This has been a big week for HTC with the official unveiling of the much leaked Hero Android smartphone happening in London. That phone won’t be here in the States until later this year. If you want your HTC fix now and can’t wait for the Hero to hit your local store, HTC has another smartphone coming this month.

The device is called the HTC Ozone and admittedly it’s nowhere near as cool as the Hero. The Ozone is a basic smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard that really looks like something Palm would produce to me. The device supports the Verizon 3G network.

Other features include a 1500mAh battery, Wi-Fi connectivity, and support for Verizon services like Visual Voice Mail and VZ Navigator. The most appealing feature of the Ozone for most shoppers will be the price. Verizon will offer the handset for $49.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate. You can buy the Ozone online starting on June 29 or in stores on July 13.

[via Verizon Wireless]