Vodafone Have Decided To Pull Their Finger Out

Seems that vodafone have responded to the anger thrown towards them after the last update they sent out to the HTC Desire witch when downloaded the owners phone with 360 services. The update was made worse because it came the same day that HTC released android 2.2 across europe, so when people thought they were updating to Froyo they were actualy getting alot of branded stuff. Vodafone told Techradar the following

"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," a Vodafone spokesperson told TechRadar.

"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 ournetwork settings are installed.

"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."

And in responce to the 360 issue they said the following

"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."

So it looks like vodafone will come out of this with their reputation intact, after all everybody makes mistakes.

Desire 720p Test

This video was captures using the official froyo release for the HTC Desire witch was mad avalible on 1st August 2010.

Official Looking Press Release Claims 2.2 Coming This Weekend (30.7.10)

The press release.
“The Android 2.2 (FroYo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend. As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own through the latest iteration of HTC Sense. The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC’s App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, though the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes.

HTC Desire users will be notified that the over-the-air update is available to download when their phone automatically checks for software updates. The update won’t delete any of the phone’s content. However, due to the size of the update, we would advise using a WiFi connection to download it wherever possible to avoid additional data charges.

This update will initially roll-out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. Operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks’ time.”

The website i found it.
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/htc-desire-to-get-android-2-2-froyo-this-weekend-in-europe-30-07-2010/

My reaction.
Looks like good news i know it says it will be coming to unlocked handsets first and then later to locked ones but i am going to un-root my desire right now as it looks like i wont be waiting that long anymore.

My Experiance Rooting And Installing Froyo ROM

This is a screenshot of my phone running on android 2.2 (froyo) but as you can tell i have a white status bar at the moment but once i learn how i am going to install a black status bar ROM. When the froyo update is official here i am going to un-root maybe rooting again if there are ROM's for android 3.0 (vanilla) available.
So rooting your phone is supposed to be easy although it took me about 23 hours including 6 hours sleep to toot and install froyo. The installation of froyo was easy once you find a good ROM but rooting does have its difficulties. The first problem i came across was working with command prompt, i have never really had to before. the instructions said something like create a directory in some location. This sounds and is a very basic command but to a command prompt noob it took an hour or so of stressing out and an hour or so of looking online. I managed to find this in a youtube video witch i will share as i found this very easy to just copy what this guy was doing to root my phone http://bit.ly/bdXsiR. The first step of rooting (for people with branded phones) is creating a goldcard witch i did pretty fast. And the worst problem i had was that command prompt kept coming up with permission denied or something like that so i had to create a short cut on the desktop and go into properties and select run as administrator. I tried right clicking and selecting run as administrator but the same was happening, so there it is 2 computers and 23hours later i am running froyo and loving it.
If you want me to link a guide for rooting, creating gold cards, and installing froyo comment on this post.

HTC Anounce Firmware Updates

Today HTC have announced that the Hero will be getting the android 2.1 firmware, exciting news i think you will agree, but this news was shadowed by the fact that they also said that android 2.2 will be coming to the Desire (yey), the Legend and the Wildfire at the beginning of Q3. Android 2.2 boasts new features such as using your phone as a wireless network, an updated market, flash player 10, and the long awaited saving applications to the sd card. Google have been quoted in the past saying the browser on 2.2 will be the fastest browser on a mobile phone.

How To Install Voice To Text

Ok one of the best features for android devices is the voice to text software but some device's don't have this including my HTC Desire but as the screenshot shows i have it now. And i am going to tell you how you can do the same. Firstly note that this isn't the easiest thing in the world but if you follow instructions to the letter nothing will go wrong.
Firstly you will need download the keyboard (http://nimbu.amorvi.com/2010/04/add-full-voice-to-text-to-htc-desire/) (download link in step 2)
Next you will need to add the voice search widget (http://nimbu.amorvi.com/2010/04/add-voice-search-to-htc-phones/) (make sure you download the one for your device)
Now attach your phone to your pc as a disk drive and put the two files you have downloaded on your phone and remember where.
Ok if you have a file manager open it, if you don't you will have to download one and i suggest "andexplorer" so open file manager and browse to the files you have just saved. Open either of the files IF it asks you what programe you want to open it with press "package installer" and it will install and repeat with the other file.
Now long press your home screen and add the search widget if there is now a microphone symbol on the widget you have done everything right so far.
Now you have installed the keyboard, next step is to activate it:
Go to Settings > language and keyboard
Tick "Android Keyboard" [Android version] OR "HTC_IME mod" [HTC Sense version] and go back to your homescreen
Press the search key on your phone
Long press on the quick search box
Select "input method" from the popup list
Select "Android Keyboard" [Android version] OR "HTC_IME mod" [HTC Sense version]

Now it should all work, if not comment this post and i will help.

Internet connection faster then GPRS needed to use voice to text.