Motorola: Droid update to Android 2.1 'will start to roll out this week'
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Feb 8th 2010 5:14PM
posted Feb 8th 2010 5:14PM
We knew Android 2.1 was coming for the Droid, but we'll confess -- we didn't expect it to come this soon. Motorola is now reporting via its official Facebook page that it's "happy to relay the 2.1 upgrade to Droid will start to roll out this week," going on to tease that it "will have more information to share on other device upgrades later." There's no detail on what the Droid update will entail or whether it'll roll out to every user this week (we doubt it), but by all indications, this is a promising sign that Moto's keeping the pedal to the metal, we'd say.[Thanks, andrewcweaver]
This is great new YEESSS!!!
now for me to switch from my iphone perfect time moto
FINALLYYY!!!
@Alexpeegs Hey, I've been holding off on getting the Droid hoping that the iPhone comes to Verizon sometime this year, so can I ask, what's making you want to switch? If it has to do with AT&T vs. Verizon that's perfectly understandable, but *from what I've heard* (and may not be true) the iPhone is a superior phone to the Droid. So what don't you like about the iPhone and what do you like in the Droid?
I'm not some fanboy, I swear, I was just under the impression from blogs and friends that the iPhone the best smartphone, but if this isn't true i'd be great since I wouldn't have to wait to upgrade.
@bobloblaw
afaik is the iPhone more expensive, but it's superior with it's graphic memmory, and it's easier too use (very simple menus, and to the point). On the other side, no customisation whatsoever(only teh lockscreen) unless you jailbreak it.
It's an superior device IMO but it's rather expensive though =/
elamre
@bobloblaw
It could be that the DROID is a serious alternative to the iPhone, and having Android 2.1 just makes it that much more awesome then it already is? I've had a 3G/3GS, DROID and now a N1 and like them all in their own way.
The more Android 2.1 phone floating around THE BETTER.
@Alexpeegs
"the iPhone is a superior phone to the Droid."
I have/own/use both, and whatever you've heard is entirely false.
As a true smartphone - DROID > iPhone - End of Story
@bobloblaw Depends on what you want to use the phone for. Personally I think Droid > iphone 3GS. Both have the same processors under the hood, so hardware-wise they're very similar, except the droid has a MUCH MUCH better screen (higher res AND bigger), it has a hardware keyboard... and Android lays the smack down on iphone OS (it can actually, you know, run multiple applications at once for instance).
Now with Android 2.1, the gap is only going to get bigger.
But if you want the absolutely easiest, most stupid proof OS, then the iphone is better.
@bobloblaw The reason I move to the droid is that it bring a whole different experience into me I can now do a lot more stuff that I couldn't have done on a 3gs the experience brings a lot of new changes and being able to do things that you would've said God why isn't this on a iphhone and then you will truly experience what it's like haveing a phone that truly has no limitations that my friend is a DROID
Pretty sure any true Droid user has been running ROMs with these functionalities for some time now, but I'm glad it is official so that those who say "who cares if the Droid can have multitouch - you'll probably brick it trying to get it!" can stfu.
@Alexpeegs
iPhone > competition
Going to wait for a rooted version. In love with Bugless Beast at the moment and overclocking to 800Mhz. Will have to have those features moving forward.
@bobloblaw with the extended exclusivity for the iPhone on AT&T you aren't going to see a Verizon iPhone for at least several more years.
And at this point in the game it only makes sense for Apple not to bother investing in a Verizon device until LTE is readily available - why invest in Old tech?
Personally I think the DROID is a superior device to the iPhone due mainly to it's customizable nature - considering the hardware similarities really all anyone is arguing over is the UI. Android 2.x wins out here here in my book.
Congrats to you Droid guys welcome to the N1 family!
@MykeSaint
*hugs
@MykeSaint
Hello brother!
@MykeSaint
I'm happy our Droid bretheren are going to join us! :)
@MykeSaint We better get speech-to-text with this update! I want to be able to dictate my text messages while driving!
@MowDownJoe That brings up an interesting question: in states with anti-texting-while-driving laws, would you still be considered breaking said law if you were texting via hands-free dictation? I mean, technically, you're still texting and driving, but you're not actually touching anything. Perhaps the law should have been called, "Anti-Mobile-Device-Hand-Operation Law".
@R2D2 Well, you still have to press send...
@to everyone
i hope your get the full ERE27 update to i believe its called for pinch n' zoom!
@MowDownJoe
You can with handcent sms
I'm so happy I want to lick my Droid
@MykeSaint Wish us in Europe could join you. I'm on a UK Motorola Milestone(Droid) and we're still stuck on 2.0, with a broken camera and Laggy McLaglag inhabiting the screen.
@MykeSaint I don't have the money to buy a N1 but i have a G1, so i guess i'm like the cousin or step brother or something
This is excellent news!
Huge update for the Droid. Looks like testing concluded early.
I wonder if this includes the pinch-to-zoom for pictures & browser and multi-touch keyboard that the N1 received on the recent update.
@Accidental
Wait the N1 update had multitouch enabled for the browser, gallery, and Google Maps. I don't see anything about it being enabled for the keyboard
I was looking forward to live wallpapers. Oh well maybe the next update.
YESSS! And I really hope your "source" was wrong. Didnt they say that testing was still being done and blah blah blah?
@xFenixKnightx
The source completely valid the update will roll out soon
@Alexpeegs
I know, hwat im saying is that I hope he was wrong about no live wallpapers and grid
I want to uprank this article!
Hurry up and roll out to Australia!!
Getting frustrated with my HTC Hero, is it just me or have they been working on 2.1 for the Hero since forever.
@Tomkinson
Yup and it's clear that 2.1 with Sense has been completed for quite some time. Who knows what Sprint and the overseas carriers are doing with it. Verizon is making these other companies look ridiculous with how much support they're giving Android.
@Tomkinson
That's why I sold mine. Fantastic phone but seeing Android 1.6, 2.0, 2.0.1 and 2.1 arrive pushed me towards the Nexus.
All is not lost tho as the Hero introduced me to Android and I haven't looked back since!
updates FTW!
@#$!@#$ MotoBlur! I want 2.1 for the Cliq already. OK, maybe that's a little harsh. I actually quite like MotoBlur but come on with 2.1 already!!!!
@ArhcAngel Yeah, no kidding. Where's the Android Love for the Cliq! I guess if you want Motorola's attention you better be on Verizon.
@InlawBiker FWIW, they announced it *will* happen, just haven't said when
@ArhcAngel I was told by a Motorola Project Manager there is a reason for the difference in releases.
The Cliq's software is designed by Motorola in-house and has a lot of customizations to it.
The Droid is a very clean version that Motorola worked on with Google doing the software.
That's what I hear. It could be affecting the release of 2.1 for the Cliq though.
I can't wait for 2.1 on my Droid! I've been waiting for this to finally come out
I rooted my Droid last week and am running Bugless Beast (which I am liking so far). I wonder if I should try out 2.1 when it comes out. Multitouch is cool, but a bit overrated IMO thanks to Apple.
@jhow I rooted my droid too, and I'm running sholes. It seems like this update is pretty much just what sholes has already implemented, though we have the ability to overclock.
Makes sense. Bought my Droid two weeks ago. Girl at the Verizon store said that 2.1 was coming in two weeks.
tl;dr version: SQUEEEE!
I'm happy for you Droid owners :)
Can't wait for the Hero to get 2.1.
HTC, now it's your turn to fire up the update machine!
WTF didn't Verizon say Moto Droid & Droid Eris is supposed to receive this update at the same time? Where is our new of an update???
Sincerly,
A very jealous Eris owner...
P.S. Who Dat!
We fall into the same category.... im feeling rather left out typing this on my Hero..... Comon HTC!.... AND FRANKLY i a bit jealous of all the snapdragon talk.
We fall into the same category.... im feeling rather left out typing this on my Hero..... Comon HTC!.... AND FRANKLY i a bit jealous of all the snapdragon talk.