Vodafone listens to desires of HTC users

Vodafone will be hoping its latest move appeases many disgruntled customers

Vodafone has made changes to the Android 2.2 software that it plans to roll out in seven to 10 days, after the disastrous 360 update last week.

Customers with HTC Desire handsets will receive an open market version of the Google operating system, and Vodafone will only include network settings, the firm said.

The Android 2.2 update will also delete the 2.1-Update1 content that confused and angered many Vodafone customers.

Users had complained after the update that the HTC Desire had become slow to boot, that SMS notification sounds had disappeared and that messages were being duplicated.

The addition of bookmarks to sites such as Flirtomatic and Match.com, and the changing of browser homepages, also caused frustration and were not welcomed by users.

"We've listened to feedback from customers on a number of points around the recent 360 Android 2.1 update and made some changes to the rollout plan," Vodafone said in a statement.

"We can confirm that the Android 2.2 update will remove the 360 applications and will leave the homepage and bookmarks on your current settings."

However, Vodafone will press ahead with its 360 services on other devices as it is a cross-platform service, a Vodafone spokesman told V3.co.uk.

Vodafone will make 360 apps available in a separate update for the HTC Desire at a later date and will give customers the choice to download it.

Customers will be able to access 360 services once the Android 2.2 compatible version is available. In the meantime, they can download apps including 360 People from the Android Marketplace if they wish.

Reaction in the Vodafone eForum has been mixed so far, and it remains to be seen whether the Android 2.2 upgrade will appease the network's HTC Desire customers.