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What would seem like a case of vaporware on the scale of something like Duke Nukem Forever, the Android 2.1 Eclair update for the GSM version of the HTC Hero has suffered endless delays, empty promises and rumors. Orange just issued a statement saying they hope to begin rolling it out next week:

“We apologise for the delay in Orange Hero customers receiving their Éclair 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.”

Does that mean we should still keep our fingers crossed? Let’s hope not.

[Orange via Phandroid]

The above screenshot making it’s rounds shows that T-Mobile is committed to bringing Android 2.2 FroYo to the MyTouch series phones, including the Slide, the original and the Fender Edition. Also to be included is a Genius Button app for the hardware lacking the Genius Button, and a Favs gallery with info on your top 20 contacts as well as full Exchange support. The “personal note” does sign off with “no phones left behind, but it still doesn’t offer much hope for the G1, unless you want to do some hacking.

[via Phandroid]

Yes finally. After many rumors of release dates and being teased, Sprint customers with the HTC Hero can finally enjoy Android 2.1 in all its glory. Including features such as voice typing, new widgets and other bug fixes. The update should be pushed to your handset in the upcoming few days, or available soon at the Sprint support site for manual download and install.

Anyone receive the update yet? How ya liking it so far?

[via BGR]

Perhaps in the wake of Sprint’s delayed 2.1 update for the Hero, Verizon is looking to please some people by finally bringing 2.1 to the Eris. The Verizon software update page for the Eris now lists a software update as “Coming Soon”. Dubbed ROM: 2.36.605.1 by Verizon, from the features list, we all know this better as Android 2.1 Eclair. No solid word on when the update will be available, but the update instructions show that it will be an OTA update, and that it is also mandatory. Yup, there’s no staying with the old 1.5 anymore. Not that anyone would want to.

Here’s what you get when the update comes:

• Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the Gallery and Google Maps.
• New support for voice-to-text entry. − Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
• New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
• New Leap thumbnail view lets you pinch to jump between the seven panels on your home screen.
• Additional calendar views and easier access to contacts make navigating even quicker.
• Google Maps with Navigation provides free, traffic-enhanced, turn-by-turn navigation.
• With the Enhanced Android Market, you’ll enjoy a better browsing experience as well as even more applications, including Verizon Wireless content featuring self-service applications.
• Ability to log onto and access multiple Google accounts at once.
• Support for 19 Microsoft® Exchange Server policies makes your phone more secure and business friendly.
• Desk Clock intelligently dims your screen and displays the current time while charging.
• Added support for stand-alone Wi-Fi when device is in airplane mode.
• Location-based cinematic full screen weather keeps you on top of changing conditions.
• Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.
• Improvements:
• Faster power-up time.
• Free Yahoo!® Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password.
• Improved swipe-unlock functionality.
• Added support for Microsoft Office 2007 documents.
• Longer battery life due to power savings.
• Improved YouTube® video playback.
• Better Bluetooth® support, including contact transfer.
• Automatic settings for POP3 verizon.net email accounts.

From the information provided by this internal communication at Best Buy, it appears that HTC Hero owners will finally be getting the long-promised upgrade to Android 2.1 starting this Friday, May 7th. This isn’t a simple OTA update, push a button on your phone and done, but it appears the upgrade must be done in a Best Buy store, possibly also a Sprint store, or via a download from the HTC website. We’ll have details and links for you on Friday if this turns out to be true.

[via Engadget]

It may come as a surprise to some Nexus One owners that their device is already 802.11n capable from a hardware aspect, but the software doesn’t support it yet. Sort of like how the Motorola CLIQ has an FM radio receiver, but the Android 1.5 that it ships with doesn’t make use of it. Google has already hinted at all the new features coming with Android 2.2 coming as soon as next month, and we’ve seen evidence of some of it such as automatic application updating, but it’s a wait-n-see game till we get our hands on it. There is also a rumor of possible trackball color changing, such as the Blackberry Pearl did.

[via Electronista]

The Barnes and Noble Nook ebook reader has a new update out. Version 1.3 adds support for games and web browsing wi-fi As well as an updated reading experience and the new Read-In-Store feature making the device more useful appealing than “just an ebook reader”.

The update is rolling out as of today and you can visit http://www.nook.com/update to download and for installation instructions. Full press release is below.

[Thanks for the tip, Caitlin!]

T-Mobile has started their OTA rollout of the Android 1.6 Donut update. We’ve all been anxiously waiting, but if you don’t feel like waiting anymore, here’s how to do the update manually:

1. Download the update file here for the G1. And here for the myTouch 3G.
2. Rename the file update.zip and copy it to the root directory of your SD card. If you are on Windows and have file extensions hidden, then just name it update.
3. After the file is copied, unmount the SD card and turn off you phone. Turn it back on by holding HOME+END.
4. It will boot into a special update screen, then press Alt+S to apply the update from your SD card.
5. Wait till it finishes, then hit HOME+BACK to reboot
6. The bootup will take longer than normal, just let it finish.
7. Enjoy some tasty Donuts!

A quick note, you do not have to have your phone rooted to update, but if you are rooted, this update will lose your root access. Questions, comments, issues? Let us know in the comments.

UPDATE: A reader wrote in with the process for myTouch owners:

There is no need to root or flash from a computer and upgrading is just as easy as with the G1. Put the update.zip file on the SD card, hold home+power until you get to the screen with the exclamation mark in a triangle. Once at that screen just press home+power again. It will take you to the recovery screen where you can use the trackball to to select “update from sd card”.

All cheesy post titles aside, TmoNews is reporting that T-Mobile US is starting to deliver OTA Donut (Android 1.6) updates to select G1 handsets as of midnight last night, and select myTouch handsets later on tonight. As with the previous Cupcake update, it’s very slow at first, presumably to catch and issues before everyone can be affected. And if all goes well, everyone (excluding rooted, custom ROM phones) will get a delicious box of Donuts in their inbox. It comes as no surprise since they updated the My Account application just last night to be Donut-compatible.

Drop us a comment if you have gotten an update yet, or if you haven’t and just want to share your excitement. And we’ll keep you posted once we dig up a link to the official firmware for those wishing to do manual updates.

And in case you’ve been under a rock, here’s what the update brings:

• An improved Android Market experience that makes it easier to discover great applications.
• An integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface.
• Updated Voice Search, with faster response and deeper integration with native applications, including the ability to dial contacts.
• Updated search experience that make it easier to search various sources, such as browser bookmarks & history, contacts, music, and the web, directly from the home screen.

[TmoNews]

*UPDATE* There’s now an official announcement on the T-Mobile forums.

If you were drooling all over the demo videos and you wanna take the plunge and play with the HTC Hero firmware, it’s the latest hot topic over at xda-developers. Redone user interface changes inside and out, and a host of custom HTC applications, this is the future of Android and much better over a stock 1.5 build in my opinion. I’m actually surprised to see the firmware out before the actual device even is released.

Leave a comment if you decided to try it out and let us know what you think. Or feel free to comment if you bricked your phone.

[xda-developers] via [Engadget Mobile]