HTC HD2 Android and Ubuntu builds now available for mass consumption

We're approaching the end of an era -- the legacy of Windows Mobile handsets getting spotted running some open sourced OS or another shortly after their release. With Windows Phone 7 on the horizon the HD2 will surely be one of the last, but you can extend that grand tradition just a bit longer by installing your choice of Ubuntu Karmic Koala or Android 2.1. Those builds we reported on earlier have been made available for general consumption and, while installing them certainly doesn't seem to be entirely risk free, neither of them touch the phone's internal flash, so you're never more than a reset away from the comforts of WinMo. If you're feeling adventurous this weekend, both downloads are on the other end of the source link below.

[commenter7 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:51PM]

The HD2 livess!!!...again!!!

[Revolutionary Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:13PM]

@commenter7

HTC HD2 is the sexiest beast of a phone known to any man.
PS: It doesn't shatter when dropped, and it does make calls.

[SolidSnake Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:14PM]

@commenter7
All thanks to the BAMFs at xda.

[SolidSnake Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:20PM]

@Revolutionary
Almost any phone can shatter when dropped. Plus, the HD2 has a lot of glass on it's front to shatter..

[Mike Vick Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:27PM]

This is what happens when you combine the sexiness that is the HD2 and the OS with no limits called Android. Android knows no limits.

[BlackedOut Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:29PM]

I've got this installed. It's running beautifully.

[felipedeeznuts Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:29PM]

@Mike Vick Neither does Michael Vick!

[tobsmonster2 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:38PM]

@SolidSnake
Agreed, i hate how people take unscientific youtube video's for fact.

[commenter7 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:43PM]

@SolidSnake

Tell that to my Nokia 1100

[MR Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:43PM]

@BlackedOut On T-Mobile US? Any issues?

[Jimbob Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:18PM]

@Revolutionary

Just FYI, I dropped my HD2 when it was 3 days old and cracked the screen. )-:

[deliteguy Posted Jul 3rd 2010 6:59PM]

@Jimbob
You could have got insurance since you can sign up like up to 14 days after or something. I'm covered lol. It's one of the sturdiest/classiest designs ever...

[bohrhap Posted Jul 4th 2010 12:12AM]

@BlackedOut did you make any changes to any of the files once you did the decompress? It seems that for me "rootfs" is the cause of my problems..suggestions?

[bigbudha Posted Jul 4th 2010 3:10PM]

@Revolutionary

yeah,

[MarkCohen Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:53PM]

Oh look, what the HD2 should have been in the first place!

[Sor1 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:56PM]

@MarkCohen

Why you say that ?? What was wrong with it? I used it in O2 store and looked very awesome! Actually i was on the edge to get one.

[PathogenX Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:03PM]

@Sor1 The windows mobile 6.5 OS is trash compared to android.

I still don't see why HTC thought it would be a good idea to have 6.5 on this phone.

[Jimbob Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:21PM]

@MarkCohen

-1, I agree that HTC should have made an Android version too but I bought mine BECAUSE it had WinMo.

I dont see why it's taking HTC so long though, stick Android on the HD2 and will sell by the bucket load.

[Sor1 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:36PM]

@PathogenX

Calling names about something without an logical explanation doesn't say much to me. I have searched info for both platforms and so far Android in business features is lacking behind. iPhone with latest update (iOS 4), i like it better than the Android. Ofc i don't know what features the Froyo build has, but with my current info on Android for business use and the security features isn't impress me. I like the OS but still needs more features and updates imo. Also i would like to point that usually smartphones are for business use, that was their initial purpose when they came out, not to play games and capture/edit video/photos.

[Celz Posted Jul 3rd 2010 6:54PM]

@Sor1 Google navigation, google voice, voice search and voice text are features that no iPhone has

[trealtp Posted Jul 3rd 2010 7:17PM]

@Jimbob

EVO???

[FrancisL4D Posted Jul 3rd 2010 11:20PM]

@trealtp : Exactly. With the EVO out there, there's no reason for HTC to make an android version...

Then again, for all us HD2 owners, if an official HTC Android came out with the same hardware, it might mean stable builds for download faster.

BTW, the Desire Sense build is gorgeous, but slow as hell. The stock Android is faster, but still has radio problems...

[hfm Posted Jul 4th 2010 10:34AM]

@FrancisL4D
There still is if you don't want to use sprint...

[meatball Posted Aug 1st 2010 12:48PM]

@Sor1 - all the iphone does is play games and edit videos. where have you been silly man

[Maybach Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:56PM]

It keeps coming back!

[gboehm Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:56PM]

i wonder how the koala will perform ....
now i'm dreaming of hitting some c code after running some windows apps through wine
but i don't know if that will work though doesn't wine need x86 architecture?!

[Engadgeteeer Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:56PM]

I always wished hd2 was never limited to aws...

[anotherworld Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:57PM]

Awesome. Now give me Android 2.1 on my 3GS.

[tracdoor Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:03PM]

@anotherworld or just buy an android phone...

[anotherworld Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:48PM]

@tracdoor I want the best of both worlds.

[PathogenX Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:04PM]

@anotherworld There are much better android phones than the 3gs...
You aren't getting the best of both words.

[tobsmonster2 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 8:31PM]

@PathogenX
Right because you know what he wants. What a stupid comment that was to make.

[atebit Posted Jul 4th 2010 11:20PM]

@tobsmonster2 He actually does know what he wants, Android 2.1 on a 3GS. A Droid Incredible would out perform it in probably every way. The only real reason you'd want Android on the older gen iPhone these days is if your stuck in a contract or actually prefer the looks of the iPhone

[GoodToGo Posted Jul 3rd 2010 3:59PM]

One of the best options for an unlocked Android phone.

[HankG Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:06PM]

@GoodToGo No it's not. This is an early test build. Buy a Nexus One if you want an unlocked Android phone.

[GoodToGo Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:24PM]

@HankG

Has a bigger screen than the Nexus one plus if you are tired of your Nexus One, you can pick this up!

[zarathustrax Posted Jul 4th 2010 1:49AM]

@GoodToGo It is a very long way from running as smooth and functional as an android phone. Maybe in a year or 2 it may run like a nexus one... or it may never be as functional. Look at the other android ports for winmo phones... none are fully-functional yet, even after years of development.

[busbeepbeep Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:04PM]

I hope the XDA/PPCGeeks gurus can get the sound sorted out on Android for the Touch Pro 2.

[bjsguess Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:39PM]

@busbeepbeep

I'm running 2.1 on my TP2 right now. It works really well. Just needs BT, camera, and external speaker. Everything else is functional.

Takes about 10 minutes to install and you are up and running.

[agbemabd Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:08PM]

yea just buy a nexus for an unlocked android...

[jrolls Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:21PM]

awesome. good job but from the video demonstration of it all looks like ubuntu needs some calibration, but besides that very nice work.

[MaTdg Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:24PM]

Phones should be like desktops: choice of OS, with the exception of desktop OS'es.

[DPSci Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:34PM]

This is the new best phone, not because of features, but because of SERO

[chnwa3 Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:47PM]

@DPSci are you talking about the Sprint SERO plan?
Im wondering how u got a tmobile phone on sprint's network???

[PathogenX Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:39PM]

I could pick one up for about $100 and install android and call it a day.
or I can wait and pick up the Vibrant for $200 and call it a day.

The design and look of the HD2 is beautiful and phone that should have had android from the start.

[obobo Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:43PM]

free with new contract on tmobile at fry's .. very tempting indeed

[PathogenX Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:48PM]

@obobo That sounds great. I am all the way in NYC so no Fry's for me.

Though that free is very, very tempting indeed.

[Wiizer Posted Jul 3rd 2010 4:50PM]

@PathogenX

I bit the bullet and got one! Only for the fact that once WP7 is released it'll be a much easier port to the HD2 than Android AND that means:

Dual boot!

[PathogenX Posted Jul 3rd 2010 5:01PM]

@Wiizer
Yah I was anticipating WP7 on this device too but since HTC said that it will not be getting WP7 on the HD2 I lost interest in it.

You will have to wait for the community to get things working and I love the community support and everything they do but I much prefer native support.

I'll wait for the Samsung Vibrant for android on Tmobile.

Other than the beautiful exterior the vibrant blows the HD2 out of the water.

[Wiizer Posted Jul 3rd 2010 7:41PM]

@PathogenX

"but I much prefer native support. "

"SAMSUNG"

If you're going to be buying the Vibrant, you won't be getting ANY support past Froyo from Samsung. Really, I've been flashing my phones since an old Sony Ericsson and it's the only way to go. "Official" updates can do as much damage to your phone as XDA's. The only exception is the XDA process is much more transparent.