If you need some hand-holding (and there's nothing wrong with that), watch our video how-to here.

The Verizon Motorola Droid Android 2.1 update! Finally! It's finally here! Only, it's not here for everybody. Such is the way over-the-air updates go. A few people get them at first, and then the rest of us. Fortunately, you can now update manually. (Note: This method does not -- repeat: NOT -- require root access, deals with the devil or any sort of Pagan sacrifice.) Here's how.

1. Download the update from any of these links. [Official Location 1 | Location 2 | Location 4] (Note to Mac users: Don't use Safari as it may try to extract the files rather than just download them.)
2. Rename the file to "update.zip" if it isn't already. (Note that if you're using Windows, just change the name to "update" -- without the quotes.
3. Put the file in the root (aka main folder) of your microSD card. (You can pull the card from the phone, or use our method here.)
4. With your Droid turned off, hold down the letter "x" on the keyboard and then hold down the power button. You should soon see a triangle with an exclamation point inside.
5. Now for the tricky part. Press the volume up button and the camera button at the same time. (This usually takes me a few tries.) Erm, though it's much easier if you let go of the power button first.
6. You should now be in the bootloader. Use the D-pad to choose "update from .zip file" and choose the update. Let things run their course.

That's it! You should now be updated to Android 2.1. Congrats! We're in the midst up updating our own phones, so let us know in the comments how it's going. (But do remember that you're doing this manual update at your own risk.) [via Android Central Forums; Download links via AndroidForums and AllDroid]

Update: Killed Location 3, and renamed Location 1 to make it clear it's the official download from Google.

Update 2: OK, to answer a few of your questions:

• This *is* the official update. The only difference is that you're installing it yourself instead of waiting for it to be pushed out to your phone. Otherwise, all is Kosher.
• Technically, this is "Android 2.1-update1," same as what was sent to the Nexus One a month or so ago. The "-update1" part has nothing to do with installing it manually.
• Yeah, you'll probably lose root when you apply this update. But anything worth rooting once is worth rooting twice.
• Yes, you can do this entire process on your phone. Just download the file to the microSD card, make sure it's named "update.zip," and other wise follow the same instructions.

Now that everybody's all excited that Motorola Droid's Android 2.1 update finally is coming out (for reals, this time -- maybe), reader Sharon reminds us that we might have to wait a little while, at least for the over-the-air update, if we go by the internal Verizon document that details the roll-out.

Only 10,000 people will have it before April 1st. Then only 200,000 per day will receive it. Given the Motorola said that by the end of Q4 they had shipped 2 million Androids (those being only the Droid/Milestone & Cliq)if 1.5 million of those were Droid/Milestone and even that doesn't include the number sold in Q1 2010.

If they've sold even only 2 million Droids to Verizon in the last five months. Do the math. 2 million divided by 200,000/day = 10 days, 4 million = 20 days, etc.

Words to remember as you run your battery down checking for updates. But don't worry. We'll have the manual update soon enough. Thanks, Sharon!

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• Finally the day has arrived for those Moto Droid owners to receive Android 2.1 - Discuss everything and anything about 2.1 in this thread: DROID 2.1 Update rolls out today
• Just purchase a Nexus One and are unaware of the must have accessories? Visit this thread to get dialed in: Nexus One must have accessories
• Phil asked the question, what is your favorite podcatcher application available for Android? Let him know what you think!
• Now that AT&T has finally gotten into the mix of carriers that now have Android devices it makes our carrier forum that much more interesting. Visit the forum to support your carrier of choice!

See you in the forums!

Here's the problem with developing your application in public, with the source code readily available: Next thing you know, what's really not meant for widespread dissemination is bring run by every Tom, Dick and Harry with a phone and incorrectly dubbed "leak," "beta" or at least "pre-Alpha." And that's fine. that's part of the deal. (And it's why we have to go rumor hunting on occasion.)

So remember that as you watch the videos of the Firefox browser on Android after the break. Remember that this isn't some leak, or even a proper beta released by Mozilla. This is readily available code, compiled and running on a phone. It's not fast. It's huge. And it's nowhere near ready for judgment.

If you do want to follow along the development of the mobile Firefox browser (aka Fennec), we suggest you do so at Mozilla's site here and here, as we've been doing for quite some time. But if you still really need a look at it running on a phone, do so after the break. [via XDA Developers and Android Forums]

The HTC Desire is hitting Japanese shores! Softbank will carry the HTC Desire, in WCDMA form, in late April and it's actually the first notable Android device we remember heading to Japan. To be fair, the Xperia X10 was rumored to hit Japan in April as well, but considering how far that star has fallen, we think it's best for our Japanese readers to keep their eyes on the HTC Desire. We're excited, and madly jealous, that Japan gets to experience such an awesome Android device as their first.

We don't know if Android can take off in Japan since we have little clue on what the Japanese desire in their cellphones but using Android 2.1 + HTC Sense on that beautiful screen is very easy to love. Trust us. [softbank]

1 : to deprive of the use of a limb and especially a leg <the accident left him crippled>
2 : to deprive of capability for service or of strength, efficiency, or wholeness <an economy crippled by inflation>

This was taken from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crippled).

As much as we like referring to Android personified (I mean, who doesn't love that little green guy), we should digress and use the 2nd referenced definition. Let's elaborate after the break.

Thanks to some tipsters we have had a look at the HTC EVO 4G development guide, and it's chock full of goodies. It covers all the things that are going to make the EVO great. As you can see in the pic above, a good portion of the guide covers HDMI out functions, which is enough to want the EVO on it's own. Some of the other things covered:

• API's for a new location service
• controling the front facing camera
• detection and playback of online media ( both Adobe flash and HTML5 )
• tools and code to handle network transitions between 3G, 4G, and WiFi

While the document itself doesn't mean much to most of us, once the talented developers out there get into it we can expect some really innovative applications to show up on the Market just about the time the EVO hits the shelves. My hat's off to Sprint for getting this out the door and into the hands of the folks that want it and can use it this far in advance of the release of the phone. Makes my personal decision between the EVO and the Sprint Nexus One that much more difficult.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

It's Android-on-Android action today in LaptopMag's March Smartphone Madness tournament, with the HTC Hero taking on the Motorola Droid (all full of itself now that the Android 2.1 update is finally rolling out).

Which one's going to move on to face the Verizon BlackBerry Tour? Well, that's up to you, now isn't it. Thanks to the 83 people who sent this in.

Here we go again, folks. After a number of false starts, we started getting word this morning that the Android 2.1 update was making its way to Motorola Droid users. Engadget snagged the following from an internal Verizon e-mail:

Starting 03/30/2010, Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for the DROID by Motorola. Users will be able to upgrade their software to version AP: ESE81/BP: C_01.3E.03P to receive new improvements and enhancements.

The SOP of 1,000 people in the first batch applies, followed by 9,000 more at midnight tonight, and 200,000 on Thursday. So stand by for an OTA update, and stand by for the manual download link. Or stand by for more disappointment. One of those things is bound to happen. Sing out in the forums if you get some Android 2.1 love.

Update: Actual shot of said internal e-mail is above.

The beautiful T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Edition is coming back! T-Mobile retail stores will reportedly be receiving one additional shipment of the limited edition, guitar-inspired Android device on March 31st (which is this Wednesday!). As it quickly sold out its first go around, we expect more of the same this time, so be quick if you want in! When we had our hands-on with the myTouch 3G Fender Edition, we were very impressed with the build and finish. We think you'd think the same.

Anyone interested in getting the myTouch 3G Fender Edition this time around? [via tmonews]