HTC Hero Upgrade Wipes All Previous Data

Image by louisvolant via Flickr

We last reported on the HTC Hero firmware upgrades a few weeks ago, and were quite excited with what they added albeit they may be few. To download the ROM upgrade you need to input your serial number on this site. Then follow the instructions below:

Installation Instructions
Before you proceed the ROM Update Utility (RUU), please confirm the following items:
(1) This software upgrade is a newer version than what is currently installed on your phone. If it is the same version and your phone is operating normally, there is no need to reinstall the software.
To check what version is installed on your phone, press Home > Menu > Settings > About phone > Build number, and note the Build number.
(2) HTC Sync has been installed on your PC. HTC Sync can be found on the MicroSD card that was shipped with your phone. You can also download and install HTC Sync at www.htc.com/www/support/
(3) Your phone is connected to your PC using a USB cable. The PC must recognize your phone.You will see a sync icon HTC Sync Icon.bmp in the taskbar once the phone has been connected.
(4) Standby and hibernation mode on your PC has been disabled.
(5) Close all running applications on the PC.
(6) The Screen unlock pattern has been disabled, press Home > Menu > Settings > Security and uncheck Require pattern
(7) Make sure that the battery level of the phone is at least 30% (at least 3 green blocks). To check the battery level, tap Home > Menu > Settings > About phone > Status > Battery level.
(8) Once the RUU is downloaded, launch the application on your PC and follow the instructions on screen.

Seems easy, but you need to know that your phone will be totally wiped clean of previous data including software and settings coming from your mobile company. If you want to keep them though you better call your mobile phone customer service before doing the upgrades.

Source

A Tale of Two Android Phones

Image by dannysullivan via Flickr

It's about time we write about one of the newest and possibly-game changing smartphone OS out there: the Android.

For those who want to know what the Android is without going to Wikipedia, we've posted it here for you:

Android is a mobile operating system running on the Linux kernel. It was initially developed by Google and later the Open Handset Alliance. It allows developers to write managed code in the Java language, controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries.

If you're familiar with Linux as a free OS that's uber flexible that can run on any old computer, then imagine it in your mobile phone.

Is this end for T-Mobile G1?

One of the very first phones out there that had the Android was the T-Mobile G1. It was touted as "the Google Phone" and was considered as one of the best phones of its time. However it's OS: the Android 1.5 (loving nicknamed the Cupcake) maybe near its end.

According to Android software engineer Dave Sparks, a time is soon coming when devs "wont be able to fit the latest [Android] release on the G1's internal flash," and yet another engineer has chimed in via Twitter to say that he "can't promise" that any update after 1.5 will fit.

From what they're saying, it's more of a hardware problem than anything else. After that Engadget article was put up, a T-Mobile representative said:

"We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate."

Is there a miscommunication between Android developers and T-Mobile or is this just another way of you not ditching your G1 for an iPhone 3GS? Will there really be a new update for this legendary phone? Will we ever see the Donut in the T-Mobile G1? Only time will tell...

HTC Hero about to get a new update in ten days?

On the other end of the spectrum, the newly released HTC Hero Android OS maybe getting an update really soon! This was disclosed by an HTC customer Service e-mail:

“HTC is actively working on a software update that will make your experience on your Hero device better. A partial update is ready in 10 days and a major release will be available in mid-September containing local language support.. Please check our website from time to time and update your device when the software is available.”

The catch was that there was no info nor any details on what those updates will be. Is this another one of those "leaked" news coming straight from the Marketing Department? Why is this Android OS being updated so quickly as the T1 has been left at 1.5? A lot of questions, but it'll be a win/win for HTC Hero users nonetheless.

Nevertheless, updates are supposed to make your OS phone better and if the update does come, we'll be sure to cover it as soon as we get it.

Source for T-Mobile G1 Android OS update stopped?
Source for HTC Hero Android OS update