Verizon Wireless confirmed Thursday that the Android 2.2 update known as Froyo will not be provided for the Droid Eris smartphone , outraging some customers.
Rumors that the Eris, built by HTC, would not be updated with Froyo started in June, but as other phones running earlier versions of the Android operating system began getting the update, Eris customers became restless to know if they would get Flash support and other features provided in the update.
Restlessness turned to anger Thursday as some customers on Android forums said they have another year on their Eris contracts but can't upgrade to get the capabilities or applications they seek, including some apps that require Flash media player support provided in Froyo.
Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney confirmed that Froyo would not be provided for the Eris. "We have other options in Android devices so this is part of the normal evolution of our portfolio," Raney said in an e-mail.
She wouldn't say when Verizon reached its decision, nor what the options for Eris customers will be, repeating: "We have other options."
One Eris customer, Matthew Hengey of Wyncote, Pa., said he will probably have to live without Froyo on his Eris because he has another year on his wireless service contract. "NOOOO! This stinks!" he said via e-mail. He wrote that he wanted to use the update to get all his apps installed to an SD card. "Right now there is not enough room for everything on my phone and I am left with a tight ship of sparse apps I truly use," he said via e-mail.
He asked if Verizon "is willing to give me a nice discount on a Droid 2?" He also said that he might be able to "root" his Eris to update modules and add customizations and wondered if Verizon was encouraging customers to do so. Rooting is generally defined as gaining access to the operating system to give it added functions, including the ability to run some applications.
Verizon provided updates to Eris in December 2009 that included software fixes to improve performance.
Also, Verizon provided Froyo for the HTC Droid Incredible in late August , while the HTC Evo 4G, running on Sprint, got the Froyo update in early August.