News - HTC catches flack as Gingerbread for Desire is cancelled

[rabbid]

...
Phone = Handset hardware, service provision and small % of cost is software.

Phone does not include (network) service provision, this is via the SIM and associated network for contract service/payg service.

As an aside, in fact the FOB price of some handsets would make you rethink your statement too, the bulk hardware cost is not so expensive.

...
Fact is though 95% or so of Desire users won't give a fig or understand the whole idea of an OS update anyway, and of the few % who do understand many will use custom ROMs or have already bought new handsets... so probably it's a tiny tiny problem.

I would tend to agree with this, the ones really bothered by not having it can find a way to install it.

I don't know the contractual obligations of HTC regarding Desire (this is only the original Desire under discussion or one/all of the many subsequent variants too?) but it would be a faux pas not to support the device to a bare minimum of 2 years beyond release considering most phone contracts here and US are for 24 months now.

[tonyd223]

it's all changed - HTC have done a full 180 degree spin...

[scaryjim]

Phone does not include (network) service provision, this is via the SIM and associated network for contract service/payg service.

Erm, no. Your phone contract includes the service provision and a handset. You pay for it as a bundle (usually). Your £20 a month includes your service provision *and* your handset. You can't separate the two.

I don't know the contractual obligations of HTC regarding Desire (this is only the original Desire under discussion or one/all of the many subsequent variants too?) but it would be a faux pas not to support the device to a bare minimum of 2 years beyond release considering most phone contracts here and US are for 24 months now.

Why would HTC have contractual obligations? If you buy a freezer do you think Hotpoint have contractual obligations? It's not like any phone is going to suddenly stop working because it doesn't get an OS update. This is bad PR, but the desire was sold as a Froyo phone, and it'll remain as a decent Froyo phone. Support has nothing to do with it...?

[crossy]

I don't know the contractual obligations of HTC regarding Desire (this is only the original Desire under discussion or one/all of the many subsequent variants too?) but it would be a faux pas not to support the device to a bare minimum of 2 years beyond release considering most phone contracts here and US are for 24 months now.

Funnily enough this is exactly the major objection raised by a lot of SonyEricsson X10 owners, the "I bought this phone three months ago, and now it's getting no more updates". Although there's some nice turnaround for the Desire owners who were laughing at me - because the X10 is getting an official 2.3, (although it's EOL'd).

I think it's long overdue for mobile phone manufacturers to come out and state what their OS support provisions are. At the moment, all we get (from HTC, Motorola and SE) is airy-fairy "we'll support you for as long as is practical".

[Biscuit]

Whilst they are under no real obligations to update the software on the phone, i think its pretty bad show for them not to do so until at least 2 years after it is EOL. I bought an HTC Desire particularly because they are quite good for updating software. I would hate to have to void my warranty just to get an update that was promised too me anyway!

I just hope this 180 they have done isn't to shut people up and they actually follow through with it.

[rabbid]

Erm, no. Your phone contract includes the service provision and a handset. You pay for it as a bundle (usually). Your £20 a month includes your service provision *and* your handset. You can't separate the two.

well you underline my point even though you think you are disagreeing!

service AND a handset...

you can certainly seperate the two
you can buy a phone handset without contract should you wish to

Why would HTC have contractual obligations? If you buy a freezer do you think Hotpoint have contractual obligations? It's not like any phone is going to suddenly stop working because it doesn't get an OS update. This is bad PR, but the desire was sold as a Froyo phone, and it'll remain as a decent Froyo phone. Support has nothing to do with it...?

they both have an obligation to provide a working appliance.

as i stated i don't know if htc have any obligation to supply an upgradeable appliance, although by its nature android is an evolving and upgradable platform so hence it should incorporate some ability to do so. if not they may face alienating their userbase, or at least those that care about that side of things.

additionally, similar to any software driven device, a phone may not be able to use features expected of it and fall short of its original remit without said upgrade.

however with a fridge, being a far more simplistic appliance in regards to user expectation and interaction, it should be fairly obvious in a short period of time if it fails to provide its level of advertised service.

[rabbid]

I think it's long overdue for mobile phone manufacturers to come out and state what their OS support provisions are. At the moment, all we get (from HTC, Motorola and SE) is airy-fairy "we'll support you for as long as is practical".

That would be good and real progress for us as consumers if we can get it!

[cheesemp]

That would be good and real progress for us as consumers if we can get it!

The problem is two years ago when these phones where designed android 2.3 wasn't even announced. Saying that I don't see why they can't be clearer about what was announced - Take my X10. When it was released android 2.2 wasn't far off releasing (and well understood) so why we couldn't have had a statement stating android 2.1 at X date, android 2.2 at X date and the next version if min hardware spec is released. I'd then be happy with it stating no other updates after this.

However I expect the response to continue being the same as with the X10 it didn't do that well - hence SE didn't want to put the resources into supporting - hence why they've been so reticent about stating future support. In fact i only think the 2.3.3 release we will be getting is due to fact X10 users moaning were hurting the Arc sales!

[shaithis]

I wonder what they will cut? Hopefully, not sense!

I've had Sense 3.0 on a leaked 2.3.3 build for a while on my HD....after using Sense, I couldn't live without it anymore.....and 3.0 is so much prettier

[k4p84]

They posted up on facebook the following day that they are going to continue to look at getting Gingerbread across. A tad of a reversal bu there is hope...

[Scott B]

They've got to exclude some apps to make it work: http://www.facebook.com/HTC/posts/10150328348008084

[Singh400]

They've got to exclude some apps to make it work: http://www.facebook.com/HTC/posts/10150328348008084

Hmmm, be interesting to see what apps. Expect the devs over at XDA to tear the official RUU apart and see what is what.

[justdatruth]

Glad HTC have caved in. This whole 'fragmentation of Android' thingy is something Google has take a much firmer line on.