Sprint's HTC Hero Getting Android OS 2.1 this Week, Unofficial Version Already Available

A long-awaited upgrade for the system software on Sprint's version of the HTC Hero a reportedly going to be released this week.

Sprint says that an Android OS 2.1 upgrade for this smartphone will be introduced by the end of June, but information leaking out of the retailer Best Buy indicates that this upgrade will be available by this Friday.

The HTC Hero debuted last fall with Android OS 1.5, which in the intervening months has become very out of date.

Those who absolutely can't wait a few more days can install a leaked version that may or may not be the final one. This completely unofficial software upgrade is available online.

What's New
The latest version of Google's mobile OS sports many new features, including support for Google's navigation service, which offers spoken turn-by-turn directions without a monthly service charge. It also offers much greater support for speech-to-text, allowing users to enter text into an application with only their voice.

In addition to running the Android OS, the Hero uses the HTC Sense user interface, which enhances Google's standard one. The upgrade to the smartphones system software will include a new version of Sense, which will add a new feature called FriendStream, which brings together posts made to Facebook, Twitter, Flikr, etc. It will also include some new widgets, including an agenda view for the calendar, and another that can display multiple e-mails.

More about the HTC Hero
The Hero has a tablet shape with a 3.2-inch HVGA screen and trackball, but no hardware keyboard.

It offers mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5 megapixel camera, and a GPS receiver.

Sprint is charging $100 for this Android OS smartphone.

Source: Android Central