HTC Video Software Update Still Planned

Amongst the many sagas we keep track of here at WMExperts, few are as contentious and difficult to follow as the HTC Video Driver issue. It's been awhile since we covered this, so before we get to the latest piece of news in the now-month-long delay in a promised software fix, we feel like we ought to present the history of this torrid affair.

Read on for the skinny!

History

Several HTC devices (most notable the AT&T Tilt / TYTN II) have a significant delay in both rotating the screen and in video playback. Some hardy investigators determined that the Qualcomm chip inside these devices has on-board hardware acceleration for video, but the devices did not have the necessary drivers to take advantage of it. HTC's initial response was, many thought, “tough cookies, we never said it would have that.” This led to the creation of HTCClassAction.org, who stopped short of suing anybody but put pressure on HTC to figure the whole darn thing out.

WMExperts' own contribution to the excitement was to publish an Insider's Q&A, where we learned that there was plenty of blame to throw around, but perhaps the lion's share belonged to Qualcomm for giving HTC early specs that promised they'd get drivers out but then not doing it. Our conjecture / assumption is that this led to the following:

1. HTC was left in the unenviable position of having to decide whether to develop these video drivers in conjunction with Qualcomm or leave them out.
2. That since developing video drivers is as hard, if not harder, as making a brand new piece of hardware, HTC made the understandable decision not to do it.

However, HTC responded anyway and said they would be offering “software” (not drivers) that would “dramatically improve performance for common on-screen tasks like scrolling and the like.” HTC said that they would try to get the update out by the end of March. That, of course, didn't happen.

And now...

PhoneNews hit up HTC to ask where the update has scurried off to and HTC let them know that:

1. Yes, they're still releasing an update
2. No, it's not going to be a driver, just like they said.
3. No, There is no firm release date.
4. No, they can't say whether or not it will require carrier approval.
5. No, they can't say whether or not it will be released as a .cab update or via some other method.

....So, there's the whole story: update still en route; it's still not as good as many hoped but it's also better than nothing. I can speak from personal experience: I've stopped using the Tilt for a few reasons, slow screen drawing speed among them, and I'd like to give it another shot. We'll keep you in the loop as we learn more.