I guess Sprint was feeling a bit lonely: Verizon has recently revealed on their official support site for the Droid Eris that users can expect an update to 2.1 ‘soon’. Unfortunately, they don’t offer a more specific time table, but they do provide documents both detailing the benefits of upgrading as well as instructions on how to do so, which is definitely reassuring.
Reading through the documents provided, it looks like Verizon is going to deliver the update over-the-air, as well as require the user to wipe the device. Exactly how thorough of a wipe will be required is unclear, but they do mention that you will lose your contacts (though they are easily resync’d) and that while you will also lose the Verizon Visual Voicemail application and some system settings, it’s implied that applications downloaded and installed from the Market should be preserved.
After this update, the Motorola Devour will remain Verizon’s only device not running Android 2.1, and should help Google shore up some of the issues with fragmentation that we’ve been hearing about lately.
It’s unfortunate that Google ends up taking most of the heat for the vast differences in Android versions when, at least in situations like this, it’s largely the fault of the phone manufacturer and the time it takes them to update their custom Android software for the new OS versions.
Hopefully we won’t see this update marred by delays like we’re seeing with Sprint’s announced updates for the Samsung Moment and Sprint Hero.
You can find the PDF’s here, or if you’d prefer, you can take a look at their ‘benefits of upgrading’ list below:
Enhancements:
- Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the Gallery and Google Maps.
- New support for voice-to-text entry.
- Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
- New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
- New Leap thumbnail view lets you pinch to jump between the seven panels on your home screen.
- Additional calendar views and easier access to contacts make navigating even quicker.
- Google Maps with Navigation provides free, traffic-enhanced, turn-by-turn navigation.
- With the Enhanced Android Market, you’ll enjoy a better browsing experience as well as even more applications, including Verizon Wireless content featuring self-service applications.
- Ability to log onto and access multiple Google accounts at once.
- Support for 19 Microsoft Exchange Server policies makes your phone more secure and business friendly.
- Desk Clock intelligently dims your screen and displays the current time while charging.
- Location-based cinematic full screen weather keeps you on top of changing conditions.
Improvements:
- Free Yahoo! Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password.
- Longer battery life due to power savings.
- Improved YouTube video playback.
- Better Bluetooth support, including contact transfer.
- Automatic settings for POP3 verizon.net email accounts.
- Added support for stand-alone Wi-Fi when device is in airplane mode.
- Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.
- Faster power-up time.
- Improved swipe-unlock functionality.
- Added support for Microsoft Office 2007 documents
Source: Verizon Support