HTC has built both the Android phones that are currently available — T-Mobile's G1 and Vodafone's Magic — but the Hero is the first to be explicitly branded by HTC, with no trace of Google's branding.
However, the change in the handset maker's strategy goes further than branding. As the Hero is not explicitly a 'Googlephone', HTC has been able to incorporate services from new partnerships with companies such as Flickr, which belongs to Yahoo and is a direct rival to Google's Picasa web album service.
HTC's chief innovation officer, Horace Luke, said in a briefing session that the ability to be able to bring Flickr photos onto the device and have the openness to bring in different partners is one of the great strengths that HTC has.
Application compatibility between HTC's Sense user interface and the underlying Android system is 100 percent, Luke said.
Some users might find a disadvantage in HTC's level of independence from Google, though. The Hero will not receive over-the-air firmware updates. Owners will have to load these using the USB connector.
Talkback
Any idea whether unlocked versions of the Hero will be available and at what sort of price?
Given that operator exclusivity has gone out the window with this handset - plus the fact that it's an own-brand HTC job - I think unlocked versions will be available.
Unsure of the SIM-free price right now, though.