The HTC Thunderbolt Gets a Gingerbread Update

Maybe it should have been named Pumpkin Spice given the timing, but the Android 2.3 update, aka Gingerbread, has been rolling out successfully to HTC Thunderbolt owners over the last several days. I left my own Thunderbolt on overnight, and woke up pleasantly surprised to see the OS update installed and running smoothly.

Some of the immediately noticeable differences in the latest software release (2.11.605.5)  include updated icons, a new Quick Settings tab, and a favorites section with frequently-used apps. The Quick Settings tab is useful because it provides shortcuts for turning on and off Wi-Fi, mobile data, GPS, etc. Not that you can’t bookmark these functions anyway, but it makes sense to have them readily available from the get-go. The icon updates are generally nice, and the favorites section is a helpful alternative to scrolling through pages of apps on a regular basis.

Digging a little deeper, the latest software build also adds a few new apps to the 4G smartphone, including Google Books and a desktop mode app. I hit up Google Books for a free excerpt of the Steve Jobs biography, but given my Kindle account, I doubt I’ll make any further use of the Google software. The desk mode app, meanwhile, only works with the official HTC hardware dock, but it’s making me think that a dock purchase (or gift request) might be worth re-evaluating. The landscape view offers time and temperature, a stream of friend updates, and three icons for photos, music, and calendar access.

The other biggie in this release is a security update. When HTC first started sending out its Gingerbread upgrade, there was a major security hole in place that allowed apps to access a slew of tracking information. That issue’s reportedly been fixed, and HTC says it’s improved Bluetooth security as well. 

Although others have cited negative experiences, I’ve been pretty content with my HTC Thunderbolt. The 4G speeds often peak above my wired FiOS connection at home, and I’ve got all the apps I need to keep me productive and entertained when my laptop’s not handy. Industry rants about Android and HTC not withstanding, my Thunderbolt is performing well.  And now with Gingerbread under the hood, I’ve got nothing to complain about.

34 thoughts on “The HTC Thunderbolt Gets a Gingerbread Update”

  1. You liar, this update requires human interaction to install… You won’t simply wake up and see it installed, you would get a notification and authorize the download… It’s not an automated process, and you are making things up.

  2. Actually not true…. My phone died last night and I plugged it in to charge this AM and when I turned it on it automatically started downloading the new software. I was pleasantly surprised it started downloading by itself.

  3. BarnDog,

    I too woke up this morning with this new update (without physically allowing it). I was pleasantly surprised as well since my phone has been acting up for the past month or two. It seems like everything is reacting much smoother like it did when I first bought it now that this update has installed!

  4. I actually just went thru my settings and checked “For software update” and I was pleasantly surprised that it was ACTUALLY FINALLY READY TO UPDATE!!!! I’m running the update as I’m typing on my lap top…hope everyone else gets theirs too!

  5. He’s not a liar. I woke up a couple of days ago to the same thing – my phone had automatically (with NO intervention) updated overnight.

  6. Sorry, BarnDog, name calling isn’t welcome here. Doubly so when you’re wrong. Carriers will indeed push what they want, when they want. Really the only notable exception, on a routine basis, is Apple’s iPhone. Discuss the topics maturely, or take your commentary elsewhere.

  7. The updates will definitely load with or without human interaction.

    I will say though that I am having some fairly serious problems, though they are not happening too frequently…yet.

    Anyone else noticing the phone locks up for a few minutes, excessive call dropping or other glitches that weren’t occurring prior to the update on 10/29/11 ?

  8. The update loaded without a hitch. So far my T has no issues . Overall the update seems to be an improvement.

    It gets really tiring reading so much bitching,and moaning and sarcasm about Verizon and HTC. Constructive suggestions yes…. do we really want to be labeled as useless complainers and not be taken seriously?

  9. After the update when I place the Thunderbolt in its vehicle cradle it no longer goes to Navigation/mobile mode? Is there a way to make that happen? Also, it makes ridiculous sounds whenever I unlock the screen. Is there a way to stop the star trek noises without turning off all sounds?

  10. So far I haven’t had any of problems people are mentioning here. My current software builds are: Android 2.3.4 and HTC Sense 2.1 (software release #2.11.605.5). If you’re still waiting on the latest update, you can go to Settings, About Phone, then System Updates to manually trigger the upgrade. In the new software version, there’s a menu option for Software Update under About Phone for any future upgrades.

    Regarding the clock issue- I have the HTC clock widget on my home screen. Nothing changed with the update. If you need clock access, you can add the widget on any of your home screens by tapping and holding on the display, then selecting Widget under the Add Items to Home menu area. Clock is one of the widget options.

  11. Yea I have gone to settings, about phone and system updates and checked and it comes back “no new software update are available”?

  12. Just dL’d gingerbread on my thunderbolt, have the same clock issues. Fixed it with the widget. My bigger issue is ADW. Launcher does not work on it, no im assuming this is because this new UI is supposed to not need anything else but I had my phone the way I liked and just curious if there was anyway to get the ADW working again. I can DL it but it will not open or do anyting

  13. I downloaded the update two days ago and ever since none of my videos i recorded from before the update will play. The sound works but it starts as a black screen and if it skip forward in the video it just shows the picture of that frame. All of my new videos that I take after the update play so choppy they are worthless. Is anyone else having this problem? Anyone know how to fix it?

  14. The clock and alarm is right in front of you. Just tap on the big clock. No more need to tap on an icon. Just the clock.

  15. I was one of the unlucky ones to get the first update. After the second update, I still had issues like some of you. I figured there was nothing to lose so I did a hard reset. When it came back up it was a totally different phone. Of course it was as bare as a baby’s behind, but…… If all else fails, you might try that.

  16. Some apps cause problems with music on the HTC thunderbolt. I had to uninstall a few app cause of the update. Verizon and HTC got to step it up.

  17. Yes, I’m dropping calls and the screen freezes. This did not happen prior to the update (not this frequently).

    My ringers are all messed up too.

  18. I still have no update…any way to find out when it’s coming? When I go to Software Updates, Check New, says checking for new Software available now, then nothing happens. Any suggestions?

  19. I’ve been running g-bread for about a month now (on a rooted phone) and have been pleasantly surprised. The stability seems much better and the battery life a little improved.

    I highly recommend you root the thing and run Titanium Backup Pro to “freeze” any apps you don’t use.

  20. I have not received it also…..I get nothing when I go to software update just says its searching and nothing happens. Wonder why its taken so long?!

  21. Well going on 4 weeks of the update being out n still no update for my thunderbolt……….is anyone else having this issue?

  22. I can’t receive the update either. I Called HTC did a factory reset, dialed *#*#2432546#*#*, set date 2 weeks ahead and still couldn’t get it. Went to Verizon and they said it had to be pushed ota.

  23. i found out that if you are running froyo 2.2.1. you need a new sim card. or borrow a friends sim card. your phone will update 4 times since there were 4 updates that had been released. hope this helps

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