Android 2.1 Update

[techdad]

A few posts on the internet about people getting the 2.1 update.  Have any Droid or Eris users seen this yet?

[logicman]

 Update is for Moto Droid only. It can be downloaded from various sites including DroidLife.

[jrcasas]

I have contacted a Store Rep, a CS Phone rep and read a variety of blogs and they all say different things about the timing of the OTA OS upgrade to v2.1 for Droid phones (specifically for me, the Droid Eris).  This is one of the WORST BUSINESS PRACTICES I have encountered in industry.  WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR VZW (in concert with HTC and Google) to issue a DEFINITIVE AND OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON WHEN THE UPGRADE WILL BE AVAILABLE - instead of all these rumors?

I know that the UNOFFICIAL upgrade is available out there and have been used by folks more techie than me.  I am unwilling to do that because of the possibility of turning a new device into a worthless "brick" and voiding my warranty.

VZW, IF YOU ARE LISTENING - Here is a loooooong time client of yours (like others) who is willing to shell out hard-earned $$$ (especially in this economy) but is unwilling because of your POOR COMMUNICATION  with the people who are keeping you up at the top of the heap!  I am happy with your network and do not want to leave it.

But if these BAD communication practice stays like it is right now (almost feel like you are taunting us and deliberately keeping us hanging), THEN YOU ARE PUSHING ME TO SWITCH CARRIERS, who are more upfront in doing business.

VZW, DO THE RIGHT THING AND USE BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES!!

[bkfist]

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jrcasas wrote:
[snip]

But if these BAD communication practice stays like it is right now (almost feel like you are taunting us and deliberately keeping us hanging), THEN YOU ARE PUSHING ME TO SWITCH CARRIERS, who are more upfront in doing business.

[snip]

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Sorry, you are NOT going to find any other carriers who are more "upfront"...  Pushing software updates to users with widly varying applicaitons, and keeping all those applications intact and functional is not an easy task and requires a lot of preparation, testing, and careful deployment in case bugs are found with the first batches of updates.

Also, in your case with the Eris, the update (if rumors are to be believed) is just being finalized around now from HTC.  Verizon then has to test in-house for stability, effects on the network and such...  THEN a deployment will be scheduled...

(Google has no part in producing a ROM for the Eris - It's completely at the mercy of HTC, then Verizon...  Google supplies the source code, and I'm sure technical assistance on the base of the OS, but HTC adds a completely new "layer" in the Sense UI  -  It is the "price" you will pay for any android phone that is not "stock" Android...)

The testing is necessary to make sure that the vast majority of uers do not experience technical problems during/after the upgrade.  You might be willing to sacrafice some "bumps" but face it, most of the users don't have a clue that an update is even coming, let alone able to or willing to have to do a factory reset of the phone to clear up glitches.

Me, I don't mind bumpy roads, I like testing stuff, and don't mind having to re-setup my phone every few days if necessary, to have cutting-edge features.  I, however, am NOT the average customer.

Verizon would loose 10X as many customers, or at the very least the "hearts" of 10X as many customers by releasing a highly buggy rom to 95% of the population who don't know Android from Windows Mobile, as the few impatient people (probably 1/2 of 1% or less) who would switch carriers over a couple week's delay in releasing a stable ROM.

Those who are the *real* impatient people have alrady upgraded to some form of Android 2.1 (probably 2 percent), the knowledgable, cautios, and patient people (Probably 10%) will pace and check their favorite Android blog daily for release information.  The other 87.5% (The ones you'd "make mad"  with a buggy rom) don't know the difference.  Of the 0.5% who might consider a switch, 90% will be back, because the pasture is NOT greener on the other side of the spectrum.

I've tasted all the pastures in my area, not hopping from Verizon, but TO verizon... Until you have experienced the poor coverage and dropped calls of Sprint in anything but metro areas, the archaic phones of US Cellular, AT&T, and other "regional" carriers, you do not realize exactly how much you are going to miss Verizon's network.

By the time you are done hopping around, the update will have long been released by Verizon for your Eris.

[#5]

What "bad communications" are you referring to?  Most companies don't announce upgrades or new products until they are ready.  There are many very valid reasons for this.  Rumors are not Verizon's fault.

[SFroomkin]

1st Quarter of 2010 --- oh, guess what, that DID happen!

[AFguy]

I just manually updated my moto droid with the official ESE81 build on the engadget site.  Sweet, super sweet.  live wallpapers is really cool.  still only have 3 home screens tho.  

[logicman]

Check out Helix Launcher. Up to 7 screens and it supports live wallpapers.

[AFguy]

Hey logicman, where do i find the rom for it?  do i install it the same way?

[AFguy]

nevermind, i founf it in the market.  its a homescreen app, just installed.  sweet.  real sweet.

[jrcasas]

Thanks for your comments (3/31/2010), bkfist.

So much misinformation, rumors and innuendoes!

Kudos to you that you love doing this - "let alone able to or willing to have to do a factory reset of the phone to clear up glitches. me, i don't mind bumpy roads, i like testing stuff, and don't mind having to re-setup my phone every few days if necessary, to have cutting-edge features.".  I don't.

I realize all the testing that all these companies have to do before they release new products.  But if I am part of that "the few impatient people (probably 1/2 of 1% or less) who would switch carriers over a couple (?) week's delay in releasing a stable rom. those who are the *real* impatient people have alrady upgraded to some form of android 2.1 (probably 2 percent), the knowledgable, cautios, and patient people (probably 10%) will pace and check their favorite android blog daily for release information.  the other 87.5% - (?0.5%+2%+87.5%=100%??) - (the ones you'd "make mad"  with a buggy rom) don't know the difference.  of the 0.5% who might consider a switch, 90% will be back, because the pasture is not greener on the other side of the spectrum.",  so be it.  Don't know where you get your numbers and %s.

But with all due respect, that is not the point.  We, who are not as techie, the uniformed and not as patient as you are, just want STRAIGHT, TRUE, CONSISTENT and OFFICIAL info.  Tired of all the speculations, rumors and "heard this" stuff!  I can handle the truth. Eventually it will prevail. Then I will make my rational decision.

I am glad you seem to be "happy" with the status quo and your Droid (?) - I guess.

I HOPE VZW, HTC and Google ARE LISTENING AND WATCHING THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRAL GARBAGE!

[jrcasas]

So sorry.  Did not see the 10% in your comments.  Your math is correct.

[JWS1956]

I spent most of all day yesterday on the phone and waiting for return phone calls from Verizon.  I will have to admit that they did answer all of my questions. 

The 2.1 is out for the Moto Droid.  It is being put out in 25,000 groups.  From what I understand.  He might have said 250,000, I am not sure.  I would assume the older customers are going to be upgraded first. 

Now for the bad news.  Us Eris users.  HTC told this rep that the 2.1 would be available no later than the end of April.  It should be sooner, but they couldn't promise that.  How it will be sent out, they are not sure yet.  They are sure it will be sent out in "blocks" but nothing on how many at a time yet. 

For those waiting for the Incredible.  HTC is still testing it.  They have till June to finish the testing and promote the phone.  Verizon has not accepted the phone yet and not sure they even will take it.  Depends on the results of the testing. 

They have no plans even if they do accept it to offer it as an upgrade as of now.  So... the Eris users are the ones that get the shaft this time if Verizon does pick up the Incredible. 

I used to be an AT&T customer years ago and more recent an Alltel customer.  While I admit Verizon has been much better in all aspects for me, I am sick and tired of being given the shaft by all of these cell phone companies.  They "push" all these so called top of the line phones and make us think we are getting such a great deal.  And all the time, they have something 10  times better on the back burner and they are not telling us anything about it.  If I would have known about the Incredible,  I more than likely would have waited till June. 

I know, I know.  Electronics are always updating and changing.  But why are they allowed to keep it quiet so we will buy the current top of the line.  I mean car companies come out with a new line every year, so if you can afford a new car, you just wait till the next year model.  With cell phone companies, we never know when the new version is coming out. 

And as far as the Devour.  Please... that phone is a joke.  I am very disappointed with Verizon with this phone.  It is cheaper than a child's toy. 

I am tired of paying these high prices for cell phone service and still not getting  what I pay for. 

Don't tell me to go to another company, they are all the same.  Like I said, I have been a customer of both the big ones.  And the "smaller" companies don't even cover the area enough. 

[glocker]

JWS1956, how many people bought or didn't return the Droid  within the 30 day timeline, because of the rumors?  We are still getting shafted.  2.1 only included some enhancements and fixed a couple of bugs, audio problem with head phone jack, tweaked the radio and pattern lock.  Why is there a difference in 2.1 when comparing Milestone to Moto Droid, same hardware?  It took them 3 months to release a 14.9mb update.  If Google can't figure out how to support there product properly, goodbye Android.  

[JWS1956]

glocker, I don't know where you get your information.  I have seen the Droid with the 2.1 update.  The "forced" version.  The Droid is not the same.  It fixed most if not all of the issues people talked about with the Droid.  There are tons more things that you can do with the Droid after the 2.1 than before it. 

I don't know how the Eris will be changed, but all I can do is hope that it will fix all the issues.  And as far as returning them after the 30 days.  I don't know about anyone else, but I have all intentions of swapping mine out at the end of April if the fix does not come through and fix all the issues.

If Verizon doesn't want to swap, they can face the PSC and the FCC for putting out faulty products. 

[jenduhhen88]

i downloaded the new update a few days ago and i nocited the gallery is all new...really cool but it added some folders from my computer and i don't no how to get rid of it.. i though i came from facebook or myspace but those 4 folders are not on there.. iv taking the sd card out of my phone and there still there...how do i get rid of this.?

[jenduhhen88]

it's like the droid is taking picture from some were and i don't no were or how to get rid of the folder..i found 2 of the folders on my pc but there in a folder in another folder...help me please...