Motorola Defy Can Now Be Upgraded to Android OS 2.2 (Froyo)

A significant upgrade for the system software on the Motorola Defy is now available. The most notable enhancement in this is support for Adobe Flash 10.1, but many other improvements are included as well.

Previously, this model was running Android OS 2.1 (Eclair), but an update to Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) has been released. This is available as a free download.

Android OS 2.2 Preview
Froyo was the first version of Google's operating system with support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1, which allows the smartphone's web browser to fully make use of websites that use Flash for navigation, games, and showing video. Still, not all Flash-based content will play, and performance depends heavily on the speed of the device's processor.

This version also contains a number of other improvements, such as faster performance thanks to a new JIT compiler, the ability to store applications on a removable memory card, automatic app updating, and new security features.  In addition, T-Mobile is including mobile hotspot software.

Upgrade Now
Android OS 2.2 is not being send directly to the Defy. T-Mobile is classifying this as an optional update, and therefore its customers must manually request it. Doing so requires going to going to Settings > About phone >System updates on the device.

The update is 112MB in size, so a Wi-Fi connection is recommended for downloading. The smartphone should have at least a 50% charge before beginning the process, which will take around 15 minutes. Users should carefully follow all instructions. More information abut the upgrade is available on T-Mobile's website. 

Motorola Defy Overview
This smartphone has a tablet shape, with a 3.7-inch WVGA (800 x 640) display. Motorola created the Defy so people don't have to be concerned about everyday little accidents -- it is water and scratch resistant as well as dust proof. A case is not necessary.

It runs Google's operating system on an 800 MHz processor, raising questions about how well it's going to be able to handle Flash content. This consumer-oriented device comes with a suite of communication and entertainment applications.

The Defy supports T-Mobile's 3G cellular-wireless network, as well as Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, and GPS. It also sports a 5-megapixel camera, a microSD memory card slot, and a 1540 mAh battery.