HTC Wildfire owners should have a little extra Christmas twinkle in their pocket this week, courtesy of an update to Android 2.2 for those handsets on Vodafone.
The jolly red network is passing on the update no sooner than it was announced by Taiwanese robowizards HTC, in a warming change from the usual network faffing. Hopefully the other networks will pull their wooly socks up and pump out Android updates in this timely fashion.
Android 2.2 offers some snazzy new features over 2.1, including tethering, so you can use your phone's 3G connection on your laptop via a USB cable or Wi-Fi. The handy ability to install apps on your SD card is a real boon for cheaper phones such as the Wildfire with limited onboard storage.
There's also a batch of improvements to Android's speed and reliability, which is welcome on a phone we always felt was a little sluggish. The camera app and Bluetooth functionality are upgraded too.
A few features aren't supported on the Wildfire, however -- the plucky little chap doesn't have quite enough puff to run animated wallpaper or Flash in the browser. Its cheap 528MHz processor just can't handle them.
When the update is rolled out to you, you'll see a message on your phone. "You can manually check if a software upgrade is available," Vodafone says, "by selecting Menu from the Home screen, tapping Settings, scrolling down the screen, tapping About Phone and then System software updates. On this screen tap Check now."
Version 2.2 is rolling out to more and more Android phones, with the Dell Streak one of the latest to feel the Froyo force. Android 2.3 is hitting the scene on the Nexus S, with high-end handsets such as the HTC Desire HD likely to be upgraded to it soon.
We'll let you know when other networks get around to offering this festive Wildfire upgrade. If you're on Vodafone, tell us how it goes -- did you have any problems installing? Does your Wildfire feel faster or as sluggish as ever?
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Comments 7
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gina4 21 December, 2010 09:32
It sounds great, but then anything would beat my 'basic' phone
Dean Shepherd 21 December, 2010 14:29
Cnet can you alter your article there...can you make it clear that while 2.2 DOES have the ability to install to memory card, its only SOME apps NOT all...and not even the entire app either just the base files itself.
you need to root or use a "Force install to SD non root" method to really utilize it...
But to the main thing, hurrah finally for the lil beastie getting 2.2 properly now....just as I was bout to root my other halfs phone to get rid of the network branding..
Anonymous 1 January, 2011 10:27
wildfire update went well, no problems, and speed is generally sharper all round.2.2 Froyo is definitley worth having.
anonymous 3 January, 2011 19:16
three network are crap slow. how can i install it myself?
Anonymous 9 January, 2011 07:02
Took me 4 attemps to finally update! keep getting "file currupted" msg. Finally I reset phone to factory setting and startdd ALL OVER AGAIN grrrrrrr! It eventually downloaded and updated 2.2 froyo within an hour...was nice watching the phone rebooting several times whilst updates were in progress. SUCCESS!!! 2.2 on the go :)
Anonymous 13 January, 2011 13:32
purchased wildfire on PAYG on o2 at phones4you in january recieved msg that updated software to 2.2 so downloaded via phone works great no problem
anonymous 16 August, 2011 12:37
Hi how do i get the up grade how do i install it and where do i get it from thanx andyk