The HTC Desire HD isn't getting Ice Cream Sandwich after all. HTC has officially cancelled the software update for the popular phone, leaving owners stuck on Gingerbread.
HTC has led Desire HD owners a merry little dance in recent weeks. It was Canadian phone network Telus that first revealed the phone would not get Ice Cream Sandwich, a claim publicly denied by HTC. But now HTC has admitted that no update is forthcoming.
HTC says: "After extensive testing, we’ve determined that the current version of HTC Sense with Android provides customers with the best experience on the HTC Desire HD. When we consider new versions of software, we weigh a number of factors, but ultimately the customer experience on the product is the deciding factor. We apologize for any confusion this change may have caused our customers."
HTC is not the first manufacturer to suggest that Ice Cream Sandwich isn't always good for a phone: Motorola and Sony have both resorted to claiming the new software isn't even that good anyway, and you're better off with Gingerbread. Manufacturers have also claimed that modern phones are so complex it's hard to organise an update.
The Desire HD is two years old, which doesn't sound that old but in phone years is akin to shuffling round sheltered housing singing Al Jolson songs and forgetting to wear shoes. After two years, many owners will be nearing the end of their contracts and nearing upgrade time, so you can easily trade in your stale Gingerbread handset for an Ice Cream Sandwich or even Jelly Bean phone.
Still, it's pretty eye-opening that a piece of kit barely two years old can't handle what isn't even the latest software. After all, Ice Cream Sandwich is a year old itself, meaning phone and software don't get on despite being only a year apart.
HTC promises the Ice Cream Sandwich update is still on course for the Incredible and Incredible S, the Sensation family, and the Desire S. There's no word on Jelly Bean updates yet, but we expect another round of update confusion when that hits.
Are you a Desire HD owner, or do you own a different phone that's struggled with Ice Cream Sandwich? Do you love looking out for updates or has the Android update cycle become a joke? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 27
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anonymous 24 July, 2012 10:08
Slightly annoyed. Got an Android to be a bit more 'open'. I think I'll get the iPhone next - at least they're decisive and consistent.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 10:25
I'm not that upset that HTC won't be issuing a sense based ICS to the desire HD. I firmly believe that it is Sense itself however holding back this update and not the OS itself. I have been happily running a custom AOSP Ice Cream Sandwich ROM for months now and the Desire HD is more than capable.
The sooner manufacturers stop messing with Android, the better it will be for everyone. From 4.0 on I thinks the stock experience works for novices and fan boys alike.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 10:46
I bet they cant get the camera to work, its the same with the devs over at xda (xda have managed to get the video camera to work as 480p, and its still buggy, but they are making more progress then htc)
And if htc have managed to make stock ics work that is what they should push out, frankly i'm sick of htc sense it just slows the phone down.
Willy McBurgle 24 July, 2012 11:40
Annoyed but I doubt Ice Cream would do much with my phone anyway as it's already struggling a bit under Gingerbread as it is. Plus - the camera on this phone sucks so I'm looking forward to upgrading anyway although I'm leaning towards Win8
anonymous 24 July, 2012 11:52
sign this petition to get htc to release ICS on DHD - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/give-us-ics/
anonymous 24 July, 2012 12:11
This is why I have a galaxy Nexus because I know that it will be updated for at least 2 or maybe 3 years. Also there is no waiting around as the update comes from Google themselves.
falo 24 July, 2012 12:12
Dear HTC. Stop shovelling rubbish on top of Android and you won't have these problems. My DHD got a whole new lease of life when I ditched the HTC Gingerbread release in favour of CM7 and it's been demonstrated by others that the DHD is more than capable of running ICS smoothly WITHOUT SENSE.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 12:17
Im definatley getting the new iphone when it comes out... The desire hd was my first and will certainly be my last android phone. I was looking forward to the ics update.. oh well looks like il be trying ios for a change
anonymous 24 July, 2012 12:22
I bet it will eventually get it like the desire getting GB, Make your voices heard people!
anonymous 24 July, 2012 12:28
Root + ROM = sorted :)
DrEvil1970 24 July, 2012 15:10
To be brutally honest I'm due for an upgrade in a couple of months so there's worse things in life that can happen!It's all about putting your life in perspective folks!.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 15:25
I have the HTC Rezound and I've been running a custom ICS ROM since January. At this point I could care less about the ICS update, and I'm watching for Jelly Bean ROMs. It is REALLY embarrassing that it has taken HTC this long to create ICS updates, especially considering they developed the Rezound hardware and Gingerbread software in a fraction of this time. I know Sense is their thing, but I think it's more important that they release timely updates than release updates with Sense.
HTC really foobared this and although I LOVE my HTC Rezound, my next phone will be a Nexus.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 16:26
Come on people! open your god damn eyes! 90% of phones arent running ICS and you have the nerve to sit here and rubbish htc?? everyone is doing this! htc are hardly solely to blame!
Also i can fully support this move. the phone is 2 years old; most peoples contracts are drawing to a close anyway. in business terms it is a waste to throw resources at updating an outdated piece of hardware. Recognize that this is simply a smart business decision! Least htc arent still releasing phones running GB like a number of other manufacturers are doing. this is actually a step in the right direction!
anonymous 24 July, 2012 18:06
It is not about not updating the DHD. It is OFFICIALLY making an announcement for an update and than cancelling it after months! This is not smart business, this is cheating! Iphone 3gs is still getting updates and please check how old that phone is.
ace9988 24 July, 2012 19:46
as excuses go....that's pretty woeful considering the desire S and HD are practically the same phone inside, same processor, same RAM, just different internal storage space (the desire S actually has less)
So HTC I don't buy your excuse.
anonymous 25 July, 2012 03:11
When my upgrade is due in January its bye bye HTC, bunch of idiots. Galaxy S111 methinks next. HTC are going down the pan , bye bye...
anonymous 25 July, 2012 07:41
So how is possible that vodafone gets update for testing if is officially cancelled
http://blog.vodafone.com.au/blog/software-update-weekly-wrap-11072012/
anonymous 25 July, 2012 08:13
I love my DHD but dislike the way HTC misled customers. I would certainly give HTC a wide berth when I upgrade and like many others here, I am reluctantly drawn to switching to the greater level of support from Apple, where even my 3 year old iTouch is still receiving updates. No wonder HTC are performing so badly financially. No way to treat your existing customers, and no way to attract new customers! Have you given up HTC?
anonymous 25 July, 2012 09:53
I think that I will be choosing Samsung for my next upgrade. HTC won't be getting any more of my custom.
anonymous 25 July, 2012 10:54
http://blog.vodafone.com.au/blog/software-update-weekly-wrap-25072012/
anonymous 25 July, 2012 17:18
Not rocket science, a Samsung mole got into HTC and canned the update, simples, chkk.
anonymous 25 July, 2012 20:58
Was hoping it would solve my insufficient storage problem with updating apps which is a massive pain. Won't be getting another HTC but gotta wait 12 months to change
anonymous 26 July, 2012 04:20
I'm running sense 4 and ICS and it runs better than Gingerbread did!!!! Ridiculous... the Galaxy Nexus will definitely be my next phone. Stay with Nexus devices, they get updated for years, not 6 months like other manufacturers' phones...
anonymous 27 July, 2012 10:06
"Still, it's pretty eye-opening that a piece of kit barely two years old can't handle what isn't even the latest software. After all, Ice Cream Sandwich is a year old itself, meaning phone and software don't get on despite being only a year apart."
Hook, line, sinker. The Desire HD DOES run ICS, and well. Check the tech specs of the Desire HD to the newer Desire S and Incredible S....and I quote:
"From a technical standpoint, the reasoning of HTC is not founded in truth, considering that they have already provided an ICS update for the Incredible S and are still committed to offer such an update for the Desire S. Both the Incredible S and Desire S are based on the same Qualcomm MSM8255 SoC clocked at 1GHz featuring a Adreno 205 GPU, like the Desire HD. All of these phones are also equally equipped with 768MB of RAM. In terms of flash storage, the Desire HD even eclipses the other newer models with 1.5GB vs 1.1GB. All of these phones also feature the same screen resolution of 800x480 (WVGA).
So, long story short, if ICS does not provide a good user experience on the Desire HD, it should not do so on the other phones based on, more or less, the same hardware. Indeed some users have posted mixed experiences with the update on the Incredible S, with the most common problems being faster battery drain or lack of certain features they have become accustomed to" (brightsideofnews'dot'com)
At least check facts before swallowing down anything that's trotted out. This is a business decision, nothing else from HTC to try and ensure we all update our phones. We will, but not to HTC.
anonymous 3 September, 2012 19:00
I was looking forward to the update on my Desire HD.
iPhone looks good now as my next upgrade option!
anonymous 14 September, 2012 09:33
I may be annoyed at HTC for not providing the ICS upgrade for my DHD, but my contract is nearly up, so it's time for a change anyway. Anybody that thinks that just because HTC aren't providing an update they should switch to an Apple product wants their head read. I may not get another HTC phone but there's no way that I'm going to switch to the over-hyped, over-priced and far more restrictive Apple phones. Get some perspective.
anonymous 22 October, 2012 10:01
This is a very short sighted move by HTC. The simple fact of the matter is if Apple and Samsung can keep their phones updated with the latest o/s release then why can't HTC? My Wife has had ICS for months and now Jelly Bean on her Galaxy S2! I really love my Desire HD but I've been burned once,so I won't ever be buying HTC again.