Well not much is known about this one yet. BGR has gotten their hands on what appears to be a screenshot of Sprint’s inventory list, showing off the LG LS680. Since there are no pics of the device itself we are left to guess what such a device from LG would look like. Most are speculating that LG will keep with the theme and we will be seeing this device in the form of a touch screen slide out QWERTY. Sprint and LG have already scheduled an event to unveil their first WiMax Windows Phone. Maybe we could be looking at the first WiMax Android device. Hopefully we will find out more during next month’s CES.

Via BoyGeniusReport

Sprint recently announced via Twitter that Hero and Moment owners would receive Android 2.0 updates sometime in the first half of 2010. As GEARlog points out, it now appears that 2.1 was likely the plan all along, but that Sprint was bound from mentioning it until the recent Nexus One leaks opened the flood gates.

Today, Sprint tweeted that the phones would go straight to 2.1, which is reportedly already seeing optimization updates:

Slight clarification on Android OS updates for the HTC Hero & Samsung Moment. Will be updating straight to Android 2.1, not 2.0, in 1H2010.

That they would say 1H rather than specify a quarter may put even that vague timing on shaky ground, but it’s good to know they’re on it. Let’s hope some update news is around the corner for the owners of some other Androids.

Via Android and Me

As reported by BGR, Verizon started sending out the update to a limited number of subscribers around Midnight this morning. Over the coming days, the list of recipiants will grow exponentially. The ROM is 1.16.605.1 and the radio version is 2.32.40.11.09. Here is a list of intended improvements:

While on a call and the device is in screensaver mode, pressing the End key now takes the device out of screensaver mode, and a second press will end the call.

On-call mute and speakerphone icon functionality is enhanced.

Upgraded functionality after activation eliminates the delay users were experiencing in receiving their first call.

Device now switches effectively from 1x mode to 3G.

Device no longer requires users to reselect a default email after power-cycling.

SMS and MMS messaging delivery is improved.

Eighty-character MMS/SMS message subject lines are now allowed

Improved picture messaging functionality allows messages from LG phones to be opened.

I no longer have an Eris on hand to check. I’m sure all of us would appreciate a quick report in the comments when you receive the update!

Via BGR

I’ve been getting reports since my first post about this, and all but a few people (so far) are claiming that the SMS sleep/battery issue is fixed. It is not listed in the changelog as posted by a Sprint Community admin though:

A software update is available for the HTC Hero.

You can initiate the update from the Settings, About Phone, System updates, Firmware update.

Feature Updates and Enhancements

HTC Hero Software Enhancement SW 1.56.651.2 provides feature updates and enhancements to address the following:
• Improvement to camera picture quality
• DST (Daylight Savings Time) issue addressed
• Unable to receive SMS due to full memory
• Memory leak when Bluetooth is in connecting state
• 3.5mm mono when not using headset with mic
• Dialer application causing excess battery draw

Important note: Dedicated Mute/Speaker buttons have been added to the Talk screen

Verification of updates:
To verify the customer has the updated build after the update:
1. Press Menu, Tap Settings
2. Flick Up, Tap About Phone
3. Scroll up and check Software version: After update 1.56.651.2

I’ve gotten user reports that go beyond a quick tweet. I can’t confirm any of it, but here’s one I think is worth looking at. I’d be interested, as I htink other readers would, in what you Hero owners have to say. Don’t be shy in the comments.

It’s rolling out and the reports are rolling in, and so far, it’s looking good. What is the “it,” you ask? The Hero updage that Engadget Mobile told us about a few days ago. The number one improvement I’m hearing about to far is a fix for the SMS glitch that was draining your batteries at far too rapid a rate. Some are claiming performance improvements as well. Quick warning: the over-the-air update is based on Android 1.5, so don’t have a heart attack when you see the notification.

Via readers like you. Thanks!