HTC Hero

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112 posts

Master Geek

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#246365 14-Aug-2009 05:26

Just got a Hero for my father and have been setting it up. It is pretty sweet. If it gets some updates it will be nice. The integration with Exchange is pretty good, however the Calendar views could me more flexible (IMHO). Using a G1, it seems much better. I haven't noticed speed issues, but perhaps that's just because I'm not doing much with it. I have an app in the pipeline which will push it though! :) If I had the spare cash I'd definitely get one.

Hinko

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#251925 31-Aug-2009 11:08

G2 video is "MP4, 3GP"
G3 Hero video is "MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 and Windows Media® Video 9"

Is this just marketing speak, or are there real distinctions (over and above the presumed addition of WMV9)?

freakalad

231 posts

Master Geek

#251963 31-Aug-2009 14:10

wmv9 is *great* for windows interop & DRM enforcement. so....whatever

more signigicant is the includion of H.263 & H.264, since this may, coneivably, allow video chats with other open systems, like Pidgin that now allow for video & voice via XMPP & H-series codecs (re gtalk)

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

gadgetmannz

97 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#253949 8-Sep-2009 08:30

julius: Just got a Hero for my father and have been setting it up. It is pretty sweet. If it gets some updates it will be nice. The integration with Exchange is pretty good, however the Calendar views could me more flexible (IMHO). Using a G1, it seems much better. I haven't noticed speed issues, but perhaps that's just because I'm not doing much with it. I have an app in the pipeline which will push it though! :) If I had the spare cash I'd definitely get one.

I use an HTC Hero and definitely push it with multiple email accounts, applications, wifi etc. It's not as smooth as the iphone 3GS but it's not noticeably a problem. I personally love the phone and I like the whole scenes view. I would recommend this phone. It's by far the best android phone on the market. They will upgrade the firmware soon and make it smoother.

New Zealand Product Reviews

julius

112 posts

Master Geek

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#253952 8-Sep-2009 08:37

Hi,

Has anyone managed to get th Hero to sync the "Global Address Book" in Exchange?

Cheers,
Julius.

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

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#253958 8-Sep-2009 09:01

I didn't realize you could sync the global address book over activesync. Actually just thinking about it the nokia's offer this so I suppose you can? Had a look on Google?

Speedtest 2019-10-14

julius

112 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#253964 8-Sep-2009 09:19

Great question Zeon!

It looks like it is possible to search the Global Address List remotely (which I'm guessing is the same as the Global Address Book) although I'm not sure if it's an Active Sync mechanism.

Wise

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shreyas

80 posts

Master Geek

#260352 1-Oct-2009 22:10

Hi all,

Has anyone bought the HTC Hero from a parallel importer? What are the main differences between the Vodafone version and parallel imports?

I know the Vodafone version has 192MB RAM and the parallel imports have 288MB RAM. Are there any restrictions when it comes to the Android Marketplace? Can I expect the same functionality on a parallel import as I would on a Vodafone one?

I am considering buying one from Expert Infotech for ~$860, not sure where they have imported it from. Has anyone bought one from them? I asked them about the warranty and I got a reply saying they handle the warranty themselves and not by HTC. Isn't that kinda dodgy? I don't want to shell out close to $900 and then end up with a bricked phone.

I'd appreciate your help to make up my mind, thanks.

GEONXT

55 posts

Master Geek

#260473 2-Oct-2009 10:25

shreyas: Hi all,

Has anyone bought the HTC Hero from a parallel importer? What are the main differences between the Vodafone version and parallel imports?

I know the Vodafone version has 192MB RAM and the parallel imports have 288MB RAM. Are there any restrictions when it comes to the Android Marketplace? Can I expect the same functionality on a parallel import as I would on a Vodafone one?

I am considering buying one from Expert Infotech for ~$860, not sure where they have imported it from. Has anyone bought one from them? I asked them about the warranty and I got a reply saying they handle the warranty themselves and not by HTC. Isn't that kinda dodgy? I don't want to shell out close to $900 and then end up with a bricked phone.

I'd appreciate your help to make up my mind, thanks.

Hi Shreyas,
I think you will find the Vodafone HTC is not the Hero as I am only aware of them having the Magic. The difference is Hero has more ram better UI and 5meg camera, it is the best Android phone you can get atm. I would go for the Hero without a doubt. Also I know a few people that have dealt with E Infotech and they have not been let down. You would probably find that they have a certified company in NZ to fix any probs and if not they would send back to HTC and fix for you it should be pain free from your end.

freakalad

231 posts

Master Geek

#260475 2-Oct-2009 10:30

One of my customers has, & he's VERY happy with it. (paid $950, all included)
Only difference from a retail version was that it didn't have an SD card included, and, of course, that *wonderful* voda branding, "support" & warranties...... yea, whatever
Can't speak of quality of the product, but he seems happy

If you're after "official updates", I doubt you'd have much to worry about (if you know your way around a terminal).
Since the platform is Open Source (to what degree is a discussion for another day), you can do pretty-much whatever you want with it :)
There is now a custom mod of the OS (http://www.cyanogenmod.com/), but do your homework & make ABSOLUTELY sure you have all your ducks in a row before committing any homebrew hacks; there's no going back (though there may very well become kits available to de-brick your device if you've slipped up; like for the iPhone)

I'm planning on picking up a unit on a stop-over in Hong Kong soon, so I may be able to give you the full-skinny in about a month's time

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

shreyas

80 posts

Master Geek

#260501 2-Oct-2009 11:14

Thanks a lot for your replies guys.

Where are these parallel imports from? China? Europe? Don't the parallel imports come with a micro-SD card?

I'm even more anxious to get my hands on a Hero now, sounds like an awesome phone. I've read quite a few reviews where they mention that the software can't quite keep up with the hardware but hopefully this should be fixed with a ROM update soon (or already may have been).

I was this close to making an impulse buy the other day when Vodafone offered me a $200 rebate off an HTC magic for attending one of their smart phone evenings recently. So $419 instead of the $619 on a Smart 40 plan (24 month term). I slept on it and I figured it's just not worth the money when I can get a new parallel import for around $650. Also, Vodafone's Magic only has 192MB RAM compared to 288MB RAM on parallel imports.

So now I have made up my mind and I'll get an HTC hero instead. Can anyone recommend a good parallel importer whom they have had good experiences with? Expert Infotech seem to be the cheapest at the moment. What about Android Marketplace? Do parallel imports still have access to all the apps on Marketplace? I read somewhere that this might be the case, I could be wrong though.

Thanks again for your help.

sampler

445 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#260504 2-Oct-2009 11:20

shreyas: Hi all,
I am considering buying one from Expert Infotech for ~$860, not sure where they have imported it from.

I got one from einfo about three weeks ago. VERY happy with both them and the phone. I also purchased a screen protector kit and flip cover from gadgetsonline.co.nz, already had a 16 gig memory card to put in.

Running 5 email accounts, but do all my data via any number of wifi points I have access to while moving around the town. I sync from both exchange and thunderbird (via google mail/calander).

With the cell, Wifi, GPS, bluefang, and a few doz other apps in operation, it seems to work fine speed wise.

Battery with all those items running lasts about 40 hours.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Lee

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#260673 2-Oct-2009 19:42

sampler:
shreyas: Hi all,
I am considering buying one from Expert Infotech for ~$860, not sure where they have imported it from.

I got one from einfo about three weeks ago. VERY happy with both them and the phone. I also purchased a screen protector kit and flip cover from gadgetsonline.co.nz, already had a 16 gig memory card to put in.

Got mine from them yesterday, good service, they sent me emails right thru the order/delivery process. My only niggle was there was no sd card included.

I am just loving the phone but be warned, you can spend hours just downloading all the lovely free apps and playing with them, be warned

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

freakalad

231 posts

Master Geek

#260839 3-Oct-2009 16:57

multi-touch yet?

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#260858 3-Oct-2009 18:41

Yes

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

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