14 DAY TRIAL // Taiwan-based mobile phone maker HTC Corporation announced a while ago plans to start rolling out the Android 2.1 upgrade for its HTC Hero before the end of the second quarter of the ongoing year, and the first move in this direction has already been made. Following the announcement of an over-the-air software update available for the device, the first stage of the Android 2.1 upgrade, the handset vendor made the solution available for download on its support website.
“An updated ROM is now available for HTC Hero customers to download. As always, HTC is committed to providing customers with the best possible mobile experience,” the company notes, adding that the solution includes “Firmware over-the-air (FOTA) client update & YouTube player Update.” The ROM upgrade that emerged on the carrier's website is available for HTC Hero devices that sport build number 2.73.405.xx, and is the same solution that started being pushed over-the-air to users a few days ago.
Three different ROMs are available for download from the company's website for those HTC Hero users who would like to perform the update via a computer. HTC Hero devices upgradeable at this time should sport System Image version 2.73.405.5 (EU); 2.73.405.6_R (Nordic); or 2.73.405.66 (Greece/ Ireland). Following the update, the Build number on the phone should be 2.73.405.93 (EU); 2.73.405.94 (Nordic) & 2.73.405.95 (Greece/ Ireland). This number can be checked by heading to MENU> Settings> About Phone> Build number.
One thing that should be mentioned here is that the update will erase all data on the handset, which means that users should consider performing a backup of all the files on the device before firing it up. Moreover, they should know that the software is a generic update, and all settings delivered by their wireless carrier will be lost after performing it. The process requires the HTC Hero to be connected to a desktop computer via the USB cable, with the HTC Sync application installed on the PC.
The new ROM upgrade solutions are available for download from HTC's website here, here and here, for devices with build number 2.73.405.5 (EU); 2.73.405.6_R (Nordic); or 2.73.405.66 (Greece/ Ireland), respectively. The HTC Sync application is available for download from Softpedia too, via this link.