HTC Desire Android 2.2 update out 'in days' for Vodafone, later for others

The rollout of Android 2.2 for network-locked HTC phones continues, with Virgin Mobile setting early September for HTC Desire and Wildfire owners to get some Froyo deliciousness.

HTC released an Android 2.2 update for the HTC Desire earlier this month, but operator-specific versions have had to wait while they underwent testing.

In a Twitter message, Virgin Media said, "HTC Desire and HTC Wildfire -- great news, we're expecting to release OTA [over the air] updates to 2.2 (Froyo) early Sep :)."

Vodafone HTC Desire owners will be getting it even sooner. In an official forum posting yesterday, Vodafone said, "We're still developing and testing the Android 2.2 update for HTC Desire and working on its approval with Google and HTC. The start of the roll out is days, not weeks, away and as soon as the date is finalised we'll let you know.

"It's an absolute priority for Vodafone customers to receive this update as soon as possible and that it works as we promised it would do," the post explained. "The testing process has taken a little longer than we initially anticipated, but we're working hard to make sure it gives customers the best experience."

Vodafone's ride in getting the Android update to you has been particularly rocky. The company recently rolled out an update which many Vodafone punters downloaded thinking was Android 2.2, but instead was filled with Vodafone 360 'bloatware'. After some seriously disgruntled customers got in touch, it seems to have learned its lessons and the real update should be winging its way out the door soon.

As far as other operators are concerned, Orange and O2 weren't willing to give a definite timescale on when it will arrive, but chances are they'll send out the release around the end of the month or beginning of September, according to Techradar.

Once downloaded, Android 2.2 presents a number of new goodies, such as dedicated shortcuts on the home screen for the phone dialler, applications menu and Web browser, support for Flash 10.1, extra support for Microsoft Exchange, and use of the the LED flash when shooting video.

The photo gallery has been given a makeover too, with new buttons to change settings. With the right hardware you can even make your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, and share your 3G Internet connection with your laptop wirelessly.

Have you been waiting for ever for Android 2.2? And would you have preferred getting an unlocked HTC Desire that would have got the Froyo update at launch? Let us know.