Verizon has posted details of the upcoming Motorola Droid Android 2.1 update. The ROM update will make the Droid only the second device to carry the latest version of Android, after the HTC Nexus One.
The Verizon page has links to both instructions to install and “benefits” of the update. Of course, Android updates come over-the-air (OTA) so there’s little to worry about (except perhaps for making sure you have enough battery for the update).
For example, even if connected to power, a 20 percent charge must be available. On battery online, a 40 percent charge is required.
Here’s the published list of changes. Pinch-to-zoom is, of course, the most anticipated change.
Enhancements:
- Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps.
- New Weather and News application plus widget. − The Weather and News app pulls the information you want from the Web and brings it to your fingertips. You get weekly and hourly weather forecasts based on your location, and news headlines.
- New support for voice-to-text entry.
- Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
- New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
- Live Wallpapers offer richer animated, interactive backgrounds on the home screen. Access them with a long press anywhere on the home screen. Tap Wallpapers, then Live Wallpapers.
Improvements:
- Free Yahoo! Mail is now supported – simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password.
- Google Maps update.
- Personalized suggestions and synchronized starring with desktop maps.google.com.
- Starred items are stored and synced automatically between Google Maps on your device and maps.google.com on your computer, making it easy to search for places you’ve searched for before.
- New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes the screen at night for easier viewing.
- Personalized suggestions and synchronized starring with desktop maps.google.com.
- Improved pattern-lock functionality.
- Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.
- Email accounts no longer need to be re-entered after an over-the-air update.
As far as when, since we’ve been teased about the Droid update previously (in February, just prior to the Chinese New Year), it seems that the new build will start being pushed out beginning Thursday, in a staged (250,000 per group) fashion.
