Mobile phone software updates

ric3vic

Hi all, I'm trying to push HTC & Three regarding software updates to my TyTyn handset. The software is three years out of date. HTC have released updates to fix bugs etc, but Three won't release the updates to their users and HTC won't allow generic updates to be downloaded & installed. I know that I can head over to xda developers, but do not see why I should have to hack the phone. In the most recent exchange HTC say that I cannot legally update the phone, having bought from Three. That sounds like total nonsense. The handset is not owned by or licensed from Three: I own it, in theory I can do as I wish. In this instance I wish to use the updates supplied by the manufacturer but seem to be prevented by anti-competitive collusion between HTC & Three. Any opinions?

Jon_01

Its 3 years old. Three aren't going to turn out firmware for it now.
As you say, its yours you can do as you like with it (there's no guarantee issues at this point), just go to XDA and do it there.

I get my phones from Orange and the very first thing I do is change the product code and get rid of the terrible Orange branding.

Network branding and lack of firmware upgrades are the risks you take getting it from the network, if you don't like it you can always buy sim free and have the vanilla version.

ric3vic

I agree that Three are unlikely to turn out firmware, but they are also preventing me from accessing the firmware which HTC has released very recently. Regarding sim free: wise advice, I no longer go for handset inclusive deals because of issues like this.

Jon_01

I agree its annoying when network add their banding and the upgrades won't apply, as anyone whose just got an HTC Desire on Orange will tell you. I don't know how to resolve that one, I've seen posts from people who've been pasted from network to manufacture and back (a few times!).
I'd think its covered in the T&C's somewhere so they can get out of sorting it out...

DarkConvict

I agree, the networks should cut down on the branding. For the applications they add the firmware is irrelevant 99.9% of the time. All they do is some simple applications/wallpaper/splash screen, nothing fundamental that will break with firmware.

Jon_01

Or give you the option of ditching the 'customer firmware' and reverting to the vanilla...

ric3vic

Thanks for these comments. The Three branding is there to drive revenue to their website so I can see why they don't want it to go. But the quid pro quo is that updates should be released. I'll give it another push. Even if Three won't release the firmware I suspect that they can allow vanilla firmware to be installed - if they wish!