T-Mobile pushing CLIQ firmware update today? (update: yes!)
By Chris Ziegler 
posted December 1st 2009 12:52PM
posted December 1st 2009 12:52PM
TmoNews seems to have it on good authority that T-Mobile will be rolling out a firmware update over the air to the Motorola CLIQ today -- the device's first since launch -- and we've got good news and bad news. First, the bad: by all accounts, it appears that this'll still be an Android 1.5-based firmware, adding fuel to the fire suggesting that UI skins like BLUR are a huge barrier to keeping devices up to speed with Google's breakneck release pace. The good news, though, is that the update seems to be lined up to fix a plethora of issues involving Bluetooth, touchscreen accuracy (we can attest to this one), connectivity, accelerometer functionality, and -- wait for it -- battery life! Looks like the build number is 1.1.31, so let us know if and when you get hooked up, owners.Update: We've gotten tips from several users now that they've already been able to nab the update, so it looks like the CLIQ is definitely getting a little better today. Well, hopefully, anyhow.
it is up! already downloading it! thanks for the heads up!
This has been known for a while I should now I posted it on the forum last week it was recalled though and then now its here again
Downloaded and working. Everything seems to be faster and I really hope the battery life gets better because I have yet to be able to break 8 hours without needing a recharge. Really would love some Android 2.0 love though.
@CanMatt81
It may come out that the only battery improvement is the Battery Manager you'll now find in your settings. Which pretty much shuts down Blur updates when the phone is not in use. Pretty effective though
Downloading right now...
Also downloading right now. Looking forward to seeing the improvements...if true
"First, the bad: by all accounts, it appears that this'll still be an Android 1.5-based firmware, adding fuel to the fire suggesting that UI skins like BLUR are a huge barrier to keeping devices up to speed with Google's breakneck release pace."
I think the Samsung Moment that is still running a bone stock Android 1.5 can provide a good counter argument for this theory. That is, unless they are working on bringing TouchWiz or something else nutty to the Moment with the next major update.
@soydeedo
You mean that moment supports engadget's theory? I believe it runs quite fast and is garnering good reviews on sites like Amazon from users althought blog sites like this one were less enthusiastic since it is running stock android.
@ecobranon Um, I think he's talking about the theory that skins like MOTOBLUR slow down the ability to update the phone firmware (with the custom skin) to the newest Android build.
BLUR and Sense are still on Android 1.5 (though it sounds like Sense is getting a 2.1 release soon).
But his point was that since the Moment was running stock Android 1.5 and it's STILL running Android 1.5 then it's not the skin that's holding back the updates. (Otherwise the Moment would be on Android 1.6 or 2.0). Something else is holding it back whether it's because of Google, Sprint, or Samsung who knows though.
@soydeedo I'm not so sure that your argument is correct (though I do see your point). Samsung has some other... shall we call it timing issues with the Behold II... launching the Behold II with 1.5 (because of TouchWiz) while simultaneously updating the Moment to 1.6 would certainly raise complaints from some users (and reviewers)... so they may have just opted to hold it off for now... and in reality the reason would still be (granted an underlying reason) because of the SKINS. Just look at how many people are clamoring for 1.6 (at least) on the Hero since they can already get it from HTC on the G1... see what I mean?
@soydeedo
All things being equal, a skin will mean a slower updates. For example phones from the same manufacturer, one with skin and one without; the skinned version will be harder to update. Of course the Moment is from another manufacturer (Samsung) with its own update cycle so that is another matter.
Just updated. Didn't notice any immediate changes.
HOW TO GET THE UPDATE:
For people with Cliqs there is a very easy way to force the update.
Menu->Settings->About Phone->Check for Updates
download the update and it will prompt you to install. I used wifi and it downloaded in under a minute. Hope this helps everyone.
Seems a little faster and the screen feels more accurate because that was the biggest complaint on my end.
Spoke with a Droid "expert" at one the VZW Corp stores last week... He mentioned that the Droid update is slated for Dec. 4th. Wonder if this is true, seeing there is a lot of commotion in the Android world...
I wonder if people who own a cliq with either a custom rom or stock 1.6 will get this.
@Karate Tortoise According to most Android Dev forums, if you have a device that's rooted chances are you don't get any official updates. Something along the lines of the update feature being disabled by the rom dev...
Confirmed, just installed it and it fixed several of my issues. touch screen is much more capable now, seems to be calibrated correctly at all times, no more dead spots. accelerometer is also fixed so Hoccer works correctly and several other games all function perfectly.
phone seems a lil snappier too.
Much better touch screen response, accelerometer response and better battery life....finally! It seems to me they are taking bits and pieces of 1.6 and slowly incorporating it into their version of "Moto Blur" builds. Now we seem to have a, slightly, more advanced "battery manager". 1.6 introduced a Battery manager as well...it, however, is way more advanced in showing the power consumption level of what each process is using verses the Blur "battery manager" with just 3 lame profiles. I personally dislike Moto Blur yet I really enjoy the Cliq itself. The hardware has a better feel and is much quicker than my old busted G1. Even the look and feel of the Cliq I like better than the Droid, even though the Droid is undeniably a superior device in it's processor speed and HD capabilities. One thing I would really appreciate is a straight OPEN release from Motorola of Android OS versions for the Cliq without Blur as an option...you know...for geeks like us! I would even pay like a nominal dev license fee, like the G1... it was about $25 I think...."Dream" on I guess (pun intended) :-)
Yeah, I've downloaded it already too. It's painless. Can't wait for the Android 2.0 though. I hope it fixes that touchscreen issues as well. it's not a deal breaker but can get annoying
Downloading now. I love the Cliq. Gotta put my Touch Pro 2 on ebay. I had the MyTouch3g, but the lack of a keyboard killed it for me. Best Android device yet for T-Mobile.
download installed the screen is more fluid and more responsive. You will notice a immediate difference.
Downloaded and I noticed an immediate difference with the screen keyboard. Much more responsive
Cliq users !.. YOU CAN MANUALLY UPDATE IT !
MENU >> SETTINGS >> ABOUT PHONE >> SYSTEM UPDATE >>
AND THEN DOWNLOAD IT.. PREFERABLY USE WIFI OR 3G !!!..then install !.. enjoy !
Just updated my CLIQ. Seems a little more responsive. Dissapointed on the lack of Android 1.6 or 2.1., but it certainly seems a bit snappier.
Updated yesterday. By initial loks it seems to have resolved a lot of battery issues when you use Wifi a lot. 3G data transfer seems faster as well.
WOW! Battery life is way better. I am looking at mine right now and after a full days use it is sitting at 70% battery life. Usually at this time of night is is around 30%.
@(Unverified) Wow wish I would have gotten the update you got. Mine doesn't last that long.
@(Unverified) In the interest of full disclosure - I do not have WiFi turned on, the 3G in my area is very fast. I only have one POP email account being checked and I do use the Happenings widget for Facebook, Twitter, and Last.FM. At night I put it into airplane mode and it may have lost 1% battery life overnight. It basically lasted all the way to last night and I went ahead and charged it overnight as it was under 30% but I bet it would have lasted until well into today if I had let it go.