I may have faults, but being wrong ain't one of them - Jimmy Hoffa
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HTC upgrades its Hero smartphone
USERS OF HTC Hero smartphones, who have been waiting for ages for an update to Android 2.1, are finally starting to download it like a mad thing.
The Taiwanese mobile phone maker has started an over the air rollout of the update that will bring the phone out of an Android dark ages into a 2.1 renaissance.
HTC confirmed that it started rolling out the Android 2.1 OS yesterday and that the update is available for Hero phones in Europe. However users should back up their data as this second part of the update will wipe their handsets. The updates first part started rolling out weeks ago.
For now only unlocked handsets are able to get the update. Network operators in the UK that offer the handset, T-Mobile, which calls it the G2 Touch, and Orange that doesn't, expect to offer the update in the near future.
Pictures of an update availability notification message screen circulating on the interweb shows that a download file for the Android 2.1 update is 80MB big. HTC has recommended that users use a WiFi connection to download the updates for 2.1 because of their size.
If you don't want to wait for UK networks to bother to offer the upgrade then there is always the option of getting an O2 contract for the Desire that comes with 2.1.
So far we have not had any word from readers as to how they like the HTC Hero update, so we are hoping that some of you will post below.
UPDATE: The 3 network has told The INQUIRER that its over the air update for its HTC Hero users to upgrade to the Android 2.1 OS is planned for July. µ
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Upgraded an unlocked Hero yesterday.
Took a few minutes across a Wifi link. It rebooted itself a few times then sprang into life.
Most user data was preserved (e.g.
Contacts, Phone numbers, Browser bookmarks, wif-fi settings). Many apps survived, but some seemed to need upgrading (e.g. Mapdroyd). Screen shortcuts got wiped out but only took a few minutes to replace. Phone seems faster, web browsing of complex pages significantly faster. Tried some of the newer google apps (voice search is impressive, as is speech translation and google goggles). My only gripe is that toggling wifi ON no longer results in it automatically connecting to wifi... seems you have to go into wifi settings to kick it into action.
I switched to iphone!
Not sure if it will have the update on T-mobile..am using a Hero, unlocked version.
Going in for a newer model may not solve the problem as battery drain may be higher due to the faster processor speeds......am waiting for another 8 months for faster processors with better power management. My nokia E71 is giving two full days of battery.
I agree with the first poster. The battery life is unusually bad now. My background isnt animated whereas the Desire using the same multicoloured background is.
Check out the market place and try to update your default google map app, this will add the navigation which I was looking forward to so much.
Definately use wifi, I thought I'd be ahead with using HSPDA but it trottered along (you can switch to wifi half way).
My thoughts, this was released way too late, still getting some lagging with not much running in the background.
Most people will eye up a new phone and please do, this handset is too slow and old now.
Source: My unbranded/unlocked phone, not rooted, using T-mobile contract (this is not a G2).
Hope this helps folks.
Do you know if T-mobile have plans for it on the G2 - it will decide whether I ever by a T-mobile phone again ;)
Hi,
The system seems much faster, the screen is more vibrant (displaying more than 65,000 colors) and the overall UI is much improved. Downside seems to be the battery life and the phone is heating up continuosly. Offing the mobile network connection has improved the battery life and stopped the heating issue though....