Motorola Cliq and Cliq XT users can expect to get Android 2.1 soon, as the company is testing out the firmware upgrade right now.
Motorola already missed its second quarter deadline but the wheels are in motion for an over-the-air upgrade. In the support forums, the company said:
For those asking for an update regarding a software upgrade on Cliq in the U.S., we’ve made a decision to take more time on the release to optimize the experience in some key areas. We will continue to work to deliver it as soon as possible and apologize that we have been unable to provide an upgrade to these users in Q2 as planned.
We are working hard to provide an upgrade to Android 2.1 as soon as we can. Our consumers’ experience is our first priority and we will provide an upgrade when we can deliver the best possible user experience.
These handsets rock Motorola’s custom user interface layer, MotoBlur, and this may be the cause of the delay. The company’s Droid handset runs stock Android and it received 2.1 months ago.
What can Cliq and XT owners expect with 2.1? Well, the firmware offers live wallpapers, pinch-to-zoom functionality in the browser, Google Maps and gallery. There will also be that spiffy voice-to-text input option and the picture gallery will get a neat new interface.
Is this enough to make the Cliq and XT killer handsets? I doubt it will make these devices comparable with the EVO 4G or the Droid X, but every little bit helps.
It will be interesting to see if Motorola throws in some more updates to MotoBlur when this new firmware hits. In my review of the XT, I wasn’t in love with the custom UI layer but felt it had some promise. I think if the company can scale MotoBlur back, it can become very useful.
[Via Phandroid]