Orange UK snap up the Android HTC Hero

Informed speculation is that the upcoming HTC Hero Android phone will be exclusive to Orange UK. MobileToday are reporting that the HTC Hero will sport a 3-megapixel camera. Nice.

After the post I published last week about Orange needing a marquee handset (the Palm Pre), I am pleased that they’re taking a dip into the Android market. It seems that the HTC sales chaps are playing merry-go-round. T-Mobile was first with the G1. Then Vodafone with the Magic. Now Orange. Does that mean o2 or 3 are next in the chain?

The Hero will give the chaps in the Orange stores something to really, really wow their customers (or, if you’re not much of an Android fan, something to replace the day to day drudgery of boring feature handsets).

I’m also reminded that the Orange range features a new edition — the Samsung i8910 HD:

It is a bit of a looker. I had a look at a pre-release version at CTIA this year and I was pretty impressed. That said I try not to form too much of a viewpoint on pre-released handsets until they’re ready for public use. The i8910, if you recall, is a Symbian S60 version.

I’m going to see if I can try one out from Orange and see what I make of it.