O2 is the latest operator to make a hash of upgrading handsets to Android 2.2. A Froyo update for the HTC Desire went live this morning and was then promptly suspended, due to reported problems with installing it.
On the O2 forums, one user, Potzy, said that his O2-branded HTC Desire had prompted him to install a system update. But, in his next entry, he said: "Maybe spoke too soon, I think the update may have bricked my phone. It won't start up now, gets stuck on the O2 blue start-up screen."
Others people reported problems with their phone freezing up. The upgrade appears to have worked for some posters on the forum, however, despite a few crashed browsers. Because of the problems, O2 has decided to put the update on hold.
In a statement, O2 said: "The Android 2.2 Froyo update for HTC Desire went live on O2 this morning. While many have been able to download it successfully, we have had a small number of reports of customers having problems installing the software, which we are looking into. While we investigate these issues, we're putting the 2.2 update on hold."
So far, the HTC Desire's upgrade to Android 2.2 on the various networks has been a shameful tale of woe.
Vodafone ended up red-faced after customers downloaded an update thinking it was Android 2.2, only to find out it was full of Vodafone 360 apps. Orange customers will have to wait until the middle of September before getting 2.2.
Both Vodafone and Orange have said that necessary testing of the new version of Android is the reason for the delayed roll-out. HTC first released its tweaked version of Android 2.2 at the beginning of August.
At least Desire owners will eventually get an upgrade though. They might like to consider holding a candlelit vigil for Motorola Dext owners, who will be eternally stuck on Android 1.5.
Do the operators' problems with Android updates tempt you to simply go unlocked? Let us know in the usual place, fellow technology enthusiasts.
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Comments 13
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Pokeh 6 September, 2010 17:13
I really wish we could just get Android updates the way that Android users do. Just let us download and install it ourselves.
Pokeh 6 September, 2010 17:19
Bit of a fail there - meant to say that I wish we got Android updates the way iPhone users do.
Anonymous 6 September, 2010 17:20
RE: Pokeh,
yes exactly right. Froyo via HTC worked for me perfectly for me, first time. O2 and vodafone delay the release in order to install extra software that you don't want which causes the phone to crash.
Will anyone buy a phone tied to a carrier ever again? I brough my Desire for £320 and a SIM-only deal for £17 pm. Which works out the same as an 18 month contract, but the carrier can't screw up your phone. It's the way forward.
Pablo.
anonymous 6 September, 2010 17:28
I would totally have to agree with the guys above! These networks who slap their software on to the froyo install before releasing it to their customers are idiots.
Why they cant just let us install the update that HTC released back in august I dont know! Branding, what a laugh!
anonymous 6 September, 2010 17:38
I couldn't wait and rooted my phone as soon as a 2.2 rom came out. Froyo is pretty cool, I'm forever using the wifi hotspot function. Wonder if that will be disabled once the operators getting the money grabbing mits on it.
Anonymous 6 September, 2010 18:57
I for one will only be staying with the branded desire for the duration of the warranty, then rooting and custom roms will be on the cards.
Anonymous 6 September, 2010 23:34
Like everyone else I can't really see why the operators need to be involved, when it just needlessly delays the process. Went into my local T-mobile store today to ask about the long-awaited Froyo update for the Desire, but the manager informed me she couldn't call their customer services team to find out the release date (not that they would know anyway) because her colleague was on the only phone they had available... This in a mobile phone shop I ask you!
anonymous 7 September, 2010 08:27
It's things like this that make me definitely want to upgrade to an unbranded phone running stock Android. I love the polish & usability that HTC Sense adds to their range of phones but the delay between Google releasing the update & it getting approved by the manufacturers & then the carriers is unacceptable. Even then, after weeks of testing, things like the this still happen & people's phones get bricked.
Can't wait to see what Matias Duarte does to the UI experience of vanilla Android when Gingerbread gets announced. Maybe then every man & their dog won't feel the need to skin the best mobile OS out there into something resembling a shadow of its former self.
Anonymous 7 September, 2010 10:10
Tis for this reason that I installed the unbranded RUU of Froyo on my orange branded phone. Took about 5 minutes and doesn't have any bloatware, and it is working just fine (for the past month).
anonymous 8 September, 2010 12:23
for all of the people rooting their phone and installing roms, could you point me in the direction of a website / tutorial that can help me do this with out messing up my phone. I am really getting annoyed with o2 now. They release the update, then they stop it!
O2 are complete morons, the Android 2.2 update has been out for about a month now? Yet they have problems rolling out the update with their bloatware installed!
Message to O2 - Remove your crap and let us have the phone updated the way it should be! Morons!
Anonymous 15 September, 2010 20:19
Well, I have an unbranded Desire that installed the HTC over-the-air update early August, and since then the phone went through a stage of frequent spontaneous re-boots, then a couple of weeks ago it went completely dead. Now it's winging its way back to HTC house in Milton Keynes. So the problem is with 2.2, not (just) with the operators. If your operator has delayed the update, be thankful and patient!!
Anonymous 21 September, 2010 11:52
HTC should just do it through the market or summin, why would they let the carriers ruin all their hard work. It's nearly october, I know people on other networks have had update with no problems. HURRY UP O2 or you'll be loosing loyal customers!!!!!!
Anonymous 28 September, 2010 13:28
Meh, well looks like O2 have re-released the update, and it STILL bricks phones, awesome work there O2! Had mine bricked last night, can't even do a factory reset, so back it goes. Not impressed.