Mobile Round-Up: Android Everywhere EditionMobile Round-Up: Android Everywhere Edition

Google's Android mobile operating system has been in the news constantly the last few weeks. Here are a few more stories to add to the pile, including a security flaw for the Droid, an update for the Eris, and the arrival of the Android 2.1 SDK.Droid Security Flaw

Anyone looking to protect their Motorola Droid probably makes use of the lock screen. Users can set a pattern as the lock/unlock key for their Droid, which requires a specific pattern to be drawn on the screen to unlock it. Simpler than typing in a password, but still strong, right? Er, well, not really.

Apparently the Droid doesn't need to be unlocked to answer an incoming call. Once answered, a ne'er-do-well can use the "back" button during the phone call to access some of the Droid's other applications, such as the contacts, email and so on. So much for security. Google likely has a fix on the way for this one.

Droid Eris Update

Users of Verizon's Droid Eris may have noticed that an update became available for their device in the last 24 hours. The update, which is extremely minor, fixes a single bug. The new ROM edition (1.17.605.1) says it will fix "rare instances where the display locked or appears to be in an out-of-service area when attempting to wake up from screen saver mode." Users can wait for their devices to automatically update or foce the update by going to verizonwireless.com/droiderissupport.

P.S. - No, this does not update the Droid Eris to Android 2.1, as Verizon Wireless has indicated will happen at some point in the future.

Android 2.1 SDK

Last up in today's Android round-up is news about the software development kit for Android 2.1. Google made the SDK available yesterday. The SDK will give developers the tools they need to create and troubleshoot within Android 2.1. Google notes that Android 2.1 does not add any significant new features when compared to Android 2.0.