HTC Hero review | Phone Features
HTC Hero smartphone menu
HTC Hero Widgets and Shortcuts
Every start screen features three shortcuts at the bottom, among which a phone key to select a number, a plus to add Widgets and shortcuts to the start screen, and the actual menu key. Upon opening the menu, an icon list will slide to the top containing all the (extra) installed applications. The menu key serves different purposes in every application; if you use the key in the main menu, you can change the view, however, using it in the email application offers access to settings, refreshing the inbox or creating a draft email.
HTC Hero Android phone
HTC Sense Interface
The menu is fairly easy to work with. Yes, you will need time to practice in order to get the hang of it, but the structure itself is clear. An expandable status bar is found on top, displaying all alerts. The HTC Sense is a nice addition to the smooth Android menu, not only because of the extra Widgets and the structure, but also because all of it is just that little bit more beautiful when it comes to the graphical design, and the color scheme has been improved. This way, HTC has really created a surplus value compared to the standard Android operating system.
HTC Hero digital camera
5 megapixel digital camera
The HTC Hero features a 5.0 megapixel digital camera. Thanks to the large screen, it was nice shooting with this mobile phone. Unfortunately, also this HTC phone lacks a dedicated camera button to capture a picture. You have to use the trackball at all times to be able to take a picture. This is not very convenient, and it certainly doesn't help to keep camera shake under control. The application can be activated by pressing 'camera' in the menu. You can opt to place a shortcut in every desired spot on one of the start screens, enabling quick access to the application.
HTC Hero camera phone
Photos and video capture
Once the camera application has started, which happens quite fast, the entire screen serves as a viewfinder. The trackball is required to actually take a picture and additionally functions as zoom button.. Fortunately, the zoom is activated first, after which you can zoom by moving the trackball again. However, it is simply more pleasant if you can control these features with dedicated buttons. The menu key below the screen is available for settings. In addition to taking pictures, you can also capture video. This mode can be adjusted by pressing the camera icon top right while the application is activated. Once you start shooting, you don't have to change any settings other than effects, if you like. The autofocus ensures sharp pictures, either close-ups or from a distance, without having to change the shooting mode.
Mobile photography with a smartphone
HTC Hero camera settings
The rest of the settings that you find when using the menu key below the screen, all prove very clear. Five icons will appear, thus offering you to quickly set resolution, sharpness and white balance. If you then go to 'other settings', you will find options such as effects, preview after capturing a picture, and Geo-tagging, to add a GPS location to the picture, so that you know afterwards where the picture was taken. It is a clear layout, however, the large list in 'other settings' is not always that well-structured. We also miss a flash to be able to shoot in badly lit circumstances.
HTC Hero photo camera function
Picture preview on the screen
Once you've captured a picture, it will briefly appear on the screen if desired. The preview on the display is not representative of the final result. If I view the pictures on a large pc monitor, there is a lot of difference compared to the aforementioned preview. In general, the colors are reproduced well and the pictures are quite sharp. Still, you'll find picture might just fail when taken in too much or too little light circumstances, it is a matter of getting it just right and that is rather difficult. It is annoying that the preview is somewhat deceiving at times. Also, it takes a while before the captured picture is loaded to the screen, so if you think you can scroll quickly through all the pictures; forget it!
icon.
Category Sitemap