HTC Hero - Mobile Phones

ItJustMyOpinion · 24-06-2009, 17:13

Couldn't find a thread for this phone. Maybe the search isn't working properly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8117382.stm

http://www.htc.com/www/product/hero/overview.html

I am hoping some one will design a phone that rivals the IPhone 3GS and I have read people saying, this comes close.

Mainly just because, if I wanted buy one, for the money I could buy a really good new PC.

I sort of object to paying a huge monthly fee and being expected to pay for the phone as well. I would like to know how much it costs them to make.

This phone runs on android. Wonder if some one could develop some software to port IPhone widgets to android applications or whatever they are called.

Sananda Maitreya · 24-06-2009, 17:41

I like this phone! Shame about the ugly icons.

Sananda Maitreya · 24-06-2009, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItJustMyOpinion

I would like to know how much it costs them to make.
.

Don't know how much the Hero costs to make, but here is the strip down of the 3GS.

ItJustMyOpinion · 24-06-2009, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sananda Maitreya

Don't know how much the Hero costs to make, but here is the strip down of the 3GS.

Sorry I meant the IPhone. So in the UK iPhone 3G S 16GB - £440.40 from o2. That's buying the phone then just paying for top up credit.

According to the article, The 16-gigabyte version of the new iPhone 3GS carries a bill of materials of $172.46 and costs $6.50 to make, iSuppli estimated.

So thats $178.96, which is £108.64, meaning a total profit for Apple and o2 of £331.76

Bit of a rip off if you ask me!

As much as I admire the IPhone, even if I had the money, would I pay that much for a phone. I could understand if the margins were as tight as for PC's.

I just wish they would do away with the buttons at the bottom and just have a touch screen filling the whole phone, with just a gap for the speaker and microphone. The Hero comes close, the N97 not even near.

Sananda Maitreya · 24-06-2009, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItJustMyOpinion

So thats $178.96, which is £108.64, meaning a total profit for Apple and o2 of £331.76

Bit of a rip off if you ask me!
.

You've forgotten to factor in the millions on research and development before arriving at profit.

ItJustMyOpinion · 24-06-2009, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sananda Maitreya

You've forgotten to factor in the millions on research and development before arriving at profit.

True but they have got to get the price down and Apple has a reputation for not being cheap. I imagine most research and development went on the original IPhone not the 3GS or even the 3G to be honest. Their rivals seem to be able to have slighty better deals.

HTC Hero quoted by HandTec

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php...9fff931a20cdf4

as £431.24 available 3rd July. I assume that's buying the phone then using pay as you go. So more or less similar price give or take a few quid. Could start a price war and make both cheaper.

Sananda Maitreya · 24-06-2009, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItJustMyOpinion

HTC Hero quoted by HandTec

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php...9fff931a20cdf4

as £431.24 available 3rd July.

How much storage do you get for that price?

Certainly, I agree that the R&D costs have been spread out over 3 models but they are still huge. And certainly Apple doesn't operate on the razor thin margins of companies such as Dell.

ItJustMyOpinion · 24-06-2009, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sananda Maitreya

How much storage do you get for that price?

Certainly, I agree that the R&D costs have been spread out over 3 models but they are still huge. And certainly Apple doesn't operate on the razor thin margins of companies such as Dell.

I don't think any one else on this forum is interested in the HTC Hero apart from you and me

Sorry I don't know what memory it's being shipped with although you can upgrade the memory.

Actually I have come to the conclusion after looking at the IPhone rip off thread, that it more to do with o2.

I wonder what price Apple would sell the 3GS for direct without any provider, should they decide to do it. If AT & T can provide it for such a low price then why can't o2.

The Hero is being sold by two providers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/

Quote:

Here's where the HTC device may run into trouble. It's being offered across Europe by two networks, Orange and T-Mobile. Fine, as long as they unite around one marketing message. But when I returned to my desk from the launch, I found an e-mail from T-Mobile headlined "G1 Touch Joins T-Mobile Android Family." Puzzled, I rang to inquire whether this was yet another phone, but discovered that T-Mobile had decided to sell the Hero under its own brand, with no mention of HTC.

Convincing consumers that the Hero is more fun, fashionable and usable than the iPhone was never going to be an easy job. But giving it two different names is going to make that all the harder.

So maybe Apple is right. I still don't see why they could not get both providers on message though.

Red Arrow · 24-06-2009, 23:37

I'm looking forward to this phone, will be interested in what the reviews are like.

Oh why is it every thread in this forums seems to turn into a discussion about the iphone?

Sananda Maitreya · 25-06-2009, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Arrow

Oh why is it every thread in this forums seems to turn into a discussion about the iphone?

Yeah, it's gone iPhone crazy. It was open derision about iPhone in here a few months ago.

stuartmck · 25-06-2009, 13:57

Hero's looking promising.

My T-Mobile Contract's just run out & I've been waiting for the N97 to be released through T-Mobile.

However, i'm going to wait now and see how the Hero does in the revies before I make my decision - been debating trying an android phone, but just not inspired by the G1.

onesevern · 25-06-2009, 20:46

No internal memory - well 512MB with a micro-sd slot for you to put more memory into.

I was waiting for the Samsung Galaxy/i7500 which still doesn't have a release date.

I quite like the look of the Hero, I like the HTC version of Android that's on it. Will have to wait for some proper reviews of it first. Gutted there's no proper release dates from Orange or T-Mobile!

DavidRobert · 25-06-2009, 21:40

The HTC Hero looks like a fabulous phone. I was about to get the HTC magic but it has minor flaws, the Hero looks like it could be the one for me.

Not sure how pricing works sim free. Amazon are claiming to be selling it sim free from middle of July for £429.99. Might get it sim free, could work out cheaper in long run without a contract.

But I can't work out how it could be £429.99 sim free, and the Magic is over £500 sim free.

ElectrobixGreen · 01-07-2009, 00:08

I can't see a camera flash on the Hero- does it not have one? And how big is it compared to, for example, the Omnia HD? I thought it was quite small to begin with, but I think it may be a bit of a beast!

Orange have got it as 'coming soon' on their website, but only in a horrible boring grey colour instead of the nice white- who would want that?!

LEP · 01-07-2009, 02:33

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/sim-free-...ite-p20549.htm

The link is for the HTC Hero at £399.(sim free)

I was going to buy the new Iphone but now I'm in two minds. I'm leaning towards the Hero slightly now.

darkjedimaster · 01-07-2009, 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEP

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/sim-free-...ite-p20549.htm

The link is for the HTC Hero at £399.(sim free)

I was going to buy the new Iphone but now I'm in two minds. I'm leaning towards the Hero slightly now.

Same here, I have just seen a video on youtube on the hero & I gotta say that I am impressed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKTDSfbcbBU

I'm not 100% on this but I think that Android is more open source for applications compared to the iphone ?

It also looks to be an iphone 3gs beater

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3...&idPhone1=2861

kyussmondo · 01-07-2009, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkjedimaster

Same here, I have just seen a video on youtube on the hero & I gotta say that I am impressed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKTDSfbcbBU

I'm not 100% on this but I think that Android is more open source for applications compared to the iphone ?

It also looks to be an iphone 3gs beater

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3...&idPhone1=2861

Yes Android is open source but to be honest that is pretty much irrelevant. How open has Google really made it. The fact is the iPhone App Store has 10 times more apps than the Android market. Open source just makes the tech community all warm and fuzzy inside and makes them think that Google is not evil, to the average users that means nothing, they just want stuff that works.

ck7ah · 01-07-2009, 15:58

do u know if O2 will be stocking this phone?

darkjedimaster · 01-07-2009, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyussmondo

Yes Android is open source but to be honest that is pretty much irrelevant. How open has Google really made it. The fact is the iPhone App Store has 10 times more apps than the Android market. Open source just makes the tech community all warm and fuzzy inside and makes them think that Google is not evil, to the average users that means nothing, they just want stuff that works.

Yes the iphone has got more apps than the android but unless you are willing to jailbreak your iphone, you are unable to have applications like youtube downloader & other third party software.

It is only going to be a matter of time before more software gets released for the android os, which can be used without the need of the exclusiveness of the apple store.

The reason people jailbreak their iphone is so they can use software which doesn't have to get purchased through the appstore. Yes people do want applications that work but they also want applications which apple are not willing to provide.

I was looking to purchase the iphone 3gs but am now looking towards other makes of phone as a couple of my friends have already returned their 3gs because of the burn problem.

Getting back to topic.

Orange are not doing themselves any favours with this phone as they are advertising it as having a 3.15mp camera

.

I have done some checking & have found that I can get a 16gb micro sd card for £37. So buying this for the hero, makes the total cost the same as the 16gb iphone 3gs on payg.

ItJustMyOpinion · 01-07-2009, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyussmondo

Yes Android is open source but to be honest that is pretty much irrelevant. How open has Google really made it. The fact is the iPhone App Store has 10 times more apps than the Android market. Open source just makes the tech community all warm and fuzzy inside and makes them think that Google is not evil, to the average users that means nothing, they just want stuff that works.

Well the Open Handset Alliance supports Android and just about every one seems to be a member apart from Nokia, Apple and Microsoft.

Apple and Microsoft have their own platforms. What's Nokia use?

I wonder if it really is in the interest of the different phone manufacturers to standardize on one phone os. How will they differentiate their products?

I suppose the can adapt the OS to have unique features while at the same time have a huge amount of applications.

Everything Goes · 02-07-2009, 14:57

Expansys are selling HTC Hero for £400 or free with a T-Mobile contract.

http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=184566&partner=uknews

Red Arrow · 02-07-2009, 21:49

Any news yet on what the T-Mobile contracts and the cost of the phone will be directly from them? I was due an upgrade a few months ago and been holding off.

onesevern · 02-07-2009, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Arrow

Any news yet on what the T-Mobile contracts and the cost of the phone will be directly from them? I was due an upgrade a few months ago and been holding off.

Have a look at this http://www.expansys.com/nc.aspx?i=184566 from Everything Goes link. They have details of contracts from T-Mobile. While T-Mobile haven't said anything.

(Nor have Orange. I'm dying to get a new phone and neither network haven't announced a date for the Hero. I just wish they would! Pleaseeeeeee!)

Red Arrow · 02-07-2009, 22:48

Yeah I saw that earlier.

What's intresting is that around 9pm it was saying 21 days which I assume meant would be released in 21 days. Now it's saying 5 and the following "This product is at our central warehouse and should be shipped in 3 working days "

Is this just an error on their website or is this phone really coming out next week?

Matt D · 02-07-2009, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItJustMyOpinion

Well the Open Handset Alliance supports Android and just about every one seems to be a member apart from Nokia, Apple and Microsoft.

Apple and Microsoft have their own platforms. What's Nokia use?

Nokia uses Symbian... which is owned by Nokia.

24-06-2009, 17:13	#1
ItJustMyOpinion Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Services: Virgin Media Posts: 2,716	HTC Hero Couldn't find a thread for this phone. Maybe the search isn't working properly. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8117382.stm http://www.htc.com/www/product/hero/overview.html I am hoping some one will design a phone that rivals the IPhone 3GS and I have read people saying, this comes close. Mainly just because, if I wanted buy one, for the money I could buy a really good new PC. I sort of object to paying a huge monthly fee and being expected to pay for the phone as well. I would like to know how much it costs them to make. This phone runs on android. Wonder if some one could develop some software to port IPhone widgets to android applications or whatever they are called.

25-06-2009, 13:57	#11
stuartmck Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bewdley, UK Posts: 183	Hero's looking promising. My T-Mobile Contract's just run out & I've been waiting for the N97 to be released through T-Mobile. However, i'm going to wait now and see how the Hero does in the revies before I make my decision - been debating trying an android phone, but just not inspired by the G1. Last edited by stuartmck : 25-06-2009 at 13:59. Reason: correcting typo

24-06-2009, 17:41	#2
Sananda Maitreya Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,693	I like this phone! Shame about the ugly icons.

24-06-2009, 23:37	#9
Red Arrow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Services: SkyHD, BT 8Mb. Posts: 5,692	I'm looking forward to this phone, will be interested in what the reviews are like. Oh why is it every thread in this forums seems to turn into a discussion about the iphone?

25-06-2009, 20:46	#12
onesevern Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 147	No internal memory - well 512MB with a micro-sd slot for you to put more memory into. I was waiting for the Samsung Galaxy/i7500 which still doesn't have a release date. I quite like the look of the Hero, I like the HTC version of Android that's on it. Will have to wait for some proper reviews of it first. Gutted there's no proper release dates from Orange or T-Mobile!

25-06-2009, 21:40	#13
DavidRobert Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 574	The HTC Hero looks like a fabulous phone. I was about to get the HTC magic but it has minor flaws, the Hero looks like it could be the one for me. Not sure how pricing works sim free. Amazon are claiming to be selling it sim free from middle of July for £429.99. Might get it sim free, could work out cheaper in long run without a contract. But I can't work out how it could be £429.99 sim free, and the Magic is over £500 sim free.

01-07-2009, 00:08	#14
ElectrobixGreen Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 238	I can't see a camera flash on the Hero- does it not have one? And how big is it compared to, for example, the Omnia HD? I thought it was quite small to begin with, but I think it may be a bit of a beast! Orange have got it as 'coming soon' on their website, but only in a horrible boring grey colour instead of the nice white- who would want that?!

01-07-2009, 02:33	#15
LEP Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lake Garda, Italy Posts: 912	http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/sim-free-...ite-p20549.htm The link is for the HTC Hero at £399.(sim free) I was going to buy the new Iphone but now I'm in two minds. I'm leaning towards the Hero slightly now.

01-07-2009, 15:58	#18
ck7ah Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 314	do u know if O2 will be stocking this phone?

02-07-2009, 14:57	#21
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lost In Cyberspace Services: GPS might be handy!? Posts: 4,574	Expansys are selling HTC Hero for £400 or free with a T-Mobile contract. http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=184566&partner=uknews

02-07-2009, 21:49	#22
Red Arrow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Services: SkyHD, BT 8Mb. Posts: 5,692	Any news yet on what the T-Mobile contracts and the cost of the phone will be directly from them? I was due an upgrade a few months ago and been holding off.

02-07-2009, 22:48	#24
Red Arrow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Services: SkyHD, BT 8Mb. Posts: 5,692	Yeah I saw that earlier. What's intresting is that around 9pm it was saying 21 days which I assume meant would be released in 21 days. Now it's saying 5 and the following "This product is at our central warehouse and should be shipped in 3 working days " Is this just an error on their website or is this phone really coming out next week?