• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Unlocked HTC Hero and 2.1

bd528

Lurker
Aug 26, 2009
7
0
Hi,

I'm in the UK and have an unlocked HTC Hero with a o2 SIM.

When the 2.1 Android update is released, will I recieve a pop-up message on my phone like people whose phones are under contract from Orange, etc?

Secondly, the main reason I'd like this update is Google Navigation. I read somewhere this wont be avaliable in the UK. Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

Thanks in advance.
 
Ah ok, in that case I also have it in the UK. It came included with a custom 2.1 ROM but I'm sure someone will make it available to install manually.

Well I had a quick play with Navigator and really, apart from the phone call button, it just seems to be buttons leading to other apps. One opens footprints, some open the google map app to view the map/get directions. The voice search bit is cool but again it just opens the browser. There's also a text based search that opens the browser too.

So basically, if you want to know how it compares to orange maps, just compare it to the google maps you already have.
 
Upvote 0
My question is pretty much the same as the OP's.
I've purchased a Hero and it's unlocked (im using a Vodafone contract sim) but it's a t-mobile handset.
Does the fact it's a t-mobile handset mean i will have to wait for a t-mobile version of the 2.1 ROM, or due to it being unlocked, will i get the 2.1 update along with everyone else?
Just wondering as i really have no idea and this site seems to be the only one i can find that has any useful info about the hero phones that isn't U.S based.
Thanks for any help
 
Upvote 0
Yes, you will have to wait for the T-Mobile official firmware if you have a G2.

(Unless you're using custom firmware of course)

Ah poo. Just look on the 'About' screen. T-mobile G2 Touch. Damnit. You reckon they're gonna mess up 2.1 with stupid add-ons nobody wants?
Another off-topic question; obviously there are guides but just in general, is it easy to apply custom firmware? I'm pretty computer savvy so just want an idea if it's worth doing.
 
Upvote 0
If I remember correctly the T-Mobile 1.5 firmware wasn't modified much. I think orange are worse for that.

The guides spell everything out for you, so it's not particularly difficult no. But it can be frustrating if you can't get the goldcard + downgrade to work. (And if you're using the latest G2 firmware you will have to make a goldcard).
 
Upvote 0
If I remember correctly the T-Mobile 1.5 firmware wasn't modified much. I think orange are worse for that.

The guides spell everything out for you, so it's not particularly difficult no. But it can be frustrating if you can't get the goldcard + downgrade to work. (And if you're using the latest G2 firmware you will have to make a goldcard).

I'll probably just wait for the t-mobile update then. Im assuming that won't pop-up and i'll have to manually install that when it's released?
 
Upvote 0
Erm, I'm not sure. In theory I think everybody is getting a pop up offering the over the air update.

Just want to apologise for hi-jacking the thread.
If i go onto the t-mobile website the only android updates they have on there are for the Pulse. Am i right to assume that they havn't done a heroupdate at all, even if it's one that's older than my current OS release, due to there not being one on the site?
 
Upvote 0
Just want to apologise for hi-jacking the thread.
If i go onto the t-mobile website the only android updates they have on there are for the Pulse. Am i right to assume that they havn't done a heroupdate at all, even if it's one that's older than my current OS release, due to there not being one on the site?

You're looking at this page, right? Click on Software Updates in stead and you'll see a link to the HTC website, that's where all the network specific updates can be found.

There has been one update. You should check your build number in the settings to see if it matches that update.
 
Upvote 0
You're looking at this page, right? Click on Software Updates in stead and you'll see a link to the HTC website, that's where all the network specific updates can be found.

There has been one update. You should check your build number in the settings to see if it matches that update.

Looks like up-t0-date then. Android 1.5 with matching build numbers.
So even though i'm with Vodafone on my contract, due to it being a T-mobile hansdset, i'll need T-mobile updates when they're released?
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones