HTC confirmed to be cooking up Android 2.0 update for Hero, other devices unclear
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 28th 2009 7:19PM
posted Oct 28th 2009 7:19PM
Bottom line, the Hero is signed up for Android 2.0 and it's just a matter of HTC getting Sense ported and tested -- makes sense (no pun intended), and we imagine Motorola will have to go through these same hoops with BLUR. The company went on to mention that it intends to bring the update to all versions of the Hero, though it's up to partners (like Sprint, for instance) to help coordinate how and when that's going to go down. We don't have any information on the sundry Dream and Magic variants around the world at this point -- but it's important to remember that the Hero uses the same processor as its older siblings, so at least there's hope for a good xda-developers port if nothing else."Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero."
Sweet! mmm pastries
Yes sweet, but the question is are they talking about both the GSM hero and the Sprint Hero?
nevermind...I re-read it. skim-fail
@drum
it says above it will be to all versions of the hero. So that means the Sprint version. And Sprint would be stupid not to get it.
@drum
it says above it will be to all versions of the hero. So that means the Sprint version. And Sprint would be stupid not to get it.
ben & jerry's ice cream is so excellent
hence the mea culpa i posted immediately after my first comment...
The Dream (g1) in Canada doesnt even have 1.6 yet!!
THIS IS JUST AWESOME NEWS!! BUT will Leo get the same treatment? anyone know? I NEED TO KNOW!!
Sorry about the caps, but im holding off on Leo for this reason, otherwise im getting droid:-)
Theres no chance huh? :-(?
[Hey HTC, hope you are reading this..]
Hopefully, this update will also solve the existing issues such as (but not limited to):
* Mysterious deletion of Contacts after Gmail-contact sync
* Ability to sync (all) Birthdays from Google Calendar to phone calendar
* Volume control (ringing/media/alarm) lag - half the time, I don't even know how loud the tones are
* Ringing volume loudness - it's way too low except for max volume
* Twitter sync that actually sync to nominated frequency
* Mail sync that actually sync to nominated frequency
* Weather sync that actually sync frequently
* Better shutter speed for the camera
* A Calendar that notifies event that will take place "today" rather than "tomorrow"
* A video player that actually works without choppiness
* Ability to recognise (all) AAC converted songs and its ID3 tags
* Ability to save apps to SD card (this will probably never happen, but heck, none of the above may either...)
@imdaillest
I'm pretty sure the leo is going to be a windows mobile 6.5 device. At least from all the pictures ive seen of it thats what has been on it. So to answer your question no unless it comes out with android as well then i would say most definitely.
Great! Now please give Canada this phone!
Canada gets this phone next week on Telus. $99 with the Canadian standard rip-off 3-yr contract.
I tell you again, engadget, please change the "htc hero- android evolved" and "zune hd-exposed" on engadget. they are getting boring, and are months old
When the pun is intended, don't write "no pun intended".
I get that a lot.
But seriously, the pun wasn't intended there, and I didn't want it to appear in the text as though I was making a lame pun.
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=puns
@Chris
Then rewrite it...
Sense offender in sector 28.
HTC is my hero (no pun intended)
dude he definitely didn't intend the pun otherwise he would NOT have said no pun intended DUH
Actually, "no pun intended" is usually used to tip off the audience when an intended pun might not be noticed.
INTERIOR CROCODILE ALLIGATOR/ I DRIVE A CHEVROLET MOVIE THEATER/
U GOT TEABAGGED!! LMMFAO!!
Verizon is clearly out for blood, and appear to be bringing some mighty capable weapons to the fight.
This is what happens when a company rests on it laurels for too long, thinking that any minor feature (that other smartphones have had for years) will be enough to keep them safe in this ever-evolving market.
It took a while, but Verizon has obviously brought their A-game, and I, for one, couldn't be happier for all involved.
Choice Is Good!
Sorry... I must have Verizon on the brain today.
I meant Google/Android.
I love how now, when I read this site, I don't only see iPhone news, but a huge variety.
But I gotta give the iPhone some cred.
Thanks for making the phone companies/makes get their Sh*t together.
Now, I'm just waiting until Droid comes out on my network.
Can't wait.
I still like Android, but after the extreme disappointment that is the G1/Dream, I'm quite unlikely to ever buy another HTC device.
Spring for the Samsung Moment on Nov. 1. If the Moment gets a 2.0 update then I may be tempted to give up my SERO plan. Still doubt it though.
I wouldn't call the G1/Dream an "extreme disappointment". What did you expect for a phone that was used as a development platform for the initial OS release? I am still using my Dream today (with an official Android 1.6 update might I add) and am happy with my purchase. Would I be happier with a bigger screen, faster CPU and more memory, yes. Will this phone hold me over until something else catches my eye on a GSM carrier, for sure.
Ok maybe "extreme disappointment" is a bit rough. But I rushed into this phone after a long period of anticipation, and the shortcomings really add up to an unpleasant experience. Short battery life, bad camera, no light sensor, no standard headphone jack, these are all features that should have been there considering many other phones of the day have these features.The last is a particular killer. Maybe it's because I was coming from an n95, which at least had these bases covered. I've been burned several times and HTC's choice here is quite absurd.
I can see why. It was hyped up to be something much more than it was. Although I have to say cyanogen's mod fixes a lot of the memory and speed issues.
Extreme disappointment? Sorry you feel that way. It's the best phone I've ever had.
And if I can get a 2.0 update, it will remain the best phone I've ever had. Otherwise, I'm jumping back on the Verizon boat and getting me that Droid.
Hopefully this fixes the lag on my hero!
I'm more worried that running 2.0 will add more lag. Hopefully the ARM 11 will be able to handle it.
why cant that super sexy handset get ported to verizon? the other android phone, non Droid, is so ugly and amorphous
That's exactly y I returned my android g1 On the 29th day. They were lacking in their software updates. Google android too slow to keep up with the times. Overrated.
Opinion based on experience.
@ word
What the fuck are you talking about. The iphone doesnt multi-task. The iphone was 7 years late with mms. The list goes on and on. Before you start trolling (MSN direct service now Droid thread) make sure you have your facts straight. BTW: Hows the relationship between Apple and Google?
SP
why was apple brought up?
the reply was stupider than the original post
@ fanboy
READ my post carefully genius. Theres a reason why i brought apple..."Stupider" really, what are you 10
SP
@EminiSP, how do we know that he didn't return his G1 for a Windows device, or Symbian?
@ chris
he brought up apple with in the msn service thread
SP
My question is, why the fuck does he always need to sign his comment?
OL
Will the fact that the Sprint HTC Hero and Samsung Moment run on slower processors affect Android 2.0 use on these devices?
samsung moment has an 800mhz processor and the hero has a 528mhz processor, the droid has a 550mhz processor. The moment should be faster and the hero shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up
@tarekosman
You should learn about processor technology.
The Moment has a 800mhz ARM11.
The Droid has a 550mhz ARM Cortex A8.
What you're saying is like saying a 2.6 ghz Core 2 is worse than a 3 ghz Pentium 4.
Difference between the ARM11 and Cortex A8:
http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3595&p=2
Booo Me want Android 2.0 on HTC HD2!
It would be nice... but I don't mind settling for the current WinMo.
seriously...what the hell were they thinking putting Windows mobile on the HD2. It's a travesty. No one should touch Windows Mobile until they release the 7.0 update.
And unless 7.0 brings it, they may as well throw in the towel. It really sucks that their holding up Zune apps waiting for Win Mobile 7 also.
This may be a stupid question, but does the hardware difference (if any) between the Hero (Sprint) and the Droid (Verizon) have any effect on the user experience of Android 2.0?
I was wondering the same thing. I really like Sprint's Hero and Moment, but am torn about the slower processors not being able to fully utilize Android 2.0 or at the very least, being bogged down by it, if that makes sense. As much as I like the specs on the Droid, I don't like the looks. Shallow, I know, but I'd rather sport a Hero or Moment in public over a Droid any day.
Yes. The OMAP processor used in the new Droid is much, much faster than any processor currently being used in any android device. There will be a noticeable speed difference between android 2.0 on the Droid and devices like the Hero.
Exactly. I also don't like the idea of switching to Verizon. I have a sweet deal on my Sprint bill and I don't want to give it up. Even worse, I'm having a hard time deciding between getting an Android Here or Palm Pre/Pixi. This sucks...
I wouldn't mind the Pixi, but it's not wi-fi enabled, is it? Also think the Instinct HD is a pretty nice phone, but the price needs to go down before I would seriously consider it a contender for my hard earned cash-money.
I'm also on Verizon right now, and can't wait to switch to a cheaper plan with Sprint next month. Currently pay $69/month for 450 mins and unlimited text. No data. Yikes.
If my next phone is a droid I'd like it to be on the HD2 hardware. The one in the picture isn't the droid I'm looking for. Move along.
Maybe the cost of the hero will go down?
I'm wondering if the Sprint Hero and Moment prices will go down on Black Friday...one can hope?
HTC has a real bad track record on delivering on things they promise, such as video drivers for the Touch Pro.
XDA-Developers FTW
Its actually harder to make 2.0 work on theHero than say it is the Mytouch.The Hero is using a custom interface that needs to be reworked where the Mytouch is using the stock google OS. 2.0 will be coming to any phone that has the specs to support it. It's annoying waiting but its coming.
Cyanogen already said on his twitter he'd be all over this as soon as he gets the source code.
i would love to see the droid on t-mobile. but i doubt that would ever happen, instead we get stuck with the click. Seems like t-mobile phones that are made are for tweens
I am still trying to find out if they mean the HTC Hero on T-Mobile or the HTC Hero on Sprint. If they meant one or the other, or both, they should be more specific, shouldn't they?
There is no HTC Hero on T-Mobile. There is a MyTouch 3G...but no Hero.
The T-Mobile G1 is the HTC Hero as well. Since one is GSM and the one on Sprint is CDMA, and since both Sprint and T-Mobile have specialized versions of Android 1.5, with their own specific other software and hardware installed, it would be nice to know which of these two phones, both named HTC Hero by HTC and on their site named that way, they are talking about. Also, AT&T is due to get a different HTC Hero in early 1st Qtr 2010. Getting the right one, or all of them updated, would be nice to know about, in advance. Mostly because if Sprint is not updating their HTC Hero until mid to late 2010, all of the people who bought when it came out 2 weeks ago, still have time to return them and get something else.
Well being that they said the HTC Hero, they are talking about Sprint. The G1 doesn't use the Sense UI that the Hero has. The article is talking about how they are developing the Sense UI on the Hero...which doesn't exist on the G1 at all.
@ David
G1 = HTC dream
Hero = Hero (gsm or cdma)*
*unless its on t-mobile UK in which case Hero = G2 touch
@ David
G1 = HTC dream
Hero = Hero (gsm or cdma)*
*unless its on t-mobile UK in which case Hero = G2 touch
Then why does the UK site show the HTC Hero as the same as the T-Mobile phone? http://www.htc.com/uk/product/hero/overview.html Why would HTC have originally called the G1 or G2 the Hero? If Sprint was talking about this upgrade, there wouldn't be any confusion, yet HTC seems to call multiple phones, on multiple networks in multiple countries, the same name. Any with many of these versions with the HTC Sense UI... It just seems confusing to me. They should be more specific.
Huh, there is no HTC Hero on T-Mobile. Just the Dream and the Magic. I'm glad the Hero is getting this update though since it's a fresh phone for those of us here in the U.S. I'm looking forward to the next killer android phone on Sprint.
You really are a bit stupid. The phone you have linked to IS THE HERO! In the UK it is available on the Orange network as the HERO and it is available off-line as the HERO! T-Mobile in the UK changed the name to the G2 on their network to keep with their Android branding but it is the same phone!
The Hero has never been called the G1 as stated in your post this is a completely different phone (the HTC Dream)
Now in America HTC changed how the HERO looks to create the HTC Hero that is on the Sprint network but on the inside it is the same phone running the same OS.
Finally in the post is states that HTC will be bringing this update to all versions of the HERO.
Thankyou.
I'm really glad nothing has come up yet about verizon changing any software or features on the phone, probably just jinxed it
I'm torn. I've had my Hero for a couple of weeks and, for the most part, I dig it. That being said, the physical keyboard, large screen, nifty docks, and faster processor on the Droid are very enticing. Also, I hear those folks over at Verizon have pretty good service. I'll still be in my 30 day "buyer's remorse" period in mid-November, so I can basically switch for free. I was hoping for a 1.6 (or, even better, 2.0!) update before I had to make this decision. I fear I'll miss my Sense UI and trackball possibly more than I'm missing a keyboard right now... What to do? What to do?!
Fantastic news. I'm currently on Sprint but was considering leaving for the Droid, or Passion if it comes out this year. Now maybe they'll match the Droid Eris pricing and really make me happy.
So I'm assuming this means that it'll get the Google navigation app, right?
I wish I waited for all these good phones that suddenly came out for sprint without any prior notice and heads up.. instead I bought the BB Tour right when it was released .. and I'd rather have this Hero or the palm pixi-e thing but now I'm locked in for 2 years unless I want to pay full price which is a joke..
Oh well.. ben & jerry's ice cream is so excellent
These announcements today are beginning to pique my interest. If motorola drops a sprint 2.0 phone comparable to the droid i'll be set. Something tells me if I spring for that bold 9700 i will have buyer's remorse. But I guess it's important to know the 3gs still appears to beat the new droid at web browsing.
^^^I know that was all over the place. My contract's about to run out. (I'm with ATT thinking of switching to sprint).
not significantly though. If it's important to you that a webpage loads fully 3-5 seconds faster than I guess you have a point. Otherwise they both work great and it's not a big enough difference to even be noticeable for most people.
I am a little astounded as to the update model all other phone manufacturers are using for their phone's OS.
It should not be the responsibility of incompetent carriers to provide updates and technical support for devices, but rather the manufacturer.
HTC should be providing the OS update for all of its phones, if it is technically capable, which it is...similar to how Apple has a nice ecosystem for the iPhone, where OS updates come in through iTunes.
Its about time carriers stopped messing with devices and limiting their capabilities. Now wonder the iPhone has been so successful, at least they are the ones handicapping it, not the carrier.
This is good news. Too bad the Hero is underpowered as it is. Going ARM11 over Cortex8 was a detrimental move. Hopefully the successor to the Hero will be better.
I really really hope that they release Android 2.0 to all HTC Android phones or I'll never trust HTC again.
Oh no!
I hate being 16 and missing out on this. Its unfair. Thats why i plan on buying the hero off contract and taking all the telephony prts of android and using it as an nternet tablet thing. Too bad android is so internet dependet that it wont work. Fudge.
wtf does age have to do with this? It's not like tobacco or alcohol or Claritin-D where you need an ID to buy it.
What will be the HTC phone with Droid specs in a Hero shell/ UI?
Am I the only one who wonders if any of the other carriers/OEMs are a little pissed about this?
(And how many times do I have to change my icon before it sticks around for more than 10 minutes?)
TEABAGGED!!! LMFAO!!
Android may replace windows mobile system, but in my times I can not see it.
http://www.battery4.us/
@Google or HTC,
Fix the bloody bluetooth, my nokia from 2000 can send files over bluetooth and contact sync with my hands free kit
I have a bad feeling that Samsung won't be doing the same for their Galaxy customers... will we even see Donut?
Will there be and update to android 2.0 for the htc tattoo / htc click device?