All up-to-date Verizon DROID owners should now be rocking Android 2.2 which brings Flash 10.1 to the mobile platform. Surprisingly, the update that was officially rolled out to the handset over the past week was reportedly FRG01B, a version that was thought to be an older build. As it turns out, this build may not be old. Instead, it may be the planned first step in a two-step update for the now nine-month old Android handset. Verizon sent out an email to its business customers that confirms a second build, presumably the rumored FRG22, is slated to land in the upcoming weeks. According to the email, this second update will add the highly anticipated Flash 10.1 support for the DROID.
The timing and the staging of this update does not come as a surprise. Google launched Android 2.2 in June and Verizon was most likely working hard to get FroYo out to its customers as soon as possible. Possibly, Adobe was not quite ready with Flash 10.1 when Froyo first debuted so Verizon decided not to wait for Adobe and released an Android 2.2 build with partial or no Flash support. If you remember, this release was unusual. The Android 2.2 release was pushed to a handful of handsets at the beginning of the month, stalled for a week, and resumed again on Monday.
Earlier this week, Adobe confirmed that it is ready to release Flash 10.1 for a myriad of Android handsets and is working with carriers and OEMs to get the release out in the next few weeks. This announcement fits in nicely with the details contained in the above email. The finalization of Flash 10.1 would necessitate a second build of Froyo whose primary purpose is to add full Flash support to the DROID. Based upon earlier information, we would expect this update to hit on or before August 18th which is the date Adobe’s Flash Player 10 is expected to debut in the Android market for DROID owners. Sounds peachy keen, doesn’t it?
[via Phandroid]