HTC says sorry to Hero owners: Android 2.1 update coming next week

HTC has apologised for the delay in getting Android 2.1 on to the Orange-flavoured HTC Hero. Heroes on the Orange network will finally get their update next week, over a month after other Hero owners.

Orange has quoted an HTC spokesperson, who says: "We apologise for the delay in Orange Hero customers receiving their Eclair [Google's codename for 2.1] update. Testing the update across European markets took longer than anticipated. However, we hope to receive final approval by the end of the week and Orange handsets should start updating from next week."

So that's okay then. Android 2.1 includes interactive wallpapers, a new app launcher and Exchange support for checking your Outlook mail on the go. Android 2.2 is due on several other HTC handsets, while Android 3.0 is in the pipeline for selected high-end mobiles.

Are you an Orange Hero? Let us know which feature of Éclair you're most looking forward to. And don't forget to back up your phone, as the second part of the two-part update may wipe your phone -- Heroes on other networks have kept contacts and apps during the process, but it's a good idea to backup just in case.