Update – Vodafone – HTC Desire Froyo Branded Update – Fail!
Vodafone UK finally issued a formal response of some use today by issuing the below statement –
Posted 20th August 2010:
“HTC Desire: Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) Update to Android 2.2
The Android 2.2 update for HTC Desire will start to be available to Vodafone customers from Monday 23 August.
Our priority has been to make sure that the software does what we said it will do. This meant testing took a little longer than anticipated.
Customers will receive an alert telling them that their handset is ready for an update and this alert will be phased over a two week period.
If you did not download the Vodafone 360 update, follow the first set of instructions below to download the Android 2.2 update when prompted to.
If you did download the Vodafone 360 software, once you have the 2.2 update, these guidelines also explain what you need to do to remove that content from your device, depending on the current software configuration of your HTC Desire.
Customers who still want to use Vodafone 360 services can visit the Android Marketplace, where a number of 360 apps are available. We will also be issuing an optional Vodafone 360 update for HTC Desire users at a later date.
*Please note: The following steps will only work once you have downloaded the 2.2 Android update*
Finding out which software your HTC Desire is running
To check the current software version of your HTC Desire, go to Settings->About phone->Software information and look for the entries “Android version” and “Software number”.
Your software should either be 1.19.161.5 if you haven’t downloaded the recent Vodafone 360 software, or 1.24.161.3 if you have accepted the update.
Instructions for users who have not downloaded the Vodafone 360 update (1.19.161.5)
Follow the instructions on the device once you are prompted that an update is available for your phone.
Any applications you have downloaded from the Android Marketplace will be retained, including 360 People and Vodafone Music if you’ve chosen to download them to your handset. In addition, if you have modified the browser homepage, bookmarks or home screen layout, this will remain unchanged by the update.
Instructions for users who downloaded and now want to remove the Vodafone 360 update (1.24.161.3)
If you have downloaded the Vodafone 360 update and want to remove it from your device, you will need to follow one of these two approaches, depending on whether or not you have accessed and updated the “360 Updates” or “Shop” apps pre-installed in the 1.24.161.3 update.
If you downloaded the Vodafone 360 software but chose not to update these applications – which you would have been prompted to do on opening them for the first time – installing Android 2.2 will remove the Vodafone branding and apps from your device.
Please note:
– The icons for “Shop”, ”Music Shop” and “MyWeb” will still appear on your device’s home screen, but will no longer work. To permanently delete them, you will need to drag the icons into the bin.
– Your browser homepage, bookmarks and home screen layout won’t be changed by the update. This is to ensure that any changes you’ve made since the Vodafone 360 software download are not removed by the FOTA update. You can manually change these settings on the device.
– Although it won’t be necessary following the Android 2.2 update, a factory reset of the device would also remove the Vodafone customisation, but you should ensure your device is backed up to avoid losing your content through this process.
Customers who have accessed and updated the 360 apps since downloading the initial Vodafone 360 software can also follow these guidelines for removing the content from their phone. However, in order to remove the “360 updates” and “Shop” applications you will need to do the following:
1. Go to “Settings->Applications->Manage applications->360 updates” and tap on “uninstall updates”.
2. When asked “Do you want to uninstall the updates to this Android application?” Select “OK” and then “OK” again.
3. The phone will show the message “Uninstall not successful”. This message is incorrect and in fact the application is fully removed. Select “OK”.
4. Go to “Settings->Applications->Manage applications->Shop” and tap on “uninstall updates”.
5. The user will be presented with the message “Do you want to uninstall the updates to this Android application?” Select “OK” and then “OK” again.
6. The phone will show the message “Uninstall not successful”. This message is incorrect and in fact the application is fully removed. Select “OK”.
7. Restart the phone and the two applications are permanently removed.”
Posted 10th August 2010, 10:46 AM:
“Hi everyone
We’ve listened to feedback from customers on a number of points around the recent 360 Android 2.1 update and made some changes to the roll out plan.
The Android 2.2 update for Vodafone HTC Desire users will be based on the HTC open market version of the software and we will customise it to ensure our network settings are installed.
For customers who have downloaded the recent 360 update for Android 2.1, we can confirm that the Android 2.2 update will remove the 360 applications and will leave the homepage and bookmarks on your current settings.
Customers who want to access the 360 services will be able to do so once the Android 2.2 compatible version is available and, in the meantime, can now download apps like 360 People from the Android Marketplace.
We plan to make the 360 apps available in a separate update for the HTC Desire at a later date, giving customers the choice to download it.
We will let you know when the date for delivery of the Android 2.2 update is finalised, but, subject to testing, we expect this to be in 7-10 days time.
Thanks
Administrator
Vodafone eForum”
Source – http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/topic/70251-htc-desire-firmware-update-100810/
There are still some questions surrounding this statement, such as whether or not, Vodafone will be honouring the warranties of those customers who have been forced to ‘root’ their handsets in order to get basic functionality, such as text messaging notifications. We for one believe this would be in Vodafone’s best interests to ensure their customers are looked after.
Another question on the Vodafone eForum is that of, when Vodafone do release there future update with the ‘option’ of installing the Vodafone 360 suite, if customers choose not to install this update, will they then not be notified of future updates or be forced to download this update in order to get access to future updates?
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