Vodafone yields to customer ‘upgrade’ Desire

Vodafone

Vodafone has sought to pacify HTC Desire customers, who were angered last week when a download left them with unwanted 360 apps.

A number of Desire owners were left fuming when a download they hoped was Android 2.2 turned out to be an update with some branded features, such as access to Vodafone Music and the 360 shop.

The download also led to alterations to homepages and bookmarks.

To users' dismay, they also found the apps could not be removed something Vodafone confirmed to IT PRO.

However, the mobile provider has had a change of heart and told customers these features would be removed when the Android 2.2 update is downloaded, leaving homepages and bookmarks untouched.

"The Android 2.2 update for Vodafone HTC Desire users will be based on the HTC open market version of the software and we will customise it to ensure our network settings are installed," a posting on a company forum read.

"Customers who want to access the 360 services will be able to do so once the Android 2.2 compatible version is available and, in the meantime, can now download apps like 360 People from the Android Marketplace."

Vodafone added it expects to confirm the Android 2.2 update delivery date in the next seven to 10 days.

"We plan to make the 360 apps available in a separate update for the HTC Desire at a later date, giving customers the choice to download it," the company added.

Tom Brewster

Tom Brewster is currently an associate editor at Forbes and an award-winning journalist who covers cyber security, surveillance, and privacy. Starting his career at ITPro as a staff writer and working up to a senior staff writer role, Tom has been covering the tech industry for more than ten years and is considered one of the leading journalists in his specialism.

He is a proud alum of the University of Sheffield where he secured an undergraduate degree in English Literature before undertaking a certification from General Assembly in web development.