Tempt me in...

[brenf.w]

Hi all.

I am on the verge of trading in my old faithful Nokia for an HTC Desire (on a 24 month Virgin contract), which will be my first venture down the Android path. Before I embark, I just wanted to be comforted by veterans of Android with regard to some common terms I see associated with smartphones running the OS:

(i) Can I upgrade the OS version once it is released, or do I have to wait for the carrier to release the update "over the air"? The phone I am about to purchase is running 2.1, with 2.2 available for upgrade. Could I implement a higher version when I want? Or would this conflict with any carrier specific files on the phone?

(ii) When I backup my phone, can I back up the whole thing (similar to imaging a PC's hard drive)? I hear terms such as "bricking" your phone when trying to customise your handset ! Is this common/repariable without sending the phone back to the provider?!

(iii) I understand that all phones get surpassed over time, but will the processor on the HTC Desire still be up to the job in (with regard to OS upgrades and associated app requirements), in say, 18 months time?

Much obliged for any input.

 

[Martimus]

Welcome to the Android Forums!

i) You can update the OS as soon as the carrier makes the update available. If HTC makes the update available on their web site you can download it and update it manually.

ii) Normally backups include apps and data... not the OS. You can use some apps to make a complete backup of the phone but it's really not necessary. The OEM firmware image is frequently available as a SBF file. With the SBF you can simply restore the factory firmware to it's original state. Custom ROM's are similarly available.

iii) Nowadays don't be surprised if smartphones become obsolete in 12 months... sometimes less.