View source for Engineering:Motorola Droid

{{short description|Android smartphone developed by Motorola Mobility}}
{{Infobox mobile phone
| name = Motorola Droid/Milestone
| image = Motorola-milestone-wikipedia.png
| manufacturer = [[Company:Motorola|Motorola]]
| series = Droid
| carrier = [[Company:Verizon Wireless|Verizon Wireless]]
| networks = '''US version''': dual band [[Engineering:CDMA2000|CDMA2000]]/[[Engineering:Evolution-Data Optimized#TIA-856 Rev. A|EV-DO Rev. A]] 800/1900 MHz<br />'''European version''' quad band GSM, [[UMTS]] @ 900/2100MHz<br />'''N.A. GSM version''' quad band GSM, UMTS @ 850/1900 MHz
| available = US {{Start date and age|2009|10|17}}
| successor = [[Engineering:Droid 2|Droid 2]]<br />[[Engineering:Droid 3|Droid 3]]<br />[[Engineering:Droid 4|Droid 4]]
| type = Slate slider [[Engineering:Smartphone|smartphone]]
| size = {{convert|115.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} H<br />{{convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on}} W<br />{{convert|13.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
| weight = {{convert|169|g|oz|abbr=on}}
| os = [[Software:Android Eclair|Android 2.0]]<ref name="droid" /><br />2.0.1 with over-air update (Droid, Milestone) December 2009<br />2.1 with over-air update (Droid, Milestone) March 2010<br />2.2 with over-air update September 2010<br />2.2.1 (FRG83D) 6 December 2010<br />2.2.2 (FRG83G) 14 March 2011<br />2.2.3 (FRK76) 21 November 2011 2.3-4.1.1 via unofficial ROMs
| battery = Rated 1390 mAh minimum 1420 mAh nominal<br />Internal rechargeable removable lithium-ion polymer battery, talk time 385 minutes, standby time: 270 hours
| display = 854 × 480 [[Pixel|px]] FWVGA, (0.41 megapixels) TFT LCD, {{convert|3.7|in|mm|abbr=on}}, 16:9 [[Engineering:Display aspect ratio|aspect ratio]], 265 [[Physics:Pixels per inch|pixels per inch]] (ppi)
| rear_camera = 5.0 [[Pixel#Megapixel|megapixel]] with [[Engineering:Camcorder|video]] (720 × 480 [[Pixel|px]] at 30 [[Frame rate|fps]] or higher), [[Real-time geotagging|geotagging]], dual [[Engineering:LED|LED]] flash, [[Engineering:Autofocus|autofocus]]
| input = [[Engineering:Touchscreen#Capacitive|Capacitive touchscreen]] display, multitouch, proximity and [[Available light|ambient light]] sensors, QWERTY keyboard (approx. 7[[Millimetre|mm]] per key), 3-axis [[Physics:Accelerometer|accelerometer]], [[Physics:Magnetometer|digital compass]], dual microphone
| cpu = '''TI OMAP 3430:'''<ref name="regpreview" /><br />
ARM Cortex-A8 600 MHz underclocked to 550 MHz <ref name="droid" /><br />
430MHz TMS320 C64x DSP ([[Engineering:Digital signal processor|digital signal processor]]) + ISP (image signal processor)
| gpu = [[PowerVR]] SGX 530
| memory = 256 MB Mobile DDR SDRAM
| storage = 512 MB [[Flash memory|flash memory]]
| memory_card = 16 [[Gigabyte|GB]] Class2 [[Secure Digital|microSDHC]] included (8 GB Milestone); expandable up to 64 GB<ref name="droid" /><ref name="cnet.com"/>
| connectivity = 3.5 mm [[Engineering:Phone connector (audio)#TRRS standards|CTIA]]<br />[[Engineering:USB|USB]] [[Engineering:USB#Connector types|Micro-B]]<br />[[Wi-Fi]] (802.11b/g), [[Bluetooth#Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR|Bluetooth 2.1+EDR]],<br />A-GPS
| media_formats = '''Audio''' AMR-NB/WB, MP3, PCM / WAV, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA<br />'''Video''' MPEG-4, H263, H264, WMV
| hac = M3/T3 <ref name="droid" />
}}
The '''Motorola Droid''' (GSM/[[UMTS]] version: '''Motorola Milestone''') is an [[Internet]] and [[Engineering:Multimedia|multimedia]]-enabled [[Engineering:Smartphone|smartphone]] designed by [[Company:Motorola|Motorola]], which runs [[Company:Google|Google]]'s [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Operating system|operating system]]. The Droid had been publicized under the codenames ''Sholes'' and ''Tao''<ref name=MobileWhack-BLUR /><ref name="engadget-idont">{{cite web |url=http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/10/17/verizons-anti-iphone-gets-its-first-commercial-droid-does |title=Verizon's anti-iPhone gets its first commercial: 'Droid Does' |publisher=Engadget Mobile |access-date=2010-01-18 |archive-date=2009-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031060716/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/10/17/verizons-anti-iphone-gets-its-first-commercial-droid-does |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the model number A855.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phandroid.com/2009/09/28/motorola-sholes-motorola-tao-slides-through-fcc/ |title=Motorola Sholes (Motorola Tao?) Slides Through FCC &#124; Android Phone Fans |publisher=Phandroid.com |date=2009-09-28 |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> In Latin America and [[Earth:Europe|Europe]], the model number is A853 ('''Milestone'''), and in Mexico, the model number is A854 ('''Motoroi''').<ref name=AndroidOS.in>{{cite web |url=http://www.androidos.in/2010/06/motorola-milestone-coming-to-mexico-tomorrow-renamed-as-motoroi/ |title=Motorola Milestone launches in Mexico, renamed as Motorola Motoroi |publisher=AndroidOS.in |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=April 26, 2014 |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426233851/http://www.androidos.in/2010/06/motorola-milestone-coming-to-mexico-tomorrow-renamed-as-motoroi/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to the ambiguity with newer phones with similar names, it is also commonly known as the '''DROID 1'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/tags/og-droid|title=Android Central: og droid|publisher=Android Central|access-date=July 28, 2011}}</ref> The brand name Droid is a trademark of Lucasfilm licensed to [[Company:Verizon Wireless|Verizon Wireless]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Motorola Mobility|title=Hello Humans: DROID by Motorola Arrives Next Week|url=http://mediacenter.motorola.com/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=12058&newsareaid=2|access-date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>

Features of the phone include [[Wi-Fi]] networking, a 5-megapixel low light capable [[Engineering:Digital camera|digital camera]], a standard 3.5&nbsp;mm headphone jack, interchangeable battery, 3.7-inch 854×480 [[Engineering:Touchscreen|touchscreen]] display. It also includes [[Secure Digital|microSDHC]] support with bundled 16 GB card,<ref name="cnet.com">{{cite news|last=Cha |first=Bonnie |url=https://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10381899-251.html |title=Motorola Droid specs get posted then pulled &#124; Android Atlas - CNET Blogs |publisher=Cnet.com |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> free [[Earth:Turn-by-turn navigation|turn-by-turn navigation]] from [[Software:Google Maps|Google Maps]], sliding [[Engineering:QWERTY|QWERTY]] keyboard, and Texas Instruments [[Engineering:OMAP|OMAP]] 3430 processor.<ref name="regpreview">{{cite web |last=Sherwood |first=James |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/19/moto_droid/ |title=Moto Android 2.0 smartphone revealed |work=Register Hardware |publisher=Reghardware.co.uk |date=2009-10-19 |access-date=2010-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128074105/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/19/moto_droid/ |archive-date=2010-01-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The Motorola Droid runs Android version 2.2.<ref name=EngadgetReview>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/motorola-droid-review/ |title=Motorola DROID review |publisher=Engadget |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> The phone does not, however, run the re-branded [[Software:Motoblur|Motoblur]] interface for Android, instead providing the Google Experience skin and application stack.<ref name=MobileWhack-BLUR>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobilewhack.com/motorola-droid-is-the-first-android-phone-from-verizon-motoblur-not-included/ |title=Motorola Droid Is the First Android Phone from Verizon; Motoblur Not Included! - Specs, reviews and prices |publisher=Mobilewhack.com |access-date=2010-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004014410/http://www.mobilewhack.com/motorola-droid-is-the-first-android-phone-from-verizon-motoblur-not-included/ |archive-date=2009-10-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=engadget-BLURspeculation>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/verizon-motorola-sholes-not-running-motoblur/ |title=Verizon Motorola Sholes not running Motoblur? |publisher=Engadget |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

With a major marketing push by Motorola and Verizon during and after its November 2009 release, the Droid became popular and had strong sales in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/big-marketing-budget-drives-moto-droid-sales/|title=Big marketing budget drives Moto Droid sales|first=Marguerite|last=Reardon|website=CNET|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> It is credited for having popularized Android in the mass market.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3105584/original-motorola-droid.html|title=20 minutes with the original Motorola Droid: Well, that didn't go as expected|first=J. R.|last=Raphael|date=August 11, 2016|website=Computerworld|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2018/09/23/history-of-android-the-good-the-bad-the-nexus/|title=Happy 10th anniversary, Android|date=September 23, 2018|website=techcrunch.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The Droid has a [[Engineering:Hearing aid#Compatibility with telephones|hearing aid compatibility]] (HAC) rating of M3/T3.<ref name="droid">{{cite web |url=https://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/ci.Motorola-DROID-US-EN.alt |title=DROID by Motorola: Android phone |work=Motorola USA |access-date=2009-10-28}}</ref> The phone was the first to ship with free [[Software:Google Maps Navigation|Google Maps Navigation]] (beta) installed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Arrington |first=Michael |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/10/28/google-redefines-car-gps-navigation-google-maps-navigation-android/ |title=Google Redefines GPS Navigation Landscape: Google Maps Navigation For Android 2.0 |publisher=Techcrunch.com |date=2009-10-28 |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

== Launch ==

===United States===
Verizon explicitly promoted the Droid as an [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]] [[Engineering:IPhone|iPhone]] alternative. Launched on October 17, 2009, TV spots and an associated website made "entertainingly combative" claims<ref name="pcworld">{{cite news |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/173865/verizons_droid_targets_iphone.html |title=Verizon's Droid Targets iPhone |first=Harry |last=McCracken |date=October 18, 2009 |work=PC World |access-date=October 18, 2009 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019135646/https://www.pcworld.com/article/173865/verizons_droid_targets_iphone.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> listing features then lacking on the iPhone, e.g. "iDon't multitask" and "'iDon't have a real keyboard", only mentioning the name of the Droid in the final frame, reading "Droid Does".<ref name="engadget-idont"/> At the official launch event on October 28, 2009, Verizon's Chief Marketing Officer John Stratton described the campaign as a spoof of Apple's iPhone ads, intended to "wake up the market."<ref name=CNETlaunch>{{cite news |last=Reardon |first=Marguerite |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10384994-266.html |title=Verizon, Motorola unveil the Droid &#124; Signal Strength - CNET News |publisher=News.cnet.com |date=2009-10-28 |access-date=2010-01-18 |archive-date=2009-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103041506/http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10384994-266.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The marketing for the American launch included "Droid Does Times Square."<ref name="Verizon Wireless to take over Times Square with the Motorola DROID">{{cite web |last=Genius |first=Boy |url=http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/28/verizon-wireless-to-take-over-times-square-with-the-motorola-droid/ |title=Verizon Wireless to take over Times Square with the Motorola DROID « Boy Genius Report |publisher=Boygeniusreport.com |date=2009-10-28 |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> This was a program (billed as an "interactive experience") in which Verizon connected the Nasdaq and Reuters electronic billboards in Times Square to its systems such that people were able to control the electronic displays by using voice commands (illustrating the voice search function that is a primary Android feature). Control of the billboards was available in Times Square or via the "Droid Does" website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.droiddoes.com/timessquare |title=Droid from Verizon Wireless - Times Square |publisher=Droiddoes.com |date=2008-08-11 |access-date=2010-01-18 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The November 6, 2009, release date of the Droid came just under a month after Verizon and Google announced that they had entered into an agreement<ref name=NetworkWorld>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/100609-google-verizon-android.html |title=Google, Verizon teaming to develop Android devices |publisher=Network World |access-date=2010-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119050933/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/100609-google-verizon-android.html |archive-date=2009-11-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to jointly develop wireless devices based on the Android mobile platform. Verizon said at the time that it planned to have two Android-based handsets on the market by year-end with more to come in 2010. The other handset is the HTC Droid Eris, a modification to the [[Engineering:HTC Hero|HTC Hero]], seen in shots of Google CEO Eric Schmidt holding one in a Verizon/Google press conference.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phandroid.com/2009/10/06/verizon-motorola-android-live-picture/ |title=Verizon Motorola Android Live Picture! &#124; Android Phone Fans |publisher=Phandroid.com |date=2009-10-06 |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

American exclusive software for the Droid includes Google Maps Navigation, an Amazon MP3 Store applet, and Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail management.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcmike.com/2009/10/30/the-droid-best-iphone-competitor-to-date/ |title=The Droid: Best iPhone competitor to date &#124; PC Mike - Tech News and Reviews |publisher=PC Mike |date=2009-10-30 |access-date=2010-01-18 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Analytics firm Flurry estimated that 250,000 Motorola Droid phones were sold in the United States during the phone's first week in stores.<ref>{{cite news |title=Droid Sales and the Android Explosion |newspaper=PC World |date=November 17, 2009 |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/182310/droid_sales_and_the_android_explosion.html}}</ref> Flurry also estimated that 1.05 million Motorola Droids were sold in first 74 days of the launch.  This number is greater than that of the original iPhone which sold one million units through day 74.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.flurry.com/bid/31410/Day-74-Sales-Apple-iPhone-vs-Google-Nexus-One-vs-Motorola-Droid |title=Day 74 Sales: Apple iPhone vs. Google Nexus One vs. Motorola Droid |access-date=2010-04-19 |archive-date=2010-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417012037/http://blog.flurry.com/bid/31410/Day-74-Sales-Apple-iPhone-vs-Google-Nexus-One-vs-Motorola-Droid |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Software ===
This section applies to the Verizon-branded Motorola device in the US. Droid versions in foreign markets (Milestone) may be crippled or have some features disabled due to restrictions enforced by retailer agreements, carrier agreements, manufacturer agreements, or local laws and should be addressed in the appropriate section above.

The Linux kernel used in the 2.0.1 OTA release is 2.6.29, Android build.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorola-droid.org/motorola-droid-software-updates/android-2-3-release-%28gingerbread%29 |title=Android 3.0 Release (Gingerbread) |access-date=2010-05-06}}</ref>

====Android 2.1 update====
On February 8, 2010, Motorola announced via Facebook that the Droid update would begin rolling out later that same week.<ref name="Motorola: Droid update to Android 2.1 'will start to roll out this week'">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/08/motorola-droid-update-to-android-2-1-will-start-to-roll-out-th/ |title=Motorola: Droid update to Android 2.1 'will start to roll out this week |publisher=Engadget.com |date=2010-02-08 |access-date=2010-02-10}}</ref> Details were later released via Motorola's official forums.<ref name="Motorola details Android 2.1 update for Droid'">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/10/motorola-details-android-2-1-update-for-droid/ |title=Motorola details Android 2.1 update for Droid |publisher=Engadget.com |date=2010-02-10 |access-date=2010-02-10}}</ref> However, the details about the update were later retracted, and unclear information from Motorola and Verizon Wireless caused confusion among many, and technology news websites speculated the update would happen even later in 2010.<ref name="Motorola 'jumped the gun' with details of Droid's Android 2.1 update">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/motorola-jumped-the-gun-with-details-of-droids-android-2-1-up/ |title=Motorola: Motorola 'jumped the gun' with details of Droid's Android 2.1 update |publisher=Engadget.com |date=2010-02-11 |access-date=2010-02-12}}</ref> As an attempt to clear confusion, Motorola released a chart of dates stating when each of their Android devices would be updated to Android 2.1, but this only added to the issues because they said the update would happen "soon", rather than offering a concrete time frame.

However, on March 17, 2010, Verizon Wireless announced that they would issue the Android 2.1 "ESE53" update over-the-air, beginning March 18 to a small test group, and more users would see the update later, into the following week. But screenshots from Verizon Wireless documents showed that a last minute software bug was found, and the update was delayed once again, with no new roll out date determined.

The new news from Verizon Wireless provided official information about the update and what it entailed, including "Pinch-to-zoom...available when using the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps", a weather and news app/widget including "information you want from the Web...weekly and hourly weather forecasts based on your location, and news headlines", voice-to-text wherever there are text boxes, "New Gallery application with 3D layout", and Live Wallpapers "offer[ing] richer animated, interactive backgrounds on the home screen", as well as other, more minor upgrades. However, the update did not include the addition of two more home screens currently available on the [[Engineering:Nexus One|Nexus One]], another Android 2.1 device.

The 2.1 update rollout began on March 30, 2010.<ref name="Get the Most Out of Your DROID by Motorola">{{cite web |url=http://support.vzw.com/pdf/system_update/moto_droid.pdf |title=Get the Most Out of Your DROID by Motorola « Verizon Wireless |publisher=support.vzw.com |date=2010-03-17 |access-date=2010-03-27 |archive-date=2010-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331140744/http://support.vzw.com/pdf/system_update/moto_droid.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Android 2.2 update====
After some apparent discussion by Motorola over whether they would provide an Android 2.2 Froyo upgrade for the Droid and Milestone, it was confirmed that the Droid would get the upgrade, and a staggered rollout began.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/08/03/motorola-droids-froyo-update-now-available-for-download-if-you/|title=Motorola Droid getting Android 2.2 next week|date=August 3, 2010|website=engadget.com|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610062051/http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/08/03/motorola-droids-froyo-update-now-available-for-download-if-you|archive-date=June 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> This rollout began on August 3, 2010, and updates the phone to Android 2.2 build number FRG01B. Another update for the Droid began on August 24, 2010, and it included some minor bug fixes. This update's build number is FRG22D.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.droid-life.com/2010/08/23/breaking-verizon-releasing-update-to-allow-flash-10-1-installation-starting-tomorrow/|title=Breaking: Verizon Update for DROID Allowing Flash 10.1...|last=Kellen|date=August 23, 2010|website=Droid Life: Just Doing Android News, Man.|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref>
A third update was released on December 6, 2010, with a version number of 2.2.1 and a build of FRG83D. A fourth update was released on March 9, 2011, with a version number of 2.2.2 and a build of  FRG83G.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://techie-buzz.com/mobile-news/motorola-droid-android-2-2-2-update.html |title=Motorola Droid Android 2.2.2 Update Rolling Out Today! |last=Pandey |first=Rajesh |date=March 9, 2011 |work=Techie Buzz |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref>
The Motorola support page reported the Milestone version would get an update to Android 2.2 in the first quarter of 2011, and on March 15 an update was made available.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://supportforums.motorola.com/community/manager/softwareupgrades |title=Motorola Owners' Forum: Space: Motorola Android Software Upgrade News |access-date=2010-08-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209180644/https://supportforums.motorola.com/community/manager/softwareupgrades |archive-date=2011-02-09 }}</ref>

===Root access and unsupported Android releases{{anchor|Root access}}===
The Motorola Droid was successfully "[[Privilege escalation|rooted]]" (manipulated to provide [[Superuser|superuser]] access) on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.androidguys.com/2009/12/08/the-droid-has-been-rooted/ |title=The Droid Has Been Rooted |publisher=AndroidGuys |date=2009-12-09 |access-date=2010-01-18 |archive-date=2010-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111062048/http://www.androidguys.com/2009/12/08/the-droid-has-been-rooted/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This allowed removing sponsored or pay-to-use applets (Amazon, Verizon Visual Voice Mail, etc.), installing and launching custom software, and root access on the phone using a [[Terminal emulator|terminal emulator]].
On June 5, 2010, a leaked Android 2.2 ROM was given to the public for those with superuser access. It includes a new home launcher, Flash 10.1 support, new homescreen widgets, an updated Market, a JIT compiler for a faster system, as well as new aesthetic changes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/motorola-droid/2477-download-froyo-2-2-your-motorola-droid.html |title=Download Froyo 2.2 for Your Motorola Droid|publisher=MyDroidWorld |access-date=June 5, 2010}}</ref>

As of July 13, 2011, the Droid is able to be updated to the Android 2.3.4 ROM, but with many small updates and edits to the base code in order to properly run.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peteralfonso.com/2011/07/download-gingerbread-android-234-rom.html |title=Download: Gingerbread (Android 2.3.4) ROM Update GPA16 |publisher=Peter Alfonso |date=2011-07-13 |access-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111303/http://www.peteralfonso.com/2011/07/download-gingerbread-android-234-rom.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On July 26, 2011, an Android 2.3.5 ROM was made available for the DROID<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.droid-life.com/2011/07/26/android-2-3-5-released-for-the-original-droid-by-peter-alfonso/|title=Android 2.3.5 Released for the Original DROID by Peter Alfonso|publisher=Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> that, like the Android 2.3.4 ROM, has been modified to improve performance on the smart phone.

Work is currently{{When|date=April 2019}} underway at xda-developers to bring Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, to the Motorola Droid/Milestone,<ref name="XDA-ICS">{{cite web|url=https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1393632|title=[ROM][Pre-Pre-ALPHA] Droid A855 ICS Build Attempt|website=XDA Developers|date=15 December 2011 |access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> although [[Software:CyanogenMod|CyanogenMod]] has stated it will drop support for the Droid/Milestone in ICS-based CyanogenMod 9.<ref name="CM9">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cyanogenmod.com/blog/cm9-progress-update |title=CM9 Progress Update |access-date=2011-12-24 |archive-date=2011-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222155805/http://www.cyanogenmod.com/blog/cm9-progress-update |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As of July 17, 2012, the Droid is able to be updated to the Android 4.0.4 ROM. Similar to previous [[Software:Android Gingerbread|Gingerbread]] ROMs, this ROM has been tweaked to properly run.<ref name="XDA-ICS"/>

As of August 27, 2012, the Droid is able to be updated to the Android 4.1.1 Rom. This rom is currently being worked on and tweaked to properly run.<ref name="XDA-JB">{{cite web|url=https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852131|title=[Rom] Jellybean for Droid|website=XDA Developers|date=25 August 2012 |access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref>

==Motorola Milestone{{anchor|Launch, information}}==
The quad-band<ref name=Europe>{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/45732/motorola-droid-milestone-gets-european-specs-adds-multitouch/ |title=Motorola Droid "Milestone" Gets European Specs, Adds MultiTouch |publisher=Inquisitr.com |date=2009-11-02 |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> GSM/[[UMTS]] version of the Droid is the Motorola A853 (Milestone).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.motorola.com/milestone |title=Android phone: Motorola Milestone |work=Motorola USA |access-date=2009-11-06}}</ref> While the phone's internal hardware (besides cellular) is the same, differences include out-of-the-box multi-touch support enabled, a trial version of Motorola's MOTONAV service (instead of Droid's US-only<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gsmarena.com/google_maps_for_mobile_anounce_navigation_beta_for_android_20-news-1216.php |title=Google Maps for mobile announce Navigation Beta for Android 2.0 - GSMArena.com news |publisher=Gsmarena.com |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> Google Maps Navigation) and an 8 GB microSDHC Card, instead of the Droid's 16 GB microSDHC card.<ref name=CNETMileston>{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Scott |url=https://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10389778-251.html |title=Motorola Milestone is GSM Droid |work=CNET Blogs: Android Atlas |publisher=Cnet.com |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

===Geographic launch information===
The launch countries for the Motorola Milestone included Germany, Italy and Argentina on November 9, 2009.<ref name=MilestoneLaunch>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20091102/motorola-droid-motorola-milestone-motorola-droid-release-date-motorola-droid-germany-verizon-iphone-.htm |title=Motorola Droid going global as Motorola Milestone in 3 countries - International Business Times |publisher=Ibtimes.com |date= 2009-11-02|access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> Other European countries soon followed.

Joining this trend, a new, North American, version of the Motorola Milestone was released in Canada in February 2010. This new version supports 3G bands II and V instead of bands I and VIII so it is compatible with Rogers, Bell, and Telus in Canada, and with AT&T and T-Mobile (2G Only) in the US.  At this time, Motorola Milestone is only available from Telus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmptoday.com/2009/11/10/motorola-milestone-coming-to-canada-in-early-2010-exclusive-to-telus/ |title=Motorola Milestone coming to Canada on the 9 February 2010, Exclusive to Telus &#124; PMP Today |publisher=Pmptoday.com |date=2009-11-10 |access-date=2010-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115074602/http://www.pmptoday.com/2009/11/10/motorola-milestone-coming-to-canada-in-early-2010-exclusive-to-telus/ |archive-date=January 15, 2010 }}</ref>  The Milestone is also available in the U.S. from several regional GSM carriers, like [[Company:Cincinnati Bell|Cincinnati Bell]].

====United Kingdom====
The phone was launched in the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} on Thursday December 10, 2009, as the ''Motorola Milestone''. The exclusive sales outlet for the phone, ''eXpansys'', reported that all stocks of the phone had completely sold out within 3 hours of its debut. The sell-out was considered a major victory for Motorola, which has had little success with its prior [[Software:Windows Mobile|Windows Mobile]]-based phones, and had been counting on Android-based phones for future growth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/12/11/international.droid.sees.record.sales/ |title=Moto Milestone's UK launch sells out in 3 hours |date=11 December 2009 |publisher=Electronista |access-date=13 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214180655/http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/12/11/international.droid.sees.record.sales/ |archive-date=14 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Middle East====
The phone was launched in the [[Place:Middle East|Middle East]] in 2010, however it included a serious limitation as Google prohibited access to its Android Market application for most of Middle Eastern countries. No reasonable alternative was provided by Google.

====Asia, India====
The Milestone was launched in [[Place:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] on December 21, 2009,<ref>{{cite news |title=&#91;香港&#93; Motorola Milestone 香港發佈開放發問 |language=zh |trans-title=Motorola Milestone Question in HK |publisher=[[Software:Engadget|Engadget]] Chinese edition |date=19 December 2009 |url=http://chinese.engadget.com/2009/12/19/motorola-milestone-question-in-hk/ |access-date=2011-01-07}}</ref> as the sixth Android device in the region for HKD 4,680 with an 8 GB [[Secure Digital|microSDHC]] card included. This version is in English but supports Chinese hand writing that originated from the Motorola MING and [[Pinyin|pinyin]] input method. While MOTONAV is included, it does not work and is not officially supported. The phone can be updated to Android 2.1 since Q1 2010, the update features a Chinese user interface and more Chinese input methods such as Changjie. The Milestone launched in India on 30 March 2010, priced at 32,000 INR, approximately US$680.

===Locked bootloader===
Unlike the DROID, the Milestone has a [[Software:Bootloader|bootloader]] that only allows signed [[Firmware|firmware]] to load. This creates difficulties for users who wish to boot custom ROM images not signed by Motorola that have become popular in the Droid modding community. This has caused discontent in the Droid community in markets foreign to the US, with numerous petitions being created.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.groubal.com/motorola-lockedencrypted-bootloader-policy/ |title=Motorola Locked/Encrypted Bootloader Policy |publisher=groubal.com petition website |access-date=2011-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705034001/http://www.groubal.com/motorola-lockedencrypted-bootloader-policy/ |archive-date=2011-07-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/unlockmoto |title=Unlock Motorola Facebook page |publisher=facebook.com |access-date=2011-07-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wakeupmoto.com/ |title=Wake Up Moto!! |publisher=wakeupmoto.com |access-date=2011-07-07 |archive-date=2011-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618150559/http://wakeupmoto.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Whether the disabling of custom boot loaders is due to retailer, carrier, manufacturer, or legal restrictions is unknown.

Early in 2011 the community around Milestone ROM-Development and the Polish National BOINC Team initiated AndrOINC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androinc.net/|title=本物保証.大人気な機械部品／空圧機器／電気・電子部品通販店,オフィス家具／収納、生活雑貨／キッチン用品、OA機器／家電／電池超安値通販専門店を楽しんでいただけますよう！|website=www.androinc.net|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> to decipher the RSA 1024-bit signature and make customizing possible. The project has been down since April 2011 because the German police confiscated the server on suspicion it was involved with an illegal P2P service.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.planet3dnow.de/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=4409929#post4409929 | title=androinc down ? | publisher=Planet 3DNow! Forum | author=Sabroe SMC | date=April 8, 2011 | access-date=September 3, 2011}}</ref>

In June 2011, Motorola committed to delivering an unlockable and relockable bootloader solution for phones receiving updates later that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ausdroid.net/2011/06/14/an-update-on-motorolas-locked-boot-loader-situation/ |title=An update on Motorola's locked boot-loader situation |date=June 14, 2011 |publisher=ausdroid.net |access-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716233559/http://ausdroid.net/2011/06/14/an-update-on-motorolas-locked-boot-loader-situation/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This will likely not include the Milestone as Motorola has not indicated it will update the Milestone past Android 2.2/Froyo.

====Root access====
Despite the locked bootloader, the Motorola Milestone has been successfully rooted. Several step-by-step guides are available on the web.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=698059 |title=(GUIDE) Root + Nandroid Backup/Restore with Open Recovery |date=8 June 2010 |publisher=xda-developers |access-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://android.modaco.com/content/motorola-milestone-droid-milestone-modaco-com/308422/milestone-2-1-update-and-root-guide/ |title=MILESTONE 2.1 update and root guide |publisher=android.modaco.com |access-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705214437/http://android.modaco.com/content/motorola-milestone-droid-milestone-modaco-com/308422/milestone-2-1-update-and-root-guide/ |archive-date=July 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Software releases{{anchor|Software_2}}===

====2.0.1 update====
Two months after Motorola Droid received the update, the 2.0.1 update was released to fix a bug with the camera autofocus.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |title=Motorola Droid getting 2.0.1 now, Verizon posts details |publisher=Engadget |date=2009-12-07 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/12/07/motorola-droid-getting-2-0-1-now-verizon-posts-details/ |access-date=2011-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Savov |first=Vlad |title=Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy? (Update: it's a date-related self-correction) |publisher=Engadget |date=2009-11-07 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/motorola-droid-camera-autofocus-fixed-in-secrecy/ |access-date=2011-01-07}}</ref>

====2.1 update====
The Motorola Milestone update rolled out in the beginning of May 2010, five months after the introduction of Android 2.1.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.1.html |title=Android 2.1, Release 1 &#124; Android Developers |access-date=2010-08-26 |archive-date=2010-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114194657/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the update several problems were discovered,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Motorola-Community/ct-p/MotorolaCommunity|title=Motorola Community|website=forums.lenovo.com|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> but since then firmware 2.1 update 1 has been released,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=121867580498&topic=18104 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> which fixes some of the issues. Although Motorola claimed,<ref>{{Citation |title=Software Update for Motorola MILESTONE (MR2.5) |work=Release notes |publisher=[[Company:Motorola|Motorola]] |date=July 1, 2010 |url=https://rsddownload.motorola.com/download/Motorola_MILESTONE_MR2.5_Release_Notes_Final.pdf |access-date=2011-01-07 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> that they have fixed the random MP3 player start problems, they still occur.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} These problems affect only some users.

====2.2 update====
The official Android 2.2 Froyo update was released on March 16, 2011, for UK users with a slow rollout to the rest of Europe. As of March 20, the update was still being rolled out was not available in all countries. Community created ROMs of Android 2.2 (Froyo), Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) have existed for some time, typically based on kernels from leaked updates.

The continued postponing of Milestone updates has become known under the term "Motofail" in Central and [[Earth:South America|South America]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

* See [[Software:Android (operating system)#Platform information|Android operating system]] for later software releases.

==Motorola Motoroi==
In July 2010, Motorola launched the phone for Mexico as the Motorola A854 (MOTOROI) and became exclusive to CDMA network carrier Iusacell. Its history is similar to the Motorola Droid and Motorola Milestone.<ref>{{Citation |title=Iusacell brings Motorola Motoroi Android handset to Mexico |publisher=Telecom Paper |date=July 20, 2010 |url=http://www.telecompaper.com/news/iusacell-brings-motorola-motoroi-android-handset-to-mexico--746441 |access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* Verizon '''Droid''' family

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091219221002/http://phones.verizonwireless.com/motorola/droid/ Droid from Verizon Wireless]
* {{curlie|Computers/Systems/Handhelds/Smartphones/Droid}}

{{Linux devices}}

[[Category:Mobile phones with an integrated hardware keyboard]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) devices]]
[[Category:Discontinued smartphones]]

{{Sourceattribution|Motorola Droid}}