A Motorola employee says Droid phones running Android 2.2 (Froyo), will be updated to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) by the third quarter of the year—as long as Verizon gives it the go-ahead.
In response to impatient customer questions on the Motorola Support forum, an employee responded that the company "cannot provide exact dates."
"I can say that the Droid X update is currently scheduled to be released before the end of the second quarter of this year or sooner. The other updates are currently scheduled to be released before the end of the third quarter or sooner."
"The above estimates are dependant on Verizon approving the OTA (over the air) updates," the spokesperson continued.
Last year Motorola launched a number of Droid phones through Verizon Wireless, including the Droid X in June, the Droid 2 in August, and the Droid 2 Global and Droid Pro in November. All currently run Android 2.2.
Google newest Android OS build, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, debuted in December on the Samsung Nexus S smartphone. So understandably Motorola Droid users, like numerous other Android device holders, have been wondering when they are getting some Gingerbread.
Adding to their frustration, Motorola and Verizon are launching the Droid X2 with Froyo in stores this Thursday.
By now, discussing Android fragmentation is like beating a dead horse, particularly after the Samsung/Froyo controversy in mid-January, but are consumers reaping the benefit? According to Google, by the end of April only 4.3 percent of Android users were using six-month-old Android 2.3 and above.
For more on Android fragmentation, see "Android Fragmentation: FUD and Facts."