HTC brings caveat-filled Gingerbread to Desire

HTC has released an update for its Desire smartphone that brings the Android operating system up to version 2.3, otherwise known as Gingerbread.

HTC has released an Android 2.3 update for its Desire handset, but has added a string of caveats for users who want to upgrade. Image credit: HTC

In June, the handset maker said it would not update Android on the HTC Desire as the device did not have enough memory. Two days later, after protests from customers, it relented and said it would deliver a cut-down version of Gingerbread to get around the memory limitations.

Please note that flashing this ROM will erase your previous customisations, including any messages, emails, contacts and other personal information.

– HTC

On Monday, HTC announced that the stripped-back Gingerbread is now available to download, but warned potential upgraders that it 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".

Desire owners wanting to make the switch will need to visit HTC's developer pages and download the ROM Update Utility (RUU), as the traditional over-the-air (OTA) method is not available. However, HTC strongly recommended backing up all information prior to updating.

"Please note that flashing this ROM will erase your previous customisations, including any messages, emails, contacts and other personal information," the Taiwanese company said.

It also reiterated that the update is for development use only and not general public use.

"Upgrades to non-authorised 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," it said.

Disappointment

Desire owners once again greeted news of the update with complaints, disappointed that the company had not pushed out a full OTA general release.

"If we have to flash the phone this way we might as well go to XDA and get a decent one," a Facebook user by the name of 'Rachel Ann Sarratt' wrote on HTC's Facebook page on Monday.

The sense of disappointment was echoed by a number of other users.

"Don't expect an OTA update after this... Releasing this version is an open admission that they can't get it to work properly, and the 'developer' status of this is simply there to cover that fact," user 'James Maybe' wrote on the Facebook page.

"When people say that this app is broken or this feature isn't working, then HTC will just say that's what you get for installing developer versions... Sad really, as the Desire is still a great phone as it is, and it would be a shame to break it by installing half-baked ROMs that are more buggy than existing versions," he added.

HTC said the update is not currently available for Desire owners in Germany, the US, South Korea or Japan.