Vodafone has informed ZDNet UK that it has 'temporarily suspended' the HTC Desire update that brought new desktop shortcuts, branding and Vodafone 360 apps to the handset.
A company spokesperson said that the decision to suspend the software update was based on a "small number of customer reports around the performance of the service on their device".
Many customers flooded the operator's own support forum to complain about the unexpected update when Vodafone began distributing it OTA at the beginning of the week.
The company didn't say when, or whether, it will send out the update again, or what customers who have already installed the update can do to improve the performance of the handset.
The spokesperson added, " In the mean time we are continuing to work with HTC and Google to deliver the Android 2.2 (Froyo) update to Vodafone HTC Desire customers as soon as possible."
Twitter 
Linkedin 
ZDNet UK App 
Facebook 
RSS Feeds 
Newsletters 
Talkback
The striking (stinking) thing about this is how crap Vodafone are at communicating with those of use who's phones they've screwed up.
I've yet to have an apology from anyone at Vodafone, or an even an admission that they got something wrong let alone any communication as to how they plan to resolve the problem.
Vodafone you screwed up, admit it, apologise and then fix our problems - just saying we know you're angry isn't enough.
Yup, I have a Desire from Vodafone.... I came scarily close to installing that update (had it downloaded and the "install" button at my fingertip) when I hesitated and decided to go to the VF forums and see what I'm getting. I was already pretty peeved about having to have my apps in the onboard memory, which is very limited (although largely sorted out when Froyo comes along, assuming VF don't completely screw that up too)... I would have flipped my lid if I'd rebooted to find the crap they were forcing on we humble Desire users.
When my contract runs out I'll be getting my next phone through mobiles.co.uk (or similar service), who sell unlocked phones, but you buy them via a network contract, so have the best of both worlds in that you can pay off the phone whilst not having to deal with the bundled nonsense and delayed firmware updates.
Unfortunately for Vodafone the "small number of customer reports" generate a very large noise. We keep being told that firmware releases are delayed (extensively sometimes) because Vodafone thoroughly test each and every one.
The difference with this one is that its sole purpose was to deliver Vodafone services to handsets. Given that, it is hard to believe the thoroughness of the testing regime.
If 360 is so good why do they feel they need to install the apps in such a way as they cannot be removed and difficult to disable? Why put Spanish applications on VF devices? Vodafone also need to consider their partnerships better. I would question whether Flirtomatic is a sensible choice of partner for a company like Vodafone (or at least like Vodafone used to be).
It is easy for a company to go downhill. Much harder to work your way back up again.
We have been emailing Vodafone's media team about this issue and got some interesting responses.
We have also emailed HTC about this issue to get some clarifications on the issue.
All will be published at techupdateblog.wordpress.com
So HTC plan to remove Vodafone branding in 2.2 but leave the "added value" apps. Surely it is the apps that are causing the problems?
Hi, as far as I know from speaking to the Vodafone representative, Froyo will come with the apps/branding already on board, though I wouldn't be too surprised to hear if the final line-up changes considering the amount of customers who seem to be unhappy about the contents of the 360 update. Cheers!