Google has released a minor update for their operating system for cell phones, Android. The new version is 2.0.1 and the changes it brings along are aimed at developers rather than end users. The company fixed several known bugs of edition 2.0 and included a brand new SDK pack. Google also stated that all Android 2.0 handsets would get their update to the new version by the end of this year, but the only such device at this time is the Motorola DROID (MILESTONE in Europe). As we already reported, Verizon had also announced an upcoming patch for the DROID to update it to Android 2.0.1 coming December. The current news has actually shattered the recent rumor about Android 2.1 rolling out December 11 to pieces, but hope springs eternal, doesn´t it? We won´t be surprised at the least to see Google announce Android 2.1 next week, but delay its official release until 2010.
source: Android Developers

If you recall, back a few days after the DROID was launched, Verizon released 5 pages worth of bugs that would be fixed with an OTA firmware upgrade on December 11. Around the same time, we might see the OS upgraded to Android 2.1, as we reported previously. Today, Big Red released Android SDK 2.0.1 and at the same time, brought up the OTA upgrade for the DROID that would be out “within the coming weeks”. Our previous story mentioned fixing things like the failure to support Yahoo mail. Today, Verizon talked about fixing voice reception and the inability of the 5MP camera to focus on subjects. DROID owners-what problems with your handset would you like to see fixed in the first firmware upgrade?
source: BGR

More information has been obtained on the BOGO deal starting tomorrow at Verizon. Buy a Motorola DROID or an HTC DROID ERIS and you can get a DROID ERIS free with the activation of a new phone line and your signature on a 2 year contract. Earlier speculation had Big Red giving a buyer of the DROID the opportunity to get a second, free version of that phone, but this is not the case. Still, you are getting a free Android handset and that is surely better than getting nothing. So if you are planning on picking up either of the two Verizon Android phones, and you need that second line, might as well do it between Friday and Monday and pick up that free ERIS.
source: Phandroid

A person commenting on a story on BGR has put himself in the center of a story himself. Included with his comments were pictures and specs of a unknown Motorola Android device. With its rounded edges, sleek black design and a sizable 3.8 inch screen, this model looks totally unlike the DROID and has a more..uh…iPhonesque look about it. Besides the display, we can also tell you that there is an 800MHz processor under the hood and an 8MP camera with AF and dual LED flash. As soon as more news on this model comes in, you’ll be the first to know. So what do you think?
source: BGR

UPDATE:

Thank you for your comments on the matter! We took a closer look at the pictures now and have to agree that this is a fake. What a shame, it could’ve been a nice handset…

Fresh out of the rumor mill is some intriguing information about a hinted-at device coming from Motorola. Having recently released the source code for the CLIQ, Motorola buried references in the code to devices like the Morrison (CLIQ), Motus, and Zeppelin. Apparently, “La Jolla” also pops up and may offer the following specifications:

• Qualcomm 7201A Processor (528 MHz ARM11)
• MAX7359 keypad
• Kionix 3-axis accelerometer driver for LaJolla board
• Motorola Halo i2c touchscreen with 240 x 400 resolution

Motorola has been hinting at an inexpensive entry-level device and now the new SDK supports 240 x 400 resolution, matching the alleged “La Jolla” perfectly. Perhaps we are jumping to conclusions, but it would be a good thing to have another Motorola Android device, especially if it’s easy on the wallet!

source: Android Authority

Yesterday, MobiFrance showed us some pictures which we passed on to you. The photos appeared to show an Android powered model that looked like a typical HTC Windows Mobile device. That started the juices flowing when talk turned to the HTC Passion. MobiFrance promised us more info today, and they gave it to us.

The OS on the Touch.B is not Android. It is Qualcomm’s BrewMP (for mobile platform). BrewMP is “a freely available mobile OS platform. It’s an open, easy to use version of Brew and is scalable across all tiers of mobile devices to get powerful applications onto mass market devices.” The ROM shows that the BrewMP is in Alpha and there is a simple TouchFlo type UI. Everything is very basic so far. There is no video player installed at the moment. There is no Wi-Fi, but there is support for 3G connectivity, Bluetooth. and Adobe Flash. So while we do have some new information, there are still many unanswered questions about the Touch.B/Rome that hopefully we will find out about soon. The little we have heard and seen so far shows some promise.
source: MobiFrance (translated) via HTC-Phones

According to the Phandroid web site, one of the guys there got a call from Verizon to tell him about a BOGO deal that the corporate stores are offering on the DROID and DROID ERIS. And the beauty of the deal is, since it runs from Friday through Monday, those who bought on launch date will have until Friday to pick up the free Android device since it will be within 30 days of the original purchase. The catch? You have to open a brand new line for the second device. If you have a line that is out of contract you can cancel it and open a new one. Or, you can just open another line. Either way, you will have to sign for another 2 year contract. Overall, it is a great deal if you needed another line anyway. And for Verizon, it’s a great way to jack up sales totals before the end of the quarter. Imagine, two DROIDS for the price of one. That deal isn’t even offered on Tattoine.
source: Phandroid

Thanks to Mobile Android China, we can get a preliminary look at some photos of the Motorola Sholes Tablet, expected to make its way into the marketplace sometime in the near future (and we use “near future” with a significant amount of vagueness). Here is a rundown of the specifications for the Sholes Tablet:

• 550 MHz OMAP TI 3430 processor
• 3.7-inch touch screen with 800 x 480 resolution
• HDMI port
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• UMTS/HSPA
• 8-megapixel camera with xenon flash

The Sholes Tablet is expected to have Android 2.0 at a minimum and possibly 2.1 by the time it officially launches. Please hurry, Motorola!

source: BGR

On the heels of announcing some Sprint 4G rollout news, T-Mobile has announced via Twitter that their 3G rollout continues as well. Here is the latest list of cities that are now enjoying T-Mobile 3G goodness:

• Montgomery, AL
• Lafayette, IN
• Bloomington, IN
• Topeka, KS
• Lafayette, LA
• Clarksville, TN

Do you live in one of the new 3G coverage areas? If so, do you already notice a difference with your T-Mobile service?

source: androinica

Sprint has proudly been touting their 4G rollout, and it appears that the Seattle area is now benefitting from Sprint 4G service. According to a Sprint press release:

Seattle is one of the first communities to enjoy 4G wireless connections from Sprint, the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.

If you’re in the Seattle area, please chime in and let us know about your 4G experience!

source: Sprint