I just found an article by Softpedia (Android 2.1 Screenshots Available - The platform seems like a great update over Android 2.0 - Softpedia) and it has some screen shots of what is suppose to be android 2.1. Does anyone have any idea when this is going to be released for the Droid? I know, I know, we all just received 2.01 BUT 2.1 looks like a much bigger upgrade.

I hope I don't start getting everyone's appetite crazy for 2.1 haha.

 

This is the biggest question I have about the Android platform as a whole. When newer versions of the OS are released, which phones get the update? Going by pasted updates (1.5 --> 1.6, 1.6 --> 2.0), it's up to the carrier.

When comparison to the IPhone(yes, I am going there), every IPhone gets the update. I wish Android would start like that. Hopefully, the *huge* changes that were made in 2.0 will allow any 2.0 phone to update to a newer version of the OS without the carrier getting involved other than to push it out.

 

I find it more and more entertaining at the people who seem to think more fancy UI effects make the product better. Maybe its because I'm a developer and prefer functionality over looks (and I don't own anything apple). I just know when you add more glittery effects, you sacrafice performance.

 

hopefully our droid gets it!

 

That's OK, the processor in that thing is BUTCH. On every other android handheld ... I might just say skip some of the flash. Not only performance but the batter life would go to poo.

But it is nice!

 

I agree with you to an extent. Animated wallpapers might just be a little bit much. Of course, everybody wants their things to look somewhat attractive. Not many people would buy a hideous car just because the seats are comfortable or the gas mileage is good.

 

Yea, I'm not knocking the idea but this was more of a rant to some of my friends who claim the iPhone is better because it can do this or this which are simply UI effects and have nothing to do with capability. Fancy screens != fancy product. (MacOS. Pwnt)

 

If anything gets it, I'm relatively confident the Droid will. Who knows, we may even be surprised and see it in the next month or two, but that's just wishful thinking on my part.

 

Well there I can't disagree with you. I'm an avid iPhone hater.

 

Man, I'm a bit bummed that the 2.1 update ended up not including flash support. Ironically, here I was thinking how much it sucked that some Android phones were still waiting for 2.0.1 update and I didn't think that I'd already be in the position of being one-upped as a Droid owner only a month after release.

 

Where have you been? Flash 10 will be available in the first quarter of the new year, from adobe.

 

Since (If I am not mistaken) the Moto Droid is a Google Experience phone and able to receive updates straight form Google vs. waiting for the handset manufacturer (Moto) have to customize it first. Would not 2.1 be a expected and done deal when it is available?

 

I really hope 2.1 fixes some of the issues with the ui though. I mean, that hitch between scrolling between homescreens got really old really quick (hence why I'm using home++). I would looooove to not need to use a homescreen replacement app.

I agree, things like what's in that are meh in terms of what I care about. But to have an actually useful bar at the bottom of every screen (thank you home++), and some other "upgrades" to how functional the ui is...yes please.

 

Is 2.1 supposed to be released on the Droid?

 

Truth.

2.1 would also explain why HTC has yet to update the Sense UI for their other phones up into the 2.0 realm. It's nice to know we Droid users have our own custom OS.

 

It is people like them who make money for people like you.

 

Rumor is that it will be pushed out at the end of January. (the 22nd, I think)`

 

it would depend if the update breaks the DROID or not. If the changes cause issues on the DROID but not on the Nexus One (or other 2.1 phones), then it's up to Motorola to fix the issues.

 

I thought the rumor was that there would be an update at the end of January (I think you're right about the 22nd), there's been minor speculation but mostly doubt that it will bring us 2.1, most are expecting 2.02.

 

agreed.

 

I would like to play with the animated wallpapers for fun, but I most certainly would not use them.

I wish Android provided an option to pick a simple background color instead of a wallpaper. And yes, I realize that I can create my own wallpaper consisting of just one color and have done so.

 

I see the point, but I thought Google Experience phones were supposed to be absolutely vanilla Android and not having special adaptations based on specific phones.

Am I being totally dense here?

If this is the case, why would I want to buy a phone that could not be upgraded and just wait for Nexus One and go with a phone that I know would be upgraded asap for sure when Google made updates ready? (I really do not want to go with T-Mobile though)

 

or download one from the internet.

 

Some manufacturers provide upgrades to Android that you may want. Look at how pretty Sense UI is. No you won't be among the first to play with new versions from Google, but you'll have that pretty UI all the time.

Now that the Droid has been rooted, I'm waiting for Sense UI to be updated for Android 2.0 (hopefully 2.1) to flash it to my Droid.