Motorola Milestone (Finally) Gets Android 2.2 Froyo!

Users of the Motorola Milestone, or the Droid as its called by many people, will be pleased to know that is has finally has joined the FroYo  bandwagon.  I must say its pretty impressive that a device released in November 2009 is getting a software update, and hats of to Motorola for following through.

An official changelog is out:

Enhancements:

• Improved Web browsing with support for Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1, currently available for download via Android Market
• Enhanced browser performance for faster loading of JavaScript heavy pages.
• New security options including remote wipe and device lock, complex password, and minimum password length.
• 3G Mobile Hotspot connectivity.
• New tips, shortcuts, and assistance from a home-screen widget help users better navigate their phones.
• Easily switch between the eight most recently used applications.
• Improved Wi-Fi performance and connectivity.
• Rotate the screen 270 degrees to work with compatible apps in any direction.
• Preserve apps and settings using Google Backup and Restore.
• Downloaded apps can now be automatically updated and you can choose to store applications in the device’s memory or on a SD card.

 

Improvements:

• Management of password policies for Microsoft Exchange administrators across all devices.
• Increased ring and notification volume.
• Edit recurring Corporate Calendar meetings with a large number of invitees.
• Improved Hotmail® sync for accounts with a large number of emails
• . Streamlined efficiency in Microsoft Exchange Active Sync®

Improve your communication with smarter functions from Android 2.2

• Android 2.2 boosts mobile organization and response time.
• And now Microsoft Exchange administrators can manage password policies across all devices, making sure company information stays secure and safe. Android 2.2 now supports Exchange calendars in the Calendar application.

 

Here is what the help page over at Motorola says:

This software upgrade is intended for MOTOROLA Milestone owners who want to upgrade to Android 2.2 (Froyo) software. You must have your phone connected to your computer via a cable to carry out this upgrade.

What?s New in Android 2.2. (FROYO)

Android Froyo has numerous new features, tons of shortcuts, and enhancements such as 3G Mobile Hotspot performance and connectivity. See release notes for more detail

Key Things to Consider Prior to Upgrading to Android 2.2 (Froyo)

• Motorola is committed to continually meet and exceed our consumers? expectations. Due to the extremely high number of requests for the Android 2.2. (FROYO) software upgrade, we are making the upgrade package available to consumers who wish to voluntarily upgrade their own devices via MSU.
• Exhaustive testing process has concluded that users may experience some adverse effects associated with the upgrade which could include slower operation of some phone functions and applications. Performance may be improved by limiting open applications.
• Media saved on your memory SD card will be preserved, but DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected Media stored on your phone’s internal memory will not be preserved.
• Not all applications downloaded with your current software will be compatible with your upgraded software.

IMPORTANT:

If you have a Googlemail account enabled on your device, you will need to manually restart Google Auto-sync after the update is complete

To restart Auto-sync, please perform the following steps on your device:

1. Tap and hold on the home screen
2. Select ‘Widgets’
3. Select ‘Power Control’
4. Now the Power Control panel should be on your home screen
5. Disable and then enable Auto-sync  from this Power Control panel
6. Your device’s Auto-sync should now resume

You can download Motrola Software Updater here.

If you have more queries, head over to the Motorola Support Forum’s Thread on Froyo for the Milestone here .