droidStory

The long-awaited on-again/off-again Android 2.1 update is on its way to Verizon Droid users, according to an internal memo at Verizon. The Verizon website still says “Coming Soon” though.

The first batch of only 1,000 handsets should receive the update today, followed by another small batch tomorrow. Pending any unexpected issues, the OTA update should make it to the rest of the Droid base later this week. Although, don’t expect to get it right away, as the roll-out still occurs in phases to prevent a network overload.

Here’s what to look forward to:

Enhancements:

• Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps.™
• New Weather and News application plus widget.
• New support for voice-to-text entry.
• New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
• Live Wallpapers offer richer animated, interactive backgrounds on the home screen.

Improvements:

• Free Yahoo!® Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password
• Google Maps update
• Improved pattern-lock functionality.
• Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.

Users of Droid’s European cousin, the Motorola Milestone, are receiving their 2.1 OTA Update now.

So what is holding up Verizon’s release of the update?

via engadget

Verizon officially launched Skype for most of their Smartphones today, including all of their current Android handsets – the Motorola Droid, HTC Eris and Motorola Devour.

This is a very important move for Big Red, basically acknowledging that the future of mobile networks is in providing high-speed IP connectivity for all network applications, even the ones that compete with the providers traditional voice business.  Verizon is finally getting with the times by abandoning some of their past customer unfriendly business practices.  Blackberry users may still remember when their GPS capable phones had their hardware disabled by Verizon, rendering Google Maps useless, unless you paid an extra $12/month for VZ-Navigator. Of course there were also all the other bogus surcharges for tethering and BES Enterprise use.

The arrival of the Droid and now Skype seem to usher in a new era for Verizon. Let’s hope the bureaucrats at the company are not trying to turn back the clock for the sake of the bottom line.

UPDATE: Skype doesn’t work on Wi-Fi! Come again!?
Not sure if this is Verizon meddling with phone/application functionality again, but why?

It looks like there is another delay for the 2.1 OTA update. After just announcing the impending update on their website days ago, Verizon seems to have pulled the plug for now.

The 3/18 OTA software update will not happen as planned. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.

via engadget

The numbers are in. Analytics firm Flurry is comparing sales figures for the most popular smartphones in the first 74 days on the market. Flurry estimates sales based on downloaded applications featuring its embedded analytics technology.

According to the report, Google sold only about 135,000 Nexus One phones in the first 74 days, compared to roughly 1.05 million Motorola Droid’s sold during the same time frame. For comparison, Apple sold about 1 million units of  the original iPhone.

Overall the results are an impressive statement for Android and resonate with the recent ComScore report showing Android’s market share growing to 7.1% in the US.

So why is the Nexus One struggling?

(continue reading…)

Great news for Droid owners – the wait is over. Verizon just announced the availability of Android 2.1 for the Droid.

Enjoy improved performance with these Android™ enhancements. Verizon Wireless
is pleased to announce new software updates for your Droid by Motorola smartphone.
The Droid by Motorola software version AP: ESE53/BP: C_01.3E.03P update includes
numerous enhancements and improvements.

This puts the Droid on par with all of the Nexus One features, including the live wallpapers.

The OTA update should start appearing on phones by tomorrow. Enjoy!