Android and Me » motorola cliq

Official: Motorola releases Android 2.1 update for the Cliq

Nick Gray — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:57:37 +0000

If you recall, last month we posted three different stories about the Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Cliq. First there was the rumored November launch timeframe, followed by Motorola seeking a handful of users to test out the new build. The last story we ran was supposed to be the official release of the Android 2.1 build for the Cliq, but it turned out that it was simply the test build which was never supposed to be shared with the general public.

Well, today we’re back and it finally looks like we have the final product! Those of you who still own the Cliq (and have not rooted or hacked it in any way) should head on over to the Motorola Cliq’s Support page for detailed instructions on how to download and install the Android 2.1 update. The update to Éclair will not wipe your phone, but Motorola does suggest you do a backup of your contacts and any other important information you might not want to lose just in case something goes terribly wrong.

We’re hoping this is the last time we have to write about the Motorola Cliq Android 2.1 update. As always, let us know how the update goes and feel free to share your thoughts on the many new features now available on the Cliq.

Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Cliq now available

Nick Gray — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:07:36 +0000

Android 2.1 for the Motorola Cliq has arrived! Just one day after Motorola posted that they were looking for Android 2.1 testers, they have decided to make the Eclair update to everyone. The new build number for the Motorola Cliq is Blur_Version.2.1.5.MB200.T-Mobile.en.US and will require users to have at least 100 MB of free space available on their memory card. Motorola will be permanently reducing your internal memory since the update requires a bit more room than the original Android 1.5 build did.

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.

Motorola seeking volunteers to test Android 2.1 on the Cliq

Nick Gray — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:31:36 +0000

Motorola Cliq users looking to get a sneak peak at the Android 2.1 build that’s expected to roll out sometime next month might want to head on over to Motorola’s support forums. Developers at Motorola are looking for 2,000 Cliq users to test out the new Éclair build before they wrap things up and roll it out to everyone else. Simply fill out a short registration form and you should be all set. We don’t know how many 2,000 slots have been filled, but last time we checked, registration was still open.

If you happen to get selected, be sure to drop us a line and share your experience with us.

Android 2.1 update coming to the Motorola Cliq in November

Nick Gray — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:41:43 +0000

Rumors about an Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Cliq aren’t anything new. We’ve seen dates come and go, but it finally looks like T-Mobile is actually gearing up to release the update for the Cliq. An image of a T-Mobile training course has been spotted which shows off some of the new features and enhancements which will be included in the Android 2.1 update. Anyone hoping for a stock Android build can relax since the update will include an enhanced MotoBLUR in addition to the new Android market, more home screen panels, enhanced widgets, corporate email access and improved multimedia apps.

The Android 2.1 update will need to be manually downloaded and installed through your computer and will require 30 MB of internal memory along with 100 MB of free space on your microSD card.

We don’t have any clear indication as to when T-mobile will be making the Motorola Cliq update available, but with T-Mobile training expected to begin on November 7^th, the Android 2.1 update shouldn’t be too far behind.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you still own the Motorola Cliq? We’ve gotten the impression that those of you who did have it have moved on to something better already.

Yikes! CLIQ 2.1 software upgrade pushed back to early Q4

Taylor Wimberly — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:44:06 +0000

I really feel sorry for all the Motorola CLIQ owners stuck on Android 1.5. We gave Motorola a lot of grief last year when we heard the CLIQ would not be upgraded past Android 1.5, but they surprised us when they finally confirmed it would eventually receive Android 2.1. We were so delighted with the news that we gave away our CLIQ to a lucky reader.

That all took place back in January. Now here we are nine months later and CLIQ owners are still patiently waiting for Android 2.1.

At first we thought the upgrade might arrive in Q1, then Q2, which was pushed back to Q3, and now Motorola has upgraded their official timelime to let us know it could possibly be ready by early Q4.

If you are still clutching your CLIQ, all you can really do is sit and wait at this point and hope Motorola finally delivers. Things could be worse of course. You could have purchased the more powerful Motorola Devour which will never be upgraded to make sure owners get “the best combined hardware and software experience”.

Better late than never, right?

Motorola CLIQ and CLIQ XT software upgrades now scheduled for mid August

Taylor Wimberly — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:08:36 +0000

T-Mobile customers with the CLIQ and CLIQ XT were expecting an upgrade to Android 2.1 last month, but Motorola missed their self-imposed deadline and decided to take more time to “optimize the experience”.

Motorola now list the current status of the upgrade to Android 2.1 as “testing in process”, but no timeline has been provided for its release. However, thanks to the leaked T-Mobile roadmap it looks like the highly anticipated upgrade should arrive in August.

We might never know the real reason for the delay, but it appears the release was adjusted so that the new T-Mobile Motorola Charm (launching July 21st) could be the first device in the U.S. to feature the enhanced version of Motoblur built on Android 2.1.

Since the Charm is launching this month with Android 2.1, hopefully Motorola can meet the August timeline for the CLIQ upgrades. Keep an eye on the official T-Mobile forums because Motorola normally performs a public beta test of their software updates before releasing them to the masses. For an idea of what to expect, check out the Motoblur enhancements that are coming with Android 2.1.

“For those asking for an update regarding a software upgrade on CLIQ in the U.S., we’ve made a decision to take more time on the release to optimize the experience in some key areas. We will continue to work to deliver it as soon as possible and apologize that we have been unable to provide an upgrade to these users in Q2 as planned.

We are working hard to provide an upgrade to Android 2.1 as soon as we can. Our consumers’ experience is our first priority and we will provide an upgrade when we can deliver the best possible user experience.”MattMotorola community manager

The latest upgrade timeline from Motorola.

Motoblur enhancements coming to the T-Mobile CLIQ & CLIQ XT

Taylor Wimberly — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:08:20 +0000

So Motorola probably will miss their Q2 deadline to deliver the Android 2.1 upgrade to the CLIQ and CLIQ XT, but at least users have a few new Motoblur features to look forward to. The latest version of Motorola’s social messaging service includes an expanded homescreen (7 panels), resizable widgets, plus a new battery and data manager.

In addition to new Motoblur enhancements, users will also receive all the new benefits of Android 2.1 including turn-by-turn directions from Google Maps Navigation, pinch-to-zoom functionality in the browser, an updated Android Market, and access to all the latest apps (like the official Twitter client and more).

The official Motorola Android Software Upgrade News still has Q2 listed as the timeline for Android 2.1 on the CLIQ and CLIQ XT, but there has been no sign of a pending release. T-Mobile has been offering exclusive, early software releases to test their Android upgrades, so keep an eye on official CLIQ and CLIQ XT forums for updates.

For a preview of what to expect, check out the Motoblur enhancements as seen on the upcoming Motorola Flipout.

The enhanced version of Motoblur offers new functionality and features, including:

Happenings and Messages widgets – filter by social networking account, by contact(s) or by contact group to only see the information you want
Screen customization – move and resize preloaded widgets on up to seven home screens
Battery Manager – manage battery consumption by operating in one of three performance modes
Data Manager – monitor data usage from the home screen to better manage pay-as-you-go and limited data plans
Personal and Corporate e-mail – pushed directly to the device
Re-tweet capabilities

Will Motorola meet the planned timeline for Android 2.1 on CLIQ?

Taylor Wimberly — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:49:48 +0000

We all know by now that the Motorola CLIQ (and CLIQ XT) will receive Android 2.1, but the real question is when? Motorola published an official chart listing all their Android devices and the timelines for Android upgrades, but no first-gen phones have received Android 2.1 yet.

CLIQ owners were hoping to see an upgrade to Android 2.1 in Q2, but only a week remains and there is no sign of a release. T-Mobile has been working closely with Motorola to perform public betas before releasing previous software updates and we assume they will do the same for Android 2.1. The beta period for new software updates typically lasts a week, so it doesn’t appear any official release is around the corner or we would know about it by now.

Some users had hoped Motorola would share new details on their upgrade timeline during today’s Droid X event, but no announcements were made regarding Android 2.1 for first-gen phones. The only thing we learned is that the Droid X will ship with Android 2.1 and it will be updated to Android 2.2 during late summer.

If the CLIQ does end up receiving Android 2.1 anytime soon, I would not expect it till after the Droid X launch on July 15th. Although unlikely, there is also the chance Motorola could just skip Android 2.1 for first-gen phones and jump directly to Android 2.2 later this summer.

I wish there was some good news to share, but don’t expect a CLIQ upgrade this week. In the mean time, you can head over to the Motorola Owners’ Forum and sign up to be notified when new details are available.

Motorola updates Android 2.1 rollout schedule, CLIQ & CLIQ XT still listed for Q2

Nick Gray — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:40:05 +0000

Motorola has just released their new Android update chart. Not much has changed since last time we got a peak at it. You’ll notice that Motorola Milestone is currently getting its Android 2.1 update in Europe, Latin America, Canada, and Asia. Quite a few handsets in various markets are still listed as “update under evaluation” while T-Mobile USA’s CLIQ and CLIQ TX still have Q2 circled on the calendar.

If you haven’t checked your calendar lately, we have less than two weeks before Q2 draws to a close. We haven’t heard any rumblings from Motorola or T-Mobile on the Android 2.1 update for the CLIQ and CLIQ XT, but since Motorola didn’t change the date on the planned release schedule for the two phones, we’ll continue to assume that the Éclair update should be knocking at the door any day now.

Motorola Android 2.1 update list.

Hackers release Blur-less Android 2.1 for CLIQ before Motorola

Taylor Wimberly — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:47:10 +0000

Motorola plans to upgrade the CLIQ to Android 2.1 this Q2, which means time is running out on the self-imposed deadline. Hopefully Motorola will release some more details soon, but now users who are willing to hack their device have another option.

A group of ROM developers over at ModMyMobile have been able to build Android 2.1 from source and released an alpha version known as Eclair2CLIQ. The ROM is still in development (so only experienced users should explore it at this point), but it’s still exciting to learn that devs got a stock version of Android working on the CLIQ.

Android is open source so I’m not surprised by this development, but Motorola’s Android phones have traditionally been harder to hack than their HTC counterparts. Securing the software on their handsets, thereby preventing a non-Motorola ROM image from being loaded, has been the common practice for many years and Motorola even suggested that users interested in re-flashing their phone buy an HTC model like the Nexus One.