In Pictures: HTC Hero Takes Android to New Heights

HTC introduced today its latest smartphone running on Google's Android mobile operating system, the HTC Hero. The new device packs in some better hardware features from its predecessors and brings a revamped user interface (UI) to Android-loving fans.

The software on the HTC Hero is to take center stage in this announcement, as the device is the first Android smartphone to support multitouch (iPhone style) and -- surprise! -- Adobe Flash.

With the launch of the HTC Hero, Android is raising the stakes against the Palm Pre and the Apple iPhone. The Europeans will get their hands on the new device later this summer, while the U.S. is expected to get a "distinct" version of the HTC Hero later this year.

Here's a video showing some of the features of the HTC Hero.