Android Updates: Flash 10.1, Android 2.1 Coming SoonAndroid Updates: Flash 10.1, Android 2.1 Coming Soon

The news concerning Android and its ever-swelling flock of smartphones fails to cease. Today's tidbits include more information about Android 2.1 for the Motorola Droid and HTC Hero, as well as an update on Flash 10.1.Android 2.1 on Droid

We heard earlier this week from Motorola that it planned to make Android 2.1 available to the Motorola Droid sometime "this week." While we wait, Moto thought it would update us on what's in store. According to Motorola, the Droid will not only gain multitouch in Google Maps, but also in the browser and gallery applications. On top of that, a new gallery app, new music app, new news app, and new weather app will all be included. Also on board will be Google Goggles and voice recognition and virtual keyboard enhancements. Sounds good to me. Bring it on!

Android 2.1 on HTC Hero

Remember the Hero? HTC announced its third Android device back in the second quarter of 2009. There's an international version of the device, as well as the CDMA-toting versions offered by Sprint and Verizon Wireless (as the Droid Eris). Well, HTC has officially said that it will be offering Android 2.1 along with an upgraded version of Sense UI to the international GSM version of the Hero. Sprint and Verizon have also indicated that their version of the device will receive updates. Exact time frames were not provided.

Flash 10.1 for Android

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Adobe about Flash Player 10.1. According to Adobe, the player is on track for the delivery to consumers during the first half of the year. Adobe wouldn't be any more specific than that. Adobe is also hard at work on developer betas for WinMo and webOS. Beta versions of the desktop client are already available for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows 7.

Flash Player 10.1 will work in concert with the native Android browser to make sure that Flash video content plays on Android devices seamlessly, just as it would on the desktop.