Three UK has finally said something official about the status of its Android 2.1 update for the network’s branded HTC Hero, which Three users have been waiting for ever since the update arrived through other networks during July.
Here’s what an HTC spokesman said about the long-awaited Hero update for Three owners:
Thanks for all your patience regarding the 2.1 update for HTC Hero. We have now tested and approved the software and this has been submitted to Google to get the final go-ahead. We’re hoping that they can push this through as quickly as possible, but we’re not clear on the timescales for this yet.
Really sorry for the delay on this update. We’ve been working really hard to approve and launch lots of handsets and updates this month including iPhone 4 and Samsung Galaxy S, and the 2.1 update for Hero has had to queue up alongside these other big launches, particularly the Galaxy S which took a number of versions of software to get right. We’re a smaller network than some of our competitors, and while that has its advantages it also means that our testing team doesn’t have limitless resources. We’ve done our best to manage priorities, but the 2.1 Hero update hasn’t gone through testing and approvals as quickly or as smoothly as we’d have wanted – HTC did have to supply us with a couple of versions until we were satisfied it was bug free. We really wanted to get this to you for the end of July, but we’ve missed our deadline – I’m really sorry I can’t bring you better news on a Friday afternoon but at least you’re now in full possession of the facts.
So there you go. All the facts. Very well done on updating us all, if only it had come out a bit sooner…
Incidentally, Three is still selling the HTC Hero on new contracts, if you’re after a relatively cheap way of getting into Android 2.1. Last year’s hottest Android phone can be had through Three on contracts starting at £19 per month.
Thanks to reader – and angry Three Hero owner – Paul for the link.
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Mark
/ August 3, 2010I feel your pain Paul.I’ve been refreshing that spotify page all day in the hopes of someone saying “it’s out!”, even tried telling my phone it was a year in the future (which is what triggers the update for most networks) to no avail. Boooo 3, booooo. After all this bloody waiting, my desire arrives tomorrow. Then there’s more waiting for Froyo! Keep up the faith everyone. I’m sure we’ll get it soon.
bitman
/ August 3, 2010only one answer, debrand your handset!
nigel
/ August 6, 2010Mark, you must be a crazy man to buy another HTC after all this messing about. I wish I had stuck with my Nokia n73, somehow life seemed much easier then and it worked better as a telephone. Oh well that’s progress!
T2NAFISH
/ August 16, 2010One thing is certain I wont be going with HTC or the Three network ever again.
Neither have given me any reasonable response and it seems they dont care about HTC Hero custom. I still have 12 months left on the contract and i will not be renewing
Rob
/ August 22, 2010Got the hero on 3 refurbed at 149.99, on pay as u go, quite a bargain. Getting 2.1 would make it an even better deal. I’m going to hold out for the official update.
Gary C
/ August 22, 2010That is a great deal. Was that advertised, or did you blag it over the phone?
mark
/ August 23, 2010Well its out today on three uk. At last after 8 months of waiting.
jamie
/ August 24, 2010Got my update on 3 uk Hero this morning.
I don’t think the update process went without problems. First time it failed, then took all day downloading again – now it’s gone and lost all the phonebook names, but strangley kept some that I NEVER use ???
Haven’t noticed positive additions to the user experience – too annoyed at the moment!
Sebastian
/ August 27, 2010I have just called three and they seem insistent that there is no update available yet. Can you explain your situation?
spike - Heros Hero
/ August 26, 2010Here it is… (As long as you are on 3 and haven’t tried to mess with it)
Set date to 2 months from today… (Not a week, 3 months or a fortnight and make sure auto update for date sync is off).
Remove battery whilst device is on…
Leave 5 minutes… (To be sure)
Turn on and leave by your side ten minutes.
Thank me later. You have just “Pushed” your 3/Hero. The date is set for all 1.6 users but they have spread it out.
JDB
/ August 27, 2010I have to say I was annoyed at Three for taking so long to churn this out, not at HTC though, if you want updates that quickly, don’t buy a branded phone, buy a development version.
The update went without hitch (only needed to find an extra 4meg) and I can tell a big difference in speed and it’s not hanging like it used to.