You'll want to make sure your phone is well-charged before you apply the update (50 percent or higher, please, and Cellular South suggests you install the HTC Sync program beforehand, just in case. CS also is pushing the free trial of My Backup in the Market to back up your contacts, again, just in case. (Can't hurt, but if you're sync'd to Google, you're likely good to go.

You'll also be getting MMS support along with the update, but it's going to cost you $5.99 a month on your bill.

You can get more info on the Cellular South Hero here, and download the Android 2.1 update here. [via Facebook] Thanks, @FirstKlassVT

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

It's always great to see Android spreading it's robo-love to the smaller guys, and starting today Credo Mobile is carrying the HTC Hero (CDMA).  The Hero, running Android 2.1,  will be offered at $79.99 with a two year agreement, and plans (voice only) start at $59.99 monthly.  Credo Mobile is a small nationwide carrier that uses the Sprint network for voice and data.  They pride themselves on their social conscience, and in 2009 the company donated $2,680,211 to nonprofit groups from it's revenue.  You can read more about Credo Mobile at the source link, and you can find out everything there is to know about the HTC Hero in our forums. [Credo Mobile] Thanks Nick!

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Better late than never, HTC has released the Linux kernel source code for the HTC Evo 4G and both GSM and CDMA HTC Hero updates.  This should allow the development community to address and improve some current issues (30 FPS cap anyone?) as well as work on new features to add (native JIT and Froyo for the Hero maybe?).  For any of you guys that gave in to the dark side and rooted your phone, be on the lookout for new treats from your favorite developers and ROM cookers.  And if you were on the fence, and this tilts you over the edge, check out the forums for directions and help getting your phone rooted. [HTC Developer Center via @Spork1673]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

If you use a custom ROM on your Android phone, you should know about CyanogenMod.  If you don't, go hit Google now, then come right back.  (pretty freakin' sweet, huh?) With the drop of the Froyo (Android 2.2) source code everyone is patiently waiting for the code wizards behind the CyaongenMod project to give us the kind of custom goodness we've become used to.  To quell the mountain of inquiries, Cyanogen himself has updated the CyanogenMod homepage with a progress report.

The condensed version? Things are going well.  The Nexus One and Droid ports "just work," the Dream/Sapphire port has everything but one minor issue working, Wes Garner has the Slide (MyTouch 3G slide) port well underway, and ports for the Desire, Incredible, and Evo have no status report as of yet.  Also, we're told to expect some experimental releases (for the Nexus One and Droid most likely) by the weekend.  (YAY!)  Hit the source link to read the post and take a minute to thank Steve and the whole crew for their hard work! [CyanogenMod]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

For all of you HTC Hero (European style) owners that have been holding on to your beloved device and hoping for the big 2.1 update, your time has come. Reports appear to be trickling around of an OTA update that brings 2.1 to the device, only downside is for right now it appears to be only on the Sim-free unlocked devices, not those that were subsidized through a carrier. Unfortunately no OTA link has surfaced yet for all those who wish to force the update to their device, but for those who are seeing it, remember to back up so you don't lose any data! [via Tracy and Matt]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

We imagine there are quite a few pitchforks being raised right about now. Sprint dropped the bad news on Twitter that while the new Evo 4G will be getting Android 2.2 (which was already announced anyway), the Samsung Moment and HTC Hero will not. Sorry, folks. That's just the way it is. But the good news is you can head over to your favorite forums -- ahem -- and get instructions for rooting and ROMing for the Hero and the Moment. [Twitter] Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Those of you joining Android from other platforms -- and we know who you are -- may well be familiar with The Missing Sync, a longtime leader in personal information management. And if you're looking at Android but don't necessarily want to go all-in on gmail, this is an app you're going to want to check out. Anyhoo, The Missing Sync has updated for phones running on Android 2.1 with HTC Sense. That'd be the Sprint Hero (finally!), Droid Incredible, Evo 4G -- you know, every new HTC phone at this point.

Warning: If you have doubleTwist installed, you're going to want to uninstall first, as the two don't really play well together at this point. Otherwise, have at it! [Mark/Space]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by www.droidappshowcase.com

If you weren't quite up to installing the leaked Android 2.1 update for the Sprint HTC Hero, fair not -- it's now all official and everything on Sprint's Web site, sort of. It's listed as being released today on Sprint's support page, though the download link is notably absent still. Note that the upgrade will wipe your phone, so make sure all your important data is synced up somewhere.

Now, does anybody know if and when the Hero will be upgraded to Froyo? (Yeah, we went there.) Thanks to everybody who sent this in!

Update: HTC has the link to the download here.

It's no great secret that Cox (as in Cox Cable) is working on on its own wireless service. And low and behold, it appears that Cox may have been using at least one Android phone for what likely is network testing, but maybe more.

Behold, an unbranded CDMA HTC Hero (of the Sprint design variety), purchased off Craigslist for $230. It features a Cox boot screen, which isn't necessarily strange on a test device, though it's an interesting detail to add for something that's not public. It's running on 1xRTT (our source says he couldn't get EV-DO working), and it the network's clearly labeled as "Cox."

Yes, we know this is all stuff that's easily replicated, so we all need to take this with a little grain of salt. There are more pictures and video after the break for your disbelieving eyes. Thanks, S!

read more

When it rains, it pours.  Just got word of a new leak for the HTC Sprint Hero.  No way of knowing if this is the final 2.1 version, but this one is signed with release keys so you will lose your root for sure if you're into that sort of thing.  Anyone who feels brave and wants to try for themselves you can find it here.

Remember, this is not official software from any carrier.  Using this is at your own risk, and nobody here at Android Central is suggesting you try it, though we're more than happy to show you where it is. :p Thanks Beezy420!