14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless and handset vendor Motorola Mobility are finally getting ready for the release of Android 2.3 Gingerbread for the Motorola DROID 2. The wireless services provider has just published on its support website info on the upcoming software update, suggesting that it should not be too long before the update is made available for download.
The new update will arrive on devices as version 4.5.601.A955.Verizon.en.US on all DROID 2 by Motorola handsets, and will offer a wide range of improvements and fixes, in addition to bringing along the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.
Some of the main enhancements that users will enjoy following the update would include a new download manager, along with improved application and power management options.
Moreover, the new OS upgrade will bring along features like the ability to enter numbers and symbols with keyboard shortcuts, as well as new world selection capabilities and copy functionalities.
A series of changes were brought to the user interface as well, with a new color scheme added into the mix, new widgets and new icons, as well as new icons on the Dock at the bottom of the homescreen.
The Phone, App Launcher and Contacts icons have been included in the dock now, and a new Launcher app is there as well.
Other enhancements include App Groups (All Apps, Recent and Downloaded), along with a nice range of improvements added to the handset's security capabilities.
But this is not all, as a series of improvements coming from Verizon themselves were added into the mix too, such as:
- Improved battery life while using Wi-Fi. - Fixed issue that caused frequent data connection drops. - Mobile Hotspot status is displayed accurately. - Improved contact syncing from multiple accounts. - Email pushes now work correctly when using Exchange ActiveSync. - Exchange ActiveSync account setup will accurately present server option. - Correct contact name is displayed when receiving SMS messages. - Emoticons are displayed in messages. - Forward SMS message conversations accurately. - Notification LED will flash when new message is received. - Access My Verizon without any force close errors. - Compass calibration within Google Maps syncs accurately with your location. - Geo-tagging features available for camera applications. - Clock widget updates time correctly. - Callback numbers now populate in Dialer app. - GPS apps and programs no longer cause unnecessary device resets. - Google Books is now preloaded. - V CAST Apps is now preloaded. - V CAST Media Manager is now preloaded. - Blockbuster movie rentals license remains active after download. - Keypad backlight turns on in darker settings. - Improvements in screen display no longer causes display screen to turn black. - Fixed issue that caused factory resets when the device’s mobile number is changed. - Fixed issue that caused device reset and a black display screen after over the air upgrades. Unfortunately, no specific info on when the new software update might be released emerged, but the fact that Verizon has already published the release notes (PDF link) for it clearly suggests that its availability is near.
Most probably, the update will be delivered to all users over the air, which means that notifications on its availability should start to emerge in the near future. Stay tuned for more info on the matter.