Heroes of our time

Today I was kindly given to test the hero. In the sense of HTC Hero (A6262).
I myself have long been waiting for him to appear in Russia. and so!

I must say right away - I expected to see another box. Absolutely not a typical box for HTC. Beauty.
Attaching photo.

A sticker is immediately visible on the box stating that the complete set includes the GPS Sygic navigation program (and, accordingly, the new firmware).
By the way, I did not try sidzhik - they gave the device for a test, but the serial number of the sidzhik is attached to it.
Also on the box is the inscription "for sale only in Russia" and the NTS hologram:


Inside the box are:

- a bunch of booklets and reminders of which NTS is a caring company (reminded of books from an iPhone)
- in a caring bed - Hero himself
- a little lower in the sections and in bags, accessories - a charger (component: the unit itself, an adapter for an Euro outlet, an extusb usb cable, a headset) Speaking
of the headset:

there is a mini-remote on the wire. nicely. volume control on the device itself (works in locked mode), player control - here. the microphone is right there.
the ears themselves are quite tolerable (for complete headsets). the bag still has cotton tips and a clothespin for the headset.

familiar to all extusb (by the way, it was quite easily replaced by a regular mini-USB cord)

Hero brothers

I’ll make a reservation right away - I am the owner of the iPhone. True, not a propagandist, not an idealist.
Therefore, the comparison will be more or less objective.
Ask “why 3g when there is 3gs?” - because it doesn't matter to me “twice as fast” and autofocus with a compass. At least in this review - it doesn’t matter.
Let's start the comparison ...
Here, for a start - physically.

The iPhone is slightly wider, the Hero is slightly thicker.
Matte vs Glossy.

Obviously ... Or vice versa? :)

The hero’s screen is slightly smaller. When used, it seems that it is palpable. In fact, a little.
I twisted the brightness of both to the maximum, the hero is dimmer ...

By the way, it is clear that when designing the hero (or during the embodiment) - they were repelled from the iPhone.
It can be seen on the glass on the screen, on the capacitive sensor, on the accelerometer, on gestures, on the metal edging of the screen, on the added buttons, on the plastic * matte! * Covers. everything is visible. even according to the arrangement of the elements (port below, volume on the left, ears on the top left) ...

Unbiased glances believe that iPhone looks more profitable. Picking up - more convenient Hero.
They weigh the same. In the hand of the Hero lies more reliable.
Colleagues at work spoke about the ergonomics of the hero no matter. I am left-handed. It’s very convenient for me to take him by the ledge and control the buttons, trackball.

Important differences

The most important difference is the openness of the platform. Android attracts me with its openness and ease of development.
Of course, I do not argue, for the iPhone, the SDK is the most popular among mobile programmers. But what prevents Android from becoming such? I think the low prevalence of devices.
Synchronization with a computer ... No crutches. What you want is what it is.
HTC Sync - sync everything a la iTunes.
Data transfer - copy it to a USB flash drive!

The video converted for an iPhone was swallowed by the Hero as his own, rejoiced and played it =) The
Hero's behavior when playing music from the iPhone is copied.
Listened to music. He took out his headphones - he was silent.
But. I caught a glitch. I watch the video in the headset - I often ride the bus and watch "Mythbusters" - and so.
In the iPhone, I press "turn" - the player closes. I put the phone in my pocket. I press the button on the headset. Music begins to play.
I arrived. Has stopped. I did it. Released. I opened the player - I press the headset button - I watch the video. Everything is nearby and convenient.
In the hero - watching a video. I press. It stops. I press play - music plays. I get it. I am watching a video. I press play - music plays. the video stops. To play the video - you just need to click in the player. not habitually can?
The volume of the iPhone is greater (in the ears).
But the hero’s speaker is louder and richer.

An iPhone cannot be unlocked with just a button - you need to meaningfully drag your finger across the screen. The hero just needs to press turn, then the menu and he is in front of you.
The iPhone also has a convenient lever for switching to silent mode.
But the hero has a trackball - so as not to take off his gloves in the cold and not to carry his nose across the screen. And also the search button, end call, send call, cancel (return), home, menu ... absolutely not to the detriment of ergonomics ...
The hero of the USB can be used through the usual mini-USB, the iPhone - through the usual iPod cable.
The hero has an indication of charging and missed signals by LEDs.
The hero has autofocus (3Gs also have, I know).
The hero has a memory card (but only 2 GB included)
Finally, the Hero has Google ... True, and the iPhone has not been forgotten.

In terms of software, everything that can be done on an iPhone is done on the Hero. however, there are not so many beautiful transitions and smooth flows. Well, okay. Maybe Apple has a patent?
A multi-touch in an iPhone is everywhere, right there - in a browser, in pictures. Habitually trying to enlarge the map with a “pinch” - it didn’t work out. It is necessary to poke in "+" and "-" on the screen.
On usability it’s easier to deal with an iPhone. Even a child will understand it. But constantly pressing the "menu" and "return" button is not very convenient.
To get to the main menu - you have to press "home". By clicking on “turn” - turn off the screen. The iPhone has a turn on top. Accidentally harder to click.
And the Hero's trackball ball blinks nicely when missed reminders.
You can put any ringtone on the Hero. Straight from the player.
In general ... In general ...

What an iPhone has - everyone knows. Army of fans.
I think that the Hero of fans will also turn out.
But if I had the opportunity, I would go with both devices.
In the meantime, I'm testing the Hero and use the iPhone.

A small epilogue (following the discussion): The
review was not planned as something particularly independent.
There is no review of the software component, because for example here: tyts , here and others like them.
The article as such does not have a conclusion - because everyone will make a conclusion for himself.

For me, the conclusion is that the first step (I mean Android’s step to Russia) is excellent. Waiting for the rest. I hope that it will meet all expectations and exceed them.