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Software updates makes text in browser sharper

jroc

Android Expert
Apr 10, 2010
2,610
355
This guy does phone reviews. A couple of posts about software updates:

Motorola DROID X MB810 (Xtreme/Shadow) Pre-Release Thread Part 3 - Information Only
There's a new firmware out for the Droid X, but here's what happened....

The units that were given out at the NY event a few weeks ago had firmware 1.13.514. This was a release candidate firmware and it didn't include the Need for Speed Shift game. My source at Motorola said the final shipping firmware would be .516 on the retail phones. Yesterday I had to send this demo unit to my coworker, as he's going to be doing a comparison with it and the EVO and iPhone4. Since that left me without a Droid X here to work on, I was able to have another one sent out, that I got today.

This one does have the .516 firmware and the Need for Speed Shift game. After a few minutes of having it on, a screen popped up saying that it wanted to download and install a newer firmware 1.13.604 that was 16.5MB. It had a place to click for release notes, but it was blank. So I downloaded it, and then looked for the update.zip file, but it wasn't on the SD card, nor could I find it on the phone (it may have been in the /data directory, but you can view hidden files in there). After I installed the update, the only change I've seen so far is that Kindle app is now on the phone (but there could be internal fixes/updates).

Here's the new version info:

Software: (was .516)
Version.1.13.604.MB810.Verizon.en.US

Baseband version: (was .04P)
BP_C_01.09.09P

So those of you that are going to by the Droid X, it will most likely have the .516 firmware, but you'll have an update to .604. Maybe by then will know if there was any other changes besides adding the Kindle app.
Motorola DROID X MB810 (Xtreme/Shadow) Pre-Release Thread Part 3 - Information Only

I'm amazed, but one thing I've noticed that is fixed in the new firmware is that the small text in web pages are no longer jagged around the edges. I noticed it right away when using the browser...wow the small text is sharper and not pixelated. Thank you Motorola.
So one, the first review units sent out didnt have the final software like Verizon and Motorola said.

Two, there will be updated software on the retail units we all get and there will be an OTA update soon after.

So some issues reviewers saw might actually be fixed quick at launch.

I'm liking this...:D
 
Not to sound like a troll but pic or it didn't happen.

Don't get me wrong, I still hope to get the X on the 15th. It's just that one shouldn't put too much stock on these highly subjective and unverified claims. In the words of Reagan, "Trust, but verify".

Why would someone make something like this up i could see being wary if it said it got 2.2or something but motorola stated they would release final build ota's at launch/alittle before so relax and wait til thur to see for yourself
 
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Not to sound like a troll but pic or it didn't happen.

Don't get me wrong, I still hope to get the X on the 15th. It's just that one shouldn't put too much stock on these highly subjective and unverified claims. In the words of Reagan, "Trust, but verify".

And thats why I posted the site and the links to his posts.....u or anyone can go ask him for a pic. :)

Like I said before, he's a phone reviewer. He's the one that did the X review at phonearena.com
 
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Basically what I'm getting out of this is that sub-pixel rendering was not enabled in the browser before the update. I find it hard to believe that isn't a standard text rendering for android.

Although I admit, I don't really know one way or the other. I'd like to see comparison shots.

I would like to see comparison shots too to see if it was even that noticeable to begin with.
 
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Hmm... not sure if I can FULLY believe this, even though I want to. Like another poster said, I need to see comparison shots to really tell the difference. I wonder if anything has or will be done about the jerkiness of the UI.

Well from most reviews they say unless you are really looking you wouldnt be able to tell and everyone that has the X or has played with it says there is no jerkiness of UI. So maybe wait until it comes out and then see
 
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Well from most reviews they say unless you are really looking you wouldnt be able to tell and everyone that has the X or has played with it says there is no jerkiness of UI. So maybe wait until it comes out and then see

You really have to look for the jagged text to see it, it really isn't noticeable. I did find the stock UI slightly jerky but nothing that ruins the experience, it just isn't real smooth.
 
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