I dunno guys, I was at that Pepcom event last night as well... My impression of this device was very different from yours. You're looking at it from the wrong perspective, IMO.
A smartphone user or someone who wants a slick display for games and media is better suited to the X10 demoing right next to it, which you can actually hear the rep talking about in the background of this (or the Aino).

You didn't show how the display works as a PHONE. I found the display very compelling when dialing or checking the time. Not really for gadget nerds like us, tho.

Agreed. This would work on ANY cell phone or netbook in concept. Nothing "iPhone" specific about this, except that any story that reads "iPhone" is immediately more popular.

I've read about the OTOY concept, but I just can't see how network congestion and lag won't effect playability... I mean, streaming live from my webcam to my phone on a local network has a noticeable delay. A real-time game is definitely going to have issues, from pressing a button, to the server, then back again as a rendered video reaction.

"Update: We spoke to Sprint, and the Hero is in fact an exclusive for the company."

How so?

The Palm Pre, now THAT is exclusive, as is the Samsung Instinct... however Android already exists in two flavors on T-mobile (as we already know), and the hardware in the Hero is identical to that in T-mobile's MyTouch. The only difference in the Hero, however, is the SenseUI... however HTC has made an official announcement that there is a SenseUI update coming very soon for the Magic/MyTouch. So what is exclusive about this? The name "Hero"? Lame marketing.

You're mistaken, originator.
Verizon gimps its hardware, as well as its software (bluetooth, WiFi, the memory on the Touch Pro, etc).
What has Sprint Gimped?
That's what I thought.
I think you've got your reputations mixed up. Verizon has the stronger network, but Sprint has the BEST 3G (as rated by PC World testing) and currently the best lineup of phones.

People are still afraid of them because of their infamous past...but hopefully that will all change. HERO FTW!

Oh, and as for the original comment, I agree AT&T is great for one reason alone: GSM. Sim cards rule, I miss having a plethora of phones to choose from on a whim. But, you can buy the Hero unlocked, or go to T-mobile for Android GSM goodness, so I see it as a moot point. You can already do that. Coming to Sprint is EXCELLENT news!

I forgot to add that I don't know how comfortable the keyboard on the snap is because I've never used it, and I'm aware that it is different than the wonderful keyboard I have on the Touch Pro... but, my point was that HTC puts decent hardware into these devices, and the smartphone (which this is one of) line is even more solid and robust than what I have now.

The build quality of HTC's smartphone line (non-touchscreen) far exceeds its line of PPC phones (Touch screen PDAs).
I'm not sure why it is, but I'm assuming it has something to do with the target audience being more interested in solid quick-response devices than latest-and-greatest PDA features (accelerometers, widescreen VGA, etc...). That being said, the features they DO pack into these things are usually top-notch, and if you check out the reviews, the Snap's camera is one of the fastest and most responsive of a smartphone camera to date.

Personally, I find my HTC's Touch Pro camera to exceed anything shot on a Blackberry camera, and my keyboard more comfortable as well (dedicated 5th row of number keys helps).
I'm not saying the Tour isn't better (I haven't tested them side by side), especially if you're a crackberry addict, but I think the reasons you list are not valid concerns. Sounds like something one would say if they've never tried a competing product...

Sports resort with the motion plus controller aint bad...

I think you're confusing the Sprint/CDMA side of things with the Nextel/iDen side. They are not compatible with each other, despite being owned by the same company.

The push-to-talk blackberry is on iDen (Nextel). None of the CDMA Blackberrys on Sprint have push to talk.
They only made one Windows Mobile smartphone on Nextel, and it bombed. It is highly unlikely to ever see a new one again.

Haha- yes, it was phrased poorly- I think what he meant was that ARM chips don't generate enough heat to even need a fan cooling system (hence why a 600+Mhz pocket PC or smartphone doesn't make any whirring noise when on).

Even solid-state storage netbooks still have moving parts under the hood because of cooling... The only moving parts here, as you pointed out, are those for user-interface (hinged screen, keys...) but nothing that moves on its own. So technically, I think what he's trying to say is that if *YOU* don't move something, none of the parts are moving.

Whatever, it sounds like English isn't his first language.

What bothers me is that ARM computing isn't new... I don't know what his hopeful look to the future is all about, because WinCE powered ARM "palmtops" have been around for over a decade, and that last popular one was an HP Jornada that could fit in a large pocket circa 2000. They are nowadays replaced by Smartphones and Netbooks. Aside from emerging countries, I don't see much of a market or future in this...

Bambi- That's ridiculous.

Since when is it a "requirement" that everyone be able to use every feature on their phone??!

What about the folks who don't care about Sprint TV or Telenav (Sprint Navigation)?

What if someone only uses ~400 minutes a month, and just wants data?

Many people who've been on Sprint for years have plans that work PERFECTLY for them. My current plan includes all the minutes I need, has unlimited data and messaging, and my phone can do pretty much anything I want it to. Oh, and I pay less than $40 a month.
I don't need more than that, but I wouldn't mind setting Windows Mobile aside for a bit to try on Android. But I would be doing the same things on the phone, so why should I be paying MORE?!

Its extortion...