With Cox planning a cellular service, geeks in potential markets have been guessing at what kind of devices can be expected if/when (the cable giant has had a bit of a bumpy ride getting into the cell game) the service finally launches.
Well, Android Central has plenty of evidence (hit the link for photos) to suggest that customers will see an HTC Hero that’s pretty much identical to Sprint’s version of the device. All that’s missing is Sprint’s brand.
AC cautions that this could be a network testing unit, but with a Cox boot screen and no Sprint logo, I find that scenario hard to swallow. It also should be mentioned that this phone was purchased on CraigsList for $230. It’s not rocking EV-DO (yet) but I’m going to join in and say that this looks legit.
If you’ve been following the “Moment/Hero 2.1 update” threads, on your Android forum of choice, you know there are a lot of folks that are anxiously awaiting said update. HTC and Sprint initially said “1st half of 2010″. Then Sprint let slip the phrase “in the coming weeks”. Well those weeks have come and gone. The most recent news has been “the first week of May”.
A member of the XDA Developers forum recently posted a picture of a memo on the internal Best Buy Employee Toolkit. The pic looks legit (and promising). It does say “by this Friday”, which means it could drop before. If I were a betting man, I’d say it won’t.
Here’s the copy from the post:
UPDATED MAY 3: HTC Hero ROM Update
UPDATED MAY 3: There have been some questions about this update. It is a firmware update. Due to changes made by HTC on Friday, the deployment was delayed until this week. The update will be in all stores by this Friday, May 7.
A new ROM update will give customers additional features and improved functionality on their HTC Hero. Although this update is available to customers on the HTC website, you may have customers come into the store requesting assistance in performing the update. The update is available on the Mobile Genie and the UME touch and can be accessed through the start-up menu on the device. To see the update instructions, click here or go to Employee Toolkit > Quick Access > Best Buy Mobile > Wireless Phone Activations > Handset Software Updates.
Here are some key things you should know and inform customers before performing this update:
Installing the ROM Update Utility will delete ALL information and data on your Android phone that is not saved to the SD card.
Make sure every customer inquiring about the update has read the HTC Hero ROM Update Information document. You may wish to print a copy of this document to show customers.
Although Best Buy Mobile employees have ability to back up and re-install a customer’s contacts using a USB provided by the customer, it is recommended that the customer back up all information on his or her home PC prior to coming into the store for the update.
Best Buy Mobile employees do not have the capability to back up photos, e-mails or apps. These will be deleted unless the customer backs them up at home prior to the update.
The update will take 10 to 15 minutes (this includes backing up contacts, installing the update and re-installing contacts).
Android really is becoming a household name/concept, and I’m glad to see this kind of coverage on a local news show. But Cliq and Hero? Hmm. I’m not really sure why those phones were chosen, but they are well established and can be had relatively cheap for the casual smartphone user or feature phone convert. Noah’s getting to be as natural on the tele as the hosts he’s appearing with!
Heres another one for the “it could happen” file. There is speculation circulating around that both the HTC Hero and HTCH Magic/MyTouch will be receiving an update to the new and improved 2.1 platform. We already know of a possibility that T-Mobile already has an update to 2.1 packaged and ready for transmission. And Rogers has also confirmed that 2.1 will be coming to their Magic handsets leaving the HTC Dream (G1) on a cupcake diet.
It is still only a rumor (But a pretty good guess) because T-Mobile has only confirmed that the new MyTouch Fender edition will be receiving the 2.1 update. But no official word has been released about the original MyTouch 3G or G1 yet.
HTC has also already confirmed that the HTC Hero (GSM) will be receiving the Android 2.0 update in the near future. But now rumors are making the rounds about a 2.1 update coming as early as Febuary 15. This will more than likely exclude the Sprint HTC Hero for now.
With Cox planning a cellular service, geeks in potential markets have been guessing at what kind of devices can be expected if/when (the cable giant has had a bit of a bumpy ride getting into the cell game) the service finally launches.
If you’ve been following the “Moment/Hero 2.1 update” threads, on your 
