Author Archive: Vince Chan

HTC Hero finally gets 2.1 Update

For all you Hero users still out there waiting for Éclair, your patience is finally being rewarded. Well, that is if yours is SIM-free unlocked. We posted earlier about HTC saying that they will update by the end of June and they seem to have just made it in time. Reports are trickling in of some users seeing an automatic OTA update on their unsubsidised Hero devices, yet there are just as many reports of people with Hero‘s from their carriers who are yet to see this update. HTC have only said so far that Orange and T-Mobile customers should be seeing this update soon and that like all other OTA Android updates, it’s being staggered so you’d better hope you’re nearer the top of the pile. Again, like all other Android updates, this will completely wipe all data off your phone, so backup before hitting that OK button.

Edit: Our good friends over at coolsmartphone.com have sent us some images of the update in action! Click through to catch it from start to finish.

Android gets official BBC iPlayer support (catch: 2.2 and WiFi only)

Official support for the BBC’s popular iPlayer service has been confirmed for Android phones. As mentioned, there is a pretty major catch here – only the ones running the 2.2 Froyo update can gain access, as Flash 10.1 is required. Nearly every Android phone currently on the market has yet to get confirmation of receiving the new update.

The Nexus One is pretty much the only exception right now, although it hasn’t sold in great numbers in the UK – for now, iPlayer is still going to be unavailable for most Android users. Note that this isn’t actually an app – it’s simply an optimised version of the site which uses a custom 400kbps stream and a UI that’s easier to use with a touchscreen. The BBC have said that a relatively powerful phone would be needed, so your mileage may vary on lower-end Android phones, if and when 2.2 comes to your device. For now this shouldn’t be a problem as the Nexus One is certainly a powerful phone.

To catch your missed shows with iPlayer you’d have to be connected via wifi which although limits its use somewhat, it’s still progress, and it shows Android’s being taken more seriously in the mobile space. If you’re one of the lucky ones to own a Nexus One, simply navigate to the iPlayer website and you’ll be redirected to the optimised version; let us know how it goes!

Posted by: Vince

HTC running out of AMOLED displays, looks to Sony for more

Since the HTC Desire was released back in April, it has become wildly popular (and rightly so). In fact, demand has been so high that HTC are still struggling to keep up supply. One of the reasons is because they source their beautiful AMOLED displays from Samsung, but for some reason Samsung can’t supply enough. This may simply be that they cannot make them fast enough for HTC, or it could be that they’re understandably hogging them for themselves. Either way it’s bad news for HTC, but now HTC are looking to change this.

Details haven’t been finalised yet, but by the end of the year, HTC are looking to add Sony’s new Super TFT LCD technology to the mix. For now, this is going to be an exclusive tech for HTC, and it’s going to be added to future and existing devices such as the Desire. How they’re going to differentiate AMOLED and SLCD models and is also a mystery, but its apparently just as clear and vibrant, even in daylight – imagine that.

Post by: Vince