HTC Dragging Feet On GPL Source Release For "Hero" Phone

Squiff writes to mention that despite being based on the Open Handset Alliance's Android platform and using several open source components, HTC are effectively refusing to release the source for the GPL parts of their "Hero" Phone code, saying that they are "waiting for their developers to provide it." It has been called an "object of lust," it's beating the iPhone for awards, and it seems to be the first Android phone that really is "the phone to have," to hear some people tell it. It has also just become available in the US after a June release in Europe.

I emailed them...

[brainiac ghost1991]

I sent a message to HTC and got this response:

Dear Sir, I have sent a communication to our head office to have this source code released on the developer website. It will be available soon at developer.htc.com. We will work to release this as soon as possible. Best Regards, HTC Europe Customer Care

However, this isn't really good enough. Let's hope that the combined might of slashdot will be able to sort it out!

Wrongish link

[Brian Gordon]

It's actually page 4 [xda-developers.com] with the relevant posts

Re:iPhone killer?

[amicusNYCL]

iPhone killer?

Where have we heard that before!?!?

Where have you heard that here? I don't see anyone calling the Hero an "iPhone killer". Looks more like an "iPhone competitor".

Object of Lust?

[Kagato]

So I decided to RTFA on the "Object Of Lust" link. Here's the conclusion to the article:

"The Hero represents a valiant effort from HTC -- though unfortunately, the company appears to have bitten off more than its last-generation hardware can chew. If this build of Android were to be loaded atop the guts of a 3GS or Pre, the performance would likely be astounding, but fused with the two-year old architecture of previous devices, it's mostly disappointing. We're not saying this isn't the best build of Android on the market -- we think it is. What we are saying is that this build is a bit too much for a device like the Hero to handle, and that makes for an uneven, sometimes frustrating experience. Going into the review, we desperately wanted to love this phone, but given the combination of a few poor hardware choices and an OS which outclasses the device it runs on, we can only recommend that you enter at your own risk. HTC has an explosive entry in the smartphone category with what its done on the software side... now it just needs the hardware to match."

I think they may be make the Hero out to be a bit more than it really is.

Re:So what? The GPL is a copyright license

[amicusNYCL]

I disagree.

Re:Kill them!

[StayFrosty]

I would be inclined to disagree. I know this is all anecdotal but I own an HTC Vogue (aka HTC Touch.) The hardware is terrific but the software (WM) leaves a lot to be desired. A few months back I was standing on the balcony of my second story apartment when my phone rang. I pulled the phone from my pocket, but it bumped in to the rail on the way out. The phone fell at least 20 feet and landed on the concrete sidewalk below. I went downstairs expecting the phone to be shattered in pieces. I was not disappointed. The battery and the phone were laying a few feet apart, the back cover was about 5 feet away and the stylus was hanging out of the main body of the phone. I put the battery back in, replaced the back cover, pressed the power button and to my amazement the phone turned on. Everything, including the touchscreen, continue to work to this day as if nothing had ever happened. The only other phone I have seen that can take that kind of abuse are the old Nokia's that we all fondly remember.

Re:Waiting for the Acer A1 phone

[Muggy7]

My Hero used to lag every now and then as though the processor was struggling, now entirely fixed after upgrading the ROM to the latest from HTC. I think most of the reviews out there were based on early laggy version of the Hero software.

Missing essential sensors, usable screen

[jerk]

I'm posting this as a third party, but I was the one that recommended my friend check out the Hero, so I'm relaying the findings.

As you know, many AT&T users in major metros are having some pretty severe service issues - my friend is one of that group. As a gadget geek like many here, he left Verizon shortly after the iPhone was released since there was no light at the tunnel of disappointing handset releases with Verizon. He had been a happy iPhone user up until shortly after the 3GS launch. Prior to that, he'd had a few issues, but nothing like he's been experiencing as of late.

He tried a Pre for a week on Sprint and was impressed with the quality of service and the OS. WebOS is a really nice OS, but still young and lacking many apps (I have no doubt that this will improve.) The killer for him was battery life.

Today, he walked into the Sprint store, and after almost an hour of test driving the latched-down phone, bought one. Almost an hour later, he called and said he was taking it back. Surprised, I asked why. He said that once outside in direct sunlight, the phone was almost unusable since you could hardly see the screen, even at 100% brightness.

Gripe #2: OS lag. Not as noticeable when swiping through screens and launching apps/browsing, but once you use the dialer it becomes apparent. He said that using the dialer was so bad, that he input several digits twice because he had thought they didn't register. I'm not sure if this phone was running cupcake or donut, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume it was cupcake (there are supposedly speed improvements in donut.)

Gripe #3: No proximity sensor or other mechanism for disabling the touchscreen while on a call. How can a company make a touchscreen phone and not include some kind of provision for this?! While on a call, he accidentally ended it with an accidental touch of his cheek. After ~30 seconds, the screen is shut off (and hopefully there's a way to do it manually). Still an inconvenience.

This was especially disappointing for me because I think Android is shaping up to be a very nice OS, but it's still waiting for the right hardware.