My Android-powered Android-X went through an upgrade process to update the Android operating system yesterday. I’m pleased with the results thus far. While so far, so good, I refrain from casting final judgment until I’ve used the new Android OS for a couple of weeks. I’ve found that with devices like these, you need to use it, not just play with it, to get a true feel for how it works.
Before proceeding with a review of Android 2.3.3 on the Motorola Droid X, I should mention that to me, this was an unexpected update. I hadn’t heard about it at all, which is in stark contrast to the anticipation and near countdown to the release of Froyo. I actually thought this would be just an application update, but it insisted on rebooting, where I was greeted with an Android logo and an arrow to my device.
Android.org states of 2.3.3:
"Android 2.3.3 is a small feature release that adds several improvements and APIs to the Android 2.3 platform."
Here’s what I’ve noted in the first day of using the new OS:
An Updated and Improved User Interface
The new user interface for the Andriod is awesome. The reversed colors on the phone keypad look great, and there are new, bright colors - like the slick “3G” in the top menu bar. Looks good, really good.
The updated web WebKit-powered browser is looking very nice. It has a “buzz-saw” “busy-fetching-the-website” icon, which is a nice change to the usual pin-wheel animated icon. The buzz-saw is featured in a couple of different places where the Android must ask the user to wait, such as the check for system updates.
Application Compatibility and New Crapware
I’m pleased to report that all the applications I’ve tried on the Droid X still work:
- Audible
- Bank of America
- Hacker’s Keyboard
I’ll keep updating the list as I try out more applications.
Unfortunately, there is new crapware installed on the Droid X, specifically the “V” Apps app, which is a rehashed version of Verizon’s V-Cast system, which I don’t want and have never wanted.
What I Want to See
GPS Fix
There are problems with the previous Android OS running my Droid X. Most notable is the “Searching for GPS” delay that incapacitates Google Maps from providing navigation assistance. It just waits and waits. I’ve never found a fix except for a reboot. It works perfectly fine again after a system reboots.
Random Reboots
Speaking of rebooting the Droid X, it occasionally and randomly reboots on its own while I’m using it. I’ve never found pattern for when or why this happens. Regardless, I want it to stop.
Battery Life
I’m hoping the battery life improves when the device is not in use. I would hope that it could last a couple of days if I only use it once or twice during that time. In my experience, it only seems to keep kicking for one day, no matter how often or how little I use it.