AfterDawn: Tech news

Moto Droid users finally getting Android 2.1 firmware

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 30 Mar 2010 11:17 User comments (6)

Moto Droid users finally getting Android 2.1 firmware Verizon Wireless , who for weeks has been promising the release of the Android 2.1 firmware for Motorola Droid owners, has started rolling out the firmware as an OTA update.
However, the rollout will be staggered so some users will not get the update until Thursday or even later.

Reads the
official memo:

Starting 03/30/2010, Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for the DROID by Motorola. Users will be able to upgrade their software to version AP: ESE81/BP: C_01.3E.03P to receive new improvements and enhancements.

*Key Advantages:*

o Email - Yahoo Mail is now supported - customers can simply
sign in with their Yahoo! Email address and password. Note:
Yahoo! Email is not available over Wi-Fi
o Pinch to Zoom now available in the Browser, Maps, and Gallery
o Speech-to-Text - Customers can now use their voice instead
of typing whenever a text-entry box appears
o Google Goggles is now preloaded
o The new Gallery application uses 3D layout and shows both
pictures taken with the customer's Android device and images
from Picasa Web Albums account online



*Software Schedule:*
Below is the software-upgrade notification schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time):

o At noon on 03/30, 1,000 users will receive notification of
the update.
o At 11:59 PM on 03/30, 9,000 more users will receive the
update notification.
o After the first 10,000 users receive the update on 03/30,
there will be a 24-hour period when no additional upgrades
will be delivered.
o On Day 3 (04/01), 200,000 users will receive the update
notification at 11:59 PM. This schedule will continue each
day thereafter until the update has been delivered to all users.

*Download & Install Conditions:*

o An OTA download requires 40% or more power availability if
the device is not connected to an external power source or
20% or more power if it is connected to an external source
o If roaming, the customer will not receive the update. The
only option in this scenario is for the subscriber to enable
Wi-Fi and wait for a mandatory OTA. The wait period in this
case will not be more than 12 hours
o User must wait to receive the upgrade via OTA
o User is unable to make or receive calls, including emergency
calls during this time
o Users will see the following information when they select*
More info* on the update screen:/ This software update
includes new enhancements to support Yahoo! Email,
pinch-to-zoom, and many other improvements for your DROID by
Motorola. You will be unable to use your device or make
emergency calls for the duration of the install. The
software updates automatically, and your DROID will power
off and on as part of this software upgrade.

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6 user comments

130.3.2010 23:31

Sounds like I'll be buying one this weekend.

-Sony phone is out; can't trust sony after the removal of OtherOS.
-Win7 phone (with netflix) is out; it is so closed that there will not even be a firefox for it.

...might as well get the best Android device that I can get for the best network.

231.3.2010 00:12

Originally posted by KillerBug:
Sounds like I'll be buying one this weekend.

-Sony phone is out; can't trust sony after the removal of OtherOS.
-Win7 phone (with netflix) is out; it is so closed that there will not even be a firefox for it.

...might as well get the best Android device that I can get for the best network.
out? neither phone has been released yet, only announced mate
besides i thought the update also included native 10.1 flash supprts..which is why it was so hyped over..whats up with that?

331.3.2010 04:26

By "out" I mean that they are "out of the running"...or more simply, they have massive problems that would prevent me from buying them if they were available.

This update should provide flash support, but the actual flash software is still from Adobe, and thus is not included in the Motorola update.

431.3.2010 09:10

Originally posted by KillerBug:
By "out" I mean that they are "out of the running"...or more simply, they have massive problems that would prevent me from buying them if they were available.

This update should provide flash support, but the actual flash software is still from Adobe, and thus is not included in the Motorola update.
so complicated..isnt it just easier unlocking and downloading a 2.1 rom?

51.4.2010 02:58

The Moto Droid still has not been rooted, so unlocking is still very hard unless you are GeoHot.

BTW...I got my droid yesterday...and it has firmware 2.0.1; and it won't let me update to 2.1 I guess I have to wait until midnight at least. Rather annoying that I bought a phone after the update was released; yet I can't get the update yet.

62.4.2010 04:08

SOB...I still can't get the update! Now I have to wait a whole extra day at least. This staggering is crap...it would be one thing if it was to prevent a network overload...but I can't even start it manually at 4AM!

{edit}
I'm glad I didn't get the update yet...I was previously under the impression that 2.01 was not yet routed (after about a hundred threads that said this)...but then I found that it was routed; it is 2.1 that is not yet routed. Now instead of waiting for the update, I am taking measures to prevent it.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 02 Apr 2010 @ 5:50

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