HTC confirms software updates for mobile handsets

computeractive/2010-review-images/htc-desire

Mobile phone manufacturer HTC has confirmed it is to update the software on several of its handsets which use Google’s Android operating system.

While the older HTC Hero has already been updated to version 2.1, the HTC Desire, Legend and Wildfire are all set to receive version 2.2 of the mobile operating system, codenamed Froyo, in the autumn.

HTC said: “We are working hard with our partners to update the HTC Sense experience on Froyo and distribute it to our customers as fast as possible.

"We expect to release updates for several of our 2010 models including Desire, Legend and Wildfire beginning in Q3.”

As well as new shortcuts on the home screen, the 2.2 update promises dramatically improved performance, especially when viewing websites that use Javascript.

It will also allow handsets to be switched to ‘tethering’ mode. This allows people who want to connect their PC to the internet but who are not in range of a fixed wireless network to use the phone as a 3G wireless router.

Although Google has already made the update available for its own Nexus One handset, which also runs Android, owners of HTC-branded phones have to wait while the company tweaks the software to ensure compatibility with its products.

Network operators such as Orange will then also have to sign off the software before it is automatically made available to subscribers. This is in order to ensure additional graphics and software added by the operator still work correctly with the device.