We've already seen a broken build of Android 2.1 for the Droid Eris
slip out accidentally, but now the full package is available for installation courtesy of the fine folks at xda-developers. We haven't tried it ourselves, but we're told it's working fine, and that
snazzy new version of Sense is apparently quite snazzy and new. Of course, you're risking your phone and all your data if you try this, so the absolutely smart and prudent move is to wait for the
official update, but do let us know how it goes if you're daring enough to load it up, okay?
Update: And just like that, it's been
ported to the Sprint Hero, although not everything works quite yet. You be careful, kids.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted March 4th 2010 1:56PM
Also a lot of great progress in porting it to the Sprint Hero:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=593015
@natalierina
Yes I know it is basically a Hero, but there are still numerous differences within the code, hardware, etc. Thus it isn't a direct port. That's why the dev's over at XDA had to modify it to get it to the point it's at now. Also when I posted this, they didn't have the update so I was trying to make everyone with a Sprint Hero aware of the development for that device.
i can't wait for parts of this to spill over in to the g1. come on and update openeclair!
best news of the day!
Yeah, not the "full package" as it still doesn't work for everyone.
That white antenna with the gold tip at the bottom looks kind of ugly.
@Argot
that is a pen not an antenna :P
@Argot
This=Win
@Argot Yea it is, but it looks like they do free engravings on the top of the phone as well.
@Argot
That dynamic smudge theme really sets it off
Tempting, oh so tempting. Although it would be a little more tempting if they had decided to wipe down the screen before taking that picture.
I tried sense out on my nexus one for the first time, and while it is a very very nice UI, I didn't realize how different it is from vanilla android. I don't know if I want to make the switch.
@B3astofthe3ast that's funny, i'm on the opposite camp. i've only had senseui. i've tried the vanilla android ui and i can't switch. the beauty of open platform... different strokes for different folks.
It is missing some of the apps HTC showed off, like Friends Stream, news and the RSS reader.
@Patlex I have a feeling that this is just a beta 2.1 Sense UI build, and that the other widgets and such will be integrated into the final update that we'd get on our end. Doubtful, but possible.
people own the eris?
@bolezhinkov
People think they're clever when making comments like this?
I've got a coworker with the Eris who installed it last night and it seemed to work mostly fine. He said the phone felt a lot quicker too, which is nice because he was getting a little pissed with how slow the phone felt.
Only problem he ran into was he couldn't find certain apps in the Market. For instance, he was looking for Smart Keyboard (best keyboard available in the Market) and it just wouldn't show up, like he was still running 1.5.
Clean your screen.... PLEASE! :P
(Enjoy Droid Eris fans!)
I installed it last night. Works great just be careful about using backup programs because when you copy the old stuff to the new system, it can screw things up like your contacts in gmail and the built in widgets.
You won't be able to find copy protected apps in the market because this particular build of the OS is not in Googles system yet and might not be until the official word comes from Verizon.
The only program I have found not to run is Google Earth but from what I read, it doesn't work too well on the Moto Droid. Everything else runs as good if not better then before. I highly recommend the upgrade
Just installed, runs so much faster! Everything works great except, maps has no multitouch, no google earth.
@vinoster
Requires at least an ARM 7 processor to run earth
At 80% right now on the download, going to install this and see how it goes. Been waiting too long for the 2.1 update to pass it up!
I'll let you guys know how it goes.
This is awesome. I'm loving the 2.1 Sense interface. Multi-touch (Suck it Apple). Weather works just like it does on the HD2. Cloudy today so my screen gets cloudy when I return to home. Everything runs smoother. But the best part is having the ability to have bluetooth that can actually act as a serial connection. This is awesome, if this is any indication of what the Desire is going to be like.
Is there any info on Flash available?
@rdunseith - It comes with a YouTube app preinstalled but still seems to have some issues with playing many videos. I don't think much has changed. Hopefully Adobe will stop trying so hard to get on the iPhone and embrace Andriod and fix the problems we have.
@rdunseith
My YouTube works, and any video I have tried from internet etc. has worked, and has worked FAST! (:
BALLER!!!
Update worked great like a charm, MyBackupPro DOES work if you download it from the website (www.rerware.com). You'll need HTC sync installed on the computer to do anything. YouTube Support seems iffy right now but everything runs smoothly, lovin' the interface. :D
It works pretty well on my Hero, much better than the last release from xda, very pretty and fast! still no camera, but once the .29 kernal is working... :)
Been using it on hero, Much better than the last xda release!
once kernal 29 is ported, it will be fantastic. though it is already very pretty and fast!
Is anyone else wondering why there is a BLUE ink pen sitting next to the phone, but the handwritten text at the top is in BLACK ink???
@aardWolf
Some people in this world are privileged enough to own two pens. You will learn this eventually.
I'm going to get downranked for this, but what the hell.
DROID > Eris
@Steve B
Dude, no one will contest that the Droid isn't more powerful and more capable than the Eris, even those that own an Eris like me. However, those of us who bought an Eris bought it for reasons such as:
1) Lower price
2) Prettier interface (Sense UI)
3) Nicer looking in general (The Droid is one of the ugliest phones I've ever seen)
4) HTC implements features and apps that just aren't available on stock android or on the marketplace (friendstream, leap, etc.) We had android 2.1 features in Sense running 1.5.
If the Eris had the raw power of the Droid, noone would buy the Droid.
@truelove79
Agreed - and I suspect you'll see a Droid drop off (by the way I hate the Verzion naming scheme) when devices like the Incredible release. Once similar hardware performance is available, a shift will occur.
@Slick
Agreed2. I think the reason the Droid has done so well on Verizon is pent up demand for such a phone on that network. Once more are available, they will start to sell on their own merits.
@StalkyTheFish A good friend of mine actually owned the Droid but switched over to the Eris after a week because he saw my Hero and loved Sense. He hasn't gone back.
any thoughts on when the official update will come?
Disgusting fingerprints.
Updated my Eris...no issues! It is working like a champ...
this is just greattt! i just updated mine. seems to be working great so far!
Thanks Engadget for the information!
Done. It works, legitimate, good stuff people. Download the second link from the source and you can download straight to the /sdcard. Do an HBOOT (vol down+power) and let it update the phone. :)
Its AWESOME!!!
And this is why Android will destroy the iPhone :)
Working great on my UK Hero!
Installed and runs perfect. I was hoping for "Live wallpapers" but not there.
This version doesn't have the voice input for the keyboard. Is that feature specific to nexus one?
Just received the update this morning on my fiancées Droid Eris...updated in ~10 minutes and had to reconfigure it to login to her Google account and then everything worked fine.