Htc-DHD Gingerbread on Vodafone. Any difference?

[cheeky fella]

Hi,

I have been looking forward to upgrading my HTC desire HD OS from 2.2 to 2.3 gingerbread for ages.


I checked out the youtube videos of the new OS with

• 1) 3D-ish app screen
• 2) new keyboard
• 3) ultra fast web browsing
• 4) new live wall papers
• 5) new copy and paste functionality

These youtube demo videos of gingerbread were released around Jan 2011 and the new OS looked fantastic.

I was very pleased with the 2.2, but since upgrading to 2.3 on 5 May 2011, I see very little difference at all. In fact if it wasn't for the screen saying i'm operating Android version 2.3.3 I would say I'm still on the old 2.2 os.

The only difference I see is that the camera and video recorder now have a zoom function. Which I don't think 2.2 had.

I'm on the UK Vodafone network with a Desire HD phone. Could Vodafone have restricted many (all more like it) of the 2.3.3 gingerbread UI upgrades? Or maybe my upgrade didn't work properly? Although there was no error message, just almost no changes I can see at all?

I'm really pleased with the Desire HD phone I never thought any phone could be as good as the iphone; but the Desire HD might be even better than it, particulary if Gingerbread worked!!

Vodafone are a brilliant network, but I feel short changed cos the Gingerbread upgrade seems absolutely useless.

Have I done something wrong and not upgraded properly? Thx.

 

[El Presidente]

You've hardly had time to test tbh. One of the big improvements is battery life, some folks are saying there's been a 25% improvement.

Head on over the Gingerbread Update thread to read other peoples views so far.

 

[ForeverNewb]

Think of it this way do you see much change when Microsoft releases a service pack?

The majority of the changes are in the background like in 2.3.3 you can "sleep" your phone allowing you to boot in seconds rather then a few minutes.

 

[cracksquirrel]

Think of it this way do you see much change when Microsoft releases a service pack?

The majority of the changes are in the background like in 2.3.3 you can "sleep" your phone allowing you to boot in seconds rather then a few minutes.

You mean Fastboot that is in 2.2 ?

 

[cheeky fella]

Should the features which I listed in my initial post be visible to me with my newly installed 2.3.3 ?

 

[El Presidente]

All of those sound like features HTC had already implemented in Sense (their Android Overlay) anyway.

Here's a comparison -

Difference Between Android 2.2 (Froyo) and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | Difference Between | Android 2.2 (Froyo) vs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) supports the following features in addition to existing 2.2 features:
New user interface design with new themes (Black themes save power)
Extra Large Screen Size supported
SIP Communication Supported (SIP Video and Audio Calling, In an operator point of view, this is feature will decrease their voice calling revenue where as user can call each other for lower rates or even free if they have good data connection)
Supports for NFC (High Frequency High Speech Data Transfer in short range)
Support for WebM/VP8 video playback, and AAC audio encoding
New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost
Improved Copy and Paste functionality
Redesigned Multi Touch Software Keyboard
Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers
New sensors support (i.e gyroscope)
Download manager for long running HTTP downloads
Enhanced support for native code
Improved power management and application control
Support for multiple cameras

 

[cheeky fella]

okay, so how do i activate the keyboard? Thx

 

[El Presidente]

Not sure what you mean as I don't know what keyboard you're on about. Is it the keyboard where you swipe between letters as opposed to individually pressing them?

Can you post the youtube links?

 

[cheeky fella]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5CQL0ivsJc&feature=youtube_gdata_player


If you have a look at this video about 4mins 40 seconds in he talks about the NEW keyboard. How do I install this? thx

 

[landovr]

I've seen the gingerbread keyboard in the market but i would just assume if you have the gingerbread update you should just automatically have the new keyboard.

 

[cheeky fella]

I also assumed I'd get the gingerbread key pad along with all the other gingerbread features automatically when installing 2.3

The youtube video link I attached makes gingerbread look good.
Why are almost all of these features not immediately available?

Does anyone know how to activate the gingerbread keypad and other gingerbread features ?

 

[El Presidente]

That's the standard Desire, running a custom, Gingerbread ROM without HTC Sense (gingervillan I think he said).

You'll either need to download that specific ROM, root and install it yourself, or download the gingerbread keyboard as landovr suggested.

If you want to jazz up the app drawer etc, there are various Launchers available. I use Go Launcher Ex as it's free, but ADW or Launcher Pro are other popular choices.

 

[SB13X]

I've seen the gingerbread keyboard in the market but i would just assume if you have the gingerbread update you should just automatically have the new keyboard.

No and neither would you get other vanilla Gingerbread features by default due to the fact the HTC think Sense works better. If you want all of those features by default find a vanilla gingerbread ROM without Sense. So by buying a HTC Device your signing up for Sense bloatware and if you have a branded device your network bloatware on top of that. If you prefer the look of what you see in the video rooting is for you!

 

[cheeky fella]

Ah, thanks guys.
It's a bit crap that I can't get gingerbread keypad and other gingerbread stuff as standard as Google intended, but at least I now know why.
is rooting dangerous and tricky to do? Is it like jailbreaking an iPhone?

 

[El Presidente]

It's relatively easy by all accounts. I've never rooted my DHD, but if it's as easy as rooting the ZTE Blade, it's a peice of cake. There are plenty of guides available so if you are interested, there will be plenty of help available.

Seriously though, there's that many apps that offer customisations and tweaks etc, you could probably get the full gingerbread experience without having to root. In my opinion, you should only really root if you know what you're doing. If you're new to Android and the DHD, have a play about with the various apps first, get comfortable with it and see if what you're looking for is doable without the need to root.

As for the dangers, you void your warranty, instantly and there's the potential that if you do it incorrectly, you'll "brick" your handset.

 

[essexgooner]

Ah, thanks guys.
It's a bit crap that I can't get gingerbread keypad and other gingerbread stuff as standard as Google intended, but at least I now know why.
is rooting dangerous and tricky to do? Is it like jailbreaking an iPhone?

Head into the market and download "better keyboard8"... its great and its free.

 

[Xyro]

Does this keyboard work?

 

[cheeky fella]

I'm a member of loads of forums and can honestly say this is the best.
Really great people helping me out,very knowledgeable and helpful.
Many thanks to all who've answered, some great advice and comments.
Cheers.

 

[cheeky fella]

Screen feedback vibration when touching app icons is now turned off with gingerbread and can't be switched on.
I've checked all the settings, >sound>vibration feedback can only get feedback on the non screen keys and the onscreen keypad, but not on the app icons?

Has this feature now gone? I know it saves battery but should let the user decide what they want. I liked the icon feedback vibration.

 

[El Presidente]

You sure it was on 2.2? I can't find that function either?

 

[SB13X]

Ah, thanks guys.
It's a bit crap that I can't get gingerbread keypad and other gingerbread stuff as standard as Google intended, but at least I now know why.
is rooting dangerous and tricky to do? Is it like jailbreaking an iPhone?

Rooting is not dangerous at all in real terms, the use of Visionary for 2.2 devices is real easy and simple as is the use of Gingerbreak for Gingerbread devices however if you have upgraded already without changing the S-ON setting to S-OFF you will sadly have to wait as nobody has cracked Gingerbread root without it yet or if they have its not been developed into a simple GUI/APP yet.

Oh and the only way you can really brick your device from my experience is changing your HBOOT to an ENG HBOOT (Engineering Version). This is the menu you see if you reboot your phone and hold the vol. down key.

 

[welshboysteve]

I'm still waiting for my Gingerbread update!

Getting vvvvv impatient now!

 

[mailroomman]

Has the gingerbread update addressed the weak and pitifully sound problems ?

 

[dijon]

I haven't missed my phone ringing since I upgraded, so maybe its a little louder on speaker.

(edit: I used to miss quite a few when the phone was in my pocket)

I never had any problems with sound quality using headphones, so couldn't say.