View Full Version : HTC Hero shows up on Canadian HTC Website: "Be Brave, Be Yourself"
HyperBear
10-28-2009, 11:40 PM
Hey guys....Im sure we are all aware by now that indeed the HTC Hero will be launching on November 5th with TELUS' Launch of their new HSPA+ Network. And HTC teased us a while ago with a leak of the HTC Hero under the supported phones section. Well now their front page has been updated displaying the HTC Hero in all its glory...and the tagline "Be Brave, Be Yourself".
http://www.htc.com/ca/product/herotelus/overview.html
Is anyone else gettin excited for Next Thursday!!!:D:D:D
lovemymobile
10-29-2009, 06:49 AM
does the TELUS version come with Sense UI? The 2.0 Eclair update?
"The rumors are true! Hero will be getting an Eclair update. We ask for your patience as we update Sense for the fancy new Android OS."
http://twitter.com/htc/statuses/5243593307
pusher
10-29-2009, 08:39 AM
Hero looks good!!!
holiday
10-29-2009, 09:55 AM
I believe kronk86 said it did come with the new ui
I believe kronk86 said it did come with the new ui
I shouldn't talk for kronk86, but I believe he was referring to Hero launching with android 1.6 vs 1.5.
2.0 (eclair) hadn't been announced yet.
If I am wrong, I'm sure he will let us know.
mickee13
10-29-2009, 10:57 AM
Only the Droid on Verizon is confirmed with 2.0. HTC says they are working on making Sense work with 2.0 and it will be available by end of year, some think in a few weeks, but will we have to wait for a Telus ROM on top of that?.
I thought 1.6 and the firmware update that HTC released to fix lag were two different things. I'm not sure if I've seen it anywhere that Telus will launch with 1.6. or 1.5.
Kronk86
10-29-2009, 02:55 PM
Jim was correct. It has 1.6.
2.0 with Sense hasn't been completed by HTC yet, but they expect it will be done in the next few months.
For thoes who really want 2.0 now, you can always upgrade if you don't mind not having Sense.
The more I use the phone, the more I love it.
The more I use the phone, the more I love it.
Well, la-de-da, aren't we special...... lol
I have researched this thing to death and now I'm starting to see posts that 1.6 didn't fix all the lag issues. Not sure if this is just misinformation or what? You know, one person says it and then it makes it's rounds through all the forums and then it becomes a fact!!
Since you have been using it, (again with the la-de-da) what is your impression over all.
Has Telus confirmed the Hero will launch with that other phone, i can't think of it's name......
Kronk86
10-29-2009, 05:44 PM
Well the lag still exists. Mainly when switching from portait to landscape or back. Not such a big deal.
Not to go off on a tangent, but I wish companies would stop using the same 'guts' of a phone and rebranding the phone with something else (the magic and hero).
If HTC stepped up the processing power a little, the Hero wouldn't have any issues.
HTC and RIM are the worth offenders. (The bold and the bold 9700) and virtually the same aside from the OS.
Enough of that though...The Hero is a worthy competitor to any other smartphone on the market.
As for launch details, there will be a good selection on the same launch date as that OTHER phone. Does that help? lol
As for launch details, there will be a good selection on the same launch date as that OTHER phone. Does that help? lol
Yes, thank you. Now, which will it be, the white or the black?
mickee13
10-29-2009, 09:22 PM
My dilemma exactly? Never seen myself as a white phone guy, but if the 'black' is actually that brown with the black chin then I may have to go white. I've seen them brown without the stupid black chin, just all brown they look good enough. The white is ok, just doesn't seem manly enough, ha ha.
Yes, thank you. Now, which will it be, the white or the black?
mytime
10-30-2009, 12:36 AM
^ you could always get a skin/case to cover it up
I have researched this thing to death and now I'm starting to see posts that 1.6 didn't fix all the lag issues. Not sure if this is just misinformation or what? You know, one person says it and then it makes it's rounds through all the forums and then it becomes a fact!!
Hee hee. Same here. I think I'm getting jittery and super-saturated with information. The other day a few of the Apple fanboys on another forum chided me for considering the Hero because of lag issues and because 'it being an open OS, there's ads all over it making it look awful'. They ***ured me I'd get an iPhone eventually, even if I did play around with this 'toy' for a while.
I was so worried I asked a bunch of other folks, and they said that ad-wise, it's no different from the iPhone. Sure, some free apps are ad supported, but that's true on iPhone as well. Most free apps don't have any ads at all, and NONE of the paid ones do. Obviously, the Sense UI itself has no ads.
As for lag, I think it's the same phenomenon as shopping for a TV. If you brought your current TV that you're totally happy with to a showroom and put it right beside others, you may find that others are better in some ways, and not in other ways. At the end of the day though, that doesn't change your TV or your initial satisfaction with it. The only thing that changes your satisfaction is believing that somehow you're missing out or would be more satisfied if you could get the TV with the features yours doesn't have. But honestly, that's a losing game... there will ALWAYS be better. Chasing that mentality will only make you poor and unhappy.
I'm willing to bet that this 'lag' rubbish isn't even an issue. In our daily use of the phone, we won't even notice it.
m.
...oh, and I'm going for the white... no question anymore. ;)
...oh, and I'm going for the white... no question anymore. ;)
Ya, i'm leaning towards the white, but I will wait and see. Now if we could some idea of what the plans are?
Ya, i'm leaning towards the white, but I will wait and see. Now if we could some idea of what the plans are?
Well, we'll know in a week if not before. I expect I'm going to have to give up my current plan for whatever they come up with. Right now, I have a 'student' bundle of some sort that gives me 10 fav numbers and an unlimited amount of everything for around 80 bucks a month. I hope there's something like that.
I'd be happy if they remove the 'unlimited' moniker, cap data at something sane like 6GB--I doubt I'd go over that in any case--and keep the rest for the same price. I like having a plan where I pay the same monthly bill and don't have to worry about anything at all I do on my phone. Sadly, there is a limit to what I'll pay for that, and I'm dangerously close to it at this point.
m.
you think that Clear Choice rate plans will in the end be better for customers?
Bet TELUS is kicking themselves for not waiting to announce that until they actually knew the Globalive outcome
Kronk86
10-30-2009, 05:10 PM
you think that Clear Choice rate plans will in the end be better for customers?
Bet TELUS is kicking themselves for not waiting to announce that until they actually knew the Globalive outcome
It wasn't done because of Globalive. It was done because of Rogers.
TELUS knew how the CRTC would rule. It was clear since the begining of the hearings.
Sweetness
11-01-2009, 06:45 AM
this will be a fun week coming up, seeing everything unfold.
newton
11-01-2009, 06:46 PM
out of Bell/TELUS/Rogers, I predict TELUS to lead the way in 5 years. Of course by then they will have merged with Bell. :)
bigtime
11-02-2009, 08:37 AM
it all depends on how their network performs and what devices they bring on. It looks like they have a good lineup so far but too early to tell who'll win.
Ya, i'm leaning towards the white, but I will wait and see. Now if we could some idea of what the plans are?
Another forum recently posted this:
http://forums.themobileninjas.com/showpost.php?p=926&postcount=16
If true, I am extremely disappointed. So much so, it may just be a game breaker. For the same 80 bucks I pay today, if I got a Hero, I would get:
- 450 mins. talk time (I never use the 250 I have)
- Unlimited evening/weekends start at 9pm (they currently start at 6pm for me)
- 2GB data + tethering (I have unlimited now, and I never use tethering)
- I'd have to choose between unlimited messages OR 5 fav numbers (both of which I have now under my current plan except I have 10 favs, not 5)
AND I need to sign up for three years.
Not to spread FUD, as these apparently aren't final, but seriously, I was expecting to have to give up something, but this is giving up one whole ginormous hades of a lot. If true, I'm seriously considering not upgrading, which breaks my heart given how long I've been excited about this.
Why would Telus announce such an awesome line up of devices and then bugger the whole thing up with awful plans like these? Why would I buy a device I can't even use to its full potential? :(
m.
Brendanmurphy
11-02-2009, 02:42 PM
Another forum recently posted this:
http://forums.themobileninjas.com/showpost.php?p=926&postcount=16
If true, I am extremely disappointed. So much so, it may just be a game breaker. For the same 80 bucks I pay today, if I got a Hero, I would get:
- 450 mins. talk time (I never use the 250 I have)
- Unlimited evening/weekends start at 9pm (they currently start at 6pm for me)
- 2GB data + tethering (I have unlimited now, and I never use tethering)
- I'd have to choose between unlimited messages OR 5 fav numbers (both of which I have now under my current plan except I have 10 favs, not 5)
AND I need to sign up for three years.
Not to spread FUD, as these apparently aren't final, but seriously, I was expecting to have to give up something, but this is giving up one whole ginormous hades of a lot. If true, I'm seriously considering not upgrading, which breaks my heart given how long I've been excited about this.
Why would Telus announce such an awesome line up of devices and then bugger the whole thing up with awful plans like these? Why would I buy a device I can't even use to its full potential? :(
m.
I know right now i have :
100 mins + 50
1 gb data ( No Tether )
After 9 pm free
1000 text messages
with rogers on an HTC Dream and its 50$ add in my 12$ addon pacakge ( witch they dont offer anymore ) Every calling feature plus voicemail ( Non visual ) add in SAF and 911 fee. And it comes to about 79$. Unless i go into Telus and see if they will price match or offer me a better plan to switch to them im sticking with rogers.
Another forum recently posted this:
http://forums.themobileninjas.com/showpost.php?p=926&postcount=16
If true, I am extremely disappointed. So much so, it may just be a game breaker. For the same 80 bucks I pay today, if I got a Hero, I would get:
- 450 mins. talk time (I never use the 250 I have)
- Unlimited evening/weekends start at 9pm (they currently start at 6pm for me)
- 2GB data + tethering (I have unlimited now, and I never use tethering)
- I'd have to choose between unlimited messages OR 5 fav numbers (both of which I have now under my current plan except I have 10 favs, not 5)
AND I need to sign up for three years.
Not to spread FUD, as these apparently aren't final, but seriously, I was expecting to have to give up something, but this is giving up one whole ginormous hades of a lot. If true, I'm seriously considering not upgrading, which breaks my heart given how long I've been excited about this.
Why would Telus announce such an awesome line up of devices and then bugger the whole thing up with awful plans like these? Why would I buy a device I can't even use to its full potential? :(
m.
I couldn't write it any better.
I have been eyeing our corporate plan but it is with Bell (ughhhh). 250 mins/unlimited incoming/caller id/call waiting/ call forwarding/ unlimited text/ 6 pm evenings and weekends/ free voice mail/ $0.10 over free time/ $0.08 long distance/ monthly system access fee and 911 included in price all for $24.86 taxes in a month. Also they are offering a free BB curve on a 3 year contract. (add $32 for unlimited email/data for the BB)
If there is no movement by L&R for the new plans I might grab a Palm Pre and get the above plan. :mad:
DoubleDouble
11-02-2009, 07:09 PM
^ if you are thinking about the Pre, watch out for the build quality.
^ if you are thinking about the Pre, watch out for the build quality.
Ya, I hear you. My friend bought one about 3 maybe 4 weeks ago. I'm letting him try it to see how it works out for him.
pencils
11-02-2009, 09:02 PM
^ the good new about the Pre is that they have an app store that growing. But for the Hero, the Android Market I heard in Canada it's not that good yet
Brendanmurphy
11-03-2009, 05:09 AM
^ the good new about the Pre is that they have an app store that growing. But for the Hero, the Android Market I heard in Canada it's not that good yet
We dont know that for telus. Rogers has restrictions so that Paid Apps are blocked. So it coult be better with telus.
We dont know that for telus. Rogers has restrictions so that Paid Apps are blocked. So it could be better with telus.
The Android Market will be available on the phone.
Lets keep our fingers crossed as the apps make the phone what it is.
http://mobilesyrup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2104&page=9
dougfriessen
11-03-2009, 09:22 AM
Only a couple days away now! Which colour are you going to get, White or the black? The white version looks cool. I saw a video of the Hero and was impressed by how slim it is
lovemymobile
11-03-2009, 10:15 AM
i would get the white version :)
HyperBear
11-03-2009, 10:20 AM
Only a couple days away now! Which colour are you going to get, White or the black? The white version looks cool. I saw a video of the Hero and was impressed by how slim it is
I dunno. For the past month leading up to the launch, my mind has always been with the HTC Hero, but now I am all confused, of course 2 days before launch. Ive done some reading and looking and watching about 1500 youtube videos and have found 3 other really interesting phones as well. So now im stuck between:
HTC Hero (Telus) vs. Samsung Omnia II (Bell) vs. Motorola DROID (announced, but no carrier) vs. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (just announced, no carrier)....
any suggestions on which of these phones I should get? should i wait for a carrier to pick up either the droid or the x10, or should i just go right in at launch and get a hero or an omnia ii?
Only a couple days away now! Which colour are you going to get, White or the black? The white version looks cool. I saw a video of the Hero and was impressed by how slim it is
Well, I was going to get the white one, but contingent upon the plans I see when I get into the store on Thursday, I may walk out with nothing at all and keep by beat up old Curve. :(
m.
Stupid Telus plans mumblegrumbleruineverything.
cracked
11-03-2009, 11:27 AM
do you have any sort of longevity with TELUS, perhaps they can somehow get you a better rate plan and a deal on the Hero. Lots of competition out there these days - they'll want to keep you around for a while
Well, I was going to get the white one, but contingent upon the plans I see when I get into the store on Thursday, I may walk out with nothing at all and keep by beat up old Curve. :(
m.
Stupid Telus plans mumblegrumbleruineverything.
It's like your my brother from a different mother!!! :D
It appears you and I have been spending way too much time researching this. ha
I am exactly thinking the same thing. I don't mind paying a bit more for the new network but unless L&R kick in some serious perks ( caller id/ call waiting/ unlimited incoming) I will not be getting my hero!
It's like your my brother from a different mother!!! :D
It appears you and I have been spending way too much time researching this. ha
I am exactly thinking the same thing. I don't mind paying a bit more for the new network but unless L&R kick in some serious perks ( caller id/ call waiting/ unlimited incoming) I will not be getting my hero!
Hee hee. Well, if you're ever in Southwestern Ontario, look me up and we'll do tea. :)
Sadly, I moved from Rogers to Telus only just over a year ago. I was with Telus before that, but it was over five years back. I doubt they'd consider me a truly awesome customer. At least, not enough for special treatment.
I read today that there will be no less than twelve plan options, and that the ones posted are just the big ones, apparently.
See here: http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-3g/breaking-telus-iphone-plan-prices-revealed/
I'm holding on to the hope that I can mix and match up a plan that I can live with.
At the very least, monthly I need a 2GIG data plan, unlimited SMS, email, 5 national favs (I'm willing to give on the 10), call display and voicemail. I need either 250min of air time with free evenings and weekends (hopefully starting at some point before most rational people aren't calling around anymore--in what Canadianized alternate reality does 'evening' begin four hours after it gets dark, anyway?) or about 500-600 mins anytime. I have no use for tethering. I don't care about any time over and above 250min if I get free evenings and weekends. I don't need call waiting, forwarding, conference or any of that jazz.
And I'd need all of this sub 100 dollars a month. If we can't have a meeting of the minds, then forget it Telus, and thanks for screwing up a good thing.
Meh.
m.
mickee13
11-03-2009, 04:49 PM
Now that I've seen the Telus Hero in all black (not that dumb brown with darker brown chin) I may go that way instead of white. The black pics look good, looks rubberized too, I know I'd drop that teflon white from my greasy paws on a regular basis. But I'll look at them side by side first.
I somehow doubt we're gonna be able to get a new much faster network, cooler phones for cheaper....life just doesn't work that way, it's gonna cost.
what is the actual pricing of the Hero? Anyone know?
underwhere
11-03-2009, 09:20 PM
think around 100 bucks on a 3-year?
HyperBear
11-03-2009, 09:51 PM
Yea. The rumored, and more than likely correct prices for the Hero are:
$99.99 on a 3 year contract
$399.99 on a 2 year contract
$449.99 on a 1 year contract
$499.99 on prepaid or month-month billing
that's an incredible price for that. Android devices seem to be getting cheaper in price on a 3-year. If only we had a max of 2-year contracts here
Yea. The rumored, and more than likely correct prices for the Hero are:
$99.99 on a 3 year contract
$399.99 on a 2 year contract
$449.99 on a 1 year contract
$499.99 on prepaid or month-month billing
Hmm. That's interesting. So, they aren't going to insist on a three year renewal? Well, that bodes well. I'd be happy to buy the device outright if I knew I could keep something like my current plan.
One day left.
m.
a few more hours until the online store opens up :)
brodys2
11-04-2009, 05:26 PM
what time at 0001 ? lol
Wahoo!
So, I was quite worried about the plans, so when I went in last night, they got me to call Telus on the phone. I was in the store for the better part of 2.5 hours, but it was worth it. When all was said and done, the only thing that had changed for me was I had a Hero.
That's right. My existing plan stayed *exactly* the same! 10 international favs, unlimited data, everything in.
I am a happy camper! Now I just need to figure this silly thing out! :)
m.
underwhere
11-06-2009, 12:01 PM
Nice work!!!!! that's wicked, 2.5 hours was well worth it then. u loving the Hero?
I watched the vids and it looks wicked
Nice work!!!!! that's wicked, 2.5 hours was well worth it then. u loving the Hero?
I watched the vids and it looks wicked
I'll say! I was shocked they let me keep the whole plan. I'm staying with Telus forever now!
The phone is overwhelming. I can't seem to put the thing down. I imagine my battery life will stink until I get all the stuff set up and working right and can just put it down so it can do what it's meant to do. :)
Overall though, it does appear to be wicked cool. And as far as I can tell, that whole lag thing is a total myth.
m.
Jamin3131
11-06-2009, 01:56 PM
I'm very torn between the iPhone and Hero at the moment. I also have a decent plan with unlimited data ($15) that i don't particularly want to lose. Anything you said or they offered to sway them to not change your plan?
Kronk86
11-06-2009, 02:02 PM
I'm very torn between the iPhone and Hero at the moment. I also have a decent plan with unlimited data ($15) that i don't particularly want to lose. Anything you said or they offered to sway them to not change your plan?
The $15 unli. data plan is not availible on HSPA. Certain data plans are, but definitely not that one.
Having used both the iPhone and Hero a lot (I own an iPhone), I would suggest the Hero. I love the Hero.
I'm selling my iPhone (legitimately unlocked by Apple) if anyone is interested. ha-ha.
I'm very torn between the iPhone and Hero at the moment. I also have a decent plan with unlimited data ($15) that i don't particularly want to lose. Anything you said or they offered to sway them to not change your plan?
Yes, in fact, and it was initially painful. The short of it is, I offered to buy the device outright. They hummed an hahed a little, but gave in fairly easily to that. For the Hero, that meant slapping down 500 bucks. But, if you do the math, in order to even approach the plan I currently have, I'd have had to have paid about 25 bucks more each month (and indeed that wouldn't have gotten me the equivalent plan). Over the course of a year, that'd pay for the cost of the phone, and it's a recurring cost in a locked in three year contract.
This way, I have the phone I want on the plan I love and it'll never go up. In the long run, I save money for sure (and who can argue with unlimited data on a Hero? I'm now looking forward to 2.0's turn by turn GPS). :)
m.
Having used both the iPhone and Hero a lot (I own an iPhone), I would suggest the Hero. I love the Hero.
I'm selling my iPhone (legitimately unlocked by Apple) if anyone is interested. ha-ha.
Nice to know I made the right choice. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the thing. I get lost when something's as configurable as this phone.
But I love the form factor and build quality. Surprizing thing is I love the 'chin'. I didn't think I would, but in practical use, it actually makes a whole lot of sense.
I'm just having trouble getting everything set up exactly like I want. I never realized what a train wreck of a disaster my google contacts were until I linked to them from the Hero. :)
m.
rgdutriz
11-06-2009, 03:31 PM
Amazing phone UI is incredible super fast and excellent with social media! too bad it isnt a bb.
Jamin3131
11-06-2009, 03:37 PM
Nice to know I made the right choice. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the thing. I get lost when something's as configurable as this phone.
But I love the form factor and build quality. Surprizing thing is I love the 'chin'. I didn't think I would, but in practical use, it actually makes a whole lot of sense.
I'm just having trouble getting everything set up exactly like I want. I never realized what a train wreck of a disaster my google contacts were until I linked to them from the Hero. :)
m.
Have you tried any download speed tests and flash sites to see how the Hero handles them?
and did you have the $15 unlimited data plan? Kronk says its not available on HSPA, which to this point I was certain of as well. but you're saying otherwise (or the possiblity of) then this could very well sway me to the Hero.
Beerhaus
11-06-2009, 05:45 PM
Bought the Hero last night, but the 'rep' didn't push my phone through the network, nor did he activate my plan. So I was stuck with wifi all last night and most of this morning.
So I went to a different Telus location and after 50 minutes of waiting, the helpful rep was able to activate my Hero and get my plan going.
So far the phone is great, love the interface, even though the wallpaper is rather odd, the selected area is always more zoomed in then I would like after cropping. That and the camera is slooow, but whatever the phone is nice.
Love the fact that it supports Shazam for free, and has a intuitive ringtone editor built in!
Biggest things I would change is a quicker auto focus, and better media selection options as I hate seeing the phones preset images in my photo selection area while searching for my SD folder. That and I cant access the sub folders on my card for ringtone selections, I have to shift through my entire song library (lame).
At least the phone is cheap enough to let those issue slide at the moment (long term.. not sure if these little quibbles will still be tolerable)
cracked
11-07-2009, 04:41 AM
Love the fact that it supports Shazam for free, and has a intuitive ringtone editor built in!
that's wicked!!
heard there are only free apps in the Marketplace, no pad apps yet. The selection still good?
Beerhaus
11-07-2009, 08:17 AM
that's wicked!!
heard there are only free apps in the Marketplace, no pad apps yet. The selection still good?
The selection is still huge.
mickee13
11-07-2009, 11:32 AM
Picked up my black Hero last night, stayed up way too late fiddling with it. Initial impressions are "Wow", this just blows away my Diamond. So easy to setup, everything sync'd perfectly with my Google contacts, calendars, can view all shared multiple calendars just like I figured it would. No more stupid Active Sync.
Easy to mount/unmount the SD as a m*** storage device on Windows 7.
Still got a couple things to figure out, re: getting rid of old IMAP folders that show up? There's just so many ways to customize this thing I don't even know where to start.
So far so good, hopefully the love will last.
Got basically nothing from Telus, was on phone for over an hour trying to get free this and that.....NOTHING, would not budge! I see all these people getting freebies etc, I guess I just suck at negotiating, or more likely I'm not long enough of a customer with average usage. Anyway, I highly recommend this phone. Only issue so far is it seems sometimes my people favorites widget randomly dissappears, haven't confirmed happening all the time yet.
lovemymobile
11-07-2009, 03:07 PM
I went to check the Hero out and it is so light!!!!!! nice phone
Jamin3131
11-10-2009, 11:21 AM
My gripe with Telus is that they don't display their phones in a user friendly manner, and ad to the fact that their floor models are not connected to the network, you can really do much except move some screens around.
I went to Bell and all their phones are on the network and you can try them out.
Kronk86
11-10-2009, 12:48 PM
My gripe with Telus is that they don't display their phones in a user friendly manner, and ad to the fact that their floor models are not connected to the network, you can really do much except move some screens around.
I went to Bell and all their phones are on the network and you can try them out.
You can always ask them to take a demo model out...haha...I always do that. They have them in the back.
They don't keep them out to prevent lingerers...
Jamin3131
11-10-2009, 01:18 PM
I know, but they always pull out one that isn't connected to the network for me.. I suppose I should throw on my tie when I go so they take me more seriously :P
stymndoms
12-21-2009, 08:05 AM
I agree, there its about tyme for a android forum on here plus, there arent that many good hero forums that cover the cdma... we need one..by the way sweethearts...any of you know of one besides droiddog and droidcentral???