so much more compelling.
I don't have the Hero and originally I was opposed to 3G but it is almost a need now for downloading apps, although i can still live with out it.
I'm ordering it anyway. 3g is good but I've been testing my own phone (T8285) without 3g lately and I must say I don't save that much time with it. BUT I like to run 3g off until i use it and to EDGE on all the time. With this difference, getting to my websites takes similar amounts of time. I rarely sit down and look up a full website (that's what starbux wifi is for). I usually load my sites through opera mini (ftw) too.
3G is great for downloading apps, streaming and surfing the net, but i do all that off of wifi which is faster anyway. If i am out and about i usually turn on 3G nowadays just for that extra speed but i could live without it.
I posted my first impressions of the Hero on my blog at jonoble.com/blog/2009/7/30/first-impressions-htc-h...
Overall I'd say it's positive enough for me to recommend it, but there are a few issues. I don't think the lag is a problem, but you do have to just trust that the keyboard will catch you up and do the right auto-corrections (which it usually does).
Overall I'd say it's positive enough for me to recommend it, but there are a few issues. I don't think the lag is a problem, but you do have to just trust that the keyboard will catch you up and do the right auto-corrections (which it usually does).
If your going to the launch party tonight ask HTC when the Hero is coming to the USA? There going to be there.
I have got a Hero for a week now, and VERY happy with it. I Iive in France, so have 3G+ (HSDPA) so can't talk of the performance on EDGE, but on 3G it is very fast.
Just a few comments...
On lag, well frankly I haven't seen this. Sure, sometimes the phone will hang a bit when launching apps (for a second) or slow down for a split second when switching screens, but it is hardly noticeable. I have never experienced what I read on some online reviews, where music would stutter while multitasking. Never, and I listen to music all the time.
If the phone slows down too much to your taste (too many apps running) you can get Taskiller in the Android Market which has an app and a very useful widget which shows which apps are running and allows you to quit them as necessary.
What makes a difference in my view, is the widgets, customisation of the phone, which does make it so much faster to get to the information you need right away (no need to switch screens, find the app, launch the app, etc). It's right there on the home screen. I've created shortcuts and widgets to all the essentials (communication, location-based services and all) so they're never more than a screen away.
Another very nice touch is how everything is intertwined. Contacts are linked to facebook and flickr pages, so you get updates, pictures, birthdays directly in your contacts (and reminders too). Same with google calendar, it syncs over the network and updates the phone calendar.
Keyboard is great, I type in both French and English and it seems to get the words right 95% of the time (and when it doesn't, easy to put in the right ones). I am surprised at the speed I can achieve on such a small keyboard. Haptic feedback helps too.
The look and feel of it is fine. At first I was a bit surprised by the number of buttons and the trackball, but it actually works. The buttons (for search, or back) are quite useful and the trackball makes it much easier to perform some tasks (selecting text for copy, going back to correct text, selecting links on a web page).
The design itself is comfy and distinctive (every cool wannabe has an iphone in France so it's nice to stand out from the crowd). I have the dark brown one (I wanted the white teflon, not available in France so far). Material and build is excellent (love the rubbery back, fits and holds very well in my hand).
A few bugs have to be ironed out, for some reason the wifi at home seems to disconnect sometimes (not at the office though), my pc doesn't see the hero always when connected via USB, and it has lost my favorites contacts list once. Some things could be made more intuitive (like customisation of themes). Apart from that, I haven't had any other problems in a week of use.
Altogether, this is a very good phone (for me, at least!) If this hands-on doesn't have many negatives, it's not because of fanboyism , it's just because I haven't found them yet...
Just a few comments...
On lag, well frankly I haven't seen this. Sure, sometimes the phone will hang a bit when launching apps (for a second) or slow down for a split second when switching screens, but it is hardly noticeable. I have never experienced what I read on some online reviews, where music would stutter while multitasking. Never, and I listen to music all the time.
If the phone slows down too much to your taste (too many apps running) you can get Taskiller in the Android Market which has an app and a very useful widget which shows which apps are running and allows you to quit them as necessary.
What makes a difference in my view, is the widgets, customisation of the phone, which does make it so much faster to get to the information you need right away (no need to switch screens, find the app, launch the app, etc). It's right there on the home screen. I've created shortcuts and widgets to all the essentials (communication, location-based services and all) so they're never more than a screen away.
Another very nice touch is how everything is intertwined. Contacts are linked to facebook and flickr pages, so you get updates, pictures, birthdays directly in your contacts (and reminders too). Same with google calendar, it syncs over the network and updates the phone calendar.
Keyboard is great, I type in both French and English and it seems to get the words right 95% of the time (and when it doesn't, easy to put in the right ones). I am surprised at the speed I can achieve on such a small keyboard. Haptic feedback helps too.
The look and feel of it is fine. At first I was a bit surprised by the number of buttons and the trackball, but it actually works. The buttons (for search, or back) are quite useful and the trackball makes it much easier to perform some tasks (selecting text for copy, going back to correct text, selecting links on a web page).
The design itself is comfy and distinctive (every cool wannabe has an iphone in France so it's nice to stand out from the crowd). I have the dark brown one (I wanted the white teflon, not available in France so far). Material and build is excellent (love the rubbery back, fits and holds very well in my hand).
A few bugs have to be ironed out, for some reason the wifi at home seems to disconnect sometimes (not at the office though), my pc doesn't see the hero always when connected via USB, and it has lost my favorites contacts list once. Some things could be made more intuitive (like customisation of themes). Apart from that, I haven't had any other problems in a week of use.
Altogether, this is a very good phone (for me, at least!) If this hands-on doesn't have many negatives, it's not because of fanboyism , it's just because I haven't found them yet...
I got to play around with the Hero at the launch party the other night, and I'm impressed.
In comparison side by side from some of the review vlogs and blogs I've seen/read with the Hero vs the iPhone3GS, the 3GS is a little faster, and plays video a wee bit better, but this is only because of the obvious, the iphone is in its third generation so it has the hardware to flaunt for its evolution. But I honestly think the Hero and android are going to be a lot better than the iphone/apple app store in the future. I can already name a few things I'd like to see on the NEXT gen for the hero (whatever it might be named). But until that comes around, I'm leaning towards making a US purchase for the Hero upon release.
From what I've read it seems like the phone might be coming to At&t, regardless At&t will let you use an unlocked hero as one vlogger is using his on the At&t network with a unlocked euro htc hero. I really believe the Hero and more HTC phones to come running android have the potential to "shadow" iphone in popularity thanks to its great performance and UI we can see from the 1st gen hero.
In comparison side by side from some of the review vlogs and blogs I've seen/read with the Hero vs the iPhone3GS, the 3GS is a little faster, and plays video a wee bit better, but this is only because of the obvious, the iphone is in its third generation so it has the hardware to flaunt for its evolution. But I honestly think the Hero and android are going to be a lot better than the iphone/apple app store in the future. I can already name a few things I'd like to see on the NEXT gen for the hero (whatever it might be named). But until that comes around, I'm leaning towards making a US purchase for the Hero upon release.
From what I've read it seems like the phone might be coming to At&t, regardless At&t will let you use an unlocked hero as one vlogger is using his on the At&t network with a unlocked euro htc hero. I really believe the Hero and more HTC phones to come running android have the potential to "shadow" iphone in popularity thanks to its great performance and UI we can see from the 1st gen hero.
I got Hero this Monday, and so far I'm really pleased with it after spending 3+ years with Nokia N70 and S60. I was afraid of the sluggishness I've read of but I haven't seen it myself, and I've only used the SD card which came with Hero. Maybe I'll still order class 6 SD card from somewhere just to see if it gets faster!
Initially I got bit of trouble with my contacts as they were in the N70 memory instead of SIM memory, and after transferring the contacts with SIM card the both names of the contacts were combined as first name in the Hero contacts list. This lead to Hero not understanding fully the contact details for Facebook integration which was one thing I liked about Hero in the first place.
I ended up editing my contacts in Microsoft Outlook as they were synced with N70, and using HTC Sync I finally got every contact just the way I wanted in Hero and Facebook integration went quite automatically. HTC Sync failed the first couple of times, but I got it fixed by changing the regional and language settings in my work laptop.
I was a bit hesitant regarding the SW keypad but it is pretty nice and I think I'll get used to it. I had troubles with my home Wi-Fi network as the ESSID was hidden so for some reason Hero can't connect to it even though I've set it up manually. Also now as my ESSID isn't hidden anymore, if I enable Hero's Wi-Fi before I'm in range with my home network, I have to manually confirm that yes, that is the network I want to connect to - this has to be somehow automated! The Wi-Fi at home also seems to lose connection from time to time, this never happens with my N800.
I think Hero doesn't have so good 3G radio as my N70 has, I always got full coverage in my work office with N70 but with Hero it's more so in the midway of the 4 bars it has.
Initially I got bit of trouble with my contacts as they were in the N70 memory instead of SIM memory, and after transferring the contacts with SIM card the both names of the contacts were combined as first name in the Hero contacts list. This lead to Hero not understanding fully the contact details for Facebook integration which was one thing I liked about Hero in the first place.
I ended up editing my contacts in Microsoft Outlook as they were synced with N70, and using HTC Sync I finally got every contact just the way I wanted in Hero and Facebook integration went quite automatically. HTC Sync failed the first couple of times, but I got it fixed by changing the regional and language settings in my work laptop.
I was a bit hesitant regarding the SW keypad but it is pretty nice and I think I'll get used to it. I had troubles with my home Wi-Fi network as the ESSID was hidden so for some reason Hero can't connect to it even though I've set it up manually. Also now as my ESSID isn't hidden anymore, if I enable Hero's Wi-Fi before I'm in range with my home network, I have to manually confirm that yes, that is the network I want to connect to - this has to be somehow automated! The Wi-Fi at home also seems to lose connection from time to time, this never happens with my N800.
I think Hero doesn't have so good 3G radio as my N70 has, I always got full coverage in my work office with N70 but with Hero it's more so in the midway of the 4 bars it has.
Definitely happy with my Hero. It's my first smartphone and I'm really enjoying the experience. I don't have a phone plan that includes a data plan at the moment (soon to be rectified) but despite that its still a wonderful device.
Grabs my podcasts OTA with aCast, does turn-by-turn with AndNav2 and gets my email, texts and phone calls? Best device ever :-)
Grabs my podcasts OTA with aCast, does turn-by-turn with AndNav2 and gets my email, texts and phone calls? Best device ever :-)
How is the feel in your pocket? Does the "chin" make it feel weird while carrying in pants? I know it sounds corny, but I do not do a belt clip, nor do I carry a messenger bag that often. This phone will be put in front pocket. Thoughts?
BTW: can you post pics in threads or just links...I want to see some Hero's being used in the real world!
BTW: can you post pics in threads or just links...I want to see some Hero's being used in the real world!
I don't have the Hero but the G1 is the exact same design only bulkier and i never even feel it in my pocket. Honestly the chin is barely noticeable and is more functional then anything, sometimes i forget it is even in my pocket. It curves to fit your face for calls, and protects the trackball and screen from falls.
I've owned a Hero for a few weeks now and I can assure you that the 'chin' does not feel awkward at all. I tend to carry my phone in the front pocket of my jeans too and it's so slim that I barely notice it.
This thing needs to hurry up and release the more I hear about it and get to mess around with one the more eager it makes me! Haha. Good to hear its not a disturbance in the pocket, that's where mine would end up as well. Does anyone have any real big problems with it? Or dislikes?
i have no idea about the alarm problem. But for the MMS problem, what country and carrier are you using? Cause this post talks about problems with t-mobile in the US: discuss.gdgt.com/htc/hero/tips/tmo-usa-mms-setttin...
Yeah i have never heard of the alarm problem, but the problem with the MMS state side is known.
It is impeccable. I use mine on tmo (obviously edge) which has perfect coverage and edge as fast as most 3g. I have had the pre, iphone, and about every other smart phone out there and this is my favorite! get one! you will not regret. btw. get it on clove.co.uk
