Sprint's HTC Hero and Samsung Moment on track to get Android 2.1, not 2.0
By Chris Ziegler 
posted December 17th 2009 8:29PM
posted December 17th 2009 8:29PM
So Sprint's backtracking on its promise to deliver Android 2.0 to its Hero and Moment in the first half of next year, but it's backtracking in an awesome way for a change of pace -- they'll actually be getting 2.1. That makes tons of sense considering that the leaked Hero builds have all been on 2.1 and 2.0 will be all but obsolete by the time HTC gets around to releasing anything -- so yeah, we probably could've predicted this anyway, but now it's official. Unfortunately that 1H 2010 window hasn't been reigned in at all, but here's hoping this is a case where they under-promise and over-deliver.
Good job Sprint, good job.
Good JoB? Are you Kidding me? A 6 month wait?
@One Love
http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html
Get in line, folks.
Promise me January and I will more than likely get the Moment. Anything later simply isn't worth it. I want to get a phone, but why get old hardware AND old software when so much is coming so soon?
@Bibbit
There's no way it's coming next month. I'd say March or May the earliest. If you really need it so bad just root the phone.
@ZeRoCo0L
Sorry, I realize that. Poor attempt at sarcasm, very poor. I reckon I would consider rooting, but I've never played with a phone like that. Just about everything else, but not a phone. Bit nervous about it. Screwing up a phone isn't like screwing up an Xbox.
@Bibbit
Honestly, the only phone with better hardware is the Droid.
As far as I know, there aren't any other phones coming out in the next few months in the US, at least not on Sprint (maybe T-Mo's getting a few, but who wants T-Mo service?).
I've got a Moment, and the fast processor (800 MHz) and pretty AMOLED screen are quite nice, as is the physical keyboard.
@thethirdmoose
You haven't read any of the many posts about the Google phone?
@ZeRoCo0L
He said except for T-Mobile - Google Phone will come on T-Mobile and we don't know much else. I am in the same boat as a lot of other Sprint Android fanatics, waiting for a snapdragon android phone on sprint. Pwetty PWEEEEEEEEEEEEZE SPRINT WITH WIMAX ONTOP?
How about the Eris?
Or the MyTouch...
@Gaucho85 The Eris is a Hero clone so I'm assuming that it will get the update.
The myTouch and G1 *might* be SOL.
just give us the driver for the camera of the g1 for 2.0 please. xda can do the rest.
@dr steve brule ... and quicker.
@dr steve brule I would love for HTC to leak the camera, accelerometer and multi touch drivers so XDA can finish their work and get the leaked build 100%, or at least as close as HTC had it when it was leaked. But really all I really want out of 2.1 is Google nav and google goggles anyway, so I would be happy with 1.6 at this point.
@dr steve brule
"Wine was invented by the Romans. For orgies. "
For your health!
I was really hoping to get 2.x before I left for vacation. First trip to NYC and all. Would have been nice to have some Google navigation with street view.
@HotBBQ
Why does being upgraded matter then? I thought google nav was available for 1.5 and 1.6 now?
@zsmorr Only 1.6 is compatible.
@HotBBQ
Theres always Sprint Navigation. In all honestly it's not that bad.
I hope this includes the Behold II please let it include the Behold II
Guess this pretty much confirms the Droid Eris getting 2.1 in Q1 of 2010.
Well, this gives me a little more hope we will get the update sooner, since they keep giving us nuggets of info about the update. I can't wait for 2.x, Google Nav, as well as some of the other updates will be most welcome to my already excellent phone, the Moment.
The Moment can hardly be called old hardware, Oled screen 800mhz processor (granted its not the most current processor its still pretty powerful)
full qwerty KB, and as much memory as the Droid..
I say my phone is great now, its just a plus that its getting an update. 1.5 Android is better then windows mobile and about as good as the iphone OS whether its as refined or not I could care less the functionality is still there.
@michaelad
I wouldn't say its as good as iPhone, especially 3.0 but its definitely comparable...not until 1.6+ do things sort of even out(there are some really cool, underestimated features in 1.6, that give it a major edge). IMO, being a G1 user, 1.5 was Google's effort to not fall behind while iPhone 3.0 came out, but I really feel 1.6 and 2.0 really was meant to bring the game to a more even race, and ends up succeeding in that regard.
@zsmorr
I thought google nav was available for 1.6, is it true that its also available for 1.5 because if so cant wait to load it up on my moment.
Nope, Navigation and Goggles are 1.6 or above unfortunately.
Maybe I just missed it, but does anyone know what features Android 2.1 even has yet? I'm anxiously awaiting for Android to add support for Exchange Remote Wipe.. at that point my employer will start offering Android phones as company phones.
YES!!!
But what about European Hero's!
Actually I'm not too bothered, I'm sure the 3rd party ROM teams will cook something up for the original Hero's in no time.
Good. The Moment is a great phone besides some battery meter wonkiness. It getting 2.1 may make me regret going to the Droid. Sprint's pricing rocks...
@DJ
The update should fix the battery meter glitch and hopefully give it better battery life.
@ZeRoCo0L Is that the reason the battery goes from 100% to 15% in two hours and another 8 hours to go to 0%?
@HotBBQ Yeah, I got a Moment last weekend and mine does that too. Went from 100% to 15% in two hours, and then rocked all day at the same 15%. Weird. But it did stay powered up on EVDO all day without any issues. Shrug.
@DJ
It's Android 1.5 in general I think.
I run 1.5 on hacked onto a Sprint Touch/Vogue and I have similar behavior with battery life dropping to 15-25% in about 6 hours, but I can run another 10 hours on 25%.
I tipped Engadget on this news and I dont get a simple Thanks!
='(
Thank you for the C-mas present even if it comes late!!!!
So... is Sprint now the premier Android provider? Because T-Mobile is failing all over themselves.
How is that that Sprint has an HTC and Samsung android device and both are getting 2.1... yet T-Mobile has 2 HTC phones and 1 Samsung and NONE of them are getting even 2.0????
Oh, and T-Mobile just had a 5+ hour outage throughout the U.S. today....
@matthew2
Cus the Android phone on Tmobile are old. Sprint's are newer but you forget Tmobile is getting the Google phone so no need to fret.
@matthew2 Who said any of those devices are not getting the update? Samsung has stated that the Behold 2 will at least get 2.0 and the only phone that is really iffy on getting the update is the G1. So please check again when you make posts.
@matthew2 their outage probably has something to do with the new update to their network. Not entirely a bad thing.
anyway, whats the point of updating? i doubt itll be released anytime soon. if it isnt released by ATLEAST 1Q 2010, ihmo itll be too late. IF the Nexus One is released next month, there will will be no point of staying on the hero, atleast for moment users, you can make the case of needing a hardware kb. next month, sprint will be changing the T&C, allowing subs to cancel with no ETFs. This will allow subs like myself, to be able to jump to the N1 with much better hardware and much better software with no problem. The timing of both these things couldnt be any better.
@matthew2 Also by your statement Verizon should be considered the premier android provider since they are the only one's with a Android 2.0 device out on the market. Sprint has only announced they are going to make the updates while T-Mobile announced a month ago that they are going to do the updates. Sprint seems to be in second to last right ahead of at&t which has maybe 1 Android phone on the way (with 1.5)
@boiHeRO where you get that you can cancel sprint with no ETF?
@boiHeRO well if the nexus one is only on t-mo/at&t, then there is reason to stay w/ the hero if you are on sprint... (at&t has no 3G in my town, t-mo has basically no reception)
@pedmart
If a change we make to the Agreement is material and has a material adverse effect on Services under your Term Commitment, you may terminate each line of Service materially affected without incurring an Early Termination Fee only if you: (a) call us within 30 days after the effective date of the change; and (b) specifically advise us that you wish to cancel Services because of a material change to the Agreement that we have made. If you do not cancel Service within 30 days of the change, an Early Termination Fee will apply if you terminate Services before the end of any applicable Term Commitment.
http://www.precentral.net/sprint-customers-can-get-out-their-etf-next-month
@pedmart
If a change we make to the Agreement is material and has a material adverse effect on Services under your Term Commitment, you may terminate each line of Service materially affected without incurring an Early Termination Fee only if you: (a) call us within 30 days after the effective date of the change; and (b) specifically advise us that you wish to cancel Services because of a material change to the Agreement that we have made. If you do not cancel Service within 30 days of the change, an Early Termination Fee will apply if you terminate Services before the end of any applicable Term Commitment.
http://www.precentral.net/sprint-customers-can-get-out-their-etf-next-month
@(Unverified)
yes that is true, atleast initially they will be GSM only. apparently a CDMA version will coming out. Of course, this is mere speculation.
@boiHeRO
Bro, if you're talking about them making the ETF $350, that's only for new subscriptions. I was thinking the same thing when Verizon did it, but that's for phones bought after a certain date. They won't change your T&C to the $350 ETF, just new subscriptions. You're SOL bro, sorry.
@boiHeRO
My original comment got deleted...idk why.
I tried to tell you that if the change to your T&C that you're referring to is the increase in ETF to $350, that's to new contracts, not yours. Your contract will remain unchanged. I think you're SOL bro, sorry.
@Teerim
how do you know im not a new customer and what exactly do you consider as a new contract? and where exactly did you hear about sprint raising ETF to $350? Sprint stated they will not be raising ETF's to match verizon's. the changes in fees are regarding Regulatory Fees and anyone with with an ASL who are being charged an extra $4.99
http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/sprint-nope-we-re-not-raising-our-etf-to-match-verizon.aspx