Game over: Telstra won’t be Gingerbreading the HTC Desire after all
If you’re on Australia’s Telstra network and you’re still clinging to hope of an OTA Gingerbread update for your beloved HTC Desire, then now it’s officially time to let go. For a while it looked like Telstra might opt for a smart workaround to the old handset’s lack of memory, but now the operator’s update page makes it clear that it has fallen in line with the wider HTC stance: Android 2.3 just isn’t viable on this device, unless you’re prepared to go off-piste with the developer build or an unofficial ROM.
[Thanks, Jack]
Game over: Telstra won’t be Gingerbreading the HTC Desire after all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Game over: Telstra won’t be Gingerbreading the HTC Desire after all
If you’re on Australia’s Telstra network and you’re still clinging to hope of an OTA Gingerbread update for your beloved HTC Desire, then now it’s officially time to let go. For a while it looked like Telstra might opt for a smart workaround to the old handset’s lack of memory, but now the operator’s update page makes it clear that it has fallen in line with the wider HTC stance: Android 2.3 just isn’t viable on this device, unless you’re prepared to go off-piste with the developer build or an unofficial ROM.
[Thanks, Jack]
Game over: Telstra won’t be Gingerbreading the HTC Desire after all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Desire users in the UK now Download the Debloated Gingerbread Update
If you’ve been waiting for an official upgrade to Android 2.3 on your HTC Desire you’re in luck – it’s here. It’s still HTC Sense, but you’re getting a debloated version that removes all carrier-installed applications, all wallpapers except one and several HTC applications. The latter two category of things will be available for download on HTC’s developer portal. You’ll also see Facebook gone, but this application is available on the Android market.
For now, this one is only for handsets in the UK. Still, we’re glad to see HTC supporting a handset that is still pretty decent by today’s standards. Their willingness to get rid of their own applications and obliterate the ones of their carriers is a good sign that they’ll do whatever it takes to continue support for devices that haven’t been on the market for less than two years. The update is available via HTC’s developer portal. [Facebook, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
The major changes in this update include:
- All customizations, including operator applications, will be removed
- All wallpapers, except the default wallpaper, will be removed and placed online on the HTC Developer website
- Several HTC applications will be removed and placed online on the HTC Developer website
- The official Facebook application will be removed and is downloadable on the Android Market.
To download this update, please visit… http://developer.htc.com/
Note: This Rom update is for development only and not for general public use. Upgrades to non-authorized phones may result in loss of functionality. In addition certain functions may no longer be usable after re-flashing the ROM, including but not limited to MMS and SMS and HTC also disclaims liability for any unusable functions. HTC disclaims liability for the loss and/or leakage of any personal data resulting from the re-flashing of the ROM.
Updated – The following regional variants are not compatible with this upgrade: Germany (Telekom Deutschland), North America, South Korea and Japan.
HTC Desire Gingerbread update available, excludes US and comes with long list of caveats
First off, if you own the North American variant of this handset then you’re out of luck. Likewise, Japanese, South Korean and some German handsets are also excluded. Still here? Okay then, but you might not like what comes next. We already knew that either the Sense UI or some pre-installed apps would be cleared out to make room in the Gingerbread house, but now it seems the update is so unstable that HTC is only prepared to release it as a ROM via its developer site. That means a factory reset of your device, a bunch of worries about SMS and MMS not working properly, and a cold disclaimer in the event of things going wrong. Still, at least HTC gave (some of) us the choice. Visit the source link below for deliberately spooky instructions.
[Thanks to everybody who sent this in]
HTC Desire Gingerbread update available, excludes US and comes with long list of caveats originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 06:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Telstra Willing to Get Rid of HTC Sense to Provide Gingerbread for Their Users
HTC said it wasn’t coming. Then they said it was. And now, due to complications, it might take a long time or the upgrade might not be as beneficial as some might hope. I’m talking about the upgrade to Android 2.3 on the HTC Desire of course. Telstra was one carrier set to deliver the modified Sense upgrade that would allow users to install only what they needed from the Android market, but it appears they will elect not to deal with space limitations and will just get rid of HTC Sense altogether for their upgrade.
Said plans were spotted on the company’s support page for the Desire. It’ll be extremely interesting to see how this plays out. Are they breaking an agreement with HTC or has that since expired? Will users accept Gingerbread for the loss of Sense? I’m sure more than a few of those Aussies on Telstra wouldn’t be keen to losing Sense – some might have bought the phone because of Sense in the first place.
On the other hand, don’t take my skepticism for a lack of excitement – something like this sounds great to me and you. But only time will tell if it’s as easy as Telstra’s hoping it to be. [via Android Police]
Telstra will scrap Sense UI to make room for Gingerbread on the HTC Desire
What’s this we spy in the dusty depths of a Telstra software update page? A little sentence that displays some crowd-pleasing logic in bringing Android 2.3 to the hoary old Desire. HTC originally told us the handset had insufficient memory to run Gingerbread, and so would be excluded from the update. Then it did a 180-flip and said the Desire would be getting Gingerbread after all, but with the sacrifice of some memory-hogging apps. But now Aussie Telstra has opted for arguably the smartest alternative: prepare a special update that kicks HTC’s Sense UI out of the pub instead, freeing up plenty of room for Gingerbread while also pleasing punters who like to drink their Android neat. If it can work Down Under in August, other operators around the world ought to be able to make it work too. And if they don’t, there’s always the option of a spicy home-brewed beverage instead.
[Thanks, Alejandro]
Telstra will scrap Sense UI to make room for Gingerbread on the HTC Desire originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Had to Cut the Fat on Their Gingerbread ROM for the Desire
We can’t say we’re surprised to hear this, folks. HTC initially had plans to let the HTC Desire die without a hint of bread. Gingerbread, to be exact. It would drift off into the wind, carrying caseloads of Froyo to give away to anyone who craved some. This displeased everyone, of course, and HTC responded. They’ve been getting good at that customer satisfaction thing lately.
Less than 24 hours after that decision, HTC elected to recant and they joyed everyone by telling them that they’ll be bringing Gingerbread to the Desire after all. They had to sacrifice something, though – apps. HTC originally stated memory issues as the reason they couldn’t fit a Gingerbread ROM on the phone. Users called this “BS” as there’s an entire community of Desire users on Gingerbread Sense ROMs.
Those ROMs are usually devoid of bloatware. HTC probably saw that and said “ya’ know, maybe we can do the same to deliver an official update to our users.” And I suppose that’s exactly what happened as they’ve confirmed all of this on their Facebook page. Here’s their full quote on the matter:
To resolve Desire’s memory issue and enable the upgrade to Gingerbread, we will cut select apps from the release. Look for status updates starting next week. We apologize for any confusion.
HTC goes on to state that the applications they decide to remove from the ROM will be available for download in the Android market, a smart move to make sure they aren’t stepping on the toes of users who actually use them. In fact, why can’t we just get this option for all ROMs from OEMs? I’m sure the folks who don’t know a lick about rooting and ROM’ing still want a say on what is and isn’t on their phone.
Unfortunately, that’s just wishful thinking at this point – we have a feeling the Desire is the only phone, from HTC or otherwise, receiving this treatment. Anyway, the point is that Gingerbread’s coming. Expect this to be the end of the line, folks, because we have a feeling Ice Cream Sandwich will just be too much dessert for the Desire. [Twitter, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
HTC changes tune, Desire will receive Gingerbread
We aren’t exactly sure what has changed since yesterday’s statement that the HTC Desire couldn’t handle an update to Gingerbread, but the handset’s manufacturer has updated their UK Facebook page yet again, and changed their story in the process. Minutes ago HTC made a short post stating, “Contrary to what we said earlier, we are going to bring Gingerbread to HTC Desire.” How they plan on accommodating Android 2.3 along with HTC Sense if memory constraints really are a concern, we can’t say. We simply hope the process won’t involve compromising the quality of the update. Still, Desire users can rejoice, even though this is merely the beginning of what is sure to be a grueling wait for the update to launch. See what a little bit of internet backlash will get you?
[via Facebook | Thanks, Richard!]
HTC pulls a 180, now says Gingerbread is coming to Desire (updated)
So, here’s the tally: as of June 14th, there’s just “not enough memory” in the Desire for Gingerbread to run properly. As of the 15th, however, there is. We won’t pretend to understand what changed so drastically in the past 24 hours, but what is clear is that the aforesaid handset maker is listening to its most demanding of users. While it’s safe to assume that the Average Joe (or Jane) wouldn’t be able to recognize the difference between Android 2.2 and 2.3, folks clamoring for the update seem to have coerced the company to make things work. In other words, it looks like the update is back on… now it’s just a matter of making it run well. Kudos HTC, and godspeed.
Update: Turns out that HTC’s engineers will “cut select apps” to enable the Gingerbread update.
[Thanks, Frederik]
HTC pulls a 180, now says Gingerbread is coming to Desire (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
HTC Desire tries to catch Gingerbread, can’t keep up
After months attempting to bring the Desire up to speed with Android 2.3, HTC is throwing in the towel, and it doesn’t have much more than a comments section full of disappointed handset owners to show for it. The UK branch of the phone manufacturer announced via its Facebook page that attempts to upgrade the Nexus One-esque smartphone to Gingerbread have proven fruitless, due to a lack of internal memory on the device. According to the company, the promised update just won’t play nicely with its Sense UI. Those desiring less official methods can always check out the leaked 2.3.3 ROM. Everyone else will have to suffer through the Froyo brain freeze.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC Desire tries to catch Gingerbread, can’t keep up originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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