Motorola announced during CES that their CLIQ (Dext) and Droid (Milestone) phones would be updated to Android 2.1, but we have yet to receive a time frame. Enough people have been asking Motorola about the update that they responded on Twitter.
“Guys, we’re sorry; we know you are excited about 2.1 updates to your Moto Android-based products, but we can’t comment on official timing.”@MotoMobile
We have heard rumors that the latest Android 2.1 build was in beta testing and now some screens have leaked out. German site MobiFlip (translated) has posted the first screens of Android 2.1 running on the Motorola Milestone (Droid). They refer to the update as 2.0.2, but the screens show firmware version 2.1 (see gallery below).
I’m not really sure what to make of these, because we can still see the old app drawer being used instead of the new 3D version that is found on the Nexus One. This could be a hybrid version of Android 2.1 or maybe the 3D app drawer is a temporary exclusive of the Nexus One. Either way, we should find out soon enough.
Most handset makers are not rolling out Android 2.1 to first generation devices until Q2 2010, so we might expect a similar date for the Droid (U.S.) and Milestone (UK, Canada, etc.). The main difference would be that Google had more control over the Droid software while Motorola managed the Milestone version.
One new addition found in the screens that I have not seen in Android 2.1 is the ability to change the number of home panels from 3 to 9. The translated site also claims a new “vehicle mode” and “language and search” app have been added.
Follow @MotoMobile on Twitter for the latest news on Android updates.
