The legend of the HTC HD2 continues; aged device runs KitKat ROM

The HTC HD2 was a heck of a phone. Still is, actually, and while the device originally hit the market late in 2009, it was powered by Windows Mobile 6.5. The phone's 4.3 inch screen was considered humungous back then, a giant in a land of 3.2 inch and 3.5 inch smartphones. Since the device has been 'retired' by HTC, it has run on Windows RT, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 7.5 and various builds of Android including Froyo and Jelly Bean. Earlier this year, Firefox OS was seen powering the HTC HD2.

This amazing run continues as a Custom ROM has been developed for the HTC HD2, allowing KitKat to run on the device. Not everything is running so smoothly on the phone, and problems exist with the Wi-Fi connectivity, microSD slot and data connectivity. But those issues could get resolved. Keep in mind that the U.S. version of the HTC HD2 was not built to run Android and has a single-core 1GHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor and just 576MB of RAM inside. The installation, as imperfect as it for now, shows off Google's attempt to quash the fragmentation in the platform by making Android 4.4 compatible with Android handsets offering as little as 512MB of RAM.

The HTC HD2 is turning out to be the cockroach of smartphones as it never dies. Eventually, there might be a future OS build that completely stumps the device, but for those who lusted after the phone just a few short years ago, it goes to show that your desire was in the right place.


source: XDA via PocketNow, AndroidAuthority