The HTC Hero smartphone, running on the latest open-source Android operating system, will be offered exclusively by UK wireless provider Orange in Europe, according to a Wednesday Pocket-Lint report. If this proves true, it would be the provider's first Android-based handset, and is expected to be released sometime in 2009.

Apart from the operating system, the Hero will have HSDPA data network connectivity, a 3-megapixel camera and Bluetooth support. A French Orange executive previously claimed that the Hero will be one of six Android handsets to come to Orange in 2009.

It will be the third HTC handset to launch with the open-source operating system, following the G1 and Magic. If it makes its way to the US, it's believed the Hero would be called the G3. No pricing information has been released for the phone.