Today is the launch of HTC Hero. Although HTC Hero had debut a few months ago, it is until today that it reaches Singapore. Nevertheless, I was glad to be invited to the event by HTC. The event was held at Suntec Convention Centre. Level 2 Room 208/209.
At the reception, it has an interesting booklet called Android Lessons for HTC Phones. It teaches you how to navigate Android OS using HTC phones. I think this is a good way to educate and boost the confidences of the mass to adopt to Google Android platform.
Some more shots.
This event is slightly different from previous HTC event. It does not have magic show, fashion show or models or even HTC representatives from Taiwan. Instead, HTC Country Manager, Mr. Melvin Chua, presented during the event.
It is a no fuss event. Everyone is NOT new to Hero. Mr. Melvin Chua talks about how HTC Hero and HTC Sense helps to make HTC Hero different from other phones. I did not record the video. However, the material presented is similar to the one presented by their CMO, Mr. John Wang a few months ago.
Click Here to View the Video
When it comes to Questions and Answers, there were not much. Seems that everyone has done their homework on the HTC Hero.
Someone asked about the color options of HTC Hero and of course, HTC replied with the standard answer, Urban Brown and Absolute White. If you are following the HTC Hero news, you should know that someone already made HTC Hero cover into different color.
One important question of the day is asking HTC if they have the intention to introduce HTC Sense to previous models of HTC Android phones. The answer is “Yes” but only for HTC Magic. When? Did not make known to us.
The HTC Hero is available from middle of September and it Retail Price is S$898 and comes with 2GB microSD Card.
Click Here for the Press Release
Will it be available at Comex (or even just a pre-order)? No one knows.
The presentation ended. However, there were a showcase of a few Android products.
Shownearby Pathfinder – A tool that uses Google Maps and data from Shownearby to display content such as bustops and amenities. One of the key features is that it has point to point voice guided navigation.
There are other apps like Emergency and a popular one like buUuk (restaurants..)
There are also many stations that display the HTC Hero. However, they are programmed to run on demo mode.
As I was early today, I managed to grab 2 Hero (brown and white) from HTC people to play. Here are some shots of them.
Although the HTC Hero comes with a 15 degrees tilt (chin), it is surprisingly good to hold. I guess it must be the bevel edge around the phone. The trackball feels solid too.
BTW, the Absolute White HTC Hero is coated with Teflon while the Urban Brown is not coated with Teflon. You can feel the difference by touching them. The brown feels rubbery while the white feels smooth.
Closeup of the camera lens.
As you can see, there is no flash (in any form) available. After trying out the camera, I can only comment that it will work fine in bright daylight.
Here is a short video. Watch how I fumbled on the Multi-Touch 
Hope you enjoy mey coverage.
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