14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone carrier Rogers has delivered to its HTC Dream and HTC Magic users new software updates for their devices, which are meant to resolve an issue that prevented the handsets from completing 911 calls when the GPS was turned on. According to the operator, HTC has come up with a fix for the two devices, and now all those who own a Dream or Magic Android-based mobile phone can download the new update to ensure that their devices work properly.
But this is not all. At the same time, the carrier is said to have included the HTC Sense UI within the new software solution, something that offers users the possibility to taste an enhanced experience on the Android 1.5 flavor of Google's OS. The new solution comes with multi-touch features, and Rogers also said that, given the issue the handset had, users “will be compensated automatically for this inconvenience with a credit of one month of data fees.”
According to mobilesyrup, Rogers issued the following statement: “A mandatory software update is now available for Rogers HTC Dream and Magic customers to ensure 911 calls can be completed on these devices. These customers need to go immediately to http://www.rogers.com/dreamsoftwareupdate or http://www.rogers.com/magicsoftwareupdate on a PC to download the update. Users of Windows 7 or Macintosh will need to call 1-888-Rogers1 for update instructions. Customers will need to backup any personal items before the update process.
Customers who have not downloaded this software update could have problems accessing 911. As a result, we are taking the precautionary measure of temporarily disabling internet access for Dream and Magic users on Sunday January 24 at 6:00AM (EST). Voice and text messaging will not be impacted. By disabling internet access, we can ensure that 911 calls are completed for all our Dream and Magic customers. Once a customer completes the software update, his/her internet access will be re-enabled within 24 hours.”
In addition, the carrier notes that the disabling of the Internet access for Dream and Magic was the only solution they were able to find for ensuring that users can complete 911 calls. As for the one month of data fees the carrier will credit its users with, it added that it will “show up on invoices within 60 days.” All seems to have been solved well in the end, especially for the HTC Magic, since the carrier said it would upgrade the device to Android 2.1, and that its Dream users could get a Magic for free while bringing their contract agreement to day 1.