Android 2.1 Flan likely in HTC Hero

Android 2.1 (also known as Flan) may make its debut with the HTC Hero. Some HTC Hero screenshot with the Android 2.1 interface have been leaked on the web. It won’t be surprising if HTC is the first to go for Android 2.1 in the next version of the popular HTC Hero, since this is the company that first started making Android phones.

Leaked screenshot of Android 2.1 Flan on HTC Hero

There are hardly any details available about Android 2.1 (Flan) so far. The open source mobile operating system promoted by Google has lured a large number of cell phone manufacturers, including HTC, LG and Motorola. Since its introduction, several upgrades of the Android OS have been launched, including Android 1.5, Android 1.6 and Android 2.0. Currently, the only phone running Android 2.0 is the Motorola Droid, which was released in the US in November. Some more are expected to be on way.

Android 2.1 screenshot with Sense UI on top

HTC, which broke new ground with the launch of Android-powered mobile phones is not, apparently, keen about the Android 2.0, preferring to go directly to the Android 2.1 Flan instead of making phones for the Android 2.0 platform. There are of course rumors of an Android 2.0 HTC Hero floating around.

HTC has its own customised user interface called HTC Sense, which is loaded in phones running Windows Mobile 6.5 and Android. The HTC Sense UI (user interface) is has been a big hit with consumers, who found the UI more user-friendly than plane-jane WinMo 6.5.

There have been rumors circling for sometime over Google’s plans to launch its own phone. The Google mobile phone, if it becomes a reality, is also likely to be loaded with Android 2.1 alias Flan. Google last month launched a navigation app with voice directions for Android 2.0, which now runs only in the Motorola Droid. After a rethink, Google launched Navigation for Android 1.6 as well. It is quite likely that Google and independent developers will launch more applications for the latest Android, the Flan, as and when the new mobile operating system rolls out.

The technical features, specifications and hardware requirements of Android 2.1 are still in the realm of speculation. However, one can reasonably be sure that Android 2.1 Flan will support multi-touch capability, and work best with 3G networks. It’s safe to assume that the Android 2.1 Flan will also support media-rich applications with live videos.