It was just about two months ago now when the first speculated rendered image of the HTC Bravo started making waves in Android land – eventually there were actual shots taken of the handset. Expected to be a facsimile in every shape and form to the already available HTC Nexus One, the Bravo of course will have the Sense UI packed on. Now Orange has seemingly let out some detailed specs about the upcoming device, but it proves to be somewhat of a distracting ploy; possibly. For starters the photo in the leaked internal pdf shows the same image, with the watermarks included, that we first saw back in December – one would think they would use an official one by this time for this purpose. As far as the rest of the documentation shows, it says that the HTC Bravo will only have 320MB of memory and that the copyright date reading is 2008. With a release date scheduled for March, it would seem a bit baffling for Orange to use a watermarked image for its documentation – let’s just hope this legitimate information point towards the right direction for the handset.
source: Coolsmartphone

At first glance the upcoming Alcatel OT-980 Android phone may have a lot of design commonalities with the Palm Pre, but it stops right there when you take a closer look at what it is running. The obvious thing known about this handset is its entry level aim – meaning that it packs Android 1.6, Wi-Fi, aGPS, 3G, 600 MHz processor, 192MB of RAM, 2-megapixel camera, microUSB port, microSD slot, and an 1150 mAh battery. All of this point to a price level which should be less than the already inexpensive HTC Tattoo. Now what’s really different about this handset is that it’s one of the rare Android phones to offer a portrait-style QWERTY keyboard and a resistive QVGA touchscreen – fortunately though it looks to be somewhat responsive. Orange will be releasing the Alcatel OT-980 within the next four to five months – which should also hopefully make an appearance at MWC.
source: FRAndroid via IntoMobile

Time to take another small detour down rumor lane — Taiwanese newspaper Digitimes reports that Orange is contracted with Foxconn International Holdings to build their very own carrier-designed handset. Their handset is expected to include Qualcomm’s 3G chipset and may ship sometime in the second quarter of 2010. If this rumor bears fruit, this new Orange handset will be offered alongside the Motorola Dext and the HTC Tattoo. It will be interesting to see what Orange comes up with given their control over the design process.

source: Android Authority

Oh HTC Hero, where art thou? Online retailer Cleverkit.com may have spilled the beans about a release data of the HTC Hero on the Orange and T-Mobile UK networks. Cleverkit claims they will have the Hero on July 21, SIM-free, unlocked, and at a price of £439.

The Hero is HTC’s third Android handset and it offers the “Sense” UI special sauce. If July 21 is for real, then UK customers are only a week away from having their own personal Hero. Stay tuned as we get close to the alleged launch date!

Source: T3

If you want the new Android-powered HTC Hero bad enough, where there’s a boatload of cash will, there’s a way. Over on Amazon.co.uk, you can pre-order an unlocked HTC Hero before it’s July 15th release date. The price? A cool £429.99, or at today’s conversion rates, a staggering $712.14 USD. If you are in Europe and can wait a couple weeks, the Hero will be available across the UK from T-Mobile and Orange for free with a two-year contract and monthly rates of £40.00 and £39.15, respectively. According to Amazon.co.uk, the items included in the purchase are:

• HTC Hero 3G Android Sim Free mobile phone
• Quick start guide
• Screen protector
• Travel charger
• Mini-USB data cable
• Standard battery
• Wired stereo headset with 3.5 mm connector
• Accessory leaflet
• 2 GB microSD card

If the current economy doesn’t get you down and you have a bunch of extra $$$ or ₤₤₤ stuffed under your mattress, then pre-order your HTC Hero now and let us know when you get it! The rest of us may not be jealous of the king’s ransom you had to pay, but we’ll sure be jealous of that sweet Hero in your pocket.

Source: talkandroid via amazon.co.uk

T-Mobile will be launching the HTC Hero Android-powered handset (G1 Touch) in the UK next month. More Android handsets – from Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei – will follow. O2/Telefonica launched the Samsung Galaxy i7500 Android handset in Germany today. Orange is also going to offer the HTC Hero in the UK next month, and Vodafone is expected to have an Android offering in 2009 as well.

The common theme here is that everything is coming up roses Android. Another common theme is that all four of these European carriers are shifting emphasis from Windows Mobile devices and moving more toward the more cost-friendly and open Android OS. It’s a win-win for the carriers and Google’s Android, but not so much for Microsoft, who is bound to lose both revenue and market share in the coming months. For the Android fans out there – and you know who you are – this is all good news and the sooner we have more Android handsets, the better.

Source: Talk Android via digitimes.com