While Verizon might not be shoving the HTC Droid Eris down our throats the same way they are with its Motorola-made sibling, the Droid, the Eris is still one slick little piece of mobile kit. What it lacks in form factor (that is, a physical keyboard), it makes up with its drop-dead-gorgeous Sense UI. The only shortcoming, as I see it, is that it’s still stuck on Android v1.5 while the Droid is touting around 2.0.
That issue will be fixed before too long, says Verizon. We already know that HTC is cracking away at getting Sense to play friend with version of Android 2.1, and now Verizon has set a loose date for the Eris’ update: Q1 2010. While they didn’t specifically say it’d be 2.0, they did say that it would include the turn-by-turn Google Maps Navigation function – which, unfortunately, only absolutely proves that it’ll be at least v1.6. Fortunately, InformationWeek dug for a bit more info, and Verizon confirmed that the Q1 upgrade would likely bump the Eris up to v2.0 or v2.1.
Que Sprint’s response in 3…2…1…………………………..
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Helloooooo?
wtf Sprint?
Cannot wait for this. 2 coworkers have gotten Moto Droids in the last 2 weeks, and I’m the first to be using the Eris. I put a lot of research into the decision, but ultimately permitted myself the cheaper and sleeker Eris on the promise of Google powered Turn by Turn.
All around, the comments and reviews seem to indicate it’s the “one thing” the Eris can’t do that the Moto does right now. I think this is going to make a pretty big impact in Eris handset sales.
Yeah, what about our Hero’s?? It’s the same phone! Why is Sprint so bound and determined to see their Android phones fail???
The Hero is also getting the update. The update is being shipped by HTC and relies on their fixes to Sense UI, for 2.1. They are debuting a Snapdragon powered phone, the Dragon on Verizon, before Xmas. The equipments final name will be something different but will run 2.1. HTC announced the updates will go to the Eris and Hero after.
You guys should do a giveaway for 5 of these. ;)
I love it! Can’t wait — I have the Eris – against the grain on the wave of people swamping the Droid – and have no complaint except for this one. As soon as this upgrade is complete I can argue it is the best phone I’ve owned to date. Excellent!
I’ve been hearing about the upgrade, and is too upset that the geniuses found a leak, my moto droid homeboy touting around his new Google goggles. I feel lame that fast. No new info on a release date ?