Unlocked HTC Hero gets Android 2.1 update -- no, for real this time

False starts aside, that promised late June Android 2.1 upgrade for the GSM version of the HTC Hero is finally here -- for unlocked models, anyhow. It seems that users are being greeted with an update clocking in at nearly 80MB, and despite HTC's own warning to the contrary, apps aren't being wiped, so you should be able to undertake the endeavor pretty safely. Orange and T-Mobile versions of the phone apparently haven't yet begun to see the rollout, but the wait shouldn't be terribly long now -- meanwhile, let us know how your upgrade experience goes in comments, folks.

[tc4101 Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:12PM]

will never buy another htc or android phone for that matter, until manufacturers and google can convince us and show us they are able to update its sofware in a timely manner, and 1 year is not in a timely manner.

buy an android phone and pretty much if u want a software upgrade u need to buy new hardware. what a joke

[PinchofSalt Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:32PM]

@tc4101
Personally I'm quite concerned about this.

Google releases update, phone manufacturer takes eons to customize it, then it's the fucking telephone company turn to muck and test it.

This is getting stupid.

The alternative is "Do as I say!" Apple.

Maybe I should just screw it with the upgrading and just buy a new battery for my dumb ancient SE K530i and be done with it.

[TacticalTimbo Posted Jun 28th 2010 8:01PM]

@tc4101 So true, stuck here with my HTC Magic on Vodafone running 1.6...needless to say I won't be buying another HTC or using shitty Voda!!

[etwashoo2 Posted Jun 29th 2010 5:10AM]

@tc4101

Whiners. iPhones are updated once per year and those people don't complain. Go user your SE/Nokia and NEVER get an update (bug fixes, maybe). And what is wrong with 1.6? No free navigation...was it promised to you when you bought your Magic?

[tc4101 Posted Jun 29th 2010 7:20AM]

@etwashoo2 nice trolling, you obviously still running windows xp right coz there really is nothing wrong with it now. or even windows 3.1 worked fine running ms works.

fact is, android are really taken up for tech heads, i.e those who read engadget and like to tinker with theire phone.etc, so android target market expect updates in a timely manner. most people on the hero are now out of contract and looking for a new phone. too little too late from htc. fact is htc has just neglected its customers, not because its too hard to provide an update, i'm sure they cooked up the 2.1 rom for the hero within a week.

diference between apple is that when an OS is released it is provided to everyone in a timely manner.

[tc4101 Posted Jun 29th 2010 7:24AM]

@tc4101 and "whats wrong with 1.6?" you may say? well goto google an see whats upgraded in 2.2 over 2.1 and 2.1 over 2.0 and 2.0 over 1.6 would tell you the answer

[LawA Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:20PM]

Typical, as soon as I get rid of my Hero.....

I do not mean to troll, but I never understood how people complained about Apple cutting support for 2-3 year old phones when Android (Not sure if it's Google or HTC's fault), seem to fall even shorter.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:39PM]

@LawA

It's HTC's fault. Google is only responsible for the Nexus One right now and as you've seen, it's the first to get updates. I think the problem with HTC right now is that they have too many phones to look after.

It's like they found the person of their dreams (Android) and decided to have like 8 kids. Calm the heck down, HTC, take it slow, loloolol.

[eL3VEn Posted Jun 28th 2010 9:09PM]

Will this update be regardless of phone provider?

[weabooman Posted Jun 29th 2010 12:55AM]

Doing this when I get home :D

[PoK Posted Jun 29th 2010 1:50AM]

Finally =] better back up before I change the date again! Congrat peeps

[bgtroll Posted Jun 29th 2010 3:05AM]

Just to confirm the news :-) I proud owner of Htc Hero and the message just poped up :-) I'm in Europe, Bulgaria

[cleo2525 Posted Jun 29th 2010 4:07AM]

my hero is unlocked but no update had popped up lol

[pwakman Posted Jun 29th 2010 4:34AM]

I'm in France, using SFR and.
the wait is OVER !
my download is precisely at 34%
:D

[pwakman Posted Jun 29th 2010 4:35AM]

and my phone is NOT unlocked

[petr Posted Jun 29th 2010 4:57AM]

url usability = FAIL

[pwakman Posted Jun 29th 2010 5:32AM]

Here it is
http://www.reunion-tg.com/2010/06/htc-hero-passe-en-android-21.html

Hero NOT unlocked just got 2.1 :D

[BelowSeaLevel Posted Jun 29th 2010 5:40AM]

I had to go into the system settings for my phone to look for updates. My phone updated without a hitch though. It even kept my apps!! Firmware shows as 2.1-update1. TasKiller is showing more free memory as well.

Things that seem not to "work" (due to the hardware probably):
live wallpaper
that fancy scroll when all programs are listed

[DerInDerInDerInDerIn Posted Jun 29th 2010 6:20AM]

so, how can i enable voice input now?

[ragejg Posted Jun 29th 2010 8:00AM]

This should make it easier for the folks @ xda to get Android running on the Pure and Touch Diamond 2, right? They're almost exactly the same spec-wise, but utilize WinMo 6.5. I'm FAIRLY happy with WinMo 6.5 on my Pure, but would love some fully-functional Android action. :)

[thedynamix Posted Jun 29th 2010 8:34AM]

WOOHOOOO!!! Got mine!!! Took the car out for a spin at 11PM last night, just to test out Google Navigate! Was pretty cool although drained battery hard! Other gripes: You Tube is ridiculously slow that it's almost unusable on our aged devices. Gmail synching is slow - email updates are not pushed as quickly it seems and there's no way to change this :(.

[kaosgerbil Posted Jun 29th 2010 8:45AM]

Allegedly 3 UK users will have to wait until July. Reported on T3 via Twitter. So long a wait, so much anticipation and disappointment.

[kermitspicnic Posted Jun 29th 2010 12:17PM]

@kaosgerbil

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I just wept a little bit.

[tellahoohooo Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:01AM]

It would be completely awesome...if the APN settings would save!

No APN = No Edge Data service on T-Mobile!

I've tried entering and saving the APN settings 4 times now, have restarted over and over but nothing comes up, nothing saves!

Frustrating so very frustrating it explodes in your face!

[Furret Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:34AM]

No kidding guys, the update really makes hero much much better. Most of the lags are gone. Everything is smooth and awesome. The user experience is incomparable. It shouldn't take so long, but now when it's here, I think I can live with my hero for another year, not get the galaxy S just yet, and wait for the multicore stuff to come next year.

[StuListon Posted Jun 29th 2010 11:01AM]

Too late HTC... I already sacked mine for an iphone 4

[Andropheliac Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:14AM]

@StuListon Just be careful not to hold your iPhone 4 in your left hand when making a call...

[StuListon Posted Jun 30th 2010 10:37AM]

@Andropheliac As much as I loved it initially and still miss some of the nice features in android, it's a sad mandate for the Hero that I was aware of the reception issue before I bought the IP4 (in fact a friend and I were able to replicate it in the shop with the display model) but I *still* thought it was worth sacking the Hero for it.

[individualart Posted Jun 29th 2010 12:05PM]

Can anyone help? I know it's a bit out of topic, but my HTC Hero won't update, it's an unlocked GSM one from Asia, but after reading guides, I can't find this:
Settings > About Phone > System Updates > HTC Software Update
I don't have the System Updates option :/

[Khav Posted Jun 29th 2010 1:04PM]

Meanwhile in Canada, Telus Hero owners are still patiently waiting for either the 2.1 update or the heat death of the universe, whichever comes first.

[greedoe Posted Jun 30th 2010 3:06PM]

i'll believe it when i see it. 3 UK unlocked Hero has not given me a sniff of an update yet