Looks like the Android 2.0.1 update is starting to roll out for the Verizon Droid, with word coming fast and furious from our fourms, BGR and Twitter. This one's mandatory, and you're going to want it. Here are the bullet points of what's coming in the ESD56 update:

• Improved OS stability.
• Improved battery life.
• Camera's autofocus is improved, time between shots is reduced.
• Three-way calling enhancements.
• Incoming call quality is improved.
• Speakerphone remains on when call waiting kicks in.
• Better Bluetooth, background echo eliminated, improved phone book transfer of contacts to in-vehicle systems.
• GPS icon will disappear after a GPS app is closed.
• SMS and MMS messages can be received after an EMS message is received.
• SMS and MMS can now go to seven-digit addresses.
• Google contact merging supports seven-digit numbers.
• Visual Voice Mail notices arrive instantly.
• Corporate calendar widget is updated.

More information about the update, including full instructions, at http://support.vzw.com/information/droid_upgrade.html.

You patient types should be able to sit back and let the update come to you. As for the rest of us, go to Settings>About Phone>System Updates and see if it's available. And sound off in in the comments once you get it.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Things are all cyclical, aren't they? First, T-Mobile was the early adopter and only supporter of Android, then Sprint stole the shine by releasing the HTC Hero, then Verizon took them all to town with the release and ad onslaught of the Motorola DROID. Now there's rumors flying around that point both the HTC Passion and Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10, two highly anticipated Android phones, to T-Mobile. If all true, once again, T-Mobile will be the carrier for Android devices.

Tmonews is hearing that the HTC Passion, the device with a 1GHz Snapdragon Processor and immense touchscreen, will be available on T-Mobile. The launch is targeted for January but we're not sure how the recent delay affects the release. There's little detail on anything else. Even though rumors are pointing to T-Mobile, we still wouldn't rule out a Verizon release just yet.

For the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10, we had originally pegged it as a future AT&T device but it looks like that has changed. AndroidGuys has a document floating around that lists the 1700 MHz band (the T-Mobile 3G specific band) on the XPERIA X10. Since, no other carrier uses 1700 MHz like T-Mobile does, it's rather safe to say that it's heading to Magenta.

If T-Mobile does pull this off and carry two flagship Android devices at once, it's going to be huge for the carrier's brand, growth, and future success. We're definitely excited to see T-Mobile get back in the mix at the high-end for Android, they definitely deserve it after investing and believing in Android before anyone else.

Hey, hey! Looks like the DROID Eris will be joining the cool kids soon enough. The DROID Eris is set to receive the Android 2.0 software update in early 2010 that'll bring the already compelling device to the forefront of the discussion. HTC Sense UI + Android 2.0? How do you top that? From Verizon:

"The Droid Eris currently using Android 1.5, can and will be upgraded to newer a Android operating system software in first quarter 2010. The enhancement will allow customers to continue to enjoy the powerful HTC Sense experience while also gaining the additional benefits of Google Maps Navigation."

We're unsure if the update will be Android 2.0 or 2.1. Either way, we know HTC is hard at work in delivering an update to their HTC Sense handsets and we're going to take this in thinking that the Sprint HTC Hero will be eventually updated to Android 2.0 around the same time.

Now is as good a time as any to buy the DROID Eris because it's available for free!

[informationweek]

Been on the fence about picking up an HTC Eris on Verizon? Here's something to sweeten the deal. Cellstores is offering the Android 1.5 phone on Verizon for free, whether you're opening a new line or upgrading a current one. There's also free shipping and free shipping. That's a whole lotta free. Head here to pick one up.

The wait for the infamous HTC Passion – the Taiwanese manufacturer's first Android 2.0 phone sporting a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen with multitouch (squee!) – may take a little longer than first believed.

"Market sources" apparently have said that the Passion (and that's likely just going to end up as the code name, btw) has been pushed back to "early 2010" so HTC can keep "working to further advance the software." When last we checked, the talk was that the Passion would be out by about now. Of course, what "early 2010" means is anybody's guess and really isn't that far-fetched a prediction, given that we only have three weeks or so left in 2009.

Also stated by this source is that HTC will announce the Espresso, the likely successor to the HTC Hero, at Mobile World Congress in February. That already has been stated by an HTC official, as well.

Digitimes via Gizmodo

Say hello to your HTC Android devices for 2010. The Legend, Salsa, Tide, Buzz, and Bravo would like to meet you. After the recent leak of HTC's device codenames, we now have pictures and early specs to associate to those names. There's definitely a lot of exciting stuff coming from HTC and all these devices are currently targeted for release in the first half of 2010.

HTC has more or less split up their 2010 Android product lineup into three categories: social, design/lifestyle and performance (or as we call it, low, mid, and high). It looks like for 2010, HTC will introduce different form factors (front facing QWERTY candybar!) and new experiences. We're ridiculously excited.

Read on to see HTC's 2010 Android Smartphone Lineup!

[xda-developers]

OK, all you folks on iDEN (go ahead, raise your hands) who have patiently been waiting for an Android phone to come your way. Meet the (codename) Motorola Opus One. Certainly reminiscent of the Sprint Hero and MyTouch 3G in terms of design, though the quaint trackball his given way to mother of a home button. (Any takers whether that's some sort of optical trackball or click wheel?) No real specs to go on, so start the speculation. [via Boy Genius Report]

So we've seen the HTC Espresso codename leak. We've had an HTC exec say a follow-up to the Hero will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress. And now a leaked profile from the Espresso has emerged, showing a QWERTY keyboard device with 320x480 screen and the same processor found in the Hero and Magic.

Place your bets, folks. Something's coming down the pike. [Tweakers.net via BGR]

Some Valentines love is coming in February -- in the form of the follow-up to the wildly popular HTC Hero. HTC Sweden exec Patrik Andersson dropped the news:

A sequel to The flagship Hero unveiled at mobile trade show in Barcelona on 15 February and will appear in Swedish stores shortly thereafter.

Let's hope we see it show up in U.S. stores shortly after that. Stay tuned. [idg.se via Engadget]