We have been bugging Verizon Wireless and HTC to see if the Droid Eris would be getting Android 2.0 and they have been reluctant to confirm any details, until today. InformationWeek has just received a new statement from Verizon that finally confirms what we have been waiting for.
“The Droid Eris currently using Android 1.5, can and will be upgraded to newer a Android operating system software in first quarter 2010. The enhancement will allow customers to continue to enjoy the powerful HTC Sense experience while also gaining the additional benefits of Google Maps Navigation.”
Verizon did not specify whether the update would be Android 2.0 or 2.1, but based on the recent leak of the HTC Sense UI (already running 2.1) we think it will be the latter. The significant system update is expected sometime during the first quarter of 2010.
For anyone who missed it, last time we asked HTC about the Android 2.0 release date for the Droid Eris, we got the following response.
“I understand that it is important you receive all the information about a device before purchasing it. Currently, our developers have to work with the carriers to determine when and if a ROM upgrade will be available for any of their branded models. Unfortunately, I do not have any information on if the DROID ERIS by HTC will receive the Éclair update, as it is dependant upon Verizon requesting it. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.”
I guess we can speculate that Verizon went ahead and requested the update after listening to feedback from customers. It is nice to see a carrier finally comment on this issue and we hope Sprint and T-Mobile will do the same. Both carriers said they would update me on their plans when things change, but I have yet to hear anything new from them.
It should also be noted that if the HTC Droid Eris and Hero phones are receiving Android 2.x, it should be possible for other first generation devices from HTC to also receive the update. Most of the phones share similar hardware and the device drivers should be able to be back ported. I still have my doubts the T-Mobile G1 will officially receive the 2.x update because of its fatally limited internal storage, but I’m sure someone will be able to make it work.
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Taylor Wimberly
Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He loves playing with all kinds of gadgets, but most importantly cell phones. His other hobbies include cooking (BBQ hero!), politics, football, and watching every MMA event possible.
13 Comments
Lol.. i love how the ” some one” is linked to the one and only ! Lol. Bring it on! All were waiting on is drivers….
To me this looks inconclusive. The except you shared only informs us Eris users will get navigation. After all Android 1.6 is all that is required for navigation.
http://androidandme.com/2009/11/news/google-maps-navigation-now-available-for-android-1-6-devices/
Oh, further down on the original article states:
“When asked to clarify exactly which version of Android the Droid Eris will get, Raney explained that, based on the timing, the Droid Eris will be updated to either Android 2.0 or 2.1.”
The latest CM builds already incorporate a bunch of tasty Eclair goodness from the AOSP drop.
I hope they will release one for my HTC Tattoo phone as well.
@tatto I’ve heard about them releasing the tattoo but never heard fif they did or not..where’d did you pick one up
Im new to smart phones and android phones and all that stuff, i just got an eris 2 days ago… does anyone know why they cant update it now?? and when they release the update, how do i update it or does it do it automatically… i just think its weird to this is the only phone i cant save text messages on, and that i have to download an app specifically so i can make a custom ringtone for a text msg, but other then that so far i like the eris!
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Hey Htcfails. It’s still two months to go in the first quarter. Stop being a total twat.
Ok I am new at this Droid as well and I would like to know if the upgrade is going to be over the air or do i hjave to go into settings and see if the update is avalible manually…Like I do for the apps?
Well greenteagod looks like it’s the last month of q1 and wow verizon is focusing on a different phone than the update so go suck off htc more and realize you will be wrong as I said before. Nice fa dude
I just received update from HTC on when they expect to release 2.1 – sometime within the first 6 months of 2010… read more here: http://eugeneorourke.com/blog/droid-eris-2-1-release-date/