Earlier today, Google announced that Google Maps Navigation (albeit in beta) was now available in the UK and Ireland for Android devices 1.6 and higher. At an event in London for the announcement, HTC revealed that the Android 2.1 upgrade for the European version of the HTC Hero would be released in June. At one point, rumours had suggested that it could be out in February but the release has slipped further with each subsequent rumour.
HTC further indicated that the upgrade will be preceded by an initial preparatory update. The full Android 2.1 update would follow shortly thereafter.
It is unclear whether other regions could see the Android 2.1 upgrade sooner. For example, TELUS is rumoured to be releasing the upgrade in early May.