Orange HTC Hero gets Android 2.1 this week (See all news)

The Android 2.1 update for Orange UK HTC Hero users seemed to be taking a long time to get to Orange users even though HTC made it available at the beginning of June. Some HTC Hero users got fed up of waiting and set up a protest group on Facebook to express their discontent and over 500 protesters were registered.

Unlocked HTC Hero devices got their Android 2.1 last month, but as usual operator-specific versions were left out at that point. Today Orange and HTC have announced that the Android 2.1 update for Orange-sold HTC Hero smartphones will get to customers’ from 1st August.

HTC themselves have apologized to Orange UK customers for the delay and explain that this is partly because of HTC testing the update across Europe. The Android 2.1 update is awaiting HTC final approval which hopefully will be given this week by HTC and Orange and then the update can be obtained.

The important thing though is that if you have an HTC Hero from Orange, you’ll finally be running an up-dated operating system version. Whether the Hero will get Froyo that is to be seen, with no answers for the moment.

Nevertheless, the Hero is a year-old device, and HTC have only guaranteed Android 2.2 updates for their smartphones which have been released this year. Yet, Android 2.1 is a huge improvement, so you should naturally apply the update as soon as available.