HTC Desire Android 2.3 update begins, via DIY install

After a weird series of cancellations, retractions and odd rumours , the Android 2.3 update for the original HTC Desire has begun to appear. HTC has taken the incredibly unusual step of releasing a DIY download file, which users can flash themselves if they want to take the risk.

This is no “over the air” update. You basically have to wipe your phone and install a generic version of the Desire Android 2.3 release via your PC, with the update missing some HTC Sense features. Here’s HTC’s mammoth disclaimer:

Android 2.3 Update for HTC Desire

This update is only recommended for expert users who want to experience Android 2.3 and understand the limitations which apply to this update to the HTC Desire. Due to memory constraints several applications have been removed from this update and we are only offering the ROM upgrade utility (RUU) for you to download. Please note that flashing this ROM will erase your previous customizations, including any messages, emails, contacts, and other personal information. We suggest you take advantage of your Google account and other backup solutions available on the Android Market to ensure you do not lose your personal data. Your SD Card will not be erased or modified.

The major changes in this update include:

-All customizations, including operator applications, will be removed
-All wallpapers, except the default wallpaper, will be removed and placed online on the HTC Developer website
-Several HTC applications will be removed and placed online on the HTC Developer website
-The official Facebook application will be removed and is downloadable on the Android Market.

To download this update, please visit… http://developer.htc.com/

Note: This Rom update is for development only and not for general public use. Upgrades to non-authorized phones may result in loss of functionality. In addition certain functions may no longer be usable after re-flashing the ROM, including but not limited to MMS and SMS and HTC also disclaims liability for any unusable functions. HTC disclaims liability for the loss and/or leakage of any personal data resulting from the re-flashing of the ROM.

Updated – The following regional variants are not compatible with this upgrade: Germany (Telekom Deutschland), North America, South Korea and Japan.

Such a weird thing to do, but at least it’ll go some way toward calming the angry masses. Let us know how you get on if you install it. We’ll be setting aside an hour or two later today. It’s a 161MB download that’s on HTC’s developer site here .

HTC Desire Android 2.3 update – installation guide and gallery

We’re going to do it. We’re going to sit here for the next couple of hours and update our HTC Desire with the new 2.3 update that’s just been released by HTC today. Here’s what happens. The update may contain swearing as we’re not particularly technical when it comes to things like this.

Here’s what you need:

• HTC’s Desire 2.3 bundle from the HTC Dev site
• HTC Sync for the Desire
• A PC, USB cable and some precious time

Also, just so you know, our HTC Desire is a standard O2 branded model complete with O2 boot screen and the original, untouched, official 2.2 release. Oh yes, we like to keep things official.

To explain the process for anyone unsure what to do – this update comes as an executable PC file, which updates your HTC Desire over a USB connection. You download the stuff, open it on a PC, then run the “RUU_HTC Desire Android 2.3 Upgrade (Gingerbread).exe” file while your Desire is connected via USB.

AGGGHHHHH. So be prepared for this to take quite a long time. You need HTC Sync installed on your PC as well as HTC’s RUU file, which is another huge 150MB+ download, plus your HTC Desire needs to have at least 30% of battery power to initiate the update process.

Meet the criteria, though, and it’s an easy task. The updater tool walks you through the steps and it’s entirely automated. Just try not to panic.

 

And this is it. Version 3.14.405.1 according to the updater. As mentioned by HTC, the big omission here is the Facebook app, which you now have to install yourself if you have nothing better to do with your phone’s memory.

 

The O2 branding has been removed as well, leaving us with a generic HTC Desire that features the HTC boot screen. HTC’s Peep Twitter client is still on here, as it HTC’s App Sharing tool, plus Footprints and its Friend Stream social aggregator.

 

Fast boot! That’s a new thing. Gmail, YouTube and the Maps suite remain, although HTC’s Flashlight app has been removed – but the APK is supplied in the update file if you want to install it yourself.

 

Given the absence of a detailed changelog from HTC, we’re not entirely sure what else has been chopped. Flash Player support is still in, which is good news – although the 10.3 update that’s on the Android Market will need to be installed if you want the latest version, which will significantly eat into your available memory.

 

There are no newer HTC Sense features. The Notifications panel is unchanged, as is the boring old HTC Sense lock screen. Those hoping for any of the jazzy newer Sense tools or apps will be disappointed.

Phone performance is as solid as ever. We never had any issues with the HTC Desire on 2.2 and it seems as fast and robust as ever. But bear in mind we’re literally tearing through it as fast as possible and have only had it for about an hour…

 

We’re showing 117MB of app storage space available, that’s with only Quadrant installed to take the above benchmark and iPlayer to see if Flash content works. Any questions?