Official GSM Hero 2.1 Thread

[jim_h]

I'm beginning to think HTC aren't going to bother with the Hero upgrade. The cynic in me suspects they will continue putting the 2.1 release date back until Hero owners collectively give up. It will only be a matter or time before it becomes old news and the media comments change from mild outrage to something along the lines of "well, the Hero is old now, so owners really can't expect continued support forever".

I would love to be proved wrong, but getting 2.1 is looking increasingly likely for root only.

 

[johnydoe]

I'm not surprised anymore that 2.1 for Hero was postponed again! I think that this is strictly business move from HTC. Maybe they'll postpone in June again




HTC Delays Hero’s Move to Android 2.1

 

[bluenova]

This is the whole reason why i've been holding off, I'm worried i'd brick my beloved Hero. But now it looks like the only option.

The only way you can really brick the phone is by interrupting a radio update. It's NOT necessary to upgrade the radio to install a custom ROM you only need to change the recovery partition. So you have as much chance of bricking your phone as you would have with an official update.

 

[mez]

I'm just waiting for HTC to announce that hero isn't getting 2.1 they've decided to skip it an give us 2.2 only it might take an extra month, July.

Then in july announce 2.2 is old-fashioned so they give us what ever begins with G 2.3/3 or whatever it'll be called.

I'm sticking with android. It's great, won't touch HTC again, shame as they were the first .

Quietly brilliant my ass they are just silent.

VEry poor customer service.

 

[johnydoe]

I'm just waiting for HTC to announce that hero isn't getting 2.1 they've decided to skip it an give us 2.2 only it might take an extra month, July.

Then in july announce 2.2 is old-fashioned so they give us what ever begins with G 2.3/3 or whatever it'll be called.

I'm sticking with android. It's great, won't touch HTC again, shame as they were the first .

Quietly brilliant my ass they are just silent.

VEry poor customer service.

I agree with you! poor service .... shame.....

 

[alinver]

The only way you can really brick the phone is by interrupting a radio update. It's NOT necessary to upgrade the radio to install a custom ROM you only need to change the recovery partition. So you have as much chance of bricking your phone as you would have with an official update.

bluenova, I am seriously considering rooting, after reading 100's of posts last night on the subject I'm still, excuse the pun, bricking it to even try.

Is there a no nonsense, made for idiots guide you could direct us to? I'll only speak for myself but after yesterdays news I'm sure there are dozens of people like me who want 2.1 but are too afraid of bricking their phone.

Any advice from anybody would be great and very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Al

 

[Jaffa]

I have just done mine, some of my experiences are blogged on a thread in the root section, I used Just2sexy's guide and it pretty much is perfect. Goldcard (which is just for T mobile roms I think, adds another layer of complexity, luckily I didnt have to, apart from that its all straight forward..

 

[alinver]

Thanks Jaffa, I read the same thread last night and he has done a great job of explaining it. When I get the chance to sit down and read it again, probably taking notes!, I'll most likely give it a go. I just wish one of my more tech savvy mates had a Hero to walk me through but they all have 20th century iphones

Al

 

[daveybaby]

HTC confirmation: "HTC will be providing a free update to

 

[Jaffa]

Thanks Jaffa, I read the same thread last night and he has done a great job of explaining it. When I get the chance to sit down and read it again, probably taking notes!, I'll most likely give it a go. I just wish one of my more tech savvy mates had a Hero to walk me through but they all have 20th century iphones

Al

Ill try and find time to add some points to the How to post for you Al which may help, cant promise it will be this week though, I have an interview Friday I have not preped for yet!!

 

[alinver]

Much appreciated Jaffa.

Good luck with the interview, as a one time interviewer of 100s of people I will share with you my cast iron tip for passing an interview.

When they ask "do you have any questions?" Put on your very best interview smile and say this "not at the moment but is there a number I can call or a person I can contact if I do?" Trust me works every single time.

Cheers Al

 

[Pentium]

That's the reason I moved to Nexus One

 

[PaulWilks]

Lots of people looking to root. there's a great instructional thread on this forum... or- and this is what I used (step-by-step-for-not-particularly-techy-types) -

Rooting - How To: Root Your HTC Hero in One Click! (Updated 03.07.10!) | The Unlockr (read the instructions underneath as well as the video)

Installing a ROM - How To: Load a Custom ROM on Your HTC Hero | The Unlockr

These worked fine for me- I have a GSM unlocked Hero.

I've tried a few ROMs out now- the best of which is the Villain 5.2, linked here- [ROM]08/04/10 - VillainROM 5.2: RELEASE CANDIDATE - for GSM HERO (NOW WITH KITCHEN!) - xda-developers They are due to release a Villian 5.3 ROM very soon (developer 'soon' not HTC 'soon' so days rather than months and months and months!)

Hope that helps... just be careful.

 

[DeadlyDazza]

I'd love to root, but goldcard (t-mobile) has stumped me several times.

I only want to root for apps 2 SD, which 2.1 (2.2 ?) isn't going to solve that problem for me.

So, i give up, and stick with my 40 installed apps and poxy 137 out of 165mb gone !

 

[ducatidrew]

How do i know if i have an orange or eclair hero or is that important and what does that mean and does it even matter

 

[aidan257]

Guys i'm gonna be completely honest with you. The guide on these very forums makes the whole process less intimidateing. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you get stuck. I though i couldn't do it. But i managed to pull it off
Seriously, have a look at the guide. You can do it guys Its all in the prep.

 

[aidan257]

Clarification on Android 2.1 on Htc devices with O2 Network - xda-developers

Im trying it right now and he's right. My service is really poor now and its dropping signal compared to before i had 3 bars average. Hope it gets fixed as i dont wanna change provider.

Mine now has 2.1 & my signal is no worse then before. So i can't see it being something to really worry about.

 

[android604]

mmm.. shitty we have to keep waiting...IF they are actually working on a 2.1(keyword IF) I would rather them take their time in making it bug free since it will most likely be the last update hero will receive.

 

[SirGaz]

How do i know if i have an orange or eclair hero or is that important and what does that mean and does it even matter

Eclair is the codename given by Google for the 2.1 build
Orange is a carrier here in the UK

 

[mjcritchie]

Mate - don't blame Android, blame HTC.

Not blaming anyone. But ultimately it's Android looks bad against the competition.

 

[phillevy]

Sorry if already posted:

HTC! Stop lying to us! Petition

 

[owen1978]

I was waiting till the end of April, but that was the last straw - I have decided to go with Stickmans 2.1 Sense rom - so far it works perfectly!

For you other guys who are scared of rooting, just give yourself plenty of time, and follow the steps - simples.

Rooting of the phone wont brick it, its when you flash it with a ROM that theres a small chance - but by then you would have done your nandroid backup which can recover the situation.

 

[BarnesHero]

Had an email yesterday from HTC re the 2.1 Android update. Here's what they said:

New Response From [ Jonathan (UK - Ireland Support (Tech)) ]
Dear valued HTC customer,

Thank you for contacting our Customer Support Center.

HTC will be providing a free update to

 

[pulsarman]

I just emailed htc to vent my anger at them and asked them how come there developers cant get 2.1 with sense on the hero when other developers i.e. stickman, can get 2.1 with sense working in no time. I'll let ya know the response, if i get one!

 

[themonkster]

Ha Ha let's see what crap you get back this time....