Verizon and HTC are encouraging Droid Eris customers to download and install the latest firmware update: ROM: 2.41.605.6/Radio: 2.42.01.04.27. The new update is designed to improve wireless connectivity and expand media sharing and social networking features. Included in the update is improved Bluetooth performance with Mercedes-Benz E350 automobiles, a streamlined Twitter authentication login, an easier to read received signal strength indicator display, and even Visual Voice Mail. In addition, Calendars can now be synced via Microsoft Exchange. Users can also send and receive videos, pictures and even audio messages with or without text and over multiple networks.

Users can plan on a software download and update time of between 10-25 minutes to incorporate the 13MB file which will come as an “over the air” (OTA) update. Users will be prompted to press the “Install Now” button and the Eris device will reboot to begin installation. There is an option to install the update later, but users will be nagged every 30 minutes until they install it. And to manually install the update after notification, users can go to “Home” > “Menu” > “Settings” > “About phone” > “System updates”, then press “Restart & install”. Users will be unable to make calls or use the Eris for other activities while the update is being installed since the device will restart several times during the install. If the update fails, users are advised to remove and reinsert the battery, then power the device back on. The original software will load and users will be prompted again to install the update.

Please note, however, that if users are roaming, there will be no system update notice in order to save on roaming charges. Users will then have to enable WiFi and select an available WiFi netork to receive the update via WiFi.

[via Verizon Support]