Sprint Nextel said Thursday it will offer the touch-screen HTC Hero Oct. 11, making it the second U.S. carrier to support the Google-backed Android operating system. The third-largest U.S. mobile operator had famously said previous versions of the Linux-based OS weren't "good enough," but firmware updates have apparently made Android good enough for the Sprint brand. The Hero is a feature-packed device that could be seen as a viable alternative to AT&T's iPhone 3GS. The Hero has a 3.2-inch capacitive touch screen, and the accelerometer means it will automatically rotate the screen depending on how the user is holding it. The smartphone won't have the usual Android user interface, as HTC is layering on its Sense software to give it some visual flair, as well as one-click access to mail, Twitter, weather, and other Web-based information. To read on, see the full story at InformationWeek.com.

—Marin Perez, InformationWeek