I bought a Sprint Touch the first week it was offered (Nov 07) and I've loved it for almost 2 years. Unfortunately, I was robbed a month ago and they got my Touch, my backup Samsung A900, home laptop and work laptop....it wasn't a good day. I REALLY like what I see in the Hero! I'm very much looking forward to it's availability. Sorry Palm...the Pre just doesn't excite me for some reason. Maybe it's because I got a Centro to carry me over until the Hero is available.....OMG I think my Samsung A900 did as much as this Centro (but it was only $49). Here's more Hero confirmation:
http://www.mobiledia.com/phones/htc/hero.html
Oh...and there is a "HTC Hero Team" in the Sprint employee address book in Outlook (I work at Sprint). I miss my Touch, but am VERY much looking forward to my first Android!!!