Who has an HTC Hero? Tell me all about it.

[WilfSell]

DH has just got one; I am going to buy a new smartphone in the next year when the Xmas bills are paid off and have been comparing the iPhone and Palm Pre. But DH has gone all gooey eyed over his new toy and is telling me it is better than all the others by a country mile.

Well, he would wouldn't he? I'd like a nice MN neutral opinion please

Come on, someone must be an Android geek?

Not even all the MN Techs?

I did see a BBC blog entry and video clip, some time back, before the most recent iPhone came out.

One of the differences at the time was that the iPhone could not multi-task, which was possible with the HTC. I bet there will be a load of iPhone zealots enthusiasts ready to tell you how great it is, but probably few will have looked at the HTC to compare them.

On a very different comparison, the (old) Spotify application for the iPhone was rated poor compared with the one for Android.

Personally, while I quite like the Apple machines as PCs (in the generic sense), I am no fan of 'having' to use iTunes to get the iPhone / iPod / iTouch working (I'm a teeny bit interested in the iTouch as a media player and controller for a Sonos home music system, but the iPhone doesn't yet make me go gooey and dribble, even if there may be a 20 quid a month contract available soon for one).

I think you should play with the HTC and do some reading of comparisons, taking note of the dates in case they down-mark the iPhone in its second generation version, rather than the latest models.

iPhones can multitask, but Apple block third party applications from being able to do so.

So you can play music from your iTunes while checking email or browsing.

However you can't do the same with, for example, Spotify. The moment you leave that application to check email the music will stop.

Apple justifiably claim they do this for security and battery reasons.

Some users justifiably find that level of control annoying and want another gadget.

Tesco are doing an 8gb 3G for £20 a month on a 12 month contract with an additional payment of £222 for the phone.

Details here news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8405542.stm

I think the other "level of control" I dislike (assuming it is still present) is the Apple "kill list" where apparently the iPhone may check for 'banned' applications, and presumably deletes them.

I don't believe Apple should determine what I can and cannot run, on a whim at their end (for example, some months down the line, they might choose to 'ban' something, and all of a sudden an application disappears off my phone).

It might be long-lost history now, but if I am paying for a device, and want to run software, then whether Apple "approves" or not, I think I have a reasonable amount of expectation for them to keep their noses out!

As you might imagine, I'd be more likely to go for something else.

There is indeed meant to be a "kill switch" that Apple can pull remotely and have an application removed.

However so far Apple have never used it even for apps that they've pulled from their store, so it's hard to truly confirm if it exists.

So a simple "ban" is unlikely to result in an app being deleted, it would have to be something quite serious.

This does hit upon what is one of the key differences with Apple and with the iPhone in particular, that is the level of control that Apple retain over the device.

Apple say it protects your security and the integrity of a device that people want to "just work".

It's critics find it intrusive and want the freedom to do as they please regardless of the potential consequences.

The camera has no flash. We discovered this at the Nativity play.

I get my HTC Hero on Tuesday. Have never had a smartphone and am actually a bit nervous that I wont be able to use it!

Guy in the phone shop was showing me it. The screen is definately more responsive than the LG one I have atm and there are millions of apps (I thought it would have been fairly restrictive compared to apple).

Will let you know how I get on.

Okay, have said phone. It is a bit tricky to navigate at first but am getting there.

The apps are fantastic but would recommend you get an internet add-on. I used my allowance in 10 minutes just browsing the apps!

Funnily enough, even though I am with the same network, my signal doesnt seem to be as good. Not sure if that could just be down to the weather (snowy here) or the actual phone.

We were given the option to upgrade Spotify for £249 per year. Still trying to work out if I would use that.

Have to say, it is a fab gadget. Dh's arrived today so no doubt I will find out more once he starts playing with it (he's more techy minded than me!)

Is there the option to use Napster as that can be as low as a fiver a month... 249 seems steep - I thought Spotify was normally a tenner a month - but must admit, since I'm not using either of them mobile, rates may be different and data usage on networks is bound to be a potential costly problem, except for iPhone on O2, unless others really do offer "unlimited" traffic - it's getting like the original ADSL landline adverts saying 'unlimited' but meaning they have a 'fair use' policy and not always being clear about it!

Ooooh, all interesting points (that I don't understand ) but keep giving the feedback please so I can make my mind up after Xmas...?

I'm not going to use spotify. Have found iMusic which seems to give enough choice - and it is free! (other than the internet usage).

WilfSell - I dont understand some of the points made either! Described my phone to a friend as "something from a NASA spaceshuttle"

Having fun with the apps though. Have downloaded loads of useless tosh such as a metal detector and spirit level (not sure when I'll ever need a spirit level on the move - but hey, you never know).

Have found a GPS thingy as well. If you lose your phone, you send a text to your number and it will reply with the map co-ordinates of where it is - how fab is that

DH is sitting on the sofa (again) with his, showing me all the episodes of BBC programmes he can watch on iplayer and BBC Live. Apparently he needs to be able to have instantaneous access to In The Night Garden at all times.

What made you change away from the iphone korma?

LOL - I discovered iplayer tonight. Couldnt believe it - I'll be able to watch the telly in the car while sitting in the car waiting for the dc's to come out of school.

kormachameleon - thanks for the info on how you have managed to switch from one to the other without a problem, or regret (apart from cost of the original iPhone, of course).

I see quite a few iPhone users who are absorbed by them, and I'm sorry for them, really.