Sprint bringing HTC Hero to the US on 11 October

If you read my Clash of the Touch Titans series article on whether a single device could meet all our needs you would see I chose the HTC Hero and today Sprint announced they would be the first US wireless carrier to offer the device. The HTC Hero on Sprint will be the first time we see a carrier other than T-Mobile with a Google Android-based device and Sprint will now have two Linux-powered smartphones with the Hero and Palm Pre. It will be available beginning 11 October for just $179.99 after a $50 instant savings and $100 mail-in rebate with a two-year service agreement.

The HTC Hero on Sprint will support their EV-DO Rev.A wireless network with the capability for customers to access various Sprint services such as Sprint TV, NFL Mobile Live, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile. Specifications of the HTC Hero include:

• 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen with multi-touch capability (pinch to zoom)
• Fingerprint resistive coating (oleophobic like the iPhone 3GS?)
• 5 megapixel camera
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 2.0
• GPS receiver
• microSD card slot
• Visual voicemail

The HTC Hero runs with HTC Sense that is focused on three principles as detailed by Jason Mackenzie, VP of HTC America:

HTC Sense on HTC Hero revolves around three basic principles: Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected. These principles are based on the recognition that people want their mobile device to conform to their needs and wants, easily keep them in touch with the most important people in their lives, and surprise them with small moments of joy and delight. Working with Sprint to introduce HTC Hero to the US was a natural fit, as both HTC Hero and Sprint’s Simply Everything plan are designed to give customers everything they need in a simple package.

I hope to get a chance to try out one for a few weeks since I am a fan of the Google Android OS and have heard nothing but good things about the HTC Hero.