RUMOR: Droid Getting Update Today?
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.