Sprint HTC Hero Release Confirmed [Sprint HTC Hero Now Available For $180*]

We start this week’s posting with a brief heads up to confirm that, as per our previous posting (see Sprint HTC Hero Release Date and Price Confirmed) the Sprint HTC Hero has now been released and is available for just shy of $180 following a $100 mail-in rebate and subject to a two year contract.

For those who are unacquainted with what the Sprint HTC Hero brings to the table in terms of features and specifications, here’s Sprint’s sales pitch:

HTC Hero brings a world of opportunities to life through the Internet-style innovation and openness of Android combined with Sprint’s EV-DO Rev. A mobile broadband network. Its capacitive pinch-to-zoom screen and trackball navigation paired with a highly customizable user interface allows you to personalize the look of your device to reflect the different moments in your life. HTC Hero offers access to business and personal email, GPS navigation, full-song downloads from the Amazon MP3 Store, integrated Facebook, Twitter and Flickr, Visual Voicemail, stereo Bluetooth, expandable memory up to 32 GB, 5 megapixel camera with camcorder and a world-class full HTML Web browser. Android openness also enables developers to create mobile applications that take full advantage of a mobile device, and offer their applications through Android Market, offering a huge library of mobile applications to meet both business and consumer needs.

PRODUCTIVITY

• HTC Scenes create different screen arrangements that reflect different aspects of your life. Each Scene is like having a separate phone for your work, play or travel life.
• Android Market provides direct access to thousands of useful applications and fun games to download
• Visual Voicemail provides quick and easy access to messages without needing to listen to or skip past previous messages
• Integrated Gmail compatibility and access to Outlook email with Microsoft Direct Push Technology and HTML support, as well as email from well-known providers like AOL, Windows Live including MSN and Hotmail, Yahoo! and more
• Easily view Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF documents on the go to maximize productivity
• Google Search, Google Maps, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Gmail and YouTube with Google mobile services
• Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Sprint Navigation with turn-by-turn driving directions

ENTERTAINMENT

• HTC Footprints chronicles your life, and allows you to permanently store and share special moments by capturing a digital postcard and identifying its specific location and GPS coordinates
• Capacitive Multi-touch screen with virtual keyboard and trackball navigation
• HTC Flash support embedded
• 5 MP camera/camcorder
• Media player with 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
• Sprint’s exclusive sports applications: NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• Accelerometer, Digital Compass and Light Sensor
• Expandable Memory: 2 GB MicroSD Card included; supports up to 32 GB MicroSD Card

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 4.46″ (L) x 2.22″ (W) x 0.54″ (D) (113.2 mm x 56.4 mm x 13.8 mm)
• Weight: 4.5 oz. (127.57 grams)
• Main Display: 3.2″ HVGA TFT (320 x 480 pixels) 65K colors
• Standard removable 1500mAh Lithium (Li-on) battery; up to 4 hours continuous talk time

You can access further details concerning Sprint’s HTC Hero, as well as take the first steps to availing yourself of one, via this page.