Droid's Android 2.1 update going to 'a small number' of users tomorrow

Possibly confirming those leaks suggesting that the first volley of Droid updates to Android 2.1 would be limited to just a quarter million folks, Verizon just shot out a statement to let everyone know that the over-the-air push is "being deployed to a small number of Verizon Wireless test users tomorrow afternoon." Beyond that, no dates are given for the rest of us to get in on the action -- probably because Verizon and Motorola need to see how the first group manages before sending out the remainder -- so for the moment, just hope that you're one of these incredibly blessed "test users" and stay tuned.

[techlord Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:53PM]

Why is limited?

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:57PM]

@techlord Less people to piss off if it doesn't work.

[rdrunner Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:57PM]

@techlord

They are beta testing. Good luck.

[unwynd Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:04PM]

@techlord
they dont want all of them to be bricked, you havent forgotten, have you?

[treats Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:19PM]

At least DROOOOOOID users will be getting 2.1 goodness! It will be leaked for manual installs within hours, so OTA doesn't matter.

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:39PM]

@treats I've been running 2.1 for a few weeks now.

[crappypunk Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:27PM]

@rdrunner that's a big beta test

[ircmaxell Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:53PM]

I wonder how they will decide who gets it when... Is it going to be purely random, by purchase date, or by some other hereto unknown metric?

[GenericMessage Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:26PM]

@ircmaxell


Totally randomized. Just like when 2.0.1 hit.

[ANTONkoolaid Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:54PM]

If I'm rooted running a better version of ESE53 does that mean I'm luckier?

[samsmith3 Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:12PM]

@ANTONkoolaid

Exactly. I'm running Pete's Bugless Beast, and I'm perfectly happy sticking to whatever firmware he pushes out to us. I've been on 2.1 for a month AND I have overclocking and wireless tether

[matthewreo Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:59PM]

@ANTONkoolaid
Yes, it does. I finally upgraded to Bugless Beast ESE53 a week ago, and I'm never going back to a stock ROM. BB V0.8 overclocked to 1ghz - it's like having a whole new phone all over again.

Plus - we get the cool features everyone whines about the nexus one having WAY before stock users.

[raaaaaa Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:15PM]

@samsmith3

I sure could have used the wireless tether feature after the 5 day black out here in NJ from a storm

[peaches Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:54PM]

i really hope I'm one of those test users. They have been teasing us with this for so long.

[djt Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:54PM]

Its like they get my hopes up and then just smash them everytime we start talking about this update.

[pika2000 Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:55PM]

Hey engadget, Nexus One on Sprint. Keep up with the news. :)

[DirtyVegas Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:58PM]

>>New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes
the screen at night for easier viewing.

What does that mean?

[Chris Stoll Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:01PM]

@DirtyVegas It inverts the colors so it isn't as bright.

[DirtyVegas Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:07PM]

@Chris Stoll

Does the Nexus one have that?

[Slimnutz Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:35PM]

@DirtyVegas

Everyone's should already. It was in an update to the GMAPS app that came out like a month ago (version 4046). It is actually very nice the old nav would blind you at night even with the screen brightness turned down. now you don't kill people when you use it.

[Hyloka Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:35PM]

@DirtyVegas It's something that's already been updated in Google maps. Data from the light sensor is used to determine that it's dark out and the application changes the background and other colors so that it doesn't have as much an impact on your night vision. It's a nice improvement.

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:44PM]

@Hyloka I'm pretty sure it's time based and not light sensor based.

[GenericMessage Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:27PM]

@DirtyVegas

Time based

[ChazClout Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:08PM]

Good stuff for Droid owners. Enjoy!

[tylerscochran Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:09PM]

Get your act together Verizon.

[Jimbojones Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:11PM]

I'm jealous Android can push updates over the air and download music via wifi ... why in the world do I have to plug my iPhone to my PC to get updates and music from my hard drive?

[samsmith3 Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:13PM]

@Jimbojones

"...updates and music from my hard drive"

Isn't that kind of obvious??

[pukerocket Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:21PM]

@Jimbojones

Iphone owners get theirs on the day it's released. Android owners get theirs after 17 committee meetings

[Jimbojones Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:29PM]

@samsmith3 well, if updates would go over the air and music download using some open protocol, then lot of us would not even own computer at home because we have one at work.

with iPhone I have to have computer to even start using it and setup the registration

[pukerocket Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:09PM]

@Jimbojones

Don't be so ridiculous. You keep your music on the computer.

[Jimbojones Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:16PM]

@pukerocket actually I keep it on NAS and if my dumb iPhone would not require computer, I would never buy one and simply use Office laptop only.

It's the same with iPad, lot of my friends are telling me that they are going to get one and ditch their old laptops... yeah they are going to be really surprised when they find out that they need computer for iPad updates and music transfer.

[screamster Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:32PM]

@samsmith3 Cause Steve Jobs says it be so!

[pukerocket Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:15PM]

Major fail. 2.2 should be out shortly. 2.1 has been out almost 3 months. This 2.1 is different from the other 2.1.

Open source FTW!

[goinskiing Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:15PM]

So roughly a one in four chance. I wouldn't mind waking up to 2.1 goodness tomorrow morning for my Droid.

[jamo Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:29PM]

@goinskiing
Me either, but it looks like the OTA doesn't even start until 12 pm

[raaaaaa Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:19PM]

@jamo

how so?

[sethmo Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:22PM]

I already have a working 2.1 ROM. Unless Verizons 2.1 update comes with flash support, this doesn't really mean anything :/

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:46PM]

@sethmo Why do people keep thinking flash support will come with 2.1?

[masta vaan Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:22PM]

@barry99705
because there was an article here om engadget saying it...
sorry can't find it now right now, but i remember that it definitely was 2.1 or above

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:16PM]

@masta vaan Well they were wrong then. Flash will require 2.1, it won't come with 2.1. Flash support will come from Adobe, not Google.

[sethmo Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:59PM]

@barry99705 There were a lot of unofficial rumors going around that flash may be included with the Droid's 2.1 update.

Obviously, at this point, it flash were to come bundled, it would have been announced by now.

Now we just wait for Adobe to make the next move.

[Dorf Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:25PM]

Might have to get mine out of the drawer and update it. I wonder if Moto invested in any ActiveSync support. I doubt it, but at least it keeps me from having to support another device type.

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 3:47PM]

@Dorf Uhh, do you mean Exchange activesync? If so, then yes, since it came out.

[Dorf Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:48PM]

@barry99705

Um, false. You can sync via Exchange Activesync IF AND ONLY IF you turn off security policies, which any corporation with a brain does not do. Can't enforce a PIN password, can't remote wipe the device, can't encrypt the data.

Sure you can get a 3rd party product like Touchdown, but it keeps the email and contacts and calendar in it's own little sandbox. So when I set up my device, my "main contacts" do not get populated with my exchagne contacts so when folks call me or whatnot, they are not linked.

This is why it sits in my drawer. It's fun as hell to use, but I can't support them with my work policies.

[barry99705 Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:18PM]

@Dorf Well you didn't specify that part.... ;) I'm pretty sure the hardware doesn't support the encryption specifications.

[killplay Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:25PM]

im sure the cross platform updates will get quicker over time

[MatriX123 Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:33PM]

theres always a catch. wonder if its random. guess ill keep reseting my phone come noon tom..

[eXistenZ Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:52PM]

not me please not...

[TendoMan Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:31PM]

So what about Eris, Verizon?

[raaaaaa Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:11PM]

can't you just go to the verizon store and get the update the old fashion way?