Motorola Droid's next update to be Android 2.1, includes multitouch browser

**BlackHitachi** · 02-08-2010 01:41 PM

Motorola Droid's next update to be Android 2.1, includes multitouch browser -- Engadget

It's based on
Android 2.1

. The build currently being circulated is identified as 2.1 version 1, mirroring the
update just pushed to the Nexus One last week

.
Google Goggles

is now pre-installed (no matter how unhelpful it may be).
The browser's now multitouch enabled, just like
Google Maps 3.4

. Huzzah! No Flash, but then again, we weren't really expecting that.
Interestingly, the home screen's still got the same look as 2.0.1, meaning it doesn't adopt the Nexus One's rotating 3D grid of app icons -- it's still got the pull-up drawer tab at the bottom.
No active wallpapers. Bummer!
The news and weather widgets introduced on the Nexus One are included. Maybe certain capabilities of 2.1 are going to be restricted to devices with minimum performance benchmarks?

There's no word on timing, and for all our source knows, this build could still very well fail testing -- goodness knows it's happened with plenty of pre-production firmwares in Verizon's past. We'll keep our ear to the ground and you do the same.

OK Rocky no need for custom ROM's now!

**rockymtnhigh** · 02-08-2010 02:58 PM

Read carefully - it is no so clear that Motorola is including the new launcher or the live wallpaper. Of course if they don't the ported launcher would probably work with it, since it was based on 2.1 code.

**BlackHitachi** · 02-08-2010 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by rockymtnhigh

Read carefully - it is no so clear that Motorola is including the new launcher or the live wallpaper. Of course if they don't the ported launcher would probably work with it, since it was based on 2.1 code.

I did see that. I honestly though you just wanted pinch to zoom.

**rockymtnhigh** · 02-08-2010 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by BlackHitachi

I did see that. I honestly though you just wanted pinch to zoom.

I want the pinch to zoom, but I really want the new launcher -- five screens would be much better than 3. Widgets take up too much space.

I don't care about live wallpaper, as that would eat up battery life. But I'll be patient, and hopefully we'll have 2.1 soon.

**JAG72** · 02-08-2010 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by rockymtnhigh

I want the pinch to zoom, but I really want the new launcher -- five screens would be much better than 3. Widgets take up too much space.

Only 5 screens? Why would anybody want to buy a piece of garbage that will only give you 3 - 5 screens?

Any real phone will give you at least 7 screens.

**rockymtnhigh** · 02-08-2010 10:05 PM

Funny.

We will find out how many screens sometime THIS WEEK. As Android Central is reporting that Motorola has posted on its Facebook page that the Droid 2.1 update will roll out this week!

See:
Droid's 2.1 update coming this week, Motorola says on Facebook | Android Central

AND Motorola Hi all-- we know you are frustrated with the lack of details regarding Android software upgrades and we sincerely apologize for not being able to share info sooner. We're happy to relay the 2.1 upgrade to DROID will start to roll out th

Sweet! And I was about to consider rooting mine. (I have a grad student who is a linux guru and he told me it would be a piece of cake!). I'll go legit for now.

**BlackHitachi** · 02-09-2010 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by rockymtnhigh

Funny.

We will find out how many screens sometime THIS WEEK. As Android Central is reporting that Motorola has posted on its Facebook page that the Droid 2.1 update will roll out this week!

See:
Droid's 2.1 update coming this week, Motorola says on Facebook | Android Central

AND Motorola Hi all-- we know you are frustrated with the lack of details regarding Android software upgrades and we sincerely apologize for not being able to share info sooner. We're happy to relay the 2.1 upgrade to DROID will start to roll out th

Sweet! And I was about to consider rooting mine. (I have a grad student who is a linux guru and he told me it would be a piece of cake!). I'll go legit for now.

It is!! I don't have one yet but LOVE my LINUX and well lets just say i have helped a friend of mine with his!

**rockymtnhigh** · 02-09-2010 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by BlackHitachi

It is!! I don't have one yet but LOVE my LINUX and well lets just say i have helped a friend of mine with his!

Cool. But since 2.1 is rolling anytime, I will probably hold off for now.

**rockymtnhigh** · 02-10-2010 01:11 PM

Android Central is reporting the details (supposedly straight from Motorola) of the 2.1 update for the Droid, that begins rolling out this week.

Motorola details exactly what you're getting in the Droid 2.1 update | Android Central

Voice recognition for virtual keyboard. Anywhere you can type, you can dictate. Swipe your finger across the keyboard (or press the microphone button) to activate. Same as on the Nexus One.
Virtual (on-screen) keyboard enhancements.
3D Gallery: Should be the same as the new gallery that's on the Nexus One, and that's been ported to the Droid.
Pinch to zoom: Already on board for Google Maps, now you'll have it in the browser and gallery.
News and weather widget/app. That's the widget from the Nexus One that we get questions about in our videos.
Previously published Google Maps 4.0 improvements.
Enhanced Music application. New tabs at the top for easier access an navigation to artists, songs, albums and playlists.
Google Goggles: Now built into Android 2.1. No separate downloads.
Fixes the security lock bypass.
Yahoo e-mail now has setup optimization.
Battery life improved.

The one thing missing is the launcher app that is in 2.1 via the Nexus. For me that is the biggest thing I was looking for other than pinch and zoom multi-touch. And I am a bit surprised it is missing Flash.

But there is a ported version from the Nexus, so I will probably go with it for the launcher.

**Hall** · 02-10-2010 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by rockymtnhigh

And I was about to consider rooting mine. (I have a grad student who is a linux guru and he told me it would be a piece of cake!).

Does he have experience exploiting phones, i.e. rooting, or just following a guide on how to do it ? I used to be a Linux user (not quite a guru, but was pretty comfortable and good with it) and would never even try to figure out an exploit. I'd run a tool that would do it for me though !! Waiting on people to root the HTC Eris right now...