Verizon has posted some details of the upcoming HTC Droid Eris update on their website. The update details provided in Verizon’s literature does not refer to the update as Android 2.1, but if you look at the list of new features it becomes quite clear they are referring to Android 2.1:
- Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the Gallery and Google Maps.
- New support for voice-to-text entry.
- 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.
- Google Maps with Navigation provides free, traffic-enhanced, turn-by-turn navigation.
What is surprising to me and good news for Droid Eris owners, Verizon mentions that Eris users will get 7 home screens with thumbnail navigation, something that was absent from the Motorola Droid Android 2.1 update. Head on over to the Verizon Eris Support site for more details.
Customers will receive the update over the air (OTA), which is good so customers don’t have to take their phone over to Verizon Wireless. Also, it appears the Android 2.1 upgrade will wipe the internal memory of the device. Verizon warns customers that they will need to reinstall some applications, their contacts will be erased (don’t worry, they are all synced in the clouds), and some phone settings will return to defaults.
The update is mandatory, so customers should start looking at backing up their apps (or you could always just re-download them from the Market).
One other note worth mentioning, there is no specific time frame as to when the update will start rolling out. As with other Android 2.1 debacles, we can only hope that “soon” actually means in the very near future! Stay tuned! [Verizon]
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Tags: Android, Android 2.1, Android 2.1 Update, HTC, HTC Droid Eris, Upgrade, Verizon, Verizon Droid Eris, Verizon Wireless
