HTC Aria update for AT&T enables mobile hotspot, sideloaded app support (update: partially working!)

Well, this is genuinely awesome: it seems AT&T is pulling back from its ban on third-party sideloaded apps on its Android devices, because HTC has just released an Aria update that enables them (either that or HTC just went rogue here, but we highly doubt it). While that doesn't have much practical implication for your typical smartphone user, it's a strong sign that AT&T might be ready to take a more reasonable stance on the openness of its branded devices that would put it inline with the attitudes Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile have all taken with their Android phones so far. Additionally, the update includes "the Mobile Network sharing function," which we take to mean a mobile hotspot app in the same vein as the one that's shipping with Froyo -- if we had to guess, it probably requires AT&T's 2GB DataPro plan plus the tethering add-on, which would put it in line with what they're charging on the iPhone. Onward and upward, AT&T.

Update: We got downright excited for a second there, but an HTC spokesman just called to inform us there's been a mistake -- this download is only for the desktop HTC Sync client and doesn't actually enable anything on the phone. We're working to get more information right now, but it sounds like the sideloading ball is still squarely in AT&T's court.

Update 2: HTC apologizes for the confusion, saying the update description was in error -- it was merely supposed to read that the Aria now works with the company's desktop sync client. On Monday, the text will be updated to remove every last ounce of false hope.

Update 3: Sideloading works after all! Read all about it.

[Thanks, Dylan T.]

[russell5 Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:13PM]

Wow cant believe AT&T let side loading through when they just made a comment about saying why they do it.

[The Advanced Kind Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:42PM]

@russell5 Hear, hear!

This is really awesome, I'm really tempted to pick up one of these little guys now.

[NikAmi Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:55PM]

@russell5 I emailed the CEO about the sideloading and bloatware issues on the Galaxy S when I first heard of them a few weeks ago. It would be great if this philosophy carries over to all their Android devices for two reasons:

1) It will make all the phones that much better.
2) I get to feel like a made a positive impact on the world, however small it may be ;P

[DrDr Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:15PM]

@russell5

FAIL

[angermeans Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:17PM]

@okok only Apple Fanboys bought i your constant tolling is boring and stupid

[JonnyB Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:20PM]

@russell5
It was false information:[
At&T shows no motivation in making their Android Devices not as crappy

[tu eres estupido Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:55PM]

@JonnyB Samsung's Captivate should be a nice not crappy device

[The Dark Knight Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:57PM]

@okok only Apple Fanboys bought i
thanks for proving my point that I made the other day. You maust like to get down ranked.

[JonnyB Posted Jul 10th 2010 6:07PM]

@tu eres estupido
Lets all hope it doesnt sir, lets all hope it doesnt

[Dig Deep Posted Jul 10th 2010 8:34PM]

@russell5

I can not wait for the day iPhone exclusivity ends for ATT. They will have to start acting like a real carrier for once and be competitive. Oh the day!

[MosesusedaniPad Posted Jul 10th 2010 9:23PM]

@The Advanced Kind

Ah, ah, ah... Yaaaawn.

[fyjoaquin Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:14PM]

The Aria looks incredibly sexy right there.
SN: Anyone else having problems uploading an avatar icon on Engadget?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:18PM]

@fyjoaquin

Me lol.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:18PM]

@fyjoaquin

Me lol.

[Blaque14K Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:14PM]

Uh oh. Full fledged Androids on AT&T? If the Captivate gets this treatment watch out.

[Versed Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:43PM]

@Blaque14K
Could be AT&T is making sure they don't have all their eggs in one basket, with rumors of a cdma iPhone, I guess they need some humble pie to have another great phone(s) to put in their stable. Sucky phones is a somewhat new trend for AT&T, previously they had decent stuff. OK not like unlocked stuff which is available, but better then what other US carriers provided.

Oddly I happen to like the Aria, fits a good spot, small, well made, not ment to be high end Android, but functions well. Might be a nice small back up phone to my N1 when I want something like a small smartphone.

[treef rt Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:15PM]

Hopefully this will also be true of the hot piece of awesomeness I'm going to purchase from them on the 18th. :D

[tu eres estupido Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:57PM]

@treef rt see you there! :D

[weinerschnitzelboy Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:16PM]

Time for rooting!

[Versed Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:44PM]

@weinerschnitzelboy
Its been rooted.

[ahendy Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:18PM]

If this update means legitimate mobile hotspot for the Aria, I will run out and buy one right now.

[sn1per Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:19PM]

@ahendy I can't imagine ATT allowing this feature without paying the extra $20/month (i think) for tethering.

[Rollins Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:19PM]

Are you sure this is what you think it is? To me, it looks like an update to HTC's Sync desktop application that allows you to load applications to the phone from your desktop and use your phone as a modem when connected via USB.

Even the Backflip let you load applications from your desktop with the SDK, so this isn't really progress.

I hope I'm wrong, though.

[MRCUR Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:32PM]

@Rollins - I believe you're right. This is a desktop app that HTC has created, not a function of the phone's OS.

[Aaron Neyer Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:23PM]

Please let Backflip be next.

[whitesoxing Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:30PM]

The ability to sideload apps is one reason why I love my droid. There are some apps that you can no longer find in the marketplace (city caller id) and also apps that you don't want to have the updated version of (IE: Homerun battle 3d)

Without being able to sideload apps, you're stuck with whatever is in the market at that time. Which would be HORRIBLE.

I'll clap it up for AT&T if they're really letting people install the apps they choose to install. That's the whole beauty of the android platform!

[Duck Tales LOL Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:33PM]

Im using the Captivate right now(i work for at&t) and i love it. I put my iPhone down last week. I hope the Captivate gets this as well.

[jroff Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:07PM]

@Duck Tales LOL
How's the interface? As smooth as the Aria's? Any lag in scrolling through the application list or from screen to screen? How's the build quality - does it feel cheap and plastic like the x10 or is it more on par with HTC's build quality? Can the touchwiz interface be turned off with a toggle option like SenseUI on the Evo?

I must know these things - I'm considering exchanging my Aria for this thing when it comes out.

[tu eres estupido Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:58PM]

@Duck Tales LOL is there any possibility of me picking up one on the 17th at all or is it under lock and key everywhere?

[Duck Tales LOL Posted Jul 10th 2010 6:18PM]

@jroff yeah it is super quick. Has the 1ghz processor compared to the 600 mhz of the Aria. Everything is smooth, even using my animated aqaurium wallpaper.

I havent really messed with the interface much, but ill find out for you.

Build quality is great, I'd say its on par with most HTC designs, and I like the build better than the iPhone 5.

[Duck Tales LOL Posted Jul 10th 2010 6:34PM]

@tu eres estupido while it wont be under lock and key, it will depend on the rep. Most att reps only know what the iphone is,so you could very easily score the phone early.

[Duck Tales LOL Posted Jul 10th 2010 6:38PM]

@Duck Tales LOL err iphone 4

[tu eres estupido Posted Jul 10th 2010 8:17PM]

@Duck Tales LOL thanks broski

[jroff Posted Jul 10th 2010 10:30PM]

@Duck Tales LOL
Awesome. I'm usually wary of Samsung's products, but I might just have to take my little Aria back next week.

[Duck Tales LOL Posted Jul 10th 2010 11:35PM]

@jroff Ive had it for about 2-3 days now, and I'm seriously in love with it. It's beautiful, fast, and fun to use. I just got tired of the iPhone after using one for 3 years. I think I've gone to the dark side.

Sorry Steve Jobs!

[EggoEspada Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:34PM]

Good job At&t, you've done something right.
I've played with this phone for a whole day, and it is extremely impressive. Feels good, looks good, and run without a single lag. A really good device for low specs.

[jroff Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:10PM]

@EggoEspada
Yeah, it's an excellent little phone considering the price from 3rd party retailers. The only things I don't like about it in my 3 weeks of using it are that the screen is a bit too small for reading ebooks, and that it has trouble running divx and mkv in rockplayer.

[kirbo20 Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:36PM]

This is just an update to HTC Sync and has nothing to do with the device software.

[kenny goo Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:55PM]

Well props to AT&T. Maybe the Captivate won't be a locked down piece of shit after all.

[kenny goo Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:11PM]

@kenny goo

Lol, never mind. AT&T is teh suck.

[mpeters13 Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:56PM]

This phone just became a lot more attractive to me.

[pufflye Posted Jul 10th 2010 4:59PM]

AT&T is too expensive for the normal person so this really doesn't matter

[Jouva Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:10PM]

D'oh just when it sounded awesome, the article got updated. Damn :(

[PhonePhreak Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:18PM]

So why is HTC apologizing for Engadget editors who can't read? If you read the description of the download, it is very clear what is being released. Guys, at least verify what you think you have found before you put up a post. More journalism and less Facebook would be great.

[Jouva Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:26PM]

@PhonePhreak What part of "It also lets you install third-party Android applications on the phone, and the Mobile Network sharing function as well." doesn't sound like that it will let you install third-party Android applications on the phone, and use the Mobile Network sharing function?

Read the source link. It shows up right there.

Sorry Engadget. But why should I be sorry for a reader that didn't bother to look at the source link properly?

[PhonePhreak Posted Jul 10th 2010 6:03PM]

@Jouva And what part of the download text says it enables mobile hotspot? Tethering is not mobile hotspot. Go defend Gizmodo. They actually need it.

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Jul 10th 2010 8:37PM]

@PhonePhreak

Really now? Go ask AT&T if you can use mobile hotspot with out adding the tethering feature.

[ChazClout Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:20PM]

Bollocks. :(

[ck02623 Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:32PM]

I was seriously about to be out the door to buy this phone until I read the update.

[Migz Posted Jul 10th 2010 5:39PM]

At this point any carrier seems better than AT&T!