Android in Canada Blog » Android Firmware

Telus To Release HTC Hero 2.1 Update In August 2010?

Billy — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:30:51 +0000

Back in April, it was rumored that the Android 2.1 update for the HTC Hero would be available some time near the end of April.

That estimate became May, which then became June. In other words, the Android 2.1 update has been continously delayed for the HTC Hero.

This week, new estimates put the Android 2.1 update for the HTC Hero being available sometime in the first half of August. Reports indicate that Telus is still testing the OS upgrade.

At this time, the reason is unknown to why the Android 2.1 update has been delayed for so long, but back in April, Telus indicated that the reason for the delay at the time was due to a lack of effort. The reason is both vague and cryptic and Telus has been silent since.

Hopefully this August 2010 report comes true and HTC Hero owners can finally officially update to Android 2.1.

[MobileSyrup]

HTC Android 2.2 Updates To Be Completed In 2010

Billy — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:30:43 +0000

This week, HTC’s global PR and online community Manager Eric Lin indicated why the Android 2.2 update has not been ported to HTC devices.

The basic story is that it takes time to port the apps to Android 2.2 and the effort needed for testing is what is taking so long. Clearly, HTC wants a perfected migration and needs the time to do so.

While waiting a long time is not good to hear, what is good to hear is that the changeover to Android 2.2 will take significantly less time than the Android 1.5 to 2.1 update did, at least according to Lin.

When asked about Android 3.0, Lin also mentioned that HTC may not be ready with updates until 2011. This was an expected answer, since even Google has been quiet on Android 3.0 news.

While no specific release date was given for the HTC Android 2.2 migration, Lin did say that he believes the Android 2.2 updates will be completed by the 2010 holiday season.

[Electronista]

Android 2.1 Update Coming August 2010 For Rogers HTC Magic

Billy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:30:06 +0000

Here is some good news for Rogers HTC Magic owners.

This week, the Rogers Social Media team sent out a series of tweets indicating that the Android OS 2.1 update is coming for the HTC Magic.

As many remember, the HTC Magic was one of the first Android-powered devices to hit Canada, along with the HTC Dream. Both devices, especially the Magic, has had their share of problems such as the urgent 911 fix and then the recent re-branding to “Magic+”.

The first tweet sent out indicated that Rogers has received a draft of OS 2.1:

“Okay Magic fans, I have an update for you! Rogers has received a draft OS 2.1 Magic upgrade from HTC”.

The tweet immediately following hinted at an upcoming release date for the OS 2.1 update:

“We’re in process of testing. No solid release date as that depends on Google’s approval as well. We anticipate end of Aug but plz stay tuned”

So it seems like Rogers HTC Magic owners may be receiving the Android 2.1 OS update this August 2010. The only unfortunate aspect is that the Android 2.2 update is already coming up, but at least the Magic will be somewhat almost up to date.

HTC Legend/Desire Android 2.2 Upgrade Coming Q3 2010

Billy — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:30:52 +0000

Here’s some fantastic news for HTC Legend/Desire owners!

If you purchased the HTC Legend from Bell or Virgin recently or will purchase the upcoming HTC Desire from Telus, all of the devices have the Android 2.2 update coming soon.

The news comes from a HTC representative who stated:

We are working hard with our partners to update the HTC Sense experience on Froyo and distribute it to our customers as fast as possible. We expect to release updates for several of our 2010 models including Desire, Legend and Wildfire beginning in Q3.

So it looks like the HTC Legend/Desire Android 2.2 update will be available, with an updated SenseUI, late Summer or Fall 2010. Hopefully everything goes to plan and there are no barriers from the carriers or “partners” that HTC is working with.

[Pocketnow]

Exposed: Details About Android 3.0 “Gingerbread”

Billy — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:30:29 +0000

Looks like the next iteration of Google’s Android OS, version 3.0, has started to peek out to the world.

Android 3.0, otherwise known as Gingerbread, will include an entirely new interface, rumored to be similar to the 3D gallery application on the Nexus One. Because of this new interface, it would seem that handset makers such as HTC and Motorola will lose their own custom UI’s such as SenseUI and MOTOBLUR.

New minimum hardware requirements are also revealed. All new Android 3.0 devices must have a 1GHz or better processor, 512MB RAM, and at least a 3.5-inch display. If any device does not feature at least all three of those requirements, Android 3.0 will not be available on that specific device.

This also means that many existing Android-based devices will stop receiving updates at Android 2.2. Time to upgrade!

New Android 3.0 devices will also have their operating resolutions increased to 1280 x 760, which will be natively supported for 4-inch devices and above.

The release date for Android 3.0 is expected around Holiday 2010.

[MobileCrunch]

Google Releases Android 2.2 For Nexus One Devices

Billy — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:30:18 +0000

This week, Google has began to send out over-the-air updates of Android 2.2 (Froyo) for the Nexus One. The roll out has just started, so it will take a few days for everyone to get updated.

The Android 2.2 update provides great new features including support for making the Nexus One a portable WiFi hotspot. The update also brings support for Adobe Flash within the browser. For a detailed list of all the updates included in Android 2.2, check out the Android 2.2 Platform Highlights page.

To download the Android 2.2 update, users will a message on your their device notification bar. Download the update, install it, and you’re all done! Google indicates that the update will be gradually rolled out and that most users should have it shortly.

[Google]

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 To Receive Android 2.1 By Fall 2010

Billy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:30:42 +0000

When the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 launched, it launched with Android OS 1.6 with prospects of updating to OS 2.1.

At the beginning of May 2010, a Sony Ericsson representative clarified that even though the Xperia X10 will launch with Android 1.6, it will be upgradable:

What I hope to get across to you all, is that there will be a software update for Xperia X10 that will upgrade the complete Sony Ericsson User Experience Platform based on newer version of the Android OS.

What was not clear was what this upgrade is exactly and when. However at the time, rumors further indicated that Android 2.1 would hit the Xperia X10 in September 2010.

Sony Ericsson then confirmed that it would deliver a major update to the Xperia X10 in Fall 2010. The device will receive an update to Android 2.1 as well as many other features:

HD video recording as per the same execution as Sony Ericsson Vivaz

Wireless home connectivity via DLNA

Improvements to signature applications Timescape and Mediascape to make them even smarter and richer

Sony Ericsson also noted that the X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro will also receive the updates at approximately the same time frame.

Then at the end of May, Rogers came in and confirmed that the Xperia X10 will receive the Android 2.1 update.

The confirmation came from one of the social media members of Rogers and states the following:

I just confirmed that HTC will deliver 2.1 for Magic for testing end of June. Acer Liquid will release w/ 2.1. X10 2.1 in Fall.

This week, Sony Ericsson once again confirmed that the Xperia X10 will receive the Android OS 2.1 update in Q3 of 2010, which lines it up for a Fall 2010 release. The update is said to include HD video recording, confirming the aforementioned feature list.

However, Sony Ericsson also confirmed that there will be another update in Q4 of 2010 that will enable the Xperia X10 to wirelessly connect to a television (possibly only a Sony television) to display content.

When available, the updates will accessible through the update service at www.sonyericsson.com.

[MobileCrunch]

Android 3.0 To End Custom UI’s?

Billy — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:30:07 +0000

Reports this week point to Google putting an end to custom Android interfaces with the next major release of Android, version 3.0, also known as “Gingerbread”.

The upcoming update is said to focus on the user experience and aims to reduce the need to use interfaces such as HTC’s SenseUI and Motorola’s MOTOBLUR. No feature details of Android 3.0 were revealed, but it is likely to bring new widgets, apps, and email functions.

Android 3.0 could also potentially lessen the OS fragmentation across Android devices, which is partly caused by the variety of custom manufacturer UI’s. Currently, many Android devices are using a range of Android OS versions, such as the Nexus One, which is currently the only Android device running OS 2.2.

Android 3.0 could potentially have more devices using stock operating systems which will make future updates easier on users with less custom UI’s to individually update.

Stay tuned for more.

[Electronista]

Major Android Updates To Be Released Annually

Billy — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:00:09 +0000

It seems that Google will be slowing down the firmware update rate of Android, as indicated by Google VP Andy Rubin. In the last few months, Android firmware has been updating approximately twice per year but as Rubin points out, with Android “settling down”, the OS updates will be done annually.

One of the main reasons to slow down the updates was to allow developers and apps an easier production pace, as with the current schedule, many apps often have only a short time before the Android OS is updated again and becomes obsolete.

A platform that’s moving — it’s hard for developers to keep up,” Rubin explained. “I want developers to basically leverage the innovation. I don’t want developers to have to predict the innovation.

The new Android update schedule echoes that of the iPhone update schedule. Every year around the June/July time frame, the iPhone receives a major OS update and throughout the year, the iPhone would receive minor fixes. The new Android OS update schedule could follow this exactly.

The update schedule change will not only be good for developers but also good for users. Many users have expressed dissatisfaction at the fragmentation of the Android OS, with many devices in Canada still shipping with Android 1.5! To make matters worse, a lot of these “newly” releasing devices may not ever be upgraded, severely limiting the capability of the specific Android device.

This seems like a good move for Google and Android, as it gives users less fragmentation and developers more time for production.

[Electronista]

Rogers Confirms HTC Magic and Sony Ericsson X10 To Receive Android 2.1 Update

Billy — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:04:00 +0000

Owners of the HTC Magic or Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 will be happy to know that Rogers has confirmed that both devices will receive the Android 2.1 update.

The confirmation comes from one of the social media members of Rogers and states the following:

I just confirmed that HTC will deliver 2.1 for Magic for testing end of June. Acer Liquid will release w/ 2.1. X10 2.1 in Fall.

The Acer Liquid e was already launching with Android 2.1 and the X10 had rumors pointing to a fall 2010 update for Android 2.1. However, the Magic receiving the Android 2.1 update was not known!

This is good news for Magic/X10 owners!