I always enjoy waking up to find my inbox filled with tips from our readers. Some time early this morning, Sprint put up the official Android 2.1 ROM details up on their site with the release date market for today. After reading through the instructions on how to download and install the ROM, Sprint gives you the download link. Except, the Android 2.1 ROM is actually not located on the download page or any other page on Sprint’s site.

I’ve sent a few emails out to some of my Sprint contacts, hoping they can get the issue resolved. The ROM update should be live today. We’ll keep an eye on the links throughout the day and let you know when the files are posted.

UPDATE: The link has gone live on the Sprint Software Download page or at this direct link: Sprint HTC Hero 2.1 update.  Let us know what you think and how the update goes.

Source: Sprint Hero Support Page, Sprint Hero Software Dowload

Over the weekend, a leaked ROM made its way to the internet. We’ve seen out fair share of ROM leaks, but this time it looks as if we have the official Android 2.1 ROM update for the Sprint HTC Hero. One of our Twitter followers, @Pro_Media_FL took the risk and devided to flash the update to his Sprint Hero.

When I first found the leaked version on the web I thought it was going to be hard but in fact it was really easy. No rooting was required and it seemed like it was an official Sprint/HTC version. Only thing that annoyed me a little was that it was for PC only (I have a mac) but I assume the official release will be as well. It took about 10 minutes and had no problems, and it also erased everything off the phone. There also was a new bootscreen for HTC, android, and Sprint. I have yet to find anything wrong or have any problems so this is probably close to or is the final copy which most likely will be released soon. Definitely better battery life, however I found it a little strange that instead of the low battery notification showing 15 and 10 percent it showed 14 and 9 which was a little weird. Integration with Facebook is much easier and it looks a lot better with updated Icons and how smooth it runs. I noticed it has a tethering feature built in however it was blocked assuming by sprint, PDAnet still works though. I noticed while flipping through the settings, HTC added their own update button in addition to the “check for updates” by Google, it says “check for htc updates”. Again, no problems so far and it seems its actually running better so I’ll update you if I find any problems.

A few hours later, @Pro_Media_FL send me a second note with a few additional details

I did find something, though I’m not sure its a problem or not, but it is a little weird. I have to press the end button twice to end a call,. This may be a bug or might be apart of 2.1 (maybe something to prevent accidentally ending calls?). So far today it has lasted about 4-5 hours longer than it did before, and its not dead yet

From the sound of it, the leaked ROM is moat likely the final version which they are expected to release within the next few weeks. If you’re willing to give it a try, we have posted the link below. Be warned though, that HTC Source takes no responsibility is the ROM does not work property on your Sprint HTC Hero. This is a PC based update, so make sure you have the latest version of HTC Sync installed on your computer as well.

Leaked Sprint HCT Hero ROM

For those of us with the Sprint Hero who have been waiting for an update, sweet relief is finally here. Two different sources have come up today with news on the 2.1 update we’ve been waiting for. One source is a screenshot of what appears to be an internal Sprint page stating that the 2.1 update for the Hero (and the Moment) are to be expected in “early May”.

The other source seems to confirm this. This source is a transcript of a support chat where one impatient user went straight to Sprint asking about the update that was “supposed to” come today. In the chat, the agent says that the internal updates say that users can expect a notification of the availability of an OTA update beginning the first week in May. So sit tight guys, it’s on the way.

Sources: Phandroid, AndroidGuys

For those of us with the Sprint Hero who have been waiting for an update, sweet relief is finally here. Two different sources have come up today with news on the 2.1 update we’ve been waiting for. One source is a screenshot of what appears to be an internal Sprint page stating that the 2.1 update for the Hero (and the Moment) are to be expected in “early May”.

The other source seems to confirm this. This source is a transcript of a support chat where one impatient user went straight to Sprint asking about the update that was “supposed to” come today. In the chat, the agent says that the internal updates say that users can expect a notification of the availability of an OTA update beginning the first week in May. So sit tight guys, it’s on the way.

Sources: Phandroid, AndroidGuys

Sprint’s HTC Hero is still waiting for that fables Android 2.1 Éclair update that was promised way back at the beginning of time.  Hero owners have been voicing their frustrations about the delayed update for months, but it finally appears that there may be a light at the end of this long tunnel. 

Over the weekend, a Sprint HTC Hero test ROM popped up on XDA-Developers.  The ROM: RUU_Hero_C_Sprint_2.20.651.1_signed_test appears to be a complete Android 2.1 build with HTC Sense plus a new radio update.  Developers worked hard all weekend long to convert the original files into a flashable update.zip file.  If you want to give the ROM a try, you will need to have root access on your Sprint HTC Hero.  Remember, this is ONLY for the Sprint Hero and will not work on the Eris of any GSM Hero variants. 

Members of the forum indicate that there are still some issues to resolve before the ROM works perfectly on the Sprint Hero, but it looks promising.  Hopefully Sprint and HTC are nearing a final build of that ROM which will be released to the public before the need of the month. 

Source: XDA-Developers

This week, CTIA kicks off in sunny Las Vegas.  We’re expecting to hear some official news on the upcoming Verizon HTC Incredible and the Sprint HTC Supersonic, but for now all we have are some more rumors surrounding the release of Android 2.1 for the Sprint HTC Hero.  Late last week, we heard that the Sprint Hero 2.1 update was to be released in “the coming weeks.” Though the news sounds hopeful, it was a bit vague and didn’t offer any more specifics.  Today, we just got wind that the Hero’s 2.1 update is scheduled for release in March 26.  For those of you trying to figure out that math, that’s one week from today. 

Androinica is quoting two different sources to back up these claims.

I kept on asking about the firmware release and they finally released a date for the 2.1 firmware. He stated and confirm that this update will come on 03/26/2010.

Called sprint to find out when 2.1 update was coming. After being transferred several times I ended up talking to a sprint HTC hero tech specialist. He said it will be released end of March and can be downloaded athttp://www.sprint.com/downloads or over the air by accessing the firmware update feature on your hero.

Here at HTC Source, we can’t attest to the accuracy of these claims.  I placed a call into Sprint’s support line and was able to talk with one of their Android tech specialists.  He was not able to give me a specific date, but he did mention “end of March.”  Hearing this right from Sprint is a little comforting, though I’m sure most of you have heard of the Motorola DROID’s Android 2.1 update fiasco.  Verizon made an official announcement about the update and even gave details of what it would be included.  Unfortunately, the launch date came, but no update.  Rumors are that there are issues with the OTA update infrastructure from Motorola.  Let’s just home that the same thing does not happen once we finally get an official date from HTC or Sprint.