Droid X Users Cautioned About Unofficial Android Update

Motorola has cautioned Droid X users to avoid an unofficial leaked Android 2.2 update, which could block the final Froyo release. Motorola promised its final Android 2.2 update for the Droid X will fix Microsoft Exchange problems. Motorola is counting on the Flash Player in Android 2.2 to differentiate the Droid X from Apple's iPhone.

Motorola cautioned Droid X users Monday to refrain from downloading an unofficial Android 2.2 upgrade circulating around the Internet. Installing the leaked upgrade will prevent Droid X smartphone owners from receiving the final version of the mobile OS slated for release in early September, Motorola warned in a support blog.

Motorola's release of Android 2.2 -- also known as Froyo -- will permanently fix some Exchange 2003 e-mail snafus for which Motorola has already been forced to issue temporary workarounds. For example, some Droid X users are currently unable to set up their Microsoft Exchange accounts, while others with e-mail access do not receive any notifications. "Both of these issues will be addressed in the Android 2.2 update," Motorola said.

Motorola's software upgrade for the Droid X promises to give enterprise customers full push-delivery support for Exchange as well as Gmail for business. Also on tap are live widgets for streaming messages to the user's home screen as well as filter widgets for differentiating work and home e-mails.

Among other things, the Froyo release will sport a corporate directory, a global lookup capability, a unified calendar, and security protocols for remotely setting the device's password for all the documents stored in memory. Additionally, Droid X users will finally be able to permanently delete text messages.

Once Android 2.2 becomes officially available for the Droid X, users will be able to download it over the air, Motorola advised. The software upgrade "will either be pushed to you, or you can grab it by going to Menu > Settings > About phone > System updates," Motorola wrote in a support blog.

The smartphone maker is clearly counting on the Flash Player 10.1 software shipping with Android 2.2 to differentiate the Droid X from rival Apple's popular iPhone, which lacks Flash capabilities. "For customers, this means great new features and improved browser performance," said Google Vice President of Engineering Andy Rubin. "For developers, this will provide new tools such as cloud-to-device messaging and enhanced enterprise functionality."

With the release of Froyo for the Droid X, Motorola hopes to build upon U.S. sales that exceeded the company's expectations following Verizon Wireless' launch of the new smartphone in mid-July. "The Droid X, with its rich mobile Internet experience and enhanced enterprise capabilities, is getting a great reception from consumers," said Motorola co-CEO Sandra Jha.

Because of critical component shortages, the biggest problem for Motorola right now is keeping up with demand for the Droid X. "In terms of Verizon's attitude toward Droid X, our shipments are still relatively healthy -- it's just that demand is outstripping those supplies," Jha said.

Jha is counting on the mobile division's smartphone innovations to not only differentiate its Droid product lineup from Apple's iPhone, but also from the Android-based handsets manufactured by other vendors. "Droid is not a Google-experience device," Jha noted last month. "We have spent a lot of time integrating a lot of experiences which are unique to Motorola."

For example, the company's Motoblur technology gives consumers increased control over mobile experiences. "Enhancements include customizable content filters, the ability to move and resize widgets, and new ways to manage and improve battery life and data usage," Jha said.

The Droid X is very important for Motorola's mobile division, which is struggling to reinvent itself as a leading smartphone maker. According to Gartner, the company sold 9.1 million cell phones in this year's second quarter and held a 2.8 percent share of the global market. By contrast, Motorola sold 15.95 million handsets and held a 5.6 percent market share in the year-earlier period.

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Posted: 2010-09-08 @ 1:45pm PT

@LJMOSS: Did you notice the camera on the back of the phone? Hard to do a video conference when you can't see them or they can't see you. ;)

@everyone else: I agree that froyo is taking way too long. So are accessories! And viable single instance email push like Blackberry desktop redirector! And battery life!

Posted: 2010-09-01 @ 8:27am PT

The biggest issue I have with VZW and MOT, is the lack of communication, this plan of "coming soon" and Early September, stuff is a crock. We want Tangible Dates. I bought with the intention of Froyo and it has been 2 months in waiting. I also have an issue with the Release of the Droid2 with 2.2, and the OTA update of the D1. Logic would assume that there should be an OTA update for the DX and D1 before the D@ was released.

Posted: 2010-09-01 @ 6:42am PT

I love my Droid-X. The only shortcoming it has is still battery life. How about a higher capacity battery with the same form factor, or perhaps with a modified back cover?

Posted: 2010-08-31 @ 7:55pm PT

I love my Droid X but I would like a little less moto blur and a lot more froyo a lot sooner. I wish that the "google experience" was a user option too, by the way. I switched from the iPhone 3GS to get away from AT&T and Motorola should have focused on making an iPhone class MP3 software tool instead of the Motoblur...I think that it would help them more because the "google experience" is fine. Launcher Pro is WAY better than moto blur.

Posted: 2010-08-31 @ 7:47pm PT

I'm really happy with my DX so far but Motorola has been stroking DX owners for too long with the new Froyo OTA update. How is it that one of the newest and most powerful android phones is one of the last to receive the update? Get on with it already Motorola! We're gettin'antsy out here!!

Posted: 2010-08-31 @ 5:03pm PT

WHEN DO WE GET THE VIDEO CALLING WITH SKYPE? I HAVE THE DROID X