The HTC Hero will get a firmware update from the current version of 1.5 to the newest version of Android, 2.1. It should be an over-the-air update, meaning you will be able to update right from your phone. It should happen within the next month or so. Taken from Sprint's twitter account: "Android update! Upgrades to 2.1 for Hero/Moment now expected early 2Q10. Currently working through options for upgrades w/ HTC and Samsung." 2Q10 meaning 2nd quarter of this year.
Sprint also says, "OTA vs. PC-based or in-store upgrade are "still TBD upgrade options" referenced in Android 2.1 tweet (working through w/ manufacturers)."
Hopefully they pull through with the 2.1 OTA update soon!