Verizon Android 2.1 Update Comes to the HTC Droid Eris; Needs a Wipe

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By know you already know that Sprint is struggling, literally, to offer its Samsung Moment and HTC Hero customers that much awaited for Android 2.1 update. What’s annoying about it is that by the time Eclair will be available to these handsets, Google will launch Froyo which is what customers will want next.

On the other hand Verizon seems confident to offer HTC Droid Eris owners that much awaited Android 2.1 update. The HTC Droid Eris will get the update over-the-air which means you should be waiting for it with a full charge in order to be sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Verizon also advises that the update procedure implies a complete wipe of the internal memory of the phone which means you should back up all your precious information before getting the Eclair flavor. Some applications will be lost which means you’ll have to reinstall them later and you’ll probably want to check phone settings once the update is complete as they will probably be returned to default.

Now here’s what the update will bring HTC Droid Eris users so if you got one of this babies in your pocket, get ready for the Android 2.1 to arrive:

Enhancements:

• Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the Gallery and Google Maps.
• New support for voice-to-text entry.
• Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
• New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
• New Leap thumbnail view lets you pinch to jump between the seven panels on your home screen.
• Additional calendar views and easier access to contacts make navigating even quicker.
• Google Maps with Navigation provides free, traffic-enhanced, turn-by-turn navigation.
• With the Enhanced Android Market, you’ll enjoy a better browsing experience as well as even more applications, including Verizon Wireless content featuring self-service applications.
• Ability to log onto and access multiple Google accounts at once.
• Support for 19 Microsoft Exchange Server policies makes your phone more secure and business friendly.
• Desk Clock intelligently dims your screen and displays the current time while charging.
• Location-based cinematic full screen weather keeps you on top of changing conditions.

Improvements:

• Free Yahoo! Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password.
• Longer battery life due to power savings.
• Improved YouTube video playback.
• Better Bluetooth support, including contact transfer.
• Automatic settings for POP3 verizon.net email accounts.
• Added support for stand-alone Wi-Fi when device is in airplane mode.
• Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.
• Faster power-up time.
• Improved swipe-unlock functionality.
• Added support for Microsoft Office 2007 documents

Make sure you drop us a line and tell us how thing are working for you whenever Verizon decides to send the update through!