Alright,
Droid owners,
decent multitouch performance isn't the only thing you've got to brag about. As you likely know by now,
2.1's in the works for you -- and from the latest video we're seeing of an official test build running in the wild, we're cautiously optimistic that it's going to be a fantastic little update. As we'd
reported some time back, the
Nexus One's revamped app launcher is missing, but multitouch appears to work like butter in both the browser and revamped Gallery app and the new news and weather widgets have made the cut as well. Most notable, though, might simply be the fact that everything flies -- home screen switches, opening of the app drawer, zooming, it's all mega-fast. Granted, anyone with an Android device knows that the speed of the device depends on the number of apps you've got running, the moon phase, and the direction of the wind, but it's an encouraging sign nonetheless. Now if only Moto would stop
fumbling the launch, we'd be good to go; in the meantime, though, check some video of the update after the break.
posted March 4th 2010 12:35AM
I've been waiting for 2.1!!!!
@SiriusDoggy i really dont care for the motorola phones that much. they usually genuainly suck. not to mention the motoblur was epic failure when it was first released. so sad.
@emopoops When trying to make an argument, using proper spelling will prevent you from looking like a complete donkey. Just a tip.
Back on topic, does this allow multi-touch keyboard? No one's mentioned it yet and I'm hoping it's not because it's missing from 2.1...
@emopoops
Comment contributed exactly zero, and there is no motoblur on the Droid. Fail.
@hiimdh : check out the Better Keyboard app in the market. it's multitouch and has some other nice features. they update it constantly as well.
Can't wait for the DROOOOOID users to share in the goodness that is 2.1!
@SiriusDoggy Well this should be good news to you then. ALL Android devices in USA will get the 2.1 upgrade. Yes, that's right folks, this includes the first Android device, the notorious HTC Dream G1 also. Read more here: http://androidandme.com/2010/02/news/all-u-s-android-phones-to-receive-android-2-1-but-some-will-require-a-wipe/
Thats it motorola.. get up already, keep running man.
@SiriusDoggy Yesterday I noticed it would pinch zoom in the browser when I rolled my thumb across the surface. That’s strange and unexpected. Hopefully it will have answers for this one. Questions: http://bit.ly/nexus-phone-problems
@joannalovans By far the best software keyboard on EARTH is swype. Last I checked they haven't released on the market, but google it and download it.
Trust me. You will NOT regret it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLwxIwMFzR4
@jussipussi
i hope your right, i've been resisting rooting for so long now.
someone leaked the Eris 2.1 update just a few hours ago on XDA. everything on it works, camera, video, sensors! :O
@justinisyoung
this is the news I'm looking for on here, not that it's not nice seeing 2.1 getting rolled out elsewhere...
@PJX true....xda did a few hours ago its on android central yay eris
@justinisyoung
God I hope that means we get it soon. But if this March 23 N1 deal holds true, I bet we won't see 2.1 till then. Looks like the Eris root about fell through too :-/
@JMars87
you can have that eris 2.1 update right now...
its fully working so you got nothing to lose... except 1.5
unless, of course, you want to keep 1.5
http://thekrtek.net/2010/03/03/eris-2-1-tutorial/
Too Fast, Too Furious?
No such thing..... :D
@New Reformation
"...the speed of the device depends on the number of apps you've got running, the moon phase, and the direction of the wind..."
Haha, good one Mr. Ziegler.
Blazers FTW!!!!!!!!
Oh and Droid looks nice.
Great. I'll probably revert back from Bugless Beast when this is finally released.
@thesandman00
I wouldn't. The current version of BB which I installed today is supposedly a modified version of the official build (meaning it's optimized for the Droid). The modifications include such things as five homescreens and live wallpapers so I would say it's quite a bit better than the stock ROM.
@thesandman00 : I'm using BB 1.2 and I have to say, it's running really well. The only issue I ran into is the occasional 'wait' for the News/Weather app. Pete did a great job.
@Mr Blue
That wait has been eliminated in the current BB V.2 beta
At least we have the option of multi-tasking--you dumbass.
@MM OBVIOUS
I was thinking the same thing. Even in this little note they managed to squeeze in a little Apple propaganda.
@espentan
Take a look at this and note the price Apple Asshats:
http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/hp-envy-15-core-i7-laptop/14729.aspx
@MM OBVIOUS 1366x768? wtf, it's a 15" netbook.
I am glad everything seems to be smooth, but how hard would it be to implement 5 screens? 3D app launcher would also be nice, but not necessary. And they can keep their live wallpapers, just give me a better camera app.
@chaunceyd
Yeah.... but doesn't look like 3D Launcher will be included a leaked ESE53 rom shows that it WILL include Live Wallpaper but no 3D Launcher. Another site mentions a developer also confirmed 3-9 homescreens (adjustable I guest) as well.
Here's the linke for the Live Wallpaper look: http://www.androidspin.com/2010/03/06/droid-2-1-update-does-include-live-wallpapers/ (it looks like it's customized for the DROID, btw)
Will the home screen finally be able to tell when I'm holding the phone sideways? Or is that long lost feature not included in 2.1?
@apparitionman
I'm using a version of 2.1 now that is supposedly very similar to the official build from Moto. Unfortunately, the home screen still only rotates when the keyboard is open or when the phone is docked.
@apparitionman
Hmmm? I'm running 2.0.1 and my DROID home screen rotates in accordance with the phone's orientation whether the keyboard is open or not.
Why would Google eliminate that feature on Android 2.1?
@DaHarder
Are you sure it's the homescreen you're talking about? Not in an app?
@DaHarder
Again, are you sure? Because you'd be the only one in the world that that works for.
@Hiprocksoul No, DaHarder's right. Mine rotates on orientation as well.
@Sanskrit
Weird, mine doesn't, except for when the keyboard is out.
I've had 2.1 installed since the 25th (Pete's Bugless Beast). I really like it so far. It's really quick and stable. Multitouch is nice too, of course.
dude Pete from Alldroid is a fucking beast. some people over there have been ripping off his bugless roms. lame. they are awesome.
and I love it !
Pretty nifty
I find this funny the droid is trying to be its own phone saying that it does what the iphone doesnt basically but now it has multi touch that the iphone is known for lol this is hilarious and now apple has a law suit against HTC, why dont people just get an iphone its what everyone wants, at least what it does!
@sf49ers2006
I am fairly sure the advertising campaign for the Droid was not saying it wants to be the opposite of the iPhone.
I believe it was pointing out that the Droid can do everything the iPhone can do and plenty more. Of course depending on your bias, you can argue either way.
@sf49ers2006
Some of us (former) iPhone users went for the DROID because we wanted both more features (2.5 times higher resolution display, camera w/LED flash, true multi-tasking, et al) and more control over our user experience (choice of GUI, media player, e-mail clients, etc.).
Unlike the iPhone's Roomer-Room Inspired widget-launcher (posing as a mobile OS), Android really is an true operating system that allows full customization and functionality.
If you're comfortable smartphoning circa 2007, then keep your iPhone and enjoy, but some of us prefer a far more modern mobile experience, and Android 2.1 only sweetens the DROID deal.
@sf49ers2006
Not everyone is a mindless drone that gets "what everybody wants." Some of us like to think for ourselves.
And your comment is exactly why Apple's suit against HTC will not only fail, but blow up in their faces.
@DaHarder: You, like most Android users, exhibit the same desperate inferiority that stems from the incontestable fact that Android is nothing more than a total and complete rip-off of the iPhone. Apple revolutionized the phone paradigm, first and foremost by introducing a full, multi-touch enabled screen as the singular device input by eliminating a physical keyboard.
@Ariel Bender
You've obviously never even used an Android powered smartphone for any amount of time, let alone a DROID, because with the exception of the use of icon grids (pioneered by PALM devices long before Apple copied them for the iPhone), my iPhone and DROID couldn't be more different.
The iPhone 'locks' the user into an rigid/endless grid of visually similar icons affording very little user customization, whereas Google's Android OS incorporates all manner of truly active UI elements such as pull-down notifications, fully live widgets, UI skinning, and full multitasking of any/all installed apps (sans the need for 'jailbreaking').
Do yourself a favor: Actually USE all the devices about which you post before spewing out such (easily debunked) untruths.
@Ariel Bender
I agree, they started it all...but its time to move on to bigger and better things, Apple, your shit is 3 years old... The leaders are falling behind. I could never ever imagine having to be confined to the iPhones terrible cluttered and restrictive "OS". With Android I don't have to. And to top it all off, I am on Verizon, things really couldn't get any better! I never get why people want a phone that does 1 thing at a time (yet very well!) with a cluttered non-customizable interface! Then you put it on Americas worst network! I think people buy iPhones now just because "its an iPhone", not realizing that now in todays market, it is no better in any category, and things like the Droid ...just are better, do more, higher numbers, ect.
All that to say this: Android OS has been incredible, I love it. I dont know if any new hot OS from Apple or anyone could sway me.
Droid users will now be able to brag to Nexus One owners that their phones does proper multi-touch.
Very nice, although now that I've got my phone rooted with Bugless Beast ROM installed, I don't care too much about the official 2.1. In fact, the only thing I want is a native multitouch browser, since the Milestone browser lags a little bit on the Droid.
Besides that, meh.
I just installed the 2.1 build of Bugless Beast that is based off of this update. There is officially no reason to wait for the OTA 2.1. Seriously none. So far, this thing is rock solid, install went well, and everything just works. This has more than what the official OTA update will, but can be overclocked, does have 5 homescreens, the excellent G1 IM app (the Market has no real good IM app besides AIM), Live Wallpapers, and Wireless Tethering can be installed too, turning this into a free mobile hotspot.