The Droid Bionic is getting an update over-the-air (OTA) with many fixes for email, messaging, call features, apps, widgets data as well as device features.
The update 5.5.893 for the Droid Bionic by Motorola will enable to use up to eight connections for mobile hotspots, have fewer black screens/lockups, have faster SIM activation, better LBS privacy and enhanced Lapdock features. This update was tested by forum members last week. It shows that Motorola has been listening and working quickly to update its Android smartphones.
Previously, Motorola announced that the Droid Bionic eventually going to be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich within six-weeks of them getting the core code from Google. Now that Google owns Motorola, we suspect the update will come quickly. The Droid Bionic has been named in many reviewed lists as one of the top speakerphones of the year.
It will take you approximately 2 - 5 minutes to download the software, depending on network conditions. Installation should take up to 5-10 minutes additional. Keep in mind that during the installation you will be unable to make or receive calls, including emergency calls. : The size for this software upgrade is 54.5MB.
Make sure your Droid Bionic is at least 40% charged, backup your data first and be aware that you will not be able to make phone calls during the update.
To check for the update from the Home screen, tap the Menu Key > tap Settings > About phone > System Updates > Download.
Verizon typically sends out update notices to a few customers first and then pushes it out in greater numbers over time. Your Droid Bionic will not update while roaming.
Here are all the features and fixes of the update.
Call Features:
- Use a wired headset without the interruption of a high pitched tone.
- Volume on the “Low Battery” alert tone has been lowered while user is on a call.
- Within the notification area, the Visual Voice Mail alert stating the server is not responding after a power-up has been removed.
Applications & Widgets:
- Playback media can be heard while using a Bluetooth headset.
- Place a call to the appropriate recipient using the Contact widget.
- Improvements in the use of the Messaging application.
- After updating the contact database from the Messaging App, the Messaging UI will display the latest contact information.
- When moving applications to the SD card, shortcuts to these Apps will remain.
- Properly post and play videos to Facebook.
- Fixed issue causing apps to disappear from the app tray when moved to the SD card.
- Ringtones purchased from the Verizon media store can now be saved to the device.
- Apps can now be launched from the “Recent” menu in the app tray.
Email, Messaging & Data
- Improved stability of data connection on 3G and 4G.
- Fixed lockup that could occur while browsing during the handoff from Wi-Fi to 4G.
- “Data Roaming” pop-up message will display once when roaming in CDMA internationally.
- Jump to the most recent message after changing the device orientation while in message list view. Device Features
- The number of devices supported by Mobile Hotspot has increased to 8.
- Fixes have been deployed to keep the device from becoming stuck on a black screen and requiring a battery pull to recover.
- Improvements in device stability help avoid device power cycles.
- When connected to a Bluetooth headset or HDMI cable, the device will no longer lock up and power cycle.
- Improved cold SIM card activation speed.
- “Low memory” warnings when using the Lapdock have been reduced.
- An improvement to the camera’s auto focus will reduce the shutter response time and enhance the quality of captured imagery.
- During Location Based Service setup, a Location Privacy message will display.
- Fixed issue where the device would automatically power back up after being powered down.
- The following Lapdock updates were made: •Improved stability. The display will not turn off after use.
- The calling screen will no longer be recreated, improving performance.
- Reduced frequency of the “Low Memory” warning message.
How does this update affect root?
The download has messed up my phone, and it won't even come on. This is just not acceptable.
The update file may have been corrupted while downloading. Contact Verizon immediately to walk you through the process.
This update did everything is was suppose to. I downloaded and installed it in 2mins. Nice and quick. Albeit, now I keep losing my WiFi connection every hour or so. I plan on contacting Verizon about it, maybe they can put a ticket in or something.
This is the last straw from Motorola and Verizon….you buy the Bionic at the full price when it’s released based on the advertising and hype from both of them…you pay full price and get garbage and a phone that doesn’t do what it is supposedly was advertised to do, and suffer through the months of aggravation with the device…then the update comes out…..which they selectively let out to who ever they want or what ever method they desire…..Motorola denies that it is out because it isn’t confirmed on their website….Verizon tells that Motorola is doing the upgrade…etc..etc..etc. and one lies and the other swears to it. Then they supposedly fix it….I don’t know because mine is working yet, and then they drop the price….isn’t there any Justice????
try turning it on, mine works just as advertised more less...
So let me get this straight -- no cure for the problem of needing to power cycle to get 3G to work when leaving your WiFi environment. No fix to the very short battery life in 4G regions.
And both were "promised" to me when I discovered those issues?
I'm not at all happy.
I manually added the update by going to settings about phone and then check for updates and it was available. I keep my phone on wifi and was annoyed with having to power cycle to pick up 3G data. The update has corrected that and my intermittent loss of 3G coverage problems have so far disappeared. This is a pretty good update that resolves quite a few issues on my phone.