The upgrade requires users to install Motorola Software Update tool

May 4, 2012 17:01 GMT  ·  By

Unveiled more than a year ago, Motorola Cliq 2 was launched by T-Mobile USA in March 2011 with Android 2.2 Froyo on board.

However, Motorola promised it would offer an Android 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade for the Cliq 2 at some point, though no deadlines have been offered for the release of the update.

The good news is that Motorola has just announced the availability of the long-awaited Gingerbread update. The bad news is that Cliq 2 owners won’t be able to upgrade OTA (over the air).

According to Motorola, this upgrade will only be available for download via Motorola Software Update tool. Keep in mind that due to security enhancements users won’t be able to downgrade back to Froyo once they upgraded to Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Aside from bringing the phone’s software to version Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the update adds the following enhancements: Improved Cursor Control, Improved Word Selection and Copy Functionality, Number and Symbol Shortcuts, Sleep Mode, Dock Icon Functionality, App Groups, Rich Location App, App and Power Management Details.

In addition, there are new user interface icons, as well as tasks app enhancements. Last but not least, Gingerbread brings Cliq 2 owners the following new features:

– Browser Search Engine: Browser address bar search options now include Google, Yahoo or Bing; – Emergent Groups and Smart Contacts: Based on usage, participant and addressee suggestions are made in Calendar entries, emails and text messages; – Visual Voicemail Greeting: Greeting can be updated from visual voicemail application.

Obviously, lots of performance and stability improvements have been included as well, such as faster phonebook, widget, and wallpaper load times.

Motorola Cliq 2 now has improved battery performance due to several bug fixes, as well as improved Wi-Fi hotspot signal strength. Some fixes for Wi-Fi Calling have been added in order to improve reliability.