Official Android OS 2.2 Upgrade for Google Nexus One Released

The Google Nexus One has become the first smartphone to get an official upgrade to Android OS 2.2. This brings a number of new features, including a Flash player and mobile hotspot software.

The Nexus One is the only smartphone sold directly by Google, so it's not surprising that it is the very first to be upgraded to the latest version of this company's operating system. Upgrades for other Android OS-based models are expected in the coming weeks and months.

The new version of the system software is being pushed over the air now to the Nexus One. It is for all versions of this device, including the ones for AT&T and T-Mobile USA.

Earlier this month, Google introduced a beta version of this update for T-Mobile's version of the Nexus One. This latest release should replace the previous one.

How to manually Install the Upgrade
Google is in the process of sending to the Nexus One an over-the-air upgrade to Android OS 2.2, but those who don't want to wait can manually download and install it themselves.

However, this method is not authorized by Google. The cautious can wait a couple of days, and the upgrade will be sent to their phone when it can be installed in the approved manner.

Those who are interested in doing the unauthorized update should do the following:

• Make sure the Nexus One has at least a half battery charge before starting this process
• Download the system software update
• Rename the file to "update.zip"
• Put it in the root directory of the smartphone's microSD card
• Turn off the Nexus One
• Turn the Nexus One back on while pushing and holding down the trackball
• The smartphone will boot up to a white screen with three Android robots on skateboards. Select "Bootloader."
• On the next screen, select "Recovery."
• The Nexus One will reboot in recovery mode, indicated by an image of the Android robot and a triangle with a exclamation point appearing on the screen
• Press the Volume Up key and Power button at the same time
• This will bring up an on-screen menu. Use the trackball to move to and select "Apply sdcard:update.zip"
• The update process will begin, and take several minutes.
• When it is finished and the on-screen menu appears again, choose "Reboot"
• When the Nexus One starts again, it will be running Android OS 2.2

New in Android OS 2.2
The latest version of Google's mobile operating system is the first to include tethering and portable hotspot software.

It is required for devices to run Adobe Flash Player 10.1, which allows the web browser to fully make use of websites that use Flash for navigation, games, and showing video.

Android OS 2.2 also contains a number of other small enhancements, but none of the changes significantly change the platform.

An Overview of the Google Nexus One
This smartphone is the first to be released by Google under its own brand name. It has a tablet shape with a 3.7-inch, WVGA, AM-OLED display and a trackball.

The Nexus One runs the Android OS on a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor. As it uses Google's operating system, it comes with a suite of applications with strong ties to this company's online services for email, calendar, navigation, and more. There's also a extensive collection of third-party apps.

It has 512 MB RAM, and this device comes with a 4 GB microSD card. Users have the option to expand this up to 32 GB.

The current version supports either T-Mobile's or AT&T's 3G service. In addition, the Nexus One also has Wi-Fi b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with stereo support.

Other features include a 5 MPx camera with auto-focus and LED flash, 3.5 mm headset jack, a GPS receiver, accelerometer, and digital compass.

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