SlashGear Japan
The first signs of HTC’s promised update for the Hero Android smartphone have appeared, in the shape of a download on the company’s Nordic support site. HTC Hero firmware version 2.73.405.5 promises to smooth screen transitions, increase HTC Sense performance and the introduction of touch-to-focus in the 5-megapixel camera.
Update: There’s talk from a Swedish forum that HTC support in that country are advising not to use this update, warning that it “misses an important piece in the ROM”. The “real” one is said to be coming tomorrow, though other users are claiming to have installed it with no problems; might be worth waiting to see what arrives over the weekend. [Thanks John!]
Update 2: We’ve spoken to HTC and they assure us that there’s no problem with the ROM on the Swedish site.
Some users and reviewers of the Hero, while impressed by the work HTC did on further widgetizing the Android UI and introducing greater levels of social networking integration, have criticized it for its tardy performance. HTC’s update promises to address that, and based on leaked builds we’ve seen in action it looks as though that could be the case.
The new ROM available from HTC’s Nordic site is for devices acquired directly from HTC themselves; it’s unclear what would happen on a non-Nordic handset or, indeed, on one supplied by a carrier. However we can only assume that further versions are imminent, so keep watching your local HTC support site.
[via CoolSmartPhone]
4 Responses to “HTC Hero updated firmware arrives in Denmark [Update 2]”
M1AU September 11, 2009
It does look like you have to use Microsoft Windows based operating system WTF?
This can only be a bad joke!
I didn’t simply bought a Linux based gadget only to need Windows to update a simple ROM? Hopefully they also deliver other options to to update your phone, they can’t be serious.
+8The upgrade process in general sucks. But the update is fantastic. A totally new experience to use the phone now. Smoother than the iphone.
I also hate that the update wipes the settings and installed apps completely. You have to find a backup program to back up your phone before the update. The backup program I found, MyBackup, worked great for the apps, but the settings wouldn’t be restored. Annoying.
My exchange server stores my contacts for me, so luckily there was no need to back them up.
But the upgrade is really worth the hassle. The performance is way better and the “touch to focus” really enhances the camera on the phone.
Neutralgabitech September 16, 2009
I have just upgraded last night – only the 3rd time the upgrade worked, first 2 times the phone was hanging on the bootloader…
True that is works much much better, smooth nd I love the enhancements.
But I do have one big issue after this: I cannot connect to any protected wireless networks (at least WPA), I can only connect to open ones. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Neutraledaj0 September 17, 2009
HI, I just upgraded. Worked first time, much faster and wifi WPA-personal works fine..
Neutral