Android 2.1 update for HTC Hero finally arrives

It may have been a long and arduous wait, but HTC Hero users are finally beginning to get the operating system (OS) update they have all been waiting for.

HTC has confirmed to IT PRO the roll out of the Android 2.1 OS began yesterday and users of the popular Hero device can expect it to be winging its way to them in the next few days.

The company had promised the update would arrive by the end of June but, after numerous delays, many customers remained sceptical.

However, a number of tweets and other internet reports have shown the update is well on its way and customers are starting to get to grips with the OS previously codenamed clair.

The joy may well be short-lived though as Hero users discover how far behind the curve their handset is.

With it only just receiving 2.1, Google has confirmed today its latest 2.2 OS, codenamed "Froyo," will begin rolling out onto the Nexus One handset this week.

A post on the Google Nexus One blog confirmed the arrival of the over-the-air update, which will include the ability to turn the handset into a portable hotspot as well as support for Adobe Flash within the browser.

HTC has also confirmed to IT PRO that the Desire, Legend and Widlfire handsets will all recieve the 2.2 update later this year.

A statement from the company said: "We are working hard with our partners to update the HTC Sense experience on Froyo and distribute it to our customers as fast as possible."

"We expect to release updates for several of our 2010 models including Desire, Legend and Wildfire beginning in Q3."