Motorola DROID 2 packs Froyo, 1GHz CPU and better keyboard

Not exactly a secret we guess, but here it is..the Motorola DROID 2 fixes most of the things that annoyed us with the original DROID / MILESTONE handset.

This is a CDMA phone for the Verizon network in the US, but we would be very surprised if we didn't see an announcement for the "MILESTONE 2" very shortly as well.

The DROID 2 improves on the original version by ramping up the processor speed to 1GHz, it now runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) and has a much better keyboard. The camera remains the same at 5 megapixels plus a dual LED flash. Internal memory is 8GB plus an 8GB microSD card in the standard sales package, and the DROID 2 comes with the 3.7" 854 x 480 pixel Gorilla Glass coated display that made the original one so nice to use.

Android 2.2 includes better Flash support than on previous versions, and it is also reportedly much quicker than 2.1. Combine this with a processor running at almost twice the speed then this should make it a very nice handset indeed.

The DROID 2 should be available to pre-order from tomorrow (11th August) from Verizon Wireless for delivery sometime during Q3.. and there will even be an "R2-D2" themed version available online from next month. Yes, this is probably the DROID you are looking for.

Android 2.2 "Froyo" - who gets what when

It's hard to keep track of just which Android devices may (or may not) get an upgrade to Android 2.2 (Froyo) and when.

The best resource we can find for this is JR Raphael's "Android 2.2 upgrade list" over at ComputerWorld which is kept up-to-date with latest developments.

The headlines are that the Google Nexus One was the first to have the new OS, and in the US the HTC EVO 4G and Motorola DROID start with the rollout this week. In Europe the HTC Desire rollout should start in a few weeks time, but the situation with the Motorola MILESTONE is a bit unclear, although O2 Germany say they will be pushing 2.2 out to Milestone customers in September. There's no news on the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 though.

Definite a good page to keep bookmarked if you want to keep track of the Froyo release schedule!

Via

Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Arrives for Android

Good news and bad news: Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Arrives for Android.. but whether or you see it as good or bad news depends largely on your point of view.

Available only for Android 2.2 devices (and there aren't exactly many of those about), Flash 10.1 will be available through the Android Market for download. Now, Android users can experience full Flash multimedia while opening up their Android handset to a terrifying number of security flaws that Adobe products come with.

Still, it might annoy those people who have shelled out for a new iPhone 4, which isn't a bad thing..

Via

Android 2.2 "Froyo" SDK out now

The Android 2.2 SDK is out now, an essential step to getting the new OS actually on real devices. 2.2 promises improved speed, improved support for MS Exchange, improved video recording and tethering.

We don't know what devices will be able to run 2.2 (codename "Froyo") for sure - some early Android handsets don't have enough space on the ROM, and for a manufacturer-supported release there has to be a lot of testing to ensure stability. There are reports that most recent HTC devices will be able to run Froyo.

Rumours are that the first 2.2-enabled device is likely to be the Google Nexus One.

Report: Android 2.2 is 450% faster than 2.1

AndroidPolice report that the next version of Android (2.2 aka Froyo) is a staggering 450% faster than 2.1 with tests on a Nexus One phone.

There are some caveats here.. the phone was only that fast in a specific performance test, but any speed boost will be a welcome thing for Android owners!

Pretty darned cool I guess, but given the length of time that some handset owners have waited for 2.1 upgrades, version 2.2 could be a long time coming.. even if it runs on your Android device.

Via