HTC Desire Finally Gets Gingerbread (Only for Experts)
It's been a long time coming but HTC Desire users in selected countries are finally able to update to Gingerbread ... if they dare.
It's been a bit of a wild ride for Desire users when it comes to Gingerbread. Back in June, HTC angered a large number of users when it revealed that there wasn't enough RAM to fit Gingerbread and the company's beloved Sense UI on the device. However, less than 24 hours after that announcement, the company did an about-face. Though it didn't provide much in the way of details, HTC said it would make room for Gingerbread by cutting selected apps from the release. This stripped-down version of Gingerbread entered the testing stages at the beginning of July and now it looks as though HTC is finally ready to release the update. Still, the company has warned that this update isn't for everyone.
HTC UK posted an update to its Facebook page detailing what exactly had been removed from the build and urged users that the update was "only recommended for expert users who want to experience Android 2.3 and understand the limitations which apply to this update." So, what are the limitations? Well, for a start, all customizations, including operator apps, will be removed. Next to go are wallpapers (all except the default), which will be removed and placed online on the HTC dev site. Several HTC apps are also getting the heave-ho and heading for the developer website. Lastly, you can kiss the official Facebook app goodbye. It's going to be removed from your device but will still be downloadable via the Android market.
HTC also added the following disclaimer, which states that other features may be affected by the update:
"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."
Users in Germany (Telekom Deutschland), North America, South Korea and Japan are not eligible for this update. The rest of you can get it here.
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why is there a picture of he Desire HD when the article is about the original Desire ?
lol even the tomshardware posted image of the phone says its the Desire HD (http://media.bestofmicro.com/4/5/261941/original/HTCDesireHD.jpg).
Here Jane, the proper phone: http://www.productwiki.com/upload/ [...] desire.jpg
So you can upgrade to a more functional OS, as long as you have some of the funcionality cut.
Right.
That's as mad as attacking a lunatic asylum with a banana.
A lot of people prefer the plain vanilla Android OS instead of the custom UI. I don't see this as a loss. Nexus 1 has had GB for a while with full functionality. If some independent devs out there can cook a variety of fully functioning ROMs based on the same GB, I don't understand why manufacturers can not do the same for their own products. After all, Desire is N1 in terms of hardware.
Maybe they just need to hire the right people to do the job.
It's hardly for experts, all you have to do is ahve the sync software installed. Download the updater app, hook up your phone and click 3 buttons. Then wait 10min for it to flash your phone.
Did it with my unbranded desire about 3 hrs ago without an issue.
So far I have things running faster, smoother and with a hell of a lot more storage space on the internal memory than i did with 2.2 Froyo.
Hate to say it but HTC may have pulled their finger out after all on his one.
We shall see if im as happy in a week or 2 of testing / use though.
I should point out though that mine is a GSM unbranded Desire with the AMOLED screen, no idea if the LED or CDMA phones will have issues
Facebook app FINALLY removed?! Sign me up!
I'm having a hard time believing that updating to 2.3 would run out of room on the device. That sound silly.
has anyone yet done this with an aussie telstra phone , and if so have there been any issues with MMS,SMS. could could be just the thing to get rid of the HELSTRA crapware that annoys the shit out of me
THe update should remove all network branding + apps. The sms/mms issue is due to the ROM not having a default network provider list of numbers for message centers.
If need be you can enter that manually in the message settings anyway.