Verizon and Motorola are notoriously slow at getting updates, which was something I knew when I bought my Droid 4. They laid out their plans for the Ice Cream Sandwich Android operating system for their various phones, which is reportedly about to start. As a preliminary step, Verizon has started seeding updates to several phones getting the ICS update in the coming weeks.
A friend at work just got the update for their Droid Razr earlier this week, and I subsequently got the one for my Droid 4. As usual, the download showed up on Android fan-sites well before most people got it pushed to their phone … in my case it was a week after I first saw it as available … another typical Motorola / Verizon experience that should prepare people for a slow ICS roll-out.
Here are the update details from Verizon:
Device Features
+ Enhanced loud call end and connect tones over Bluetooth.®
+ Power On function has been fixed.
+ Improved battery life.
+ Improvements made to reduce touch screen lockups, device
sluggishness and blank screen lockups.
+ Keypad backlight only launches when needed.Applications & Widgets
+ Successfully receive Visual Voice Mail notifications.
+ MotoCast™ widget can be added to home screen and thumbnail view.
+ Improved text message delivery when using the Messaging application.Network Connectivity
+ Improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity.
Early this week I complained on Facebook because I went running with my Droid at half battery, but at some point a ‘smart action’ took over to help with battery life and shut down the GPS – which was really the only system in use at the time! I have also had issues with the keyboard backlight switching on and off seemingly at will, but for the last few days it has worked as I would have expected.
But the two biggest things are that the battery life is CLEARLY improved – I never charged my phone yesterday and went for a 9 mile run this morning and still had plenty of battery by the end! Also, the ‘random slowdowns’ I would get have been completely alleviated. I can only hope this is a sign of things to come – the Droid Razr is rumored to get the ICS update in the next couple of weeks, and I hope the Droid 4 isn’t far behind!