14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless is reportedly getting ready to enhance the experience the owners of a Motorola Droid can receive from their handsets, namely to provide them with an update to the Android 2.1 version of Google's operating system. The software was announced about a month ago, but it seems that its release was pushed back all the way to the end of Mach.
According to a recent post on DroidLife, the update will indeed come to all Motorola Droid users out there before the end of this month, a move already confirmed by some Motorola representatives, it seems. The handset is said to either receive the update in 2 or 3 weeks or to receive it before the end of the first quarter, which basically means the same thing, and it seems that Verizon also confirmed the move.
However, until the Android 2.1 update is officially announced, things are somehow uncertain, and we should wait for Verizon or Motorola to say something on the matter to be sure. But that won't stop us from taking a look at another Android-based handset available on Verizon's airwaves at the moment, the Droid Eris.
This mobile phone is currently available for purchase with the Android 1.5 operating system on board, and is also expected to soon receive the Android 2.1 update form the carrier. However, a leaked 2.1 ROM for the device already emerged into the wild, and now we learn that it also got rooted. Those who are into this kind of hacking actions can make the same move on their handsets, though it seems that there is a catch.
The Droid Eris phones running under the stock Android 1.5 platform need only a ZIP file to be copied on the memory card and then for the device to be restarted. In case one already installed the leaked Android 2.1 solution for the Droid Eris, things are getting complicated, as the hack won't work. A quick look at the video below will show you how the Eris looks with 2.1 on board, while those interested in the rooted 2.1 for the device should head here for the info.