Motorola discloses what the DROID will gain with Android 2.1
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Included in the DROID upgrade to Android 2.1 will be the voice recognition to speak words that will end up in a text box. In other words, instead of being able to speak what you just want to have Google look-up, you can fill out any box that requires text or numbers by speaking the word, name or number. The 3D Gallery for pictures is included as is Google Goggles. The latter has been available as an app in Android Market. Oh yes, pinch-to-zoom will now be available in the browser and the gallery. Those who have been breathing these past days probably already are aware that pinch-to-zoom has been supported on the DROID when using the updated version of Google Maps. Version 4 was just released on the Android Market yesterday. There will be an enhanced music app, an improved virtual keyboard and enhancements to battery life which is something all DROID owners are happy to hear. The news and weather widgets seen on the Nexus One will also be part of the upgrade. Yahoo mail users will now be able to more easily set-up the DROID to receive their mail. What is not part of the update appears to be the animated home page as made famous by the Nexus One, and the 3D app drawer which likewise has been seen on the N-One. Overall, it sounds like DROID owners should have no gripe once their phone becomes just the second Android 2.1 device. And once upgraded to 2.1, Adobe says that it can then add Flash support to the device. Perhaps you can have your cake and eat it too.
Motorola DROID Specifications | Review
source: Motorola via Engadget, AndroidandMe
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25 Comments
2. cj100570 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 15:07 0 0
It's funny that Verizon still hasn't weighed in on this and that the support page on Motorolas site has mysteriously disappeared.... I'm betting there won't be an upgrade showing up this week at all.
3. android1234 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 15:14 0 0
all sounds good, but will the update include the 5 home screeens, or will it remain with 3 again?
5. Trobes05 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 16:04 0 0
Try downloading Home++ if you haven't tried it. You can have a lot of screens and if a nice inteface. I occasionally get a force close with it but I just hit wait and it is fine. Rarely happens though. I have been using it for a long time and really like it. One of the main things I like is that it hides the notification bar and has a nice little scroll list to go to certain things like contacts, browser, etc. Some don't like it but its worth a try if you want to check out more screens.
4. zebrow posted on 10 Feb 2010, 16:02 0 0
I heard that the reason Motorola did not include the 3-D app launcher was because it did not display correctly in landscape mode. Is there any way the kind people at phone arena could flex some muscle and get information from Motorola why the 3-D app launcher is not being included?
17. deschats posted on 10 Feb 2010, 20:25 0 0
Its actually true. I have the launcher on my DROID through an application install. It works dandy in portrait mode with the occasional font screw up but when opened up in landscape the home button screws up, there is not enough padding for the drawer, and you cannot scroll to the bottom completely. Shame, but I will just port 2.1 to my DROID.
6. stix26 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 16:16 0 0
I do not think this update it going to happen this week. Verizon has to approve any update and there has not been anything posted on the web anywhere to lead us to believe they have aproved it. So all you Droid uses do not be dissapointed if Motorola jumped the gun on this announcemnt and it is delayed for a few more weeks.
7. zebrow posted on 10 Feb 2010, 16:35 0 0
Engadget had sources at Verizon that said they were performing the testing (http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/08/motorola-droids-next-update-to-be-android-2-1-includes-multito/ ) and Motorola confirmed through their official Facebook account that they were releasing the update this week. Why do you say that the update is not going to happen this week? Did Verizon post anything on the web when they updated the Droid to 2.0.1?
8. stix26 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 17:00 0 0
There were leaked internal docs showing info on the update before there were so many posts on every blog out there. I agree with cj100570 when they said "It's funny that Verizon still hasn't weighed in on this and that the support page on Motorolas site has mysteriously disappeared.... I'm betting there won't be an upgrade showing up this week at all"
10. zebrow posted on 10 Feb 2010, 17:14 0 0
cj100570 does make a valid point. I just don't know if Verizon commented (externally) before they performed the 2.0.1 update. I just did some more digging and when the droid was updated to 2.0.1, Verizon did not release any information until they actually started pushing the 2.0.1 OTA update. These were the documents they provided shortly after the OTA update:http://support.vzw.com/how_to_
use/droid_upgrade.html http://learning.verizonwireless.com/learning/Droid_Motorola_ So I'm not sure if we should expect to hear anything from Verizon until they actually release the update. Motorola yanking the information about the update is a different story. Maybe it means they ran into issues testing the update or maybe it was information that they did not plan to release yet. Do you by any chance have a source at either of those companies?Software_Update.pdf
12. stix26 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 18:05 0 0
I have ties to a vzw call center for those who try out these new updates before they are released. They are saying the update was not run by vzw first so they need time to make sure no issues arise from the update.
13. zebrow posted on 10 Feb 2010, 18:19 0 0
Wait, they haven't seen it yet or there were issues with the update? Because Engadget claims that the update was being run through the Verizon testers: "We've just gotten the inside line on the next Droid update that's making the rounds through Verizon's testing department from one of our trusted sources, and overall, it looks like this should take users 95 percent of the way to curing pangs of Nexus One envy." (srchttp://www.engadget.com/2010/0
2/08/motorola-droids-next-update-to-be-android-2-1-includes-multit o/). I would "hope" that Motorola wouldn't announce that an update was being released unless Verizon had completed testing (since Verizon actually delivers the update).
14. Windsponge posted on 10 Feb 2010, 18:44 0 0
Motorola informed me through email that they do not know when the next update is coming or what is in it.We exchanged 3 emails. They say they have no info on it at all.Liars are always liars. If this and other sites are correct they are just adding a few features and calling it 2.1.Sick of google and moto....making this phone a joke.
9. WnnaFghtAboutIt posted on 10 Feb 2010, 17:04 0 0
no update this week....update was pulled...couple of simple last minute errors to fix.... as it is, comes with 3 home screens, not 5, comes with no 3d app launcher, and the rest who cares, im sure most people agree this isnt what people were looking for
11. zebrow posted on 10 Feb 2010, 17:20 0 0
How do you know the update was pulled? Missing the 3d app launcher and 5 home screens is a let down, but multitouch, new gallery, and improved voice integration were still important.
20. WnnaFghtAboutIt posted on 10 Feb 2010, 22:03 0 0
i have very good inside sources....and multitouch in have in dolphin...google maps has it now...and bb gallery does too... so nothing special...
15. android1234 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 18:59 0 0
Well the gallery and the news weather app, along with most multitouch is available, does anyone know how I can download the home ++ app to give me 5 hommescreens, I searched market didn't find it.
16. Trobes05 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 20:19 0 0
I just searched for it...it is name "Home++ beta" Make sure Home++ is all one word...no space between the home and ++ If you have questions about the software and to know if you can change stuff on it just post here ill check back
18. deschats posted on 10 Feb 2010, 20:26 0 0
dont need to. get on your droid, go to phone arena, go to the article that says "give your motorla droid some 2.1 lovin" and download the 3d launcher. the launcher is messed up in landscape, but you get the five screens and the little dot screen previews.
19. Trobes05 posted on 10 Feb 2010, 20:38 0 0
Ya Home++ doesnt screw up in landscape though and home++ I think is better even if the 3d launcher worked right
