Android 2.1 Now Available for Sprint's HTC Hero

HTC Hero owners on Sprint's network can now enjoy a new software update available for their handsets, which is none other than the long-awaited Android 2.1 upgrade. The new solution, listed on the carrier's support website as software 2.27.651.5, enables Hero users to enjoy the latest version of Google's Android operating system, while also bringing to the table a series of other enhancements and bug fixes.

According to Sprint, the 2.27.651.5 update includes:
- Upgraded operating system to Android 2.1 Eclair
- Enhancements to sense user interface (UI)
- Enhanced corporate email support
- Variety of minor bug fixes.

The wireless carrier promised this solution a couple of months ago, yet it seems that the actual deployment took longer than originally expected. Last week, the company released the Android 2.1 update for another handset on its airwaves, namely the Samsung Moment, and now it makes it available for more users.

Users interested in downloading the new software update and installing it on their devices should note that the solution will wipe out all data on the device, and that a backup should be performed before proceeding with the installation. Users will have to sync their device with a Windows PC via the HTC Sync solution, and should make sure that the handset has a fully-charged battery, and that all applications on the device have been closed.

“Important Note: Installing the 2.27.651.5 update will delete all the data and information on your phone. You will lose contacts that have not been synced to an email account, text messages that have not been forwarded, saved voicemail messages older than 5 days, voicemails older than 20 days that have not been listened to, and call history. The calendar and email settings will also revert back to factory defaults. Pictures, music, videos and files are stored on your microSD memory card, which should be removed before updating your phone,” Sprint notes on its support page.

Additional details on how to perform the upgrade on the phone can be found at Sprint here. The actual software update does not appear to be ready for download as of yet, though the carrier should update its support page soon.