Android 2.1 update for DROID now live

By on Mar 30, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Breaking March 30, 2010

droid-review-9

It looks like Verizon and Motorola took exception with yesterday’s mini-rant because our inboxes are being absolutely hammered by tips that the Android 2.1 update for the DROID is now being pushed out. If you’ve yet to receive a notification of the update you don’t need to worry because this is a gradual rollout and should hit up most people by the week’s end. Here’s what you get with the update (which, to be specific is AP: ESE81/BP: C_01.3E.03P):

Enhancements:

  • Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps.
  • New Weather and News application plus widget.
    • The Weather and News app pulls the information you want from the Web and brings it to your fingertips. You get weekly and hourly weather forecasts based on your location, and news headlines.
  • New support for voice-to-text entry.
    • Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
  • 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. Access them with a long press anywhere on the home screen. Tap Wallpapers, then Live Wallpapers.

Improvements:

  • Free Yahoo! Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password.
  • Google Maps update.
    • Personalized suggestions and synchronized starring with desktop maps.google.com.
      • Starred items are stored and synced automatically between Google Maps on your device and maps.google.com on your computer, making it easy to search for places you’ve searched for before.
    • New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes the screen at night for easier viewing.
  • Improved pattern-lock functionality.
  • Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.

Thanks to our tipsters!

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153 Comments

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  • johnny

    I just got it and the gallery doesent work

  • ben

    works great johnny is wrong

    • Chris Dallaire

      Johnny is not wrong, he’s just seeing something different than you. I got the update a week ago or so and my gallery has been broken every since as well.

      It tells me that the application is not installed on the phone.

      • Dom

        My gallery loads but it doesnt load the most recent pictures taken. On occassions it wont show the option for the Camera pictures. Its all buggy!!

  • Erik W

    Is there a URL and instructions to get 2.1 onto an HTC Droid Eris with 1.5 on it?

    I saw the instructions & site for the Motorola Droid…what about Eris!!! I’m dying over here…

    -E

    • Alex

      2.1 not out yet on the Eris. Root and be happy!

      • Andy

        alex the Eris is on 2.1 now Erik I dont have a link check the HTC website

  • Eros

    johnny, johnny, johnny…

    Delete the old gallery shortcut cuz it doesn’t work anymore. Use the new one instead.

  • Alex

    Why do I still not have it???

  • Andrew

    Probably for the same reason I still don’t have it, the rollout seems so slow! Patience I guess. :( Glad to know I am not alone.

  • phatch

    It’s for real. I just got it this morning.

  • Scooty_Puff_Sr_The_DOOMBRINGER

    my gallery doesn’t work after the update.

    • Kn0xy

      ltr Scooty. If you have not already, delete your old gallery shortcut and use the new one instead.

  • Droidman49

    Horrible upgrade for my Droid. Has broken the Latitude functionality. My location will update but my friends will not. All of us have updated, taken battery out for 5 min, and still no latitude. Even used the Advanced Task Killer app to reboot the app… no luck ! Also Navigation has stopped working. How do I know if the night view will work? WHO TESTED THIS CRAPPY CODE? I was lucky/unlucky enough to get the forced update. My company would go out of business if we shipped code this bad… Gallery view is cool but very very very slow to build. Pinch feature nice.

  • steve

    the gallery is not broken. trash the one on your home screen then pull the gallery app out of the app drawer

  • carl brianson

    either way guys,

    im a little scared because my droid sucks already and these reviews aren’t helping with my confidence in the product… someone please instill some confidence would ya??? perhaps there will be an app for those who lack confidence in technology as well…

  • shane

    Does anyone have advice on the gallery. I am using the new gallery and half the time it won’t load my pics no matter how long I let it try. I only have 234 and have a freind with an iphone with over 1,000 pics and his loads like lightening fast. Can someone suggest a superb gallery instead of this piece of junk.

  • Mark H. Grebler

    When will Droid have it’s Update?

  • Johnny Burnt

    I updated and noted ALL of these things. Another thing I have to note post upgrade.

    Advanced App killer doesn’t work like it did before! Before the update, if I had a browser open to a certain page, and my texts open to a certain text, and I hit app killer widget, all of it would reset. My browser would go to google like I like, and my texts would go to the list view, my facebook would go the main menu. Not anymore, and I hate it. Anyone else having this problem???

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