Vodafone has once again beaten the rest – and quite possibly even HTC itself – in getting the “Gingerbread” Android update out to its HTC Desire HD users. It’s available right now as an over-the-air update if you bought your HD through the network.
Despite HTC telling us late yesterday that the Android 2.3 update wasn’t actually out in the UK just yet… it is now. For some, at least. Here’s the full announcement from Vodafone:
A new maintenance release for the HTC Desire HD is now available to our customers. This update is an Android platform update to Gingerbread and introduces a number of fixes and improvements, including:
Enhancements to the user interface (simpler and slicker)
New Android Keyboard, with easy copy/paste feature
Improved Power Management
Internet Calling support
Multiple Camera Management (front and back)How can I get the latest software?
Over the air
To see if the software upgrade is available, navigate from the Home screen, press MENU, and then tap Settings. Scroll down the screen, and then tap About phone > System software updates. On the System software updates screen, tap Check now.
Checking the software version
To check which version of the software is currently on the handset, go to:
Settings
About phone
Software information
Software number
The new software version will show as 2.36.161.12.
So there you go. Something to do tonight if you’re a Desire HD owner.
It’s smooth to use, the 1080p display is sharp, clear and bright, the device is extremely light and thin and therefore very pocketable and portable — much more so than other 5-inch phones we’ve used. And yet… we’re a bit unimpressed by the overall package…
A relatively high-spec smartphone, with a 4.5″ display running at 480 x 854 resolution and powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, plus the Ascend G510 arrives running Android 4.1.1 — albeit potentially hindered by Huawei only sticking 512MB of RAM inside it..
The Panasonic Eluga marks the company’s return to the European mobile phone scene years after several years of absence, and it’s come back to us with a moderately high-spec Android model that features a rather stylish, slim case.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
right_mr
/ May 5, 2011It’s not good news if you purchased an unbranded and unlocked sim free handset because the update is not rolling out for such users. I am surrised voda. Customers get their update before me given I stumped up the cash for this handset outright. Still…funny old world…
B.T.G117
/ May 5, 2011I totally agree i had mine on pre-order from two different suppliers. you would think we would be rewarded with the update first….. Im not happy!
right_mr
/ May 5, 2011Spot on, I preordered mine too and while I am grateful that we will get it eventually, I am so unimpressed with the cock up HTC has made… makes me wonder whether it is worth wasting my hard earned cash on a sim free unbranded device.
Stephen
/ May 5, 2011Pissups and breweries come to mind!!
Will
/ May 5, 2011It’s released in Ireland too!
Sparky
/ May 5, 2011I’ve got a handset that I think was unlocked by seller rather than sim free. So, will I get the update one day. I don’t understand how networks control it. I’m with vodafone.
Dave
/ May 5, 2011I am with Vodafone and have a desire hd received as part of my contract and it is not letting me update, not sure if its a problem or they have removed the update already
Andy
/ May 5, 2011The Desire HD does not come with any network specific software versions, therefore everyone, locked or unlocked, will get the release at the same time! I suspect that some people in the UK getting the update actually have an european mainland version of the phone bought through a reseller (therefore tricking those perky HTC servers!).
right_mr
/ May 5, 2011I have a work colleague whose desire hd is totally screwed up with an Orange skin and bloatware…her handset is definitely modified by Orange’s disgusting add ons…
Jon
/ May 6, 2011Sorry your wrong, both Orange and Vodaphone have their own branded firmware hence why Voda can release the software to only their customers.
P.s. I was using the Orange crap, but flashed my phone with the official software which was infinitely better. Vodaphone may get the update first, but at least we don’t have any bloatware.
Andy
/ May 6, 2011Ok, so I just found out that in the rush to the market the people who bought their Desire HD in the first month or so of release got an unbranded phone, and it was only later phones sold that were unfortunately branded! You will have software version number 1.72.405.3 if it is unbranded! Let’s just hope our precious phones don’t suddenly get branded in the update!!
Roger Moore
/ May 6, 2011Like Dave above, I have a Vodafone UK supplied Desire HD, and after following the instructions for the update, also found it not to appear!?
monkey
/ May 6, 2011Dave and Roger, updates are rolled out to batches of phones based on serial numbers, usually takes a couple of weeks to get everyone updated.
atari
/ May 6, 2011Issues here too! Desire HD purchased from CPW on a 24 month Voda contact … ‘No updates available’. ANNOYIIIIIIING!
Gary C
/ May 6, 2011Then… you will have an unlocked phone that just-so-happens to be using a Vodafone SIM. So you’ll be needing HTC’s generic update, not Vodafone’s.
atari
/ May 6, 2011Boooo! Cheers Gary. Do we know when it’s being rolled out? I’m pretty impatient
Gary C
/ May 6, 2011HTC says the UK generic version is still being tested. Which doesn’t make ANY sense as it’s obviously already given it to Vodafone.
atari
/ May 7, 2011Ahh well … I’ll just suck it up and wait.
Cheers again Gary
Mike
/ May 7, 2011I bought mine on a 24 month Vodafone contract from phones4u in October and I have not received the update?
kramos
/ May 7, 2011Got one of the first desire hd’s from vodasmone directly back in Oct and still waiting in the serial number lottery , yawn yawn
Josh
/ May 7, 2011Same here. I got my DHD directly from Vodafone when it came out. Mine is unbranded though, so I’m not sure whether I’ll get the update from Vodafone or from HTC. Does anyone know?
salem
/ May 8, 2011After i updated to 2.36.161.12 . phone stopped reading microSD card. what to do plz help????
Andy
/ May 8, 2011You usually have to do a full restart of the phone (not the usual on and off malarky). That usually works….
salem
/ May 8, 2011Thank alot …it’s works.
Sonney
/ May 8, 2011To the unbranded user, mines unbranded and I’m glad its unbranded…I dont want a Service provider stamp on my phone, or that bloatware that slows it down and creates a terrible user experience with all those trial games.
Its funny, I have scoured the internet and have not found any people who have won the serial number lottery and got the update (which was released a few days ago). Everyone I know that has it, got it from XDA…
Rock
/ May 8, 2011” Multiple Camera Management (front and back) ”
What front camera!? that blows the credibility of that announcement!
Bri.
/ May 8, 2011On Voda and have just installed 2.3 on my HD. Didn’t seem to do that mutch on the face of it, apart from a very pleasing increase in speed.
Andy
/ May 9, 2011Wooo Go Vodafone, downloading now yeehaa
Andy
/ May 9, 2011@Bri Installing now but I’m hoping it will fix message issues so I don’t find out I have a text message only once I click on messages (intermittent issue). Also things like weather location update I have to fight with a bit at the moment where as before the Christmas update it updated itself fine.
Andy
/ May 9, 2011@Rock, you can’t really ever give credibility to Vodafone announcements, they always have phone specs incorrect, for example they quoted the Deisre HD as having 8gb of internal memory, and a HD screen, which it has neither. I knew this before my purchase though.
rich
/ May 9, 2011meh, got the update for my deisre hd. wish i hadn’t. fone is laggy. the keyboard is now bug ridden where the predictive text and spell check don’t work properly. it’s a waste of time
Richie
/ May 11, 2011What is the sw number (menu –> settings –> about phone –> Software Information) ?
Is it still crap or ok now? would be nice to get an update…
Lee
/ May 9, 2011Could it be that Vodafone have prevented anyone else in the UK from getting the update for now by doing a deal with HTC? I got my HD from carphone warehouse as Vodafone completely screwed up the launch and although they were the launch partner the independent shops got stock a long time before VF. I had ordered it through Vodafone but after 2 weeks with no sign of the phone I cancelled and got it through CPW. It is not good that I am now punished for this by vodafone especially as I still pay vodafone my money each month.
Josh
/ May 9, 2011I just spoke to 2 different people from HTC regarding the update.
The first one told me the update is being rolled out to unbranded DHD’s as of today, and that it could take up to 2 weeks for everyone to receive it.
The second guy said it started being rolled out late last week, and that I should have it within a few days…
Has anyone unbranded received the update in the UK?
Leom
/ May 10, 2011Mine was purchased directly from Vodafone and I recieved it the day it was released. It has no brand on it nor does it have any Vodafone branded apps so Im not sure if it is a Vodafone branded phone. I dont have the update yet
Josh
/ May 10, 2011Leom – your phone is unbranded. Vodafone handed out unbranded DHD’s in the first month or so after release. So you’re waiting on HTC for the update. I am in the same boat. Hurry up HTC!
marty
/ May 11, 2011I have an unbranded HTC desire hd and I contacted HTC according to them I should have the update as they released it. They’re trying to say my phone must be branded … sorry but im not stupid it isnt. :@ HTC!! I had the same problem with my hero and 2.1
farhan
/ May 11, 2011I have unbranded UK htc desire hd and still no update available.
Richie
/ May 11, 2011I still do not have the update! I pre-ordered my mobile and it was directly from T-Mobile UK and it arrived unbranded. It currently has sw verison v1.72.405.3 (v2.2.1)
I would like to see better information and details from HTC and the network providers. Very poor customer service across the board.
marty
/ May 11, 2011“Dear marty somers, Thank you for contacting HTC regarding your issue, yes that is correct we have released the andriod 2.3 unbranded software update. If your phone is branded e.g. vodafone then you will have to wait until they release there branded software.”
This is a reply from HTC about 2.3 … they can’t even spell Android … I’m confused
marty
/ May 11, 2011Dear marty somers, Thank you for contacting HTC regarding your issue, the updates are rolled out up to 30,000 devices a day. So you should receive the update in the next 14 days.
Hope so …
Is this true does anyone no are they b***s***ing
Gary C
/ May 11, 2011It’s… different from what other HTC people are saying.
Too many cooks employed to deal with members of the public there, I think!
Josh
/ May 11, 2011So it’s May 16th(Monday) for unbranded DHD’s. HTC have announced this. At least we know a date now, even if it’s 5 days away!
marty
/ May 16, 2011At last downloading it now unbranded dhd UK
*#*#checkin#*#* I put that code in don’t no whether it helped push me up the Que
Luc
/ May 21, 2011Finally got the 2.3 update for my unbranded Desire HD pushed through this morning, installed and all working!