HTC Hero getting Android 2.0 Eclair update, keeps Sense UI

HTC are taking care of their existing Android devices - first it was Sense UI for the HTC Magic, now we hear that the HTC Hero is getting an Android 2.0 update. There's no specific timeframe for this update but at least it will be global, unlike the (so far) Taiwan-only Sense UI update for the Magic.

HTC have already confirmed to be working on phones using Eclair and Hero owners will be pleased to hear that they're getting it too. HTC are currently busy with porting the Sense UI to the new version of Android, which saw plenty of changes under the hood, so they need to rewrite things and get them tested.

The update will be available for all versions of the Hero - since the Hero is not a "Google" phone there are no licensing restrictions in its way to getting the update - exactly the thing that stands between the Magic and Sense UI.

Poor HTC Magic owners are yet again put in doubt - the hardware should be able to handle Android v2.0 as it's mostly the same as the one in the Hero, but HTC didn't mention plans for such an update. The devs over at xda-developers.com will probably create a custom ROM anyway, so if you're not afraid of modding your keep an eye on them.

Source