Android Phones
HTC EVO 4G update adds Blockbuster, Swype, and more
December 15, 2010 | by Andrew Kameka
HTC, Sprint
An update for the HTC EVO 4G is being readied for Sprint customers that will improve performance and add new bloat, I mean, software. Inside the update is an EVO-friendly version of the Blockbuster movie streaming app, Amazon Kindle eReader app, and the try-before-you-buy version of Gameloft NOVA.
Also included in the update are newer versions of Sprint apps like Navigator, Visual Voicemail, Sprint TV, and an official version for Swype. This finally gives EVO users a chance to use the gesture-based text-entry method without resorting to pirated software or waiting for beta invites.
The new update also makes changes to the boot image, connection to 4G, and an updated radio. The file is available for download now but do not use it if you are on a rooted phone. A rooted version of the update typically appears within the first 48 hours of release, so just be patient.
Those of you not on root who want this now, follow these steps:
This file does not work for all versions. If you’re willing to wait until the update comes officially, it might be best to do just that and not bother installing.
- Download the update and save it as update.zip (Rapidshare mirror in the source link below)
- Copy update.zip to the root of your SD card (not within any folders)
- Make sure that your phone is at least 75% charged and then turn it off
- Reboot into recovery mode (Turn the phone off, then hold the Volume Down+Power button simultaneously)
- Press the volume down button to go to Recovery and select it by pressing the power button
- A triangle with an exclamation point will appear
- Press the volume button and select “apply sdcard:update.zip”
The update will then load. Do not trouble the phone while updating or you might damage your phone.
[XDA]
why? sounds like a downgrade…
Nah, updated radio and official Swype.
if we are using the swype beta by invitation, do we need to remove/uninstall the beta before the update or not? i'm guessing we probably should, just want some input
i\’d recommend removing the beta.
Definitely remove the beta. My wife hosed her Swype that way.
I cannot seem to get it to work. I get to the triangle with the exclamation point but when i press the volume button nothing happens
Lisa, I found the answer over on android central. Download the update from the link. Rename it to update.zip (but be sure not to rename it update.zip.zip). Save it to your Evo's microSD card. Time to reboot into recovery mode. Turn the phone off. Then hold the volume down button, and press the power button. You should boot to a white screen with three Android guys on skateboards. Use the volume button to select RECOVERY, and press the power button again. The Evo will now reboot into recovery. You should see a render of a phone, with a red triangle and exclamation point. Hold the volume up button and press the power button. Choose applysdcard:update.zip. Let it do its thing.
Hello, I installed the file on my SD card, not in a file and got to the red triangle, held pressed the volume button to install it but it says that the update/recovery file cannot be found?
Mines has an error when trying to install. All the step works, but when it tries to install update.zip it has an error and I have to reboot the phone.
From what I've read over at Android Central it is only for certain hardware versions and certain builds, so everyone won't be able to use it. I haven't personally tried it since my phone is rooted, so i gotta wait anyway.
Can you expound on "increased performance"? From the above it just sounds like an install of more (useless) apps.
is it supposed to say instillation aborted?
if i just wait will it be under system updates(OTA)without having to download anything?
I have the installation aborted issue too, guess ill just have to wait!
is it a mandatory update? im happy with my EVO as is.i use swiftkeyboard and i see all my movies for free on the internet using flash 10.i don't want any of this crapware on my phone.
do you hold th up volume key or down?
Heya. I am able to get through all the steps up to install update.zip. after i select it, at first it seems to be doing its thang but then it aborts. Am I missing somethin'?
is he update available via the phone (htc software update )? or pc only for now?
the official update is out guys so update the right way from your setting and software update
I installed the official update, but now I don't know how to make Swype work. Any help? Thanks!
Me either
On the HTC EVO. I opened Messages, then tapped new message. On the compose window hold your finger on it until you are given an option to Edit text. You will then see a tab that says input method. Press on that tab and you'll see Touch Input and Swype as the two options.
On the HTC EVO. I opened Messages, then tapped new message. On the compose window hold your finger on it until you are given an option to Edit text. You will then see a tab that says input method. Press on that tab and you'll see Touch Input and Swype as the two options.
Thank you SOOOO Much. Ugh They should tell you that because you can't even do that from the settings. THANKS MAN!
Thank you so much!!!!! I could not figure out how to switch the input method, and this info was exactly what I was looking for ^_^
thanks u guys r so hepful
Any word on the status of the rooted version of this update. I don't care about the bloatware. I'm interested in the Swype, updated radio, and 4G.
Is there a way that I can remove this update? I was holding off rooting my phone and then found out that unrevoked.com had an update to their software but I didnt see this until after I had already installed the latest HTC update. Not the unrevoked software does not work. SO is there any way of removing this update or "rolling back" to the last one I had. I already tried a factory default, but that didnt do anything! (at least not what I need. The removal of this update!) Thanks david
I dont want bockbuster how do I tke it off my phone
All of the software in the last update (Nova, BlockBuster, and Swype) is now part of your firmware. To truly remove it, you will have to root your phone (and in the process, void your warranty). Short of rooting the device, the best you will be able to do is hide the icon; several apps in the market will do this for you.
I made the mistake of doing the update. Now Blockbuster and Amazon cannot be deleted from my phone, and my battery life is cut in half. Thanks Microsoft (err, I mean Sprint .. since it was evil, I assumed that it was Microsoft, but sprint, you have out done yourselves.) How do I get an IPhone instead?
This update completely broke my phone. It now takes 15-20 or even more than 30 seconds for it to respond. Making a simple phone call — even with background data off and apps killed to ensure the phone is NOT busy doing anything, something I did not have to worry about before this update — gives me a headache. I hit phone and if I'm lucky the list pops up in 15-20 seconds. I hit the person I want to call, and if I'm lucky it calls that person, not some other random person because it decided to resort the list another 10 seconds after it was displayed… I tried to answer a call, hit Answer, waited, hit it again, and again, and again, and while "Answer" was STILL displayed heard the person ask if anybody was there… so the phone had answered, but the screen was still trying to ask if I wanted to Answer the call. I've rebooted at least 3x today just to try to get the thing to respond. If I were within my 30 days, this bookend would definitely be returned! The older OS version wasn't exactly awesome (especially with battery consumption), but at least the PHONE worked, not to mention the apps. Now, both are broken, making it useless.
I want the bloatware crap off my phone. For some reason, Sprint see fit to include software I do not want and can not be removed on the phone that I paid for and that I pay for access on their network. I don't use Blockbuster. I want the ability to remove it (and all the rest of the bloatware) from my phone.
Got it today but no swype. Just blockbuster and nova? What am I missing?
All it does is installing some softwares most people probably do not want. I am going to skip this one because all those programs in the update are useless to me. And once you install the updates, you cannot uninstall those programs, e.g. Blockbuster.
Updated tonight with Swype beta already installed. Beta crashed and don't think new Swype installed with the update. Anyone have any ideas?
Updating my own post. First thing after the update and my Swype beta crashed, I uninstalled Swype beta and Swype beta installer per Swype's website suggestion. After reading some other posts about accessing Swype in system update by long hold on text area, I tried it but my phone did nothing. I then did another shut down, took out the battery per someone else's suggestion, and rebooted. Tried the long hold again in the text area and Swype came up and works perfectly. .
I've found that even with the increased bloatware I had more free space on my phone since the update. As far as the Swype issues, if you had the beta and it messed it up, you need to do the following. -Clear the cache on the Swype file, then uninstall. -Clear the cache on the Swype installer then uninstall -Find the installer on your SD card and rerun it (you will get an updated non-beta version) —This next part is for anyone that can't figure out how to activate Swype— -Go to your settings where your keyboards are and check the Swype keyboard -Go into SMS or email or any text field and long press the field and select "input method" -Select Swype and away we go. I haven't had nearly the issues some of you folks have had. I found a marked improvement in how smooth the UI is running.
I made the mistake of updating and now my phone's battery is draining a lot faster than before. I read that the Blockbuster app is what's causing this and of course, there is no way to uninstall! F#@$!!!!