Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Is Your Phone Getting Froyo? - PCWorld

Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Is Your Phone Getting Froyo? - PCWorld.

From PC World and Android Power.

This summer, it seems everyone's craving the cool taste of frozen yogurt. Google's newest version of its Android operating system, Android 2.2 -- better known by its nickname, "Froyo" -- is expected to start hitting handsets any day now. But there's still plenty of confusion over which phones will get Froyo and which will be left in the cold.

That's the topic of this week's Android Power reader question, which comes to us from Froyo-longing Android fan Rich O.

Rich writes:

Any idea which phones are and aren't getting the new Android 2.2? No one seems to be saying much one way or the other.

Rich is right: Since Google's announcement of Android 2.2 last month, the manufacturers and carriers have been keeping pretty quiet about their specific Froyo plans. But piecing together the bits of info the powers-that-be have divulged, we can get a fairly decent picture of where most major devices stand.

So here's what we know so far. And don't forget: If you have an Android-related question of your own, send it in to ask@androidpower.com. I'll answer it here soon.

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Phones Definitely Getting Froyo

• Nexus One: Despite the shuttering of its online store, Google's flagship phone is still first in line for the Froyo upgrade. In late May, a "very limited test group" received an early copy of the 2.2 software. Google has since been working on final tweaks and expects a widespread rollout to begin soon.

• Motorola Droid: The Droid that started it all is set to be second in line for the Android 2.2 upgrade. Early reports suggested the Droid could see Froyo before the end of June. We all know what happened with the Droid's 2.1 upgrade schedule, though, so don't mark your calendars just yet.

• HTC Droid Incredible: HTC has confirmed that its newest Droid handset will be feasting on Froyo. No specific timeframe has been released outside of sometime "in the second half of this year."

• HTC EVO 4G: The EVO 4G is the phone most frequently pitted up against Apple's new iPhone 4 (hint: the EVO wins), so it's no surprise that it's on the confirmed guest list for the latest and greatest Android release. The EVO should get Froyo sometime in the next six months.

• MyTouch 3G and MyTouch 3G Slide: The entire MyTouch line of phones on T-Mobile is expected to see Froyo before the end of 2010.

• HTC Desire: It's not yet available in the States, but this desirable HTC handset is on-tap to get the Android 2.2 upgrade sometime in the next six months as well.

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Phones Where Froyo Looks Iffy

• Motorola Devour: There's no definite answer on Verizon's non-Droid Motorola Android device, but the upgrade to 2.2 looks slightly iffy. Officially, the Devour is still listed as "under evaluation" for the Android 2.1 upgrade. That sure doesn't seem like a promising sign when it comes to 2.2.

• HTC Droid Eris and HTC Hero: File these two HTC handsets under the "maybe" column, too. While listing out which phones would see Android 2.2, HTC conspicuously left these two names off the list. The company also said it would most likely offer upgrades for all of its 2010-model devices -- but outside of the Droid, it made no mention of the phones that debuted in late '09.

• Motorola Backflip: The Android phone given the locked-down treatment by AT&T might get the Froyo nod, but I wouldn't place any wagers just yet. Right now, Motorola lists the Backflip as being on-track to get upgraded to Android 2.1 in the third quarter of the year. Its odds of someday seeing 2.2 seem higher than the Devour's, then, but not high enough that you'd want to hold your breath.

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Phones Not Expected to Get Froyo

• T-Mobile G1: The first Android phone, unfortunately, isn't expected to get the Froyo upgrade; its hardware is said to be too limited to provide full support. It's been nearly two years since the phone's release, though, so the option for a handset upgrade shouldn't be too far away for Android's earliest adopters.

• Samsung Behold II: Samsung has indicated its Behold II won't be upgraded beyond Android 1.6. As for a reason, the company has said only that the phone is "not upgradeable" beyond that point.

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: The Rest of the Phones

The fate of other Android phones is less clear. The Motorola Cliq and Cliq XT, for example, were originally scheduled to be upgraded to 2.1 before the end of the summer. It's possible Motorola might bump them directly to 2.2 instead, but no one's saying anything for sure.

Samsung's also staying quiet on the status on its Samsung Moment Android device. The phone just received its official 2.1 upgrade a month ago, so there's no telling if and when the next release might arrive.

Stay Tuned...

Set your bookmarks: I'll continue updating this page as new info becomes available on any of the Android handsets.

In the meantime, why not grab some free Android cell phone stickers from Google? Or go back up your Android home screens -- you never know when you might need to restore those things.

Hey, anything that takes your mind off the wait for Froyo can only help.

Author JR Raphael writes the new Android Power blog at Computerworld. You can find him on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael

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