Gingerbread 2.3 was here, then gone, now it's back

[kenn]

I'm surprised VZW and HTC would invest that much time in updating both Sense and OS on a discontinued phone. But there are a lot of Dinc owners out there so the PR and owner loyalty would certainly be a big upside. We'll see.

The improvements are more incremental than revolutionary so it probably wouldn't make THAT much difference if Sense isn't upgraded. And don't forget all the new bugs that crop up with any OTA update.

I think it's weird that 400-plus posts into this thread suddenly some VZW guy chimes in matter-of-factly about the update with news that runs completely counter to everyone's expectation. Color me skeptical.

If HTC DOESN'T update the Dinc, I think it creates a very negative image for the company. I've read MANY posts where customers say they would never buy a Samsung device because they take so long to push updates... Owners need to believe that if they buy the next generation HTC device with 2.3 on it that they will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich or whatever is next. If HTC continues to support discontinued phones, they will sell MORE new phones rather than less, IMHO, as people will be confident that what they purchase won't go stale.

 

[sweeds]

Not sure if it's taboo to post this from another site:

HTC Droid Incredible owners have been patiently waiting for their Android 2.3 Gingerbread update and while we still don't have an actual release date for it, HTC is now advising folks it will be arriving "this summer" as noted in the email below:

Dear [Redacted]:

I understand your concern about wanting to know when the Android 2.3 upgrade will be released for the HTC Incredible. I​

 

[slinky317]

Hey all, so I rooted my phone but I haven't changed the kernel or ROM, and really I've just deleted some of the bloatware and installed Wireless Tether... that's about it. If this update comes on the 17th, can I accept the update or do I have to go back to standard recovery in order for the update to work?

 

[sdrawkcab25]

Hey all, so I rooted my phone but I haven't changed the kernel or ROM, and really I've just deleted some of the bloatware and installed Wireless Tether... that's about it. If this update comes on the 17th, can I accept the update or do I have to go back to standard recovery in order for the update to work?

don't accept the OTA unless you want to lose root. The developers here will have a rooted update for you to install.

 

[nytroutbum]

I just spoke to a HTC tech rep and he "checked", then said no GB for DINC. What gives?

 

[zetroc]

I just spoke to a HTC tech rep and he "checked", then said no GB for DINC. What gives?

As with most related matters, only time will tell. Sigh.

 

[blkbeltkid17]

Hello,

My name is Evan from Verizon NRB (Network Repair bureau). I have confirmed push dated of June 17th for the 2.3 upgrade on the Droid Incredible. I have used the official release here and can confirm an upgraded Sense UI and the unit runs much smoother than 2.2. There isnt as many lags in the menus and there is this distinct polished feel to it compared to 2.2. Its by far the best build for the Incredible. I'll try to get my hands on the unit again hopefully Monday. I own the Incredible myself.

I wish I could beleave this

 

[blkbeltkid17]

I just spoke to a HTC tech rep and he "checked", then said no GB for DINC. What gives?

I don't beleave this eaither

 

[zetroc]

Evan, I hope that you're right, but I'm skeptical on the updated Sense UI. Both the leaked update for the Incredible as well as the official update for the Evo (a family member as far as phones go) are using the current Sense UI with Gingerbread rather than the updated Sense UI.

In the leak I've played with, it was the current Sense UI overlaid on GB, so any changes noticed were things that were incorporated into GB, not new Sense.

My friend just got 2.3 for his EVO and sense seems to have some tweaks, so it's not hard to believe that if they do release 2.3 for the Inc, that Sense would have some minor updates.

 

[blkbeltkid17]

My friend just got 2.3 for his EVO and sense seems to have some tweaks, so it's not hard to believe that if they do release 2.3 for the Inc, that Sense would have some minor updates.

He has a point it may not be 3.0 but something atleast a little updated

 

[Medion]

My friend just got 2.3 for his EVO and sense seems to have some tweaks, so it's not hard to believe that if they do release 2.3 for the Inc, that Sense would have some minor updates.

As I said in another post, those tweaks are from Gingerbread. It's not sense 2.0, unfortunately. Of course, I'm still referring to the official Evo release and the leaked test release for the Incredible. I am speculating that the final Incredible release will mirror the Evo release.

 

[zetroc]

As I said in another post, those tweaks are from Gingerbread. It's not sense 2.0, unfortunately. Of course, I'm still referring to the official Evo release and the leaked test release for the Incredible. I am speculating that the final Incredible release will mirror the Evo release.

I could be wrong, but some of the features that it has seem to me as though they are Sense features:
-The HTC Sense clock now folds over as each minute passes, sort of like an old alarm clock would.
-While on a call you can flip the phone upside down and it goes directly into speakerphone
-The phone rings louder when it's in a pocket/purse.

There were other features, but my friend couldn't tell me at the time. One of the other improvements he noticed was that boot time was much faster, that however I am sure is a 2.3 update. I agree on that whatever update the Incredible gets, it will likely mirror the EVO's update.

I guess it's a waiting game to see what the Incredible will get, if anything at all.

 

[zetroc]

Just sharing what I saw from handling the EVO, as this adds to the speculation of what the Incredible may get, lol.

 

[NightAngel79]

given that the incredible is vzw's most popular phone, I don't think its that much of a stretch that we would get the gingerbread update.
.

As much as i wish it were true the Incredible is not the most popular vzw phone. Maybe if they didn't have that back order fiasco.....

If HTC DOESN'T update the Dinc, I think it creates a very negative image for the company. I've read MANY posts where customers say they would never buy a Samsung device because they take so long to push updates... Owners need to believe that if they buy the next generation HTC device with 2.3 on it that they will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich or whatever is next. If HTC continues to support discontinued phones, they will sell MORE new phones rather than less, IMHO, as people will be confident that what they purchase won't go stale.

Not sure i agree with this either. While i think it only helps HTC to update this as well i cant justify comparing this to samsung. We did get an update.. what 8 months ago. Phone is PAST its EOL, not sold anymore. Wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get the update, would be disappointed sure but not surprised. Droid X, Evo, and others haven't been around as long as Incredible (or reached EOL)

Just my opinion though

 

[Minimike]

My Dinc makes and receives telephone calls. It allows me to participate in texting as much as I want. I can watch Netflix on my Dinc. I can even play angry birds!

what will I be able to do with 2.3?

 

[kenn]

As much as i wish it were true the Incredible is not the most popular vzw phone. Maybe if they didn't have that back order fiasco.....

Not sure i agree with this either. While i think it only helps HTC to update this as well i cant justify comparing this to samsung. We did get an update.. what 8 months ago. Phone is PAST its EOL, not sold anymore. Wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get the update, would be disappointed sure but not surprised. Droid X, Evo, and others haven't been around as long as Incredible (or reached EOL)

Just my opinion though

I'm just going by what I read about Samsung phones OTHER than Nexus/Google phones. Those surely get updated quickly. Here's the type of writing I'm referring to:

Samsung Mobile could offer the first Gingerbread updates to US carriers – Android and Me

I'm not saying that Samsung is necessarily any slower than HTC or Motorola. Perception is reality, however, and If HTC follows through on keeping bootloaders unlocked and provides timely updates, I think they will find that they will sell more phones as people are confident in their upgrades... JMO, of course.

 

[JMKosmo]

I got a bad feeling about this.....



HTC Desire won't be getting an official Gingerbread update | Android Central

 

[Rdjr74]

And if I'm not mistaken the Desire has slightly more memory then the Incredible.

 

[nimbuscrenel]

yeah, but the Inc has the same specs as the Evo which already has GB. Is this memory issue with the Desire actually a ROM issue?

 

[euph_22]

I'm just going by what I read about Samsung phones OTHER than Nexus/Google phones. Those surely get updated quickly. Here's the type of writing I'm referring to:

Samsung Mobile could offer the first Gingerbread updates to US carriers – Android and Me

I'm not saying that Samsung is necessarily any slower than HTC or Motorola. Perception is reality, however, and If HTC follows through on keeping bootloaders unlocked and provides timely updates, I think they will find that they will sell more phones as people are confident in their upgrades... JMO, of course.

Samsung is definitely the slowest. Both HTC and Motorola had froyo itself in August and September for their flagship phones... Samsung released theirs late feb this year. 5th months after htc/Motorola. And they've completely shafted more than a few phones.

PS. That article is from March. Check to see how well samsung did on the OTA. As a FORMER samsung ownet, I find it hilareous. The upshot is, 1) don't believe a word Samsung says 2) don't buy their phones expecting any meaningful support.

 

[Crashumbc]

I got a bad feeling about this.....



HTC Desire won't be getting an official Gingerbread update | Android Central

Agreed If I remember their very similar phones.

To the other poster. Actually, if I remember the Dinc is the one with slightly more memory (which works in our favor) 768mb Dinc to 512mb desire

 

[Medion]

I could be wrong, but some of the features that it has seem to me as though they are Sense features:
-The HTC Sense clock now folds over as each minute passes, sort of like an old alarm clock would.
-While on a call you can flip the phone upside down and it goes directly into speakerphone
-The phone rings louder when it's in a pocket/purse.

There were other features, but my friend couldn't tell me at the time. One of the other improvements he noticed was that boot time was much faster, that however I am sure is a 2.3 update. I agree on that whatever update the Incredible gets, it will likely mirror the EVO's update.

I guess it's a waiting game to see what the Incredible will get, if anything at all.

Unfortunately, those are just parts of the Sense experience (they're in the leak as well). It's definitely upgraded, but it's missing quite a few Sense 2.0 features. Think of it more like Sense 1.5.

Also, you got it reversed on the bootup. It's a hibernate feature that HTC touted. The phone doesn't actually power down unless you pull the battery, making the "bootup" seem to be fast.

I got a bad feeling about this.....



HTC Desire won't be getting an official Gingerbread update | Android Central

And if I'm not mistaken the Desire has slightly more memory then the Incredible.

Agreed If I remember their very similar phones.

To the other poster. Actually, if I remember the Dinc is the one with slightly more memory (which works in our favor) 768mb Dinc to 512mb desire

The Incredible (and Evo) have 512MB of RAM, and the Desire has 576MB. However, HTC isn't good at conveying their point. The problem with the Desire is internal (phone) storage. That thing only has 500MB of ROM. 250 is taken up by the firmware, leaving a user accessible portion of less than 250MB. However, once the firmware installs, many of the apps, to include Sense and any carrier bloat, take up a lot of that space. Users over at XDA playing with the leak saw that, unless you used some sort of EXT partition on the SD card to handle it, the firmware simply wouldn't run properly. By comparison, the Incredible has 8GB of ROM which is in three partitions; 7GB for the mountable "drive", 750MB for the user, and 250MB for the firmware.

The Desire highlights what is still, unfortunately, a problem for Android. That problem is an absurdly low amount of internal storage. It's unbelievable that in 2011 we still have crap like the Xperia Play launching with 400MB of internal storage when the baseline international iPhone in 2007 had 2GB.

 

[Jman42028]

I got a bad feeling about this.....



HTC Desire won't be getting an official Gingerbread update | Android Central

endgadget just updated that story saying that HTC backtracked and is now saying the desire will get GB. Haven't really said much other than that.

On another note, the droid 2 global just got a GB push yesterday I believe, so maybe its coming soon....I'll cross my fingers, lol.

 

[captainm27]

Hello there! Man, I've been out of the upgrade loop for a while. Here's what I remembered: When my phone first upgraded to Froyo 2.2, I remembered that the charge rate of the phone was reduced (confirmed by HTC) to the point that I wasn't able to use GPS and charge the battery (It was actually losing charge while plugged in). So, to solve this problem, I simply downgraded back to 2.1, which is what I'm running now. Do you think that 2.3 Gingerbread will be hampered by this charge rate too? I'm really curious to upgrade.

Thanks!!!

 

[vasilator]

Hello there! Man, I've been out of the upgrade loop for a while. Here's what I remembered: When my phone first upgraded to Froyo 2.2, I remembered that the charge rate of the phone was reduced (confirmed by HTC) to the point that I wasn't able to use GPS and charge the battery (It was actually losing charge while plugged in). So, to solve this problem, I simply downgraded back to 2.1, which is what I'm running now. Do you think that 2.3 Gingerbread will be hampered by this charge rate too? I'm really curious to upgrade.

Thanks!!!

I am pretty sure they fixed that with an update.