Verizon begins Android 2.1 update rollout for Motorola Droid

Flippin' finally, right? Verizon Wireless put the long-awaited Android 2.1 update on hold for its cadre of Motorola Droid owners earlier in the month, with an all-too-vague "TBD" as the only detail as to when we could look for it to actually, really land. We've just happened upon what looks to be an internal Verizon email that went out this morning, and sure enough, it sounds as if the update will at long last begin hitting Droid owners in just a few minutes. At noon on 3/30 (that's today, vaquero), a grand total of 1,000 users will receive notification of the update, while 9,000 more will get a similar alert just before midnight. If all goes well, the rest of ya will see v2.1 slide down starting on Thursday, though it looks as if patience will be your only friend as you await your turn. Head on past the break for the full memo, but don't get your hopes up too high -- wouldn't want to be let down again, would you buttercup?

Starting 03/30/2010, Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for the DROID by Motorola. Users will be able to upgrade their software to version AP: ESE81/BP: C_01.3E.03P to receive new improvements and enhancements.

*Key Advantages:*

o Email - Yahoo Mail is now supported - customers can simply
sign in with their Yahoo! Email address and password. Note:
Yahoo! Email is not available over Wi-Fi
o Pinch to Zoom now available in the Browser, Maps, and Gallery
o Speech-to-Text - Customers can now use their voice instead
of typing whenever a text-entry box appears
o Google Goggles is now preloaded
o The new Gallery application uses 3D layout and shows both
pictures taken with the customer's Android device and images
from Picasa Web Albums account online

*Software Schedule:*
Below is the software-upgrade notification schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time):

o At noon on 03/30, 1,000 users will receive notification of
the update.
o At 11:59 PM on 03/30, 9,000 more users will receive the
update notification.
o After the first 10,000 users receive the update on 03/30,
there will be a 24-hour period when no additional upgrades
will be delivered.
o On Day 3 (04/01), 200,000 users will receive the update
notification at 11:59 PM. This schedule will continue each
day thereafter until the update has been delivered to all users.

*Download & Install Conditions:*

o An OTA download requires 40% or more power availability if
the device is not connected to an external power source or
20% or more power if it is connected to an external source
o If roaming, the customer will not receive the update. The
only option in this scenario is for the subscriber to enable
Wi-Fi and wait for a mandatory OTA. The wait period in this
case will not be more than 12 hours
o User must wait to receive the upgrade via OTA
o User is unable to make or receive calls, including emergency
calls during this time
o Users will see the following information when they select*
More info* on the update screen:/ This software update
includes new enhancements to support Yahoo! Email,
pinch-to-zoom, and many other improvements for your DROID by
Motorola. You will be unable to use your device or make
emergency calls for the duration of the install. The
software updates automatically, and your DROID will power
off and on as part of this software upgrade.

[Camdog916 Posted Mar 31st 2010 11:37PM]

@sammyboy405 @phatch The Verizon web site says still says coming soon. Here is their web site: http://support.vzw.com/information/droid_upgrade.html

[pkooistra Posted Apr 1st 2010 12:01AM]

Its been running on my Droid for 24hrs now since I got ota update last night. Maybe the left hand of vzw does not know what the right is doing

[Camdog916 Posted Apr 1st 2010 10:11AM]

@pkooistra They must not cause I just read this a couple of minutes ago. @VZWSupport: No The 2.1 update is not out yet from vzw for the droids. and yes if you get the 2.1 update& it corrupts the phone yes the warrnty voided

[pkooistra Posted Apr 1st 2010 5:49PM]

@Camdog916 all I can say is I got mine OTA unexpectedly. Seems to be running really stable with some great upgrades. Now if they could add more home screens and get listen to play vodcasts I would be happy

[pkooistra Posted Apr 1st 2010 8:07PM]

@Camdog916 I found those tweets. How embarrasing for vzw! They have changed their tune now that they have been informed how wrong they were. Sad

[sgtchipper Posted Apr 1st 2010 2:07PM]

Does anyone know if the NEW DROID update as of 4-10-10 will allow us to make BLUETOOTH headset voice dialing phone calls?

[edgerkem Posted Apr 2nd 2010 1:54PM]

Got the update. Caused a rolling reboot initially. Called Verizon service and they talked me through how to force a factory reset. I was able to recover phone and I did have the 2.1 update. Pretty nice overall.

[edgerkem Posted Apr 2nd 2010 1:54PM]

Anyone know if there will be a Devour update as well to 2.1?

[edgerkem Posted Apr 2nd 2010 1:56PM]

One item missing is more panels. Sad to see this was not included in the update.

[frenzy757 Posted Apr 3rd 2010 5:36PM]

Anyone not get it yet? I still don't have it on my Droid

[Mack211 Posted Apr 3rd 2010 11:43PM]

@frenzy757
I don't have it either.... Seems like we should have it by now...

[gdgtsrgd Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:58PM]

@Mack211 Still Nothing here. At 200,000 per day it could still be a few days before everyone gets it...

[big nazty Posted May 10th 2010 9:25AM]

this phone looks like a sliding brick and its trash... i have a mytouch 3g and mine performs mroe beautifully with my 2.1 eclair.... i seen reviews like the n1 vs Droid vs iPhone... it lags so badly doing simple task and its big for nothing one of the many android phones that have bad hardware