Motorola has put up five pages of detailed instructions on how to prepare, download, and install the latest Android update to the Cliq. So what are you waiting for? Once your Cliq is up and running on Android 2.1, be sure to let us know how the update process went and which Android 2.1 feature you like the most.

Android platform versions breakdown.

Android 1.5 now accounts for the most devices with 38%, followed by Android 1.6 at 31.6% and Android 2.1 at 30%.

Since the data came towards the end of Droid 2.1 OTA update, a small percentage of devices still reported as Android 2.0.1. We believe all those devices should now be upgraded to Android 2.1 so I’m just lumping those two versions together in my chart.

History of platform versions.

Comparing the last three sets of data from Google reveals some interesting results. Android 2.1 made the biggest gains since January largely due to the strong sales of the Droid (and the addition of the Nexus One). Android 1.5 also saw gains thanks to Motorola’s trio of the CLIQ, CLIQ XT, and Backflip. Sprint’s Hero and Moment phones are also still on Android 1.5.

The only version that continues to shrink is Android 1.6. The Verizon Devour was the only new Android 1.6 device to launch in the U.S. since the last report and it joins the HTC Dream and Magic.

We expect the majority of first gen Android phones will be upgraded to Android 2.1 this quarter so look for some major changes next time Google updates the numbers.

The firmware of the latest update remains at Android 1.5, but Motorola is still planning a move to Android 2.1 in Q2 2010.

A small group of users experienced issues after the last CLIQ OTA update, but Motorola conducted extensive testing of this release over at the T-Mobile forums. Users should have no worries about installing this update.

If you have a Motorola CLIQ, let us know how the 1.4.8 update performs.

Instructions for installing software:

1. For a successful installation, we recommend installing these updates while the battery in your phone is fully charged. Make sure you have an active SIM card installed in your phone.
2. This software update will be accomplished in two steps.
3. First Step: Select the Settings icon in the main menu.
4. Select About phone and then select System Updates.
5. Select Download;after the software is downloaded, select Install.
6. After the software is installed, your phone will re-start automatically.
7. Second Step: After your phone restarts, you will receive a prompt to download the second update. If you are not automatically prompted for the second software update, you should manually check for updates. From the main menu, select the Settings icon, select About phone, select System Updates.
8. Select Download; after software is downloaded, select Install.
9. After the software is installed, your phone will re-start automatically.
10. Your phone is now updated with 1.4.8 software.

TmoNews is reporting that 1000 lucky users got the update and a broader rollout will begin after monitoring feedback from the initial push. The latest CLIQ software update is version 1.4.8. which Motorola says adds improvements to the phone’s battery, touchscreen, and Bluetooth functionality. Unfortunately the operating system firmware remains at Android 1.5, but Motorola is still planning a move to Android 2.1 come Q2 2010.

If you would like to try and grab the update early, monitor this thread on the official T-Mobile forums for instructions.

The 1.4.8 software update for Motorola CLIQ provides several fixes to known issues along with the following enhancements:

• Improved battery life
• Improved software performance and stability
• Improved home screen
• Improved widget response
• Decrease in ‘Force Close’ error messages
• Added support of .WMA and .WAV media files

Note: This is not the Android 2.1 upgrade.

For a detailed list of changes, please see the official release notes from Motorola.

Unfortunately at present the update is only available in Germany and requires that you physically hook up to Samsung’s PC Studio 7 software to download, but according to Samsung the update will be “gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world.”

Hopefully they are using the word gradual here to mean over the course of the next few weeks rather than the sometimes nearly geologic time line that word can represent to companies.

The full press release is copied below if you are interested and includes the awesomely horrible line that the “smartphone now offers a galaxy of new features….”

There isn’t really any indication as to whether all of the features of 2.1 have made it so if any Spica owning Germans in the audience could pipe up with what they are seeing I’m sure the rest of the Spicans would love a glimpse into their future.

Samsung Delivers World of New Experiences With Upgraded Galaxy Spica

Android 2.1 gives Galaxy Spica new functionality and unrivalled user experience

SEOUL, Korea – March 17, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced it has upgraded its powerful Galaxy Spica (I5700) smartphone to harness the power of the latest version of AndroidTM, Android 2.1. The smartphone now offers users a galaxy of new features and an unrivalled mobile experience.

The Galaxy Spica retains all the features inherent in the successful Galaxy Spica (I5700), such as seamless connectivity and access to GoogleTM mobile services, multimedia functionality and speedy processor performance

“Lovers of the Galaxy Spica appreciated the ease with which they could access their contacts and personalise their experience – our upgraded handset offers all this and much more; a rich and rewarding and powerful mobile experience,” said JK Shin, President and Head of the Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.

The upgrade will be available via PC Studio 7, Samsung’s unique in-house software upgrade program. PC Studio 7 was included in the package of Galaxy Spica or can be downloaded at the Samsung mobile website (http://www.samsungmobile.com).

Enhanced User Experienced
The Galaxy Spica becomes a highly intuitive communications device offering users the option to personalise no less than nine side-scrolling screens. Users can really let their imaginations run wild, creating different home screens according to different personal interests or requirements.

The handset now features augmented reality technology that displays real-time digital information of your surroundings over the view-finder of the Galaxy Spica’s 3 megapixel camera. The Galaxy Spica also features Samsung widgets, Visual bookmark and PC Sync support to enable users to synchronise their devices quickly.

Enhanced Multimedia and Messaging Functionality
The handset now comes with a number of enhanced multimedia features which transform the Galaxy Spica into a personal entertainment device. Media browser allows you to browse through your media collection with ease. The camera has been upgraded to offer enhanced picture options and viewing functionality.

Improved messaging functionality means that it is much easier to attach files to MMS and email that users can easily add contacts to messages direct from the phonebook. Improved contact management enables users to find a necessary contact very easily through the alphabetical index.

The upgrade will be available from March 2010 in Germany and gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world.

Samsung I5700 Product Specifications
Network HSDPA 3.6Mbps (900/2100)
EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900)
OS Android (ver. Android 2.1)
Display 3.2″ HVGA(320×480) TFT
Camera 3MP Camera (Auto Focus)
Video / Audio Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV,DivX
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA
Value Added
Features ** Google mobile services (Google SearchTM including search by voice, GmailTM, Contacts, Google TalkTM, Google MapsTM, YouTubeTM, Android MarketTM)
Full Web Browser, 3.5mm Ear jack, GPS
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.1, USB 2.0, MicroUSB, WiFi
Memory Internal memory: 180MB
External memory: Micro SD (Up to 32GB)
Battery 1500 mAh
Size 115 x 57 x 13.2mm

* Android, Google, Android Market, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk are trademarks of Google Inc.

** The launch of Google Mobile Service can differ by region.

Launching later this month, the Motorola CLIQ XT is the newest Android device from T-Mobile. This phone features many similarities of the original Motorola CLIQ, but there are some notable differences. Has Motorola made enough improvements over the original CLIQ to win us over?

Build

Hard keys and touch pad

Form factor: The biggest departure from the original CLIQ is the subtraction of the physical keyboard. As a result, the CLIQ XT is extra thin (XT?) and feels much nicer in the hand (or pocket). We were never that big a fan of the CLIQ’s keyboard layout, so we can’t say it is that big of a loss.

The CLIQ XT features the same 3.1 inch touchscreen along with almost identical hardware of the original device.

Motorola has improved the button layout on the front of the phone by adding dedicated keys for Back, Home, Menu, and Search. A touch navigation pad is located between the buttons and it can also be clicked. The touch pad has a nice textured coating and we had no issues navigating around.

Dedicated camera, power, and volume keys are located on the sides of the device along with a 3.5 mm headset jack and micro USB port.

Thin little guy

Styling: Two interchangeable battery covers are included with the device. Customers can choose from a soft-touch black cover or a glossy purple back. We don’t normally see handset makers include two battery covers so it is nice to have a choice.

Unfortunately, the CLIQ XT has the most annoying cover design I have ever seen. I broke my fingernail and dropped the phone a couple of times trying to swap the back cover out. It takes two hands and extreme concentration to pop it off.

Software

With Motoblur

OS: Our biggest gripe with the CLIQ XT is the Android 1.5 firmware that powers the device. This outdated version of Android will prevent you from installing the latest apps and I’m surprised to see it still being used on new phones. Motorola is planning to update the original CLIQ to Android 2.1 this Q2 2010, so hopefully we will see a matching firmware for the CLIQ XT.

Motorola has included Motoblur which is their custom flavor of Android. It offers additional features like social media integration and mobile backup, but it is starting to show its age. Newer versions of Android (2.1) now include multi account support and integrate easily with social networks like Facebook. Hopefully, Motorola will roll out some new features for Motoblur when they update to the Android 2.1 firmware.

For more information on Motoblur, visit the official Motorola site.

Bundled apps: Just as we saw with the CLIQ, Motorola and T-Mobile have decided to bundle several Android apps with the CLIQ XT including MySpace, Quickoffice, Slacker, Swype, TeleNav GPS, and a few others. We appreciate the effort to include some cool apps, but Motorola has blocked the uninstall option for these programs.

Android phones are notorious for their limited internal storage space for apps, so it is disappointing to have someone else dictate how that gets used.

Camera

The CLIQ XT includes a 5 megapixel camera with flash, auto focus, and digital zoom. Taking still photos with the CLIQ XT produced excellent results. The pictures look clean and crisp and they are comparable with ones I have taken on my Nexus One.

Sample photos:

distance

close up

detail

Sample Video: We shot a quick sample video and you can find the results below. The CLIQ XT can in no way compete with the HD video capture of the Nexus One, but it gets the job done. If you want a phone primarily for video, pass on the CLIQ XT.

Extras

FM radio: Not many Android phones have a working FM radio, so it is nice to see Motorola include one with the CLIQ XT. Users must plug in the supplied headphones to launch the radio application and it appears they operate as the antenna. Our demo unit was missing the headphones, so it was difficult to fully test this feature. We tried several spare headsets and experienced mix results.

Flash: First generation devices like the CLIQ XT will not support Flash 10.1, but Motorola has included a version of Flash Lite with their phone. Flash Lite is based off an older version of Flash so some objects work and some don’t.

We tried several different Flash sites and some loaded, but the experience was generally disappointing. Flash ads slow the browser down and Flash games are hard to play because they are not designed for the small screen.

Multitouch: Google did not support multitouch APIs till Android 2.1, but Motorola has implemented some gestures in the CLIQ XT. Both the browser and gallery have pinch zoom controls, but Maps does not. At least CLIQ XT users can experience some multitouch gestures, but they will have to wait till Android 2.1 for full support.

Video review

Conclusion

So which phone is right for me?

I may be over simplifying things, but I think we have two types of customers:  those who own Android phones and those who don’t.

If you have purchased a previous Android phone, there is virtually no reason to consider buying this phone. The specs are from last generation and the software is outdated.

For those that are new to Android, the CLIQ XT is a nice phone and I would suggest it over any non-Android phone that T-Mobile offers. However, Android has so much more to offer and a wave of new phones is around the corner. Waiting just one month could result in a faster phone with better specs that runs the latest version of Android.

Basically, the CLIQ XT would have been competitive if it was released a year ago.

T-Mobile has yet to provide the full retail pricing, but that really has no bearing on our opinion. The original CLIQ retails for $399 ($99 w/ 2yr contract), so we expect it to fall in that same range.

Update: The Motorola CLIQ XT is now available from T-Mobile for $129 with 2 year contract or $329 off contract.

Why is this phone rad?:

• 5 megapixel camera takes excellent photos
• Touch navigation pad works well
• External speaker is super loud
• Pinch zoom controls are a nice addition to the browser and gallery
• FM radio – not many Android phones have one
• Two interchangeable back options
• Flash Lite – not the full version, but better than nothing.

What about this phone makes us sad?:

• Android 1.5 – unable to install latest Android apps
• Last generation specs – same CPU as the T-Mobile G1
• Video capture quality is lacking
• Cannot remove bundled applications
• Removing battery case is an exercise in frustration

Gallery

See all the pics on Flickr or peruse them below:

Gallery

Rogers users have a new option in the stable in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Spica. Unfortunately those that do hop on board will be commiserating with the Motorola Backflip crowd running Android 1.5 in an Android 2.1 world.

As we reported last month, there is a leaked Android 2.1 ROM for this device floating around out there already, so you can probably anticipate being brought up-to-date real soon. However, I will caution you that “real soon” doesn’t always mean what you think it means.

OS version concerns aside this device is a bit of a study in contrasts as it has some nice features while definitely falling short in other areas, but at only $80 it is hard to complain too much. It also benefits from its close proximity to the Backflip release as this thing shines by comparison (This one comes with Google Apps!).

The processor weighs in at 800 Mhz, making it one of the faster (on paper anyway) Android devices on the market. The capacitive 3.2 inch screen at 320×480 is fine, but an AMOLED or preferably Samsung’s new “Super AMOLED” would have been particularly nice to see. Internal memory is pegged at only 150 MB which is definitely going to fill up really quick on you. DivX support is still fairly unique and welcome, although HTC will be bringing it soon as well.

According to Rogers it does not support their 7.2 Mbps 3.5G so you will be capped at 3.6 Mbps download which during the latter period of your 3 year contract is going to feel pretty pokey. Returning to the positive at 12.9mm it is the thinnest Android device presently available on Rogers, so if you typically find yourself in some slim fit jeans this is probably the way to go for you.

Looking through Rogers available Android handsets they have built a portfolio of very similar devices and could really use a higher end device to stand apart from the rest; this is definitely not that device.

Any Rogers owners out there taking the plunge with this one or are waiting on the Acer Liquid E or holding out hope for one of HTC or Motorola’s latest and greatest to find their way to Rogers?

On another note, let us know if there are any commercials running for the new Samsung. After their Behold II campaign sprung up months after the release of the device it would be interesting to know if they are taking a different approach with this one.

The rumors continued to grow last summer when AT&T pulled the plug on the HTC Lancaster, which we thought would be their first Android phone. Then we had some leaked shots of the Motorola Backflip which included Yahoo! Search instead of Google. A source told Phandroid that the Backflip “will not come with any Google Apps except for Maps which is a bummer to say the least.”

It really was a juicy story, but it appears AT&T backed off their stance to exclude Google from their Android phones.

The Motorola Backflip will include all the native Google applications, plus a few AT&T exclusives. We can see which apps are shipping with the phone from an unboxing video that AT&T posted on YouTube.

It surely looks like AT&T had a full suite of apps ready to go, but decided to allow all of Google’s and let the customer decide. Disaster avoided.

Additional Android applications that AT&T has added to the Motorola Backflip:

• AllSport GPS
• AT&T Maps
• AT&T Music
• AT&T Navigator (Telenav)
• AT&T Radio
• AT&T WiFi Hotspots
• Mobile Banking
• Mobile Video
• MobiTV
• MusicID
• Where
• YPMobile