First Droid Eris update makes the slow OTA rollout starting tonight
By Ross Miller 
posted December 9th 2009 11:25PM
posted December 9th 2009 11:25PM
Sorry, no Android 2.0 here (yet), but Verizon's version of the HTC Hero is now getting its first over-the-air update. Known by its affection title of Droid Eris ROM:1.16.605.1, the patch is more or less the usual minor tweaks and improvements, although those who like to dramatically hang up on someone should be advised that the phone goes into screensaver while on call, and two presses of the End key will be required to exit the mode and then conclude said conversation. The week-long rollout starts at midnight ET tonight, but as usual, it could take up to a week to hit your system. Full patch notes after the break.- While on a call and the device is in screensaver mode, pressing the End key now takes the device out of screensaver mode, and a second press will end the call.
- On-call mute and speakerphone icon functionality is enhanced.
- Upgraded functionality after activation eliminates the delay users were experiencing in receiving their first call.
- Device now switches effectively from 1x mode to 3G.
- Device no longer requires users to reselect a default email after power-cycling.
- SMS and MMS messaging delivery is improved.
- Eighty-character MMS/SMS message subject lines are now allowed.
- Improved picture messaging functionality allows messages from LG phones to be opened.
where are you android 2.0?
DDD:
@justinisyoung
Jan 22nd...
@justinisyoung
wait... how do you know its that day?
:O
Call any VZW tech support member and they will tell you that. At least that what they told me that last two times I called them. They also said that this fix update will fully come out Friday the 11th with some lucky users seeing last Sunday.
@justinisyoung
Jan 22nd and Dec 11th were in a Verizon PDF meant for employees about problems with the Eris, when they would expect a fix, and any current workarounds. The OTA update pushed out now is the Dec 11th update, which is mainly bug fixes (and there were quite a few more listed than this dressed-up PDF in the original post) and the Jan 22nd update was mainly features, basically saying that was when the Eris would get 2.0 (or maybe even 2.1?)
I'll try and find the PDF again, it was quite useful.
@xmonkey i hope it doesn't take that long to get the 2.0 dump i want cyanogen to put out a real 2.0 rom.
seriously. why. bother?
just roll out android 2.0
@guy3001
Agreed. But in all honesty, I'm loving my Eris
BATTERY PROBLEM PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Known by its affection title of" -- Shouldn't it be "affectionate?"
Looks like more than just the ERIS is getting a little update tonight...
My DROID just informed me that it was about to install a 'system update'... Could This Be t? WhoooHooo!
@DaHarder
Yepper... NEW Unlock Screen, and several other DROID changes/improvements.
@DaHarder
dude, stop bustin balls, don't want to hear about the droid.your killing me.
@DaHarder
AFX...
Clarify? The DROID did (indeed) receive an update tonight (version 2.0.1), I'm using it right now.
@DaHarder
I have the eris.battery life is killing me .all i want is the battery fix,can give 2 shits about 2.0
@AFX
Unfortunately, battery life issues seem to plague many HTC offerings.
I hope that something can be done to improve the situation via firmware.
VZW and HTC tech support both told me this update should improve battery life a bit as it fixes something with the weather widget and connectivity. Not sure what the fix does as they could not say, but they did say I should see some increase in battery life.
Week-long? Don't think so.
It's coming out fully, to all devices, Friday the 11th.
@Atara9
I have the eris.battery life is killing me .all i want is the battery fix,can give 2 shits about 2.0
@AFX
I meant the OTA update, we're not getting the 2.1 until Jan at the earliest. This update will hold me over til then anyways.
Besides, I sqeezed 20 hours out of my battery today..with constant texting and an hour phone call.
asking around for those that have the Eris.... I have the hero and I got a couple of annoyances, wondering if the Eris has them too. When the screen is off, I can turn it on pressing the end key, then slide down to unlock.... or press the menu button twice and it unlocks. This is very annoying, i've "called" 911 twice already, not fun when the police shows up to you house because they got a call and could hear gunshots...i was playing Modern Warfare 2 and cursing like a sailor... just imaging what they heard. No fun having a guns pointed at you....
second isssue is that when the screen is off and a new call comes in, it has a delay. I've looked at the phone, press the "end key" to turn on the screen, the backlight turn on, but nothing on the screen, around 3 secs later, i see that i hung up on a call.
Those with the Eris, do you have the same issues.. or "features" as they are called by the manufacturers?
@xtasi
The menu button thing when you press end to wake the phone up, happens to me. I hate it. I notice a bit of a delay, but not that bad, when someone calls.
@xtasi No have not seen those particular issues. I love my phone. Had the DROID, but hated the keyboard. Now after 1 month of use I love my eris so much more.
Suggest you move from where you live as the better alternative.
@xtasi
I've had my Eris for about 3 weeks now, and haven't experienced either of those issues. The menu button is touch sensitive instead of a clickable button like on the Hero, so it isn't functional until the screen is unlocked. It seems like if my phone is out, the screen being lit up with call info draws my attention before I hear it ring. Otherwise, the info is usually there when I pull it out of my pocket after I hear/feel it ring.
i can't wait until that other android comes out for verizon!!!!
http://www.tvlesson.com/video/43270_motorola-android-review.html
So my DROID is definitely running firmware 2.0.1. So much for it being only on the Eris. I also love how sneaky they were with it.
Does this bring it to android 1.6 or am i still stuck with 1.5?
@flip1199
This isn't a new firmware. It's a bugfix update. Nothing more.
@Atara9
Then why tag the post with "android 1.6" ? We just want to know if we can now use Google Goggles!
@TheKaz
and we want GOOGLE NAVIGATION!!!!!!!!
@TheKaz
Because they're idiots?
It's not 1.6.
Why would they give us 1.6 when we're getting 2.1 in January?
It's been a while since I had Verizon Service, do still have to dial *228 to find the optimal towers for roaming in the area every few weeks or so? And also when you go to a different area, you should dial *228 to update the list? That was annoying. If so, has someone created an app for the Droid or the Droid Eris to automate this process for you?
@flanders
This has NEVER been the case with VZW. *228 option 2 updates the PRL (preferred roaming list), all that does is makes sure your phone knows who to roam off of in what location when it cannot find native VZW towers. And it only needs to be done once every other month, if that as the PRLs do not change that often at all. In a lot of places, the same roaming agreements have been in place for several years so even if you missed doing a *228 in a while, chances are it wont matter to your particular service.
I assume you are referring to your Motorola, as 'Droid' is a term used for the line of Android phones on Verizon. The Eris is also a Droid, so you need to be specific otherwise you will get replies like this by extremely literal people like me. There was no doubt about the Motorola getting 2.0.1; not sure why you mentioned it here. There is no mention of 2.0 being exclusive to the Eris.
@teammayonnaise
I meant this as a reply to Droidustin's comment. Whoops...
I wish they would just roll out 2.0 and give us the option of whether we want the Sense UI. It's pretty, but it kills my battery. Give me the option to better control my programs, delete bloatware, and fix the battery issues and this phone is perfect.