Actually, it’s extremely fast toggling in and out of applications. It may not be as polished as the Gingerbread ROM’s you were previously running, but this is just what the early adopters out there have been waiting for. However, camera and accelerated video decoding are still not working – and XDA Developer kabaldan says to not expect a fix any time soon.

I by no means suggest you run this as your ‘daily’, but if you have a nandroid you can quickly roll back to then it wouldn’t hurt to give it a test. Are there any phones you would love to see Android 4.0 on soon? Or is your current OS just fine.

[via Phandroid]

Before you flash, consider the full meaning of the term “pre-alpha”. The build is based on the open source code from CyanogenMod 9, but large portions of the phone’s core functionality still aren’t working. Performance is generally slow, and things like the camera and elements of the UI are not working. But considering how much effort has been put in, this “kang” shows promise – the DROID may never run Ice Cream Sandwich as fast or smooth as the Galaxy Nexus, but it could certainly hold its own eventually.

As usual, and especially with experimental ROMs like this, make sure your current system is backed up before flashing. Considering that most of the early buyers of Verizon’s DROID are now eligible for a two-year update, you might just want to save up for the Galaxy Nexus, or wait for an Ice Cream Sandwich phone that emulates the DROID’s sliding QWERTY format. Something similar may be revealed at the upcoming CES or Mobile World Congress shows.

[via Talk Android]

The original DROID is still extremely popular and many are just about done with those two year contracts when they bought it and are probably patiently waiting for the Galaxy Nexus to get released by Verizon. We first learned of this update late last month but Verizon now tells us the update is rolling out now and users should be receiving it through the next week. If you’ve somehow managed to not root your device this entire time then go ahead and check for updates and give it a run.

The released notes (below in gallery) didn’t reveal much of anything and only state this is a bug and security fix mainly aimed at a few security issues in the browser. We have a feeling a few more things might be included but Verizon didn’t feel like mentioning them. If Android 2.2.3 FroYo isn’t your thing and you’d rather run Gingerbread then click here. Peter Alfonso will keep your DROID as up-to-date as possible for a long while. Feel free to check for updates by going to settings > about phone > check for updates and let us know if you run into any issues.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Droid

Manufactuer : Motorola

Carrier : Verizon

Announced Date : October 28, 2009

Release Date : November 05, 2009

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 3.70 Inch
• Resolution : 480x854
• Screen Type : TFT

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 4.56 Inch
• Width : 2.36 Inch
• Depth : .54 Inch
• Weight : 169 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1400 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 270 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 2.1.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU : OMAP3430

CPU Clock Speed : 600 Mhz

Core : 1

Ram : 512 MB

Internal Storage : .256 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 5 MP

External Storage:
• MicroSD
• MicroSDHC

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 720p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• CDMA

CDMA Band:
• 800
• 1900

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 2.0

Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

NFC :

[via Verizon]

There is still a very strong OG DROID following over on XDA, and we should certainly see these security patches incorporated into some custom ROMs soon. For those still running stock however, click here to download the FRK76 security update. To install this be sure to rename the download to “update.zip” and place it on the root of your SD card. After powering down your DROID, reboot into recovery (by holding down the X and Power buttons). You should then select “Apply update.zip from SD Card”.

You should then be good to go! But lets be honest, if you haven’t rooted your device and are not yet running CyanogenMod 7, at least give it a chance! It’s easy and will definitely give your OG DROID the pep in its step that should have been there all along.

[via Droid Life]

The GPA16 ROM is meant to emmulate what would have been an official update from Motorola. It features a stock Gingerbread UI and look, with several “under the hood enhancements,” As Alfonso puts it. These include a custom Kernel of his design, a reboot option and 180 degree screen rotation.

If you’ll excuse my harping on the topic a second post in a row, this great work by Peter is a direct result of the Droid’s unlocked bootloader. There is already a Droid 3 out, but the original hasn’t even been out a full two years yet (November 6th will be its 2nd birthday).This means people who bought the original droid on contract aren’t even eligible for an upgrade yet. With a lack of official updates, not to mention the delay when they do come, from manufacturers developer work is the only hope many phones have to stay relevant.

I know this isn’t a huge concern for manufacturers, if people upgrade that much sooner, more money for them, but for many, getting a new phone off contract isn’t an option, and these sorts of updates can be vital in their phone lasting them through their contract. Its practically unpaid work if you just let the devs do their thing Moto! I’ll stop my rant now, but if you were wondering why you should care about unlocked bootloaders, here you go.

[via Peter Alfonso]

Just released over at PeterAlfonso.com is his newest list of Droid Kernels. It has been over 2 months since he has released a kernel for the OG Droid so I’m sure there are a few users that have been patiently waiting. He explains everything and what they all mean very neatly for everyone to understand.

You can push the limits and overclock like crazy or run a stock speed undervolted kernel to get great battery life, he covers them all. You can look through all of his work and find what you need but as always be careful and know what you are doing. Flashing kernels, roms or doing any heavy overclocking can lead to a dead phone if not done right so use caution, but you knew that already right?

[via Peter Alfonso]

We don’t know much about this update as I don’t have a device on the officially supported list around, my Nexus One is with a friend. I am glad to see Netflix working fast to add more devices to the supported list but I have a feeling they will need to work faster. The development community has already hacked netflix to work on virtually any rooted android device.

It looks like if you want to use Netflix you will have to have a supported device, root your phone, or hope they add support for your device soon. It looks like Verizon is getting all the good stuff over there with the Revolution launching with Netflix, and now the Moto Droid getting support. Either way head to the Android Market now and get the latest Netflix or just click here.

Enjoy!

Update: We are not sure if this was a mistake, or if Netflix has actually lifted the device check that was built into the Netflix App, but our friends at DroidLife are now reporting that users are able to install the Netflix app and start streaming content even if they are not on the approved list. They have reported the Droid X, the Droid X2, the Xperia Play and a few others all to be working just fine. So far it seems pretty hit or miss, but this would be a huge mistake if it were an accident. Install Netflix on your device and tell us in the comments below what you have and if it works. Thanks

Update 2: Devices that are *not* supported will not see Netflix in the Market, so download the updated APK and install it yourself with a file manager and give it a test and see if it work for you.
Download: Netflix APK

Other than the PDF user guide on the Motorola website, the Droid X2 has been spied along side some accessories on Verizon’s site as well. The specs of the smartphone will include a big 4.3-inch display, and it will have a 1GHz dual core processor as well. That big screen is the qHD resolution offering we expected. The smartphone also has a micro USB port on the side along with a HDMI port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The smartphone has WiFi and Bluetooth naturally along with GPS.

It’s nice to see the Droid X2 getting ready for the big time. One of the only things left to learn at this point is what the phone will cost. Other specs that have surfaced since the phone was unveiled include an 8MP rear camera with 720p video recording, 8GB microSD card for storage, and Android 2.3 for the operating system. The price is not known at this time, but I would think it would be the typical $199.99 or very close.

[via Engadget]

From what we are hearing as well as seeing in the picture above, it looks like Verizon doesn’t want anything to do with this phone. We don’t really know why, maybe they don’t want to compete with the their own and ever so popular Motorola Droid lineup. They might be thinking what we are, that this phone is late to the party and not quite up to par. Yes it is made by HTC, who has some of the best hardware around. It runs HTC Sense but it is that slow 800 Mhz CPU and older specifications that might be holding them back.

According to sources the phone is being launched today but will not be for sale by Verizon. It is available through 3rd party retailers or providers like Alltel Wireless, but it will work on that Big Red Verizon network if you do decide to pick it up. There is no hardware or software changes from anything you have heard as of late, but for those that want a full QWERTY slider with HTC’s great build quality, this may be a phone for you.

[via Droid Life]

Why no xoom support??? That’s why people buy tablets for things like this… by Trey, April 29, 2011

We say “most” because it appears that users of tablets like the Viewsonic G-Tab, and Motorola XOOM, as well as older Android handsets like the Motorola Droid are complaining that they can’t use the app. Users who operate a rooted or overclocked Android device are also complaining that they can’t access the service as well. But newer Droid models, like the Droid X, and the Samsung Galaxy S are enjoying the service. So it’s probably a good idea to pay attention to the user reviews section to determine if your handset has any trouble.

HBO to Go gives users the option to watch episodes of original HBO programming, as well as feature films available. It’s designed to be a one stop shop for payTV fans looking for a streaming option like those offered by Hulu Plus and Netflix. However, it’s not without it’s shortcomings. In addition to limited device support at this point, Comcast subscribers are foreced to use the XFinity page or Comacasts proprietary apps in order to access the service.

We know you all love it. CyanogenMod has been the poster child for custom Android for a long while now and they are only getting stronger, faster, better, wider and more powerful. I’m still holding out for that CyanogenMod Phone 1 that is coming one day, oh it’s coming. Just in case for some unknown reason you don’t know, CM supports many phones such as the G1, the Nexus One, Nexus S, MyTouch4G, the Motorola Droid, and many many other phones. Get your flavor now.

I know this is an exciting and emotional moment for some. No really, It’s only a phone guys, but I love it just as much as you all do. On twitter and at the XDA forums they call people with my problem #crackflashers, or nightly addicts. As I usually flash every nightly. Time for me to sign off, lets just skip the rest and get right down to it. Go and download the latest CyanogenMod 7 Stable for your phone now. You’ll be glad you did!

Click Below
CyanogenMod 7 Download Mirrors for all devices

From looking at the pictures provided the X2 is running on Android 2.2.2 for now, but we are hoping it will ship with Android 2.3. It would also be wise to have the device be a 4G LTE phone. This news all comes fresh off a leak yesterday that confirmed all the specs we have previously heard.

The Droid X was a popular phone, other than that stupid locked bootloader that took forever to figure out. I can only imagine the X2 will do just as well or better with those big boy specs it has coming with it. Just as I mentioned above, it needs some 4G LTE to be able to compete with the Thunderbolt, or is that what the Droid Bionic is for?

[via Android Central]

The Droid Line originally launched under Verizon with the Motorola Droid. Motorola has since expanded it’s robot reach with the Motorola Droid X, Motorola Droid 2, and Motorola Droid Pro. HTC wasn’t about to be left out and camera along in between with the HTC Droid Eris and Droid Incredible. Now, the Droid family grows against with Samsung’s Droid Charge.

But what’s really interesting is how Samsung is pushing their own, more ornate version of the iconic Droid Red Eye that Motorola launched. HTC wasn’t privy to adding the red eye to their marketing, but Samsung has managed to use it with flair. Did Samsung just change it enough to get away with it or are they being allowed to under the terms of their deal with Verizon? Kinda much ado about nothing since it’s the phone that really matters, but it’s just one of those things that make you go “hmmmmmm.”

[via PocketNow]

The spot features the HTC Thunderbolt, but according to the Indy Car Mobile App site, it’s not available for the Thunderbolt just yet. The app is, however, available for Motorola Droid phones, HTC Incredible and Droid Eris, LG Ally and Vortex, and Samsung Fascinate, Continuum, and Gem phones. In addition to the HTC Thunderbolt, the app will be coming soon to the HTC Merge, and the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tablets.

If you have one of these phones, you can text INDY to 3406 to download the app. Text and data rates apply. But you can also download it from the Android Market. The app is free to all supported users.

This little treat comes from mydroidworld. To install the update, you must have the Droid X Bootstrapper by Koush. This comes fresh off the news that we also were about to get an update to Gingerbread for the Droid X but that didn’t happen. So it is good to know they are working hard over at the Motorola labs, and that they are this close. I’ll skip right to it, instructions below.

Installing Firmware:

1. Download this file from the TBH app or download below
2. Use Bootstrap to get your phone into recovery.
3. Create a backup (This is not compatible with new firmware)
4. Install the Firmware using recovery

In Recovery:

1. select install zip from sdcard
2. choose zip from sdcard
3. navigate to teamblackhat folder
4. select the file you downloaded
5. Restart phone
6. Re-activate your phone

Re-activate:

1. dial *228
2. select 1

If your phone bootloops you need to wipe data to enter recovery:

1. hold down x and power button
2. when you see the triangle hold down both volume buttons
3. select wipe data/factory reset —press power button to select
4, reboot system

If your phone asks you to select/create an account:

1. press the home button
2. go to accounts (you may be sent there automatically)
3. select done

Download Mirrors:

Mega Upload
Multiupload 1
Multiupload 2
Multiupload 3
Multiupload 4
More at Source

Note: As we always say, Use extreme caution while flashing or doing anything with your Android phone, you may break, or brick your device if you do not do things correctly or follow ALL the instructions. So as always, use this at your own risk. We or the creators are not responsible for your actions. Other than that, enjoy some Gingerbread on that Droid 2.

[via MyDroidWorld]

Asked to comment, Motorola did not deny the existence of the project but re-affirmed its interest in Android. “Motorola Mobility is committed to Android as an operating system,” a company spokesperson said via email.

Now, the fact that Motorola is hiring people from Apple and Adobe is interesting. It’s really easy to see some strange Frankenstein-esque OS that’s as elegant as the iPhone but can freakishly and natively play Flash. And it’s easy to see how there are so many different Android products in the market that it becomes really different to tell one from the other in terms of performance. But creating a new OS to go up against two very seasoned platforms with vast app catalogs is extremely risky. Particularly when Motorola has been doing quite well with products like the Droid and Xoom thanks to the Android Platform.

Motorola may also be thinking of the next generation OS, years down the road when everything is linked to cloud. Sure, that could be. And with Google’s CR46 project, HPs webOS, it seems that everyone has their heads in the clouds. So why not Motorola as well? But seriously, we don’t think Motorola is going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Not by a long shot.

[via Information Week]

Obviously it is still a work in progress and I’m assuming they will release it for all compatible phones as they go. As Gameloft optimizes games to individual phones and this is part of the reason the good games are still not in the Android Market. When you download the game you buy, it is for your actual device. They had Asphalt 6 for phones like the Nexus S, the Droid/2, the Droid X and more, but it wasn’t listed for oldies such as my Nexus One.

I was hoping to find a Motorola Xoom version of Asphalt 6 but that was just wishful thinking. I’m sure it will be coming soon. I tried to get it for the Atrix as it is a higher resolution phone as well as having the same dual core Tegra 2 inside and I was going to use that on my Xoom but they didn’t have a version for it like I mentioned above. I have a feeling it will be coming to the Nvidia Tegra Zone soon though, but only time will tell. As soon as we get more information, or are lucky enough to get Asphalt 6 on our Xoom. I’ll be sure to post some screenshots for you all to enjoy. But for now head over to Gameloft and get Asphalt 6 for your Android phone. Or just click here.

[via Gameloft]

Beautiful, is that a 5 row qwerty keyboard we are seeing, I think it is. For those that are wondering the Droid and Droid 2 had 4 rows and shared the top row with numbers and a shift key was needed. This will make things much easier and smoother. Looks to almost be the perfect phone. Pair that with some juicy details that a famous Verizon Engineer mentioned on twitter about it being “Dual Core, Android 2.4, Better Keyboard, and no BLUR”, it just might end up being the perfect phone after all. Picture of that tweet is below.

Also if you look closely at the main picture above, you can see two ports on the side. I smell HDMI out next to the micro USB charging port. I don’t know about you guys, but if this really comes “without” BLUR, that would be awesome. It would be a stock Google Experience device like the original Droid, and a quick one at that. We sure hope to hear more about this device in the coming weeks. Hopefully we get details on screen resolution, OMAP 4/5 CPU, and more. When this information does drop be sure to check out AndroidCommunity for all the information.

[via Howard Forums]

At the beginning of 2010, RIM/BlackBerry enjoyed a 42% market saturation, while Google had just 7% market share. In the twelve months that followed, Google increased it’s footprint to the point where over 350,000 activations of over 170 different Android handsets were being done daily. The leap was able to improve its share well over four fold to gain dominance in the marketplace, leaving all three competitors wondering how the world it happened. The reality is, since Google’s Android operating system is free to implement, it was shovel ready, therefore allowing manufacturers to dive into the Cellphone business with little OS development. And that’s not all. With the ability to bypass OS development, handset manufacturers have been able to cut development time for hardware in half, making a new smart phone hitting the market almost a daily affair.

Although Android is number one in the smartphone category, it still lags behind Nokia’s Symbian OS for web enabled phones in general. But that lead is being chipped away quickly and it’s been stated that by 2014, Android will be the number one cellphone handset in the world. So, with such momentum on Google’s side, the question is, can Apple, RIM and Microsoft turn back the tide, or will be a simple case of too little too late?

[via CNN]

[via

Fortunately at the time, Sahas was running a great app from the Android Marketplace called GOOGLE TRACKS. This app uses the GPS and accelerometer in the Droid to measure distance traveled, average speed, average moving speed, and max speed. When he accessed the history tab, the Droid was able to show that Sahas was indeed traveling one mile under the speed limit, and not 15 over. He knew he had the officer dead to rights and decided to fight the ticket. In court, he produced his evidence and got the officer to admit that he hadn’t refreshed his radar gun training, nor when was the last time he had the radar gun properly calibrated. That was all the judge needed to pronounce Sahas “not guilty.”

I gotta get this app!

[via SkatterTech]