Power of Twitter and the 2.0.1 update.

[kennyidaho]

***Please start sending your messages to @sprintcare, it seems to be an active Sprint twitter feed responding to customers***

Note* This thread should be titled Power of Twitter and the 2.1 update, but I can't change it. Would a mod please be so kind to change it?


Fact: The Sprint Hero is a CDMA clone of a GSM device called HTC Hero (BTW the phones look different).
Fact: HTC controls the update process on unlocked GSM Hero's sold world wide.
Fact: Android 2.1 ROMS with SenseUI in the wild have nothing to do with Sprint. They are all built for the GSM Hero.
Fact: Sprint controls the update process on Sprint HTC Hero's sold in the United States.
Fact: Sprint must authorize and request that HTC creates an update for the Sprint HTC Hero.
Fact: Sprint then must test the update before they agree to let it hit Sprint HTC Hero's.
Fact: Sprint has NOT PUBLICLY acknowledge they will be updating the Sprint HTC Hero, let alone released any sort of time frame.
Fact: Verizon and HTC have publicly confirmed that the HTC Droid Eris will be getting an "OS update" in the first quarter of 2010.
Fact: The HTC Droid Eris is essentially the same device as the Sprint Hero (Different casing, smaller battery).


It seems that a lot of companies are really taking advantage of twitter to communicate with customers at large. Some examples are Verizon and HTC announcing the Eris OS update, Sprint has announced items via twitter. Lot's of people follow these companies and I am sure that these companies search twitter for references to there name.

So I propose that we use the power of twitter to send a clear message to Sprint that we would like an Android 2.0.1 update and that we would like some sort of news confirming it. We don't need exact deadlines but just knowing that it's coming would be great news for the community. It would also benefit Sprint in the long run because potential and current customers would have a little bit more faith in buying a Hero at 179.99 knowing that it will be getting an update.

I am going to post this to a few other Sprint/Hero related forums. Everyone can start twitting now or we can try to get some clear defined message written out that we can all retweet. Please post any thoughts, inputs or messages that you have twitted @Sprint.

My twitter ID is kennyidaho.

 

[pdragon]

HTC has already confirmed via their twitter account that we will be getting 2.0.

The rumors are true! Hero will be getting an Eclair update. We ask for your patience as we update Sense for the fancy new Android OS. 6:15 PM Oct 28th from CoTweet

 

[kennyidaho]

HTC has already confirmed via their twitter account that we will be getting 2.0.

Yes but nobody knows for sure if this applies to CDMA Hero's. HTC control's the update process on GMS Hero's, however Sprint has to request and push an update to Sprint Hero's. HTC is primarily a GSM manufacture and will cater to those devices first.

Assuming that HTC's announcement regarding Android 2.0 applies to carrier branded devices is as naive as assuming that the successor to the Hero (to be announced in February) applies to Sprints Hero.

Trust me I would like to hope it's true, but having Sprint and HTC devices in the past I know that just because HTC updates it's GSM equivalent does not always indicate an update for CDMA devices is on the way.

 

[ftothe3]

chill. all signs point to the update coming in january.

 

[kennyidaho]

chill. all signs point to the update coming in january.

What's the harm? Forcing Sprint to finally communicate with it's customers? Showing Sprint that we are no longer happy waiting and waiting with no official word from them like we have done with other devices?

 

[pdragon]

Many tech companies just don't communicate their update schedules to the public anymore because it can end up hurting them more than helping. And the bigger they are, the less you'll be likely to hear anything from them. As an example I'm familiar with myself being a computer gamer, Blizzard does not give ANY release date information for any of their games until they've gone gold with the CD sent to the distribution plant. They do this because if they give any kind of hint of a release date, and then it's delayed, they've pissed off more people than if they'd just kept quiet and said "soon

 

[kennyidaho]

I am clearly aware of their reasons. I am no fool, but seems like Verizon is comfortable enough taking a risking in confirming that their version of the Hero will be getting the update.........

 

[cswee10582]

I will say that from my past experience, Verizon will throw a date out there, but 9 times out of 10, that date will come and go and you'll still be without the software they said would be out for you...i had these dates always announced by verizon when I had my samsung omnia last year...they would keep throwing dates out that would unlock the GPS on the phone...third time around they did it...don't rely on verizon for a solid date...

chris

 

[lekky]

This has been discussed so many times. We just need to be patient. I work in the dev industry and what HTC are doing is fully correct in my eyes. I would love an update sooner rather than later, but they have already gone beyond what I expected of them with their impromptu twitter announcement (quite a while ago now).

Knowing when makes no difference to me. But what does is them not having the pressure to meet a release date, and to release some buggy crap in order to meet it.

 

[kennyidaho]

I suppose we can argue about the merits of doing this, verizon and deadlines, rumours or we can just start tweeting and retweeting.

This could be a little grass roots movement that might spread to Sprint Hero users at large. So far about 6 or so people have followed me and tweeted something, then I have retweeted, or they have retweeted me. I honestly don't care if you keep me on your twitter when you are done. I never use the service.

 

[kennyidaho]

This has been discussed so many times. We just need to be patient. I work in the dev industry and what HTC are doing is fully correct in my eyes. I would love an update sooner rather than later, but they have already gone beyond what I expected of them with their impromptu twitter announcement (quite a while ago now).

Knowing when makes no difference to me. But what does is them not having the pressure to meet a release date, and to release some buggy crap in order to meet it.

Not asking for them to push the update. Just asking that SPRINT confirm that they have plans to update, we know that HTC plans on updating GSM Hero's but we have no proof that CDMA devices will get updated.

 

[tatonka_Hero]

as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather it take them longer to release it and have fewer bugs, than to release it earlier and have to hear more whining on this forum.

 

[kennyidaho]

as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather it take them longer to release it and have fewer bugs, than to release it earlier and have to hear more whining on this forum.

You are missing the point.

 

[Sirithe]

I get what your saying Kenny and I agree, I don't mind waiting, 1.5 is fine for me, but I want to know that we are for sure getting 2.0. Right now we know its being developed for the Hero, but not the SPRINT Hero, so its not confirmed at all for us.

 

[adamfair]

quoted by Sprint Exec.

Sprint executive David Owens has confirmed that the carrier will ban tethering on smart devices next year as a part of its future smart device development plans. The ban will be placed on smart devices activated on the carrier’s current lineup of Everything plans.
Other plans include Android OS updates for the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment, Android device with a built-in MiFi style router, BlackBerry Tour with Wi-Fi and other Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry devices, testing of Windows Mobile 6.5 updates for the HTC Touch Pro2 and other Windows devices “plan for early 2010″ and WiMax phones.

 

[kennyidaho]

quoted by Sprint Exec.

Sprint executive David Owens has confirmed that the carrier will ban tethering on smart devices next year as a part of its future smart device development plans. The ban will be placed on smart devices activated on the carrier

 

[adamfair]

Sprint juggling many balls in the air (Phone Arena News)

link to above quote

 

[kennyidaho]

Sprint juggling many balls in the air (Phone Arena News)

link to above quote

Okay I am not taking a jab at you with this directly but I just want to clarify a few things.

First off what you posted above was not a quote from that site at all, it was a paraphrase of it, second what was posted on that site was not a quote either - it was a paraphrase - and in fact it was a paraphrase of another story. That other story was a combination of quotes and paraphrases - in fact the part about Android OS was another paraphrase.

My calculus is a little rusty but I think it would be like this:

Where P = Paraphrase, your post was P(P{P(P)}) - that's probably completely wrong but whatever. Point is no quotes at all about Android OS updates.

It's good news to hear but now I have to question if the Sprint Exec was referring to Android OS updates or the maintenance release that was released approximently two weeks after this interview? Difficult to say because one has to assume that the Sprint Exec was probably paraphrasing information told to him by his underlings.

Thanks for the info though, take no offense to my remarks I am just in that mood tonight. Thanks to everyone who is twittering this.

 

[adamfair]

Okay I am not taking a jab at you with this directly but I just want to clarify a few things.

First off what you posted above was not a quote from that site at all, it was a paraphrase of it, second what was posted on that site was not a quote either - it was a paraphrase - and in fact it was a paraphrase of another story. That other story was a combination of quotes and paraphrases - in fact the part about Android OS was another paraphrase.

My calculus is a little rusty but I think it would be like this:

Where P = Paraphrase, your post was P(P{P(P)}) - that's probably completely wrong but whatever. Point is no quotes at all about Android OS updates.

It's good news to hear but now I have to question if the Sprint Exec was referring to Android OS updates or the maintenance release that was released approximently two weeks after this interview? Difficult to say because one has to assume that the Sprint Exec was probably paraphrasing information told to him by his underlings.

Thanks for the info though, take no offense to my remarks I am just in that mood tonight. Thanks to everyone who is twittering this.

I do not take offense at all. I erased my history after i copied the text and could not find original link so i posted link from different website that had different wordings. Anyways it's good to here if it's true or not.

 

[Sirithe]

The main thing about what was posted that gives me hope for 2.0 is the early 2010 part. I would assume that a Sprint exec wouldn't mean the maintenance release and would actually mean 2.0 but its wrong to assume so hmm..

 

[kennyidaho]

The main thing about what was posted that gives me hope for 2.0 is the early 2010 part. I would assume that a Sprint exec wouldn't mean the maintenance release and would actually mean 2.0 but its wrong to assume so hmm..

If you read the article linked to - then the source you'll see the 2010 part applies to Windows Mobile.

 

[Sirithe]

Damn. Serves me right for not reading.

 

[kennyidaho]

Damn. Serves me right for not reading.

It's okay we are both going off of articles the paraphrase the paraphrase. So I ran down the web chat. Everyone can read it for themselves and made decision.

Chat With Buzz: David Owens Chat Transcript - 10/29

On a side note...seriously this guy is good with corporate speak.

My favourite one:

widjit: what are the possibilities of a snapdragon based android phone
David: We don't make our decisions on processors but more about the device in total. That said, the moment has a 800mhz processor that is fantastic.

Make sure you read it in some metrosexual tone.

 

[cooolone2]

You are missing the point.

YOU are missing the point... pushing for a commitment does what? You need comfort and assurances about what? This is a dead horse being beaten savagely... you talk but refuse to listen to others... so tweet Sprint, have fun... tell us what happens. But for heavens sake... stop trying to get us to drink your Koolaid... lol.

I think even if they told you that what you wish to hear, you would question it and require verification through a 2nd source. Haha, sorry, but there are many with phones on other OS who have waited years for a non-arriving update. Hell, Apple makes you buy new equipment for that... lmao.

Regards

 

[kennyidaho]

YOU are missing the point... pushing for a commitment does what? You need comfort and assurances about what? This is a dead horse being beaten savagely... you talk but refuse to listen to others... so tweet Sprint, have fun... tell us what happens. But for heavens sake... stop trying to get us to drink your Koolaid... lol.

I think even if they told you that what you wish to hear, you would question it and require verification through a 2nd source. Haha, sorry, but there are many with phones on other OS who have waited years for a non-arriving update. Hell, Apple makes you buy new equipment for that... lmao.

Regards

Looking through your posts you seem to have something against people who have any critical view on the HTC Hero....so first off let me say that my goal is not to bash the Hero, HTC or Sprint. I happen to really like HTC, so much so that have shelled out thousands of dollars on their phones. Unlocked GSM phones, full price Sprint locked phones etc etc all HTC ( I did defect to Nokia for the n95 but that only lasted 3 months - and the Pre - lets not talk about that). Personally I think Sprint is a great carrier and they give me exactly what (except EVDO) I want for a great value. The Hero, my hero, in my humble opinion happens to be the greatest phone ever. I never find myself saying "Oh it's a good phone but I wish it had feature/option X from phone Y I used to own".

Do I need reassurance? If you happen to look at my posts on this site and others you may notice that I have never posted once asking about the update prior to this thread being created. You may notice that I have made some post attempting to help people understand the update process, the difference between HTC updating GSM phones and Sprint requesting updates from HTC for it's branded phones. I know that if Sprint and HTC never release an update for the Sprint Hero the xda community will eventually, using a combination of the Droid Eris ROM and GSM Hero ROM, will provide us Sprint users with a 2.x ROM.

So lets talk about that, I am a big fan of the XDA community and custom roms. On my previous HTC devices I was constantly flashing new ROMS or cooking my own (I never released any because they were all built to fill my own specific needs). The XDA community has already worked wonders on the current 1.5 ROM and I give them mad props for that. However having an official Sprint/HTC ROM will only further the capabilities of the XDA community. This means better custom ROMS for us rooters and flashers. I have yet to flash my Hero for a few reasons - I normally do not unlock/root my phones right off the bat, I like to experiment with the stock ROM for a while, until I am completely sick of it. With the Hero at this point I don't see a lot of reasons to start yet.....however I am starting to feel the ITCH.

If Sprint and HTC never update this phone that's fine by me, a little disappointed in them I would be, but it would not be the first time I have experienced this. Personally I am entirely positive that this phone will be updated to 2.x, my only question is how long. Sprint has a history of dragging these things out as long as possible. Typically HTC releases an update to their GSM device and then MONTH later an update appears for the CDMA version. I am fine with that though I really am.

So I know what you are thinking now....

"Mr. Idaho, if you are completely satisfied with your phone, happy with the current iteration of the operating system, and a rooter/flasher who does not *NEED* an official update because they enjoy the XDA community, then why are you attempting to get everyone to twitter bomb Sprint and HTC, why are you running around on this and other forums spouting off a bunch of rhetorical crap trying to get people to follow you?"

Let me break it down for you:

To make people like you happy. Yes you people who throw a hissy fit everytime someone says "Where is the update?" or a speculation thread pops up. With a confirmation from Sprint a lot of those posts will die down.

To give an outlet to everyone who is not happy about not being able to run new Google Maps or Google Goggles - why fill this forum up with posts about that when those angry people can just direct their anger @sprint and @htc.

To help ensure that non technical users, who may not be inclined to root their phones, get an update. In the greater scheme of things those of us who can root and flash are a small minority. The other users who only know that "Verizion has 2.x and I don't - **** sprint - this phone sucks!" are the users who will make or break the platform. More Sprint Hero's on the market, the better support we get, the more XDA movement we get, more apps tailored for Hero's. It's a win win situation.

I also thought frankly it would be fun. Fun to see if we as a community of Sprint/HTC/Android users spanning many different websites could band together and force Sprints hand on something.

Sadly the idea has received more flack and resistance on this web forum then any other I posted it in. Honestly I don't know why - it's easy if you twitter right a quick message to sprint and htc. It's harmless, it might not accomplish anything - but then again it might (See the BAW forums and find the petition for MMS on Windows Mobile phones and see how that turned out). If you don't twitter or don't want to sign up an account to twitter, or think it's dumb - cool don't do it.