Windows Mobile and Google Android smartphone specialist HTC has released a firmware update for one of its 'gPhones,' the Hero. This software upgrade, 2.73.405.5, boosts overall speed of the Hero and adds a touch-to-focus feature to the camera.
You can download the new ROM
here, at HTC's UK site. It is only for the PC (sorry Mac and Linux users), unfortunately.
The update, which takes about ten minutes to install, erases all data on the Hero, so be sure to back up your smartphone first.
The Hero is not yet available in this country. Sprint will launch it in the U.S. on October 11th for $179 after a $100 rebate and a two-year contract, though. It will be the carrier's first Google phone.
The Hero, currently shipping in Europe, is a tablet-smartphone without a hardware-based keyboard. It sports a 3.2-inch capacitive touch display for finger input and layers the HTC sense user interface on top of Google's smartphone platform.
Sense sports seven-panel wide home screen that can be populated with customizable widgets to bring information to the surface, according to HTC. The idea is to allow users to easily create and switch between Scenes to reflect different moments or roles in their lives, such as work, social, travel and play.
For example, a work Scene can be set up to include stock updates, work email and calendar, a play Scene could have music, weather, and a Twitter feed or a travel Scene could offer instant access to the local time, weather and maps.
In addition to the apps that ship on the Hero, many Google-based of course, users gain access to the Android Market, which today includes over 8,000 free and paid applications. Popular apps today include ShopSavvy, Twitter, Shazam, amazon.com, USA Today, Flixster, PacMan, CraigslistChecker, and MySpace. Pandora, the popular personal radio application, is launching on Android devices and will be available on the Hero.
Specs include support for Sprint's 3G network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a microSD with 32GB card support, GPS, a 5.0 megapixel camera, and a compass.
