HTC and software updates

[scorn001]

First, I apologize if this has already been discussed, I did search, but came up with nothing.

I'm just getting ready to purchase my first smart phone, and I'm thinking it'll be the Incredible. One thing bothers me though: Is it just me, or does it seem like HTC is a little ambivalent to users desire to update to the latest OS version? It seems like Moto, at least from my perspective, is very aggressive in getting the latest OS running all on every phone that is capable that they produce. As I understand it, they have said that they are working on it for the original Droid.

HTC however states that they 'hope' to have Froyo running on the 2010 phones sometime in the 2nd half of the year, maybe. Seems sort of wishy-washy especially when you take into account that Froyo is such an important update (JIT Compiler and huge speed jumps and all), and the phones they are referring to are still quite new. I would think that providing an update to these phones would be a foregone conclusion.

So to the current owners, is HTC slow or lazy about producing updates? And do they seem to drop update support for phones quickly?

 

[slinky317]

Motorola didn't even give a timeline as to when they would have it. At least HTC did. Also, it's easier to update the Moto Droid than it is the Incredible, because the Droid is running stock Android. HTC has to work Sense into it, which is a plus or a minus depending on who you ask.

Personally, I think Google should mandate that all phone providers have to release the new updates within a month or two of Google releasing it. Unfortunately that's not going to happen, so we have to wait until HTC decides to release it.

 

[scorn001]

Ahh, I thought the Droid was running MotoBlur. Thanks for the input, hope I didn't offend anyone.

 

[rpfarrah]

I'm not offended.

 

[gatorbait]

I think it may be too speculative at this point to assume how fast or slow HTC can roll out the 2.2 upgrade. HTC's past upgrades have been (correct me if I am wrong) on older devices running old firmware that necessitated longer testing periods when jumping to the new version (i.e. 1.5 upgrading to 2.x). I would imagine the 2.1 to 2.2 upgrade will be shorter simply based on the fact that it will likely require less tweaks and testing.

I did not think I wanted Sense until I really had a chance to try it. It adds a lot of great tweaks and aesthetic additions to the stock Android OS. Research it and give it a good spin before you make a decision. Also, I wouldn't be real concerned about the increase in speed. The Incredible already flies with the 1Ghz Snapdragon, so I doubt you'll ever be using and and wishing it was faster. The 2.2 speed upgrade is going to just be a tasty icing on an already delicious cake.

But again, it is too hard to tell until we see the timeframe for the first 2.1 to 2.2 upgrade. I think what you may really need to weigh is this: is having an HTC phone and Sense UI a net positive for you even if OS upgrades are delayed a few months compared to Moto/Nexus offerings?

 

[nmyeti]

The phone pretty much rocks as is so I'm not worried about not having 2.2 the day someone with a Droid or a Nexus One gets it as I'm happy with my phone today. When we get 2.2 that will be great, but the user experience with the Incredible so far has been outstanding. If they can issue some OTAs that help improve the battery life or some of the other little quirks, then I'm all for it, but I'm happy with my phone now.

I'd say you should go play with the phone. If you like it now, get it. If not, banking on future improvements isn't a good idea. We'll probably get some upgrades down the road, but no one knows when or what they will be, so basing a purchasing decision (and a long contract) on those possible upgrades isn't the best plan.

 

[pheatton]

I think it may be too speculative at this point to assume how fast or slow HTC can roll out the 2.2 upgrade. HTC's past upgrades have been (correct me if I am wrong) on older devices running old firmware that necessitated longer testing periods when jumping to the new version (i.e. 1.5 upgrading to 2.x). I would imagine the 2.1 to 2.2 upgrade will be shorter simply based on the fact that it will likely require less tweaks and testing.

I did not think I wanted Sense until I really had a chance to try it. It adds a lot of great tweaks and aesthetic additions to the stock Android OS. Research it and give it a good spin before you make a decision. Also, I wouldn't be real concerned about the increase in speed. The Incredible already flies with the 1Ghz Snapdragon, so I doubt you'll ever be using and and wishing it was faster. The 2.2 speed upgrade is going to just be a tasty icing on an already delicious cake.

But again, it is too hard to tell until we see the timeframe for the first 2.1 to 2.2 upgrade. I think what you may really need to weigh is this: is having an HTC phone and Sense UI a net positive for you even if OS upgrades are delayed a few months compared to Moto/Nexus offerings?

Im thinking the same thing. the jump from 2.1 to 2.2 should be simpler since its not a large overhaul of the OS like 1.5/1.6 to 2.1 was.

 

[Kyle Gibb]

HTC has already said the Inc would be getting 2.2 this year. And yes, I would love it if Google would mandate that manufactures have to update their phones to the newest OS soon. The trick is getting everyone on 2.3 when it comes out, because that will detach the OS from the apps (like the browser) allowing Google to push updates to each built-in app without needed the carriers/manufactures to mess with it.

 

[Chaos5]

I think if HTC made Sense UI like a Launcher app they would be able to push out updates faster and give people options!

 

[scorn001]

I've already pretty well decided on the Incredible. The only sticking point I had was what I had sort of interpreted as a lack-luster approach to updates from HTC. Sounds like I was probably mistaken. I do really want the 2.2 update, mainly because while I understand right now, the phone is very zippy, as the applications become more demanding, having it become even faster via byte compiling the java, will extent the usable life of the phone. And I'm a cheapskate, so I have vested interest in it!

Thanks again everyone, sounds like I'll be putting in my order.

 

[scorn001]

Also, I have played with the Incredible, and I actually do like the Sense UI.

 

[FramCire]

I'd rather they get 2.2 up right the FIRST time than have them rush it out because of some mandate.

 

[kareden]

FWIW, I was also concerned about the HTC/Verizon approach to updating the OS. Incredible is my 1st smartphone. I was pretty happy with 2.1, so I bought the phone. I really like the Sense UI and would rather have that than the stock Android UI.

The main reason I am interested in 2.2 is the support for Bluetooth voice dialing. I live in a state that will require hands-free phone use in cars by the end of the year. Fortunately, the speakerphone on the Inc is pretty good so I can use that if I have to (or just avoid taking calls in the car) until the update happens.

What is frustrating to me is the absence of reliable info. HTC wants to keep its distance from end users and Verizon doesn't want to be pinned down. Even when info about update schedules comes out, the dates slip and slip (Eris anyone???). I wish Google, HTC and Verizon could get in the same room and just develop a plan for the release of updates. Even if I had to wait 6 months, or even longer, it would help to just have reliable info on what to expect...
*sigh*

 

[SpartanDroid]

Ya it is harder for HTC to push out updates compared to phones like motorola. Since motorola phones run stock Android OS it is a lot easier to push out updates because all they have to is test out the new OS on the phone and that is it. With HTC they actually have to update their Sense UI and then do all the testing. I do agree with what Chaos5 said about how they tried to make it like a launcher to push updates quicker. I do believe HTC is going to be pushing updates out quicker because they have quite a few flagship phones that run the same way. EVO, INC, Desire. HTC has to update all of these basically the same way. I do think HTC is going to be trying to fix issues with the phone that people have. Basically my take is HTC is going to perform an update on sense UI for the phone. So that is a reason why it takes longer. If it ran stock OS then basically it would get pushed out quickly. Remember the official 2.2 isn't even out yet. I think with how well the phones are selling they will get the updates out quicker.

Going from 2.1 to 2.2 won't be a huge update because the actual UI doesn't change. Just a different compiler and few other updates. Going from 1.6 to 2.1 was a huge jump. It was not only a different UI but sense also had to update their UI too. So that was a lot bigger jump and took a lot more time.

Honestly I wouldn't worry at all with updates. HTC pushes them out to big phones like the INC.