HTC Hero English ROMs now available

HTC's UK support site is still wilfully refusing to update and offer a download link for the new HTC Hero ROM, but that doesn't mean English language firmware updates aren't available elsewhere.  Over at XDA Developers they're compiling a list of the various ROMs available, including a couple of "Worldwide English" versions, which promise to speed up the hesitant handset.

According to the forum, the updates aren't tampered with, fettled or tweaked in any way; they're just the way HTC intended.  That means you won't get any of the fan features often cooked into Hero third-party ROMs – we've seen wireless tethering and other additions before now – but you also have the reassurance of legitimately blaming HTC if things go wrong.

We're expecting to see the UK update appear soon – HTC themselves have told us its imminent, they just couldn't say exactly how imminent – but as far as we can tell these English language ROMs offer exactly the same functionality.  If you're ready for a slicker Hero and touch-focus in the smartphone's camera, then head on over.

[via Gizmodo]