Just out of curiousity, what would happen if you downloaded the 2.1 android update from the acer smartphone download section and tried installing it onto your orange branded hero? The acer site isn't like HTC where you need to input your serial number, just click on download and it starts downloading. If I'm breaking the site rules I apologise.
Service & Support
Click on
Smart Handheld,
Liquid,
Liquid, then the 2.1 ROM update can be downloaded.
Was searching last night for any updates from Orange and HTC but to no avail. Rang HTC this morning, got through to a UK call centre again and was told exactly the same thing as last time. Todays guy said the 2.1 Orange Android update is like the Titanic, its not gonna arrive. Well not until those icebergs have melted.