HTC rolls out Android 2.1 upgrade for Hero

Long wait for Éclair update is over for Hero owners

Hero users are advised to use a Wi-Fi hotspot or unlimited data plan to download the upgrade

Handset maker HTC has started to roll out the Android 2.1 Éclair upgrade in the UK for the HTC Hero.

In a statement on its web site, HTC said that it is committed to providing the best user experience, so it is pushing out a firmware update for the Hero.

“Your phone will receive a notification of this update when it is made available. Simply press OK to accept the update via a data connection such as Wi-Fi or GPRS/3G,” it read.

“Please back up your data first, and you have to upgrade your phone with the first FOTA package to be able to get the Android 2.1 FOTA upgrade.”

HTC recommends using a free Wi-Fi hotspot or an unlimited data plan to apply this update, with standard data connection charges applying otherwise.

The Taiwanese manufacturer’s latest devices, the Desire and Wildfire, already ship with the latest version of Google’s 2.1 Android OS and Hero users will now be able to use the interface.

Android 2.1 comes with a range of added benefits, including a revamped UI, Microsoft Exchange, built-in Flash and HTML 5 support and improved Google Maps, and helps to optimise hardware speed, according to Google.