Update of Android 2.1

[Acunick]

Hello All,

Is there a new update available for already? Will this make the phone even better? New to all this stuff, please help.

 

[lekky]

2.1 isnt available yet, but is hopefully coming. It will make the phone better

 

[Acunick]

Thank You. I love this phone. Of course anything that will make it even better I am excited for.

With Google backing their Android OS, I can't imagine that it would not dominate marketshare.

I see it being between iPhone and Android phones.

Happy New Year

 

[Kanter]

It can take up to 6 months for Android 2.1 to be released for HTC Hero: Twitter / sprint: Slight clarification on An ... :'(.

That's way to long if you ask me!

 

[quantumrand]

It can take up to 6 months for Android 2.1 to be released for HTC Hero: Twitter / sprint: Slight clarification on An ... :'(.

That's way to long if you ask me!

Keep in mind that that is Sprint, not HTC. Not only will Sprint want to make carrier specific modifications to the ROM, they are also CDMA based, meaning there will be a heafty extra bit of additional optimization and testing to be done.

I am still optimistic that the 2.1 update will hit the GSM Hero's relatively soon. I'm sort of getting the feeling that the Nexus One is the only thing holding them back at this point simply because it's supposed to be the first 2.1 Android phone, meaning 2.1 can't be released on the Hero until after the Nexus One launches, which makes sense from a sellings standpoint as well.

 

[Caspa]

Hope you're right mate... Really want it out in the coming weeks, after the Google announcement would be good...

 

[Kanter]

I'm sort of getting the feeling that the Nexus One is the only thing holding them back at this point simply because it's supposed to be the first 2.1 Android phone, meaning 2.1 can't be released on the Hero until after the Nexus One launches, which makes sense from a sellings standpoint as well.

I sure hope so! According to several websites, the Nexus One will be released on January 5th.

But I find it hard to believe that Android 2.1 for Hero will be release then. Let's hope I'm wrong, because they postponed it already. Half a year is way too long, especially in terms of smartphones!

 

[lekky]

I am still optimistic that the 2.1 update will hit the GSM Hero's relatively soon. I'm sort of getting the feeling that the Nexus One is the only thing holding them back at this point simply because it's supposed to be the first 2.1 Android phone, meaning 2.1 can't be released on the Hero until after the Nexus One launches, which makes sense from a sellings standpoint as well.

This is my belief also.

 

[Kanter]

I sure hope you guys are right about this .

 

[andy d]

If its not released shortly after the google phone
Then the PR People at HTC will have seriously screwed up.
In the world of mobile phones the Hero is starting to look dated.and a 2.1 upgrade will be the only thing that will get the press talking about it again.

 

[goku4ever]

This newer update will sort out the speed issues some people have right? (I think I heard that somewhere?)
Ive been experiencing a bit of lag when I try and open applications and such and Ive only had the phone a few days.

 

[quantumrand]

This newer update will sort out the speed issues some people have right? (I think I heard that somewhere?)
Ive been experiencing a bit of lag when I try and open applications and such and Ive only had the phone a few days.

From my experience with the 2.1 test ROMs, it seems to be quite a bit smoother than my current 2.73 ROM. Now I'm not sure if that was just because my 2.1 ROM was relatively stripped down and had very few apps installed, or because it's been further optimized. I guess only time will tell.

 

[Jason71]

This newer update will sort out the speed issues some people have right? (I think I heard that somewhere?)
Ive been experiencing a bit of lag when I try and open applications and such and Ive only had the phone a few days.

Some of the posts on this thread are from people who only just got their phones so may not even have the first update to 2.73. Tmobile for one were still supplying handsets with the original 1.73 build long after the new Rom was available, and may be still. So if you are new to the hero please check.
android 2.1 may not be available but you might as well get the best that is!

 

[mikebellamy2k]

Having read the other posts I'm now wondering if I have the newest update. Carrier is t mobile uk. Build 2.73. Firmware 1.5. Will have to wait sooo long for 2.1.
Is that the firmware version BTW?
What's the difference between build and firmware anyway?

 

[Kanter]

Look at this: HTC Magic to get Android 2.0 update by April? | Google Android Blog

HTC Magic will get Android 2.0 in April.

That's bad news for us HTC Hero owners, because the Sense update will be even later, possibly end of June.

It's taking way too long :'(.
The HTC Hero will be released for a year by then!

 

[capuman]

wow that would be bad..but i doubt HTC will take that long to update such a good phone (the hero i mean). Its like their prime player..i doubt they would take that long, its just stupid if they did.

Im very pleased with the version we have so far though..but i sooo want the new google nav and google layer type apps and bluetooth which all work on android 2

 

[TeleC@ster]

BTW, where's the "promise" on the box for the upgrade?

The Hero is just one of the best phones/concepts. Enjoy!

It's a phone, by all means. It's (more than) 1000x more powerfull than the one's which took us to the moon ;-)

On many fora I read a lot of disappointment and waiting for, waiting for...


Driving your Suzuki alto at top speed all the time may give you the impression of it being more or less unstable. At design speed it's is a fine car (well for those who like suzuki ;-) )

IMHO we should use our gear at design speed and not try to take it to it's limits constantly. And then start to complain.

Again, enjoy! My Hero is fantastic! And I've seen a lot!

 

[andy d]

Your right of course HTC have made no official promise of upgrades.

Having said that with more and more android apps coming to the market that are 1.6 and above can HTC afford to keep ignoring its clients. That's you the paying public.

HTC are in real danger of loosing the goodwill of those that have spent their hard earned cash buying the phone.

 

[capuman]

I think people are missing the point. HTC WILL upgrade the Hero to 2.1, the question is when. It will happen, i mean it would be totally pointless of them not to do so, and besides they have said that they WILL upgrade. We just dont know when, but it will happen.

 

[capuman]

if i remember correctly, there's even been screent shots of the hero running android 2.1...

 

[TeleC@ster]

Without any doubt the Hero will be pushed even more to it's limits after a longed for upgrade to 2.1

And then? We install all those "new" apps/try-outs and start complaining about lag?

You're right about HTC's responsability creating the expectation, but aren't we pushing that ourselves?

With my out-of-the-box Hero I can:

actually make a phonecall ;-)

have 1000+ contacts, several calendars and gmail and google apps synced real time with no fuzz;

twitter, facebook, MSN, skype, etc etc.

Use streetview on google maps with compass mode: awesome!!

Have 7 desktops and even more scenes;

Full screen Youtube;

Download and install thou's of free or paid for apps in a sigh;

Get full helpdesk support on an app of $1,-

Navigate just like that

Make picts, vids, upload them in a sigh;

even do more like Layar, shopsavvy, etc...

lists, tasks, GTD

and all the rest I forgot.


and...if you want you can get your Hero for free (with subscr. that is)


Who's complaining?

 

[capuman]

theres no reason to think it will lag the phone, infact im sure HTC would not release an upgrade which would make the phone worse. In any case its always best to wait a couple of weeks after a release to see what people say.

also i totally agree the phone is amazing out of the box, however with the new version there are even better apps which we currently dont have such as full bluetooth support, google navigation, etc.

When the new version comes out bear in mind you DONT have to upgrade if you dont want to. If you're happy with what you currently have then great

 

[TeleC@ster]

For sure I will upgrade (after a while) but my point is that it's not because I'm not satified now.

Lag.

mmm, was the Hero designed for 2.1 ? I think not

Is 2.1 designed for the hardware of the Hero? Again, I think not.

Further: It's not the OS that pushing but we are with those newer, newest apps desire.

So, at the end of the Hero we will def want another HeroIII or Droid11, that's also marketing.

 

[capuman]

the default os that came with the hero was actually slower than with the latest release.. so with 2.1 it should be the same if not better.

version 2.1 basically increases the number of libraries and support offered by android, sense for hero should not be affected by 2.1, this is why HTC is taking so long to release because they have to make sense work with 2.1

 

[TeleC@ster]

the default os that came with the hero was actually slower than with the latest release.. so with 2.1 it should be the same if not better.

version 2.1 basically increases the number of libraries and support offered by android, sense for hero should not be affected by 2.1, this is why HTC is taking so long to release because they have to make sense work with 2.1

The default OS was updated not upgraded IMHO. And more libs will ask more of the processor isn't it?
You may understand that I'm not convinced of 2.1 being an accelerator. But I may be wrong. No worries.

For the time being I'm happy with my Hero. (yeah yeah I'm repeating myself)