Moto Droid's 2.2 upgrade won't support mobile hotspot
updated 02:15 pm EDT, Mon August 2, 2010
Verizon claims Moto Droid can't handle 2.2 hotspot
Verizon today explained that the Motorola Droid's imminent Android 2.2 update won't include the Mobile Hotspot feature present on the Droid X. Spokeswoman Brenda Raney claimed that the late 2009 phone "doesn't have hardware" to handle sharing its 3G over Wi-Fi. Android's built-in tethering also won't carry over, Phone Scoop was told.
It's not clear how accurate the statement may be. Newer wireless chipsets do allow for phones as routers, but the techniques don't necessarily require dedicated hardware to achieve the effect.
The representative did clarify the rollout schedule. As with most upgrades, only a small number of Droid owners will get the update at first to test the update. Wider upgrades will come once Verizon is satisfied the patch is safe.
Android 2.2 will give the phone improved speed overall as well as support for Flash 10.1, moving apps to and from SD cards, Bluetooth voice dialing and a faster camera. Only the Nexus One is known to fully support the built-in hotspot and tethering features.
Via Facebook
Joined: Aug 2010
Sucks
Perhaps it's my inherent distrust of Verizon that leads me to believe they STRIPPED this feature out of the phone, and then lied about hardware conflicts.... but I guess I should give them the benefit of the doubt this time.