By Either we have an anonymous tipster in-the-know or someone took some time to play a very mean April Fools joke on us. We’re hearing a rumor – one that we cannot verify or deny so take it at face value – that Verizon Wireless will begin a Droid update today. Don’t hold your breath, we’ve heard this before, but in an E-Mail that was supposedly sent out to select VZW employees, we get a hint that this COULD be the real deal.
A link in the E-Mail leads to this Droid Support PDF:
Look familiar? Maybe… a couple weeks ago we posted almost the same thing which was already available on the VZW website. But check out the software version – it has changed from ESE53 to ESE81, signaling perhaps they’ve updated the package and truly are ready to move forward.
Now the juicy stuff. Here is the E-Mail that is reportedly being received by VZW employees. Note the bulk of users would get the update on April 1st. If this is a mean April Fools Day joke it isn’t by me… its by the anonymous tipster, Verizon or Motorola.
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. For more
information please visit:
//_www.verizonwireless.com/droidsupport_/
/./*Additional Enhancements and Improvements:*
o Google Maps update – Starred items are stored and synced
automatically between Google Maps on the device and
maps.google.com on the PCSee the _DROID by Motorola_ support website for a more detailed list of the enhancements, improvements, and download instructions.
Also note that all the bullet points aren’t the same, such as “Email accounts no longer need to be re-entered after an over-the-air update.” Make of it what you will. We clearly labeled it as a rumor because it isn’t something we can verify, but we felt it was worthy of posting. Now we’ll just have to wait a few days and see how it pans out.
But what about HTC users?
Bring it on.
lolz kinda funny this whole thing has re-enforced why i only buy google branded phones :)
Hm … do I get rid of cyanogenmod to get this 2.1 release? I’m not sure why I would …
Hoax.
Verizon already sent out the test OTA to its users. Why would it send it out again?
I am referring to: “At noon on 03/30, 1,000 users will receive notification of the update.”
see also: http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=5676&keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=600&width=800
looks at the 2.01 release notes (http://learning.verizonwireless.com/learning/Droid_Motorola_Software_Update.pdf) and the last 2.1 release notes (https://phandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/21.png), the Numbers in the software version are the same size as the letters (As to be expected in any font). In this version the numbers are not the same size. It may be real, but it is not consistent nor does it ‘look’ right.
Seems to be confirmed by Engadget … so if this is a April FOols joke, its a very elaborate, well played one. And its spreading like a virus…
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/verizon-to-start-android-2-1-updates-to-motorola-droid-owners-to/
After looking again, maybe I’m wrong… the numbers did not stretch all the way to the size of the Capital letters. Still, it just looked different to me in that Version # section. Oh well.
I was just on the verizon website and the same info was posted under support
Hard to believe it’s real, given the fact that Motorola has been so coy and can’t even give a date. But if true, it’s likely this is another test rollout that could fizzle just like the last one.
clearly i’m jaded. but it is real.
here’s the direct link to the PDF mentioned on V’s server
http://support.vzw.com/pdf/system_update/moto_droid.pdf
Engadget just posted this as well, so maybe its true?
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/verizon-to-start-android-2-1-updates-to-motorola-droid-owners-to/
i honestly dont care anymore lol
This is accurate, it was first published exclusively on Engadget. Today: 1,000 at noon, 9,000 at 11:59 pm, and on
Thursday: 11:59 pm, 200,000 will roll out, continuing each day.
I have a rooted moto droid running 2.0.1 . can I Still get the over the air update or do I have to unroot it somehow? ?
I know Larry and Sergey personally, and I’m best friends with Verizon’s CEO. Its true. You’ve got to believe me.
There is really nothing to debate about how real it is or not. It is on the Verizon support page, and was a different document a few days ago. Doesn’t mean its coming today, but maybe suggest that they have decided to keep working on it instead of releasing it prematurely.
i wish some one would post the file so others can download it too.
I am begining to wonder if my Moto Droid will be up for a “New Every Two” before 2.1 arrives!
lol i don’t think your ‘Best friends’ with VZW CEO or else you wouldn’t be trying to leak his info and use that title in the same sentence
@Delphi
I just wish there was an update for my *google branded phone*
@Paul Roberts
I’ve got a nexus one and am perfectly happy with it… afaik the N1 is the only true google branded phone atm. All others are just “with google”
That would be super gay if it was a april fools joke, which it probably is!!!
I got my update at about 1:30pm.
Nothing too crazy yet, but pinch to zoom is cool. Live wallpapers are gimmicky at the moment, until others start making cool ones.
Phone Arena has snagged and posted the update file. It ran perfectly for me. Woohoo!!!
Its good that they update is out.