It has been some weeks now since Google teased Motorola Droid owners with Android 2.1. They had said it was going to be released, people here in San Francisco were all geared up for it and then the walls came crumbling down with a single Facebook post.
Brutal.
Since then, Droid owners have been chomping at the bit for multitouch support and finally, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, Droid and Eris owners of SF.
Indeed, Android 2.1 ROM’s for both the Droid and the Droid Eris have been unrevealed ahead of Motorola and Google’s promised OTA update that never came. Here’s what Android and Me said about the Droid ROM:
Kellex from Droid Life was brave enough to flash the leaked ROM on his Droid and found the performance to be improved. Check out his video below for a quick hands on. Notable missing features from Android 2.1 include live wallpapers and the 3D launcher (both found on the Nexus One).
You can watch the video for yourself below.
And here’s what going on with the Eris ROM:
The ROM appears to be fully functional and includes the new version of Sense UI. Like we predicted, some Android 2.1 features were not included (no live wallpapers).
Before you get too excited, be very, very careful when doing this because flashing a ROM isn’t the easiest thing in the world.
As far as an official release, rumor has it that it will roll out sometime in Q2 for the Droid Eris. For the Motorola Droid could be tomorrow, it could be in a month. Who knows.
So if this is your cup of tea SF Droid owners, you can find the HTC Droid Eris ROM here and the Motorola Droid ROM here.
And if you don’t have one of these phones, you can find them at a Verizon store locally in the city.
For more info or to send tips: admillios@gmail.com
Comments
Just so it is known, the droid update was and still hasn't been released because of the homescreens and other user set items being wiped when updating. Verizon says until they can update without wiping they will not release the update. I was told by a verizon rep
I could honestly care less about multitouch. Just lemme at my five home screens!
Just root it...Life is better like that
just google adamz blue root rom
I put the ROM on my eris and it works great. Im so glad that I installed it, NO problems with data loss all my contacts were still there. Recommend installing the update.
Old news...2.1 has been floating around for weeks now.
Is it just me or is this a really poorly written article?
^^^ everybody knows that verizon reps are about as smart as your average pet rock. Im not saying your wrong, just that your source sucks. I'm ready for the update though.
Just in case you are wondering, the "beta/unofficial" release of 2.1 is available here theunlockr dot com 2010/03/16/ how-to-root-the-htc-droid-eris
I upgraded my HTC ERIS and did not run into any problems. I did lose all apps from my market downloads which is what we are being warned about. Also, I lost some of my contacts because I did not sync them with google. All in all, all data on the unit was gone, the SD card data stayed unchanged.
I'm not sure the install is worth it at this point, though. I don't notice any performance improvements although you do get the navigator and it works great. Location needs to be on all the time for this to work and it does drain the battery faster.
The rest is pretty much as per usual. If you like different options they are now, I think, easier to work with.
I think if you are cutting-edge you will be ok with the upgrade. If you aren't then, wait for the official release.
for what it's worth,
joe
Good lord. Search for Ultimate Droid on YouTube. Safely root and update your phone to one of many stable 2.1 ROMs out there with ALL the 2.1 features including free wireless tethering. Maybe verizon is trying to figure out away to disable tethering so they can keep charging the outrageous $30/mo for it. Hmmmm.
Good lord. Search for Ultimate Droid on YouTube. Safely root and update your phone to one of many stable 2.1 ROMs out there with ALL the 2.1 features including free wireless tethering. Maybe verizon is trying to figure out away to disable tethering so they can keep charging the outrageous $30/mo for it. Hmmmm.
Good lord. Search for Ultimate Droid on YouTube. Safely root and update your phone to one of many stable 2.1 ROMs out there with ALL the 2.1 features including free wireless tethering. Maybe verizon is trying to figure out away to disable tethering so they can keep charging the outrageous $30/mo for it. Hmmmm.
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