Coming through loud and clear

HTC have really outdone themselves this time; the latest Google Android phone from the overseas Smartphone manufacturer really shows what Google is capable of in the mobile operating system stakes.

Firstly some basics on Android:

- It's a mobile operating system running on a Linux kernel

- Open Source development using Java based Google libraries

- It's part of the open handset alliance which comprises 48 Hardware, Telecom and Software companies

- Runs 2D and 3D graphics using an OpenGL library

- Supports multi touch (Take that iPhone!)

- Supports all the latest wireless standards and media formats

That's all you really need to know about Android itself, that and the fact it's such an awesome OS. But HTC were not happy with just plonking Google's open source baby on their latest hardware.

HTC customized the GUI to better match the phones look and feel, and called it the Sense UI; and it is gorgeous! A really slick and intuitive interface that has you pressing and dragging things around just to see what they will do.

But we're here to review the phone as a whole, so here's what I have in my sweaty mitts... A HTC Hero (G2 branded T-Mobile UK).

Specifications

Screen size: 3.2 in (81 mm)

Screen resolution: 320 x 480

5 megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus

GPS

Digital compass

MicroSD slot (SDHC compatible)

Operating system: Android 1.5 and HTC Sense

Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900)

Dual band UMTS/HSPA (UMTS 900, UMTS 2100)

Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)

Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR & A2DP

3.5 mm audio jack, microphone, speaker

Accelerometer

Size: 112 mm (4.4 in) (h) 56.2 mm (2.21 in) (w) 14.35 mm (0.565 in) (d)

Weight: 135 g (4.8 oz) with battery