There have been numerous updates to the HTC IME keyboard which was ported over to the Motorola Droid, but most of the changes were so minor that they weren’t post-worthy.  Now on version 19, I thought it was probably time to let you all know that you can upgrade to a version that is incredibly polished.  In fact, the options for customization with this new version are pretty extensive and should give you one of the best keyboard experiences yet.  If you are not familiar with the HTC IME keyboard, trust me when I say that you need to get this right now.

(This is for both non-rooted and rooted users.)

Downloads…

Keyboard file:  HTC IME.apk (alt link)  (alt link2)  (alt link3)

Calibration file:  Clicker.apk (alt link)  (alt link2)  (alt link3)

Instructions for installation…

1.  Download both files.
2.  Install both files.
3.  Go into Settings>Language and Keyboard.
4.  Check the box next to “Touch Input” to activate.
5.  Go into a text box, long press, and select “Input method”.
6.  Choose “Touch Input” as your keyboard.

Files have also been added to our downloads page.

The rumors from this morning on the Motorola Milestone in Europe receiving the 2.1 update throughout the next few days was definitely true.  Motorola Europe’s Facebook page just chimed in making it official…

And wow! What a Monday! Now we just need our update to arrive.

The greatest news to anyone owning an Android device may have just been released today from Engadget.  If you haven’t read their article on “stemming platform fragmentation” please do so right now, take a deep breath, and thank Google for continuing to be so awesome.

The fragmentation many have written about over the last few months might soon be a problem of the past.  Google is showing customer satisfaction will always be on their minds simply by realizing that the various forms of their Android operating system on the market could cause quite the concern to users over the long run.  They also seem to have realized that carriers and phone manufacturers can’t keep up with a quickly changing mobile world.

An excerpt from the piece…

We’ve been given reason to believe that the company will start by decoupling many of Android’s standard applications and components from the platform’s core and making them downloadable and updatable through the Market, much the same as they’ve already done with Maps. In all likelihood, this process will take place over two major Android versions, starting with Froyo and continuing through Gingerbread. Notice that we said apps and components, meaning that some core elements of Android — input methods, for instance — should get this treatment. This way, just because Google rolls out an awesome new browser doesn’t mean you need to wait for HTC, Samsung, or whomever made your phone to roll it into a firmware update, and for your carrier to approve it — almost all of the juicy user-facing stuff will happen through the Market.

While we continue to watch others receive Android 2.1 ahead of us, this news brings great hope for the future.  We will no longer be waiting for Motorola and Verizon whom have failed over and over again when it comes to updating their devices in a timely fashion.

Obviously there is no time frame for any of this to actually happen, but knowing how Google has worked in the past, I wouldn’t expect them to put the fragmentation issues on the backburner.

Reports coming in from various sources around the world that the European Motorola Milestone is currently receiving it’s Android 2.1 update.  (Yay Europe!)  Not sure exactly what that means as Motorola has been pretty country specific in the past, but this news should have  everyone attached to Europe romping around with up to 9 screens within the next few days.

Pretty amazing that Motorola has managed to update the rest of Europe after already hitting Bulgaria, Germany, Hong Kong and Italy before the United States.

And to add more fuel to the Droid 2.1 delay fire, we received this tip this morning…

…was in Verizon yesterday getting a replacement Droid and I asked the manager (which I usually never do because I always seem to know more than they do about what’s going on in the world of cell phones) about the infamous 2.1 update.  To make it short and sweet he pretty much told me that the 2.1 software works fine on the phone but when it was put on Verizon’s network they were having some issues with the compatibility.  He also said that the “1,000 test users” were a hired test group by Verizon to test the software on the phones and the network.  He said he is friends with one of testers and they told him it didn’t go so well.  I may actually believe him because that would explain why other countries got it first with no problem (GSM compared to CDMA) and the reason why no one has come forward as being one of the “1,000 test users.”…

This info essentially matches our source which said that the test updates were “bricking” phones.  Been a rough couple of weeks eh?

This is sort of painful to say, but you can pretty much ditch DM Updater from here on out.  ROM Manager received another update last night, this time including a stock 2.0.1 recovery ROM meaning you can now use it to do everything.  You will need to make sure you have the premium version to use this function, so go out and drop the $3.99 and support your developers!

Update 8:56AM 3/29: Apparently you do not need the premium version to access the stock ROM.  I still recommend purchasing it to support the amazing work these guys keep putting out.

What about rooting without DM Updater?

For those of you thinking you need DM Updater to root, I’ll just clear that notion up right now by saying, “You don’t.”  You’ll probably notice that while looking to root through DM Updater, it simply asks you to reboot into recovery mode and apply an update.zip.  And if you look on your SD card right now, you should still have that same update.zip file sitting there, assuming you haven’t deleted it.

If you, for whatever reason have unrooted and want to root again, simply boot to the stock recovery (power+x) and apply that same update.zip and you’ll be rooted.  And to help everyone going forward, this would be a great time to back up that update.zip to your PC for safe keeping.

Update 9:36AM 3/29: Here is the update.zip to root a stock droid:  Download Link

Cheers to everyone who sent this in!

A recap from a weekend full of Droid Life goodness that you may have missed while spending too many hours away from your computer.  We wouldn’t want you missing out on the latest rumors, news, hacks, apps or ROMs now would we?  Catch up!

• ROM Manager adds SPRecovery to its features – Adding SPRecovery to ROM Manager just fixed the abundance of issues when attempting to return to stock using DM Updater.
• Using ROM Manager and DM Updater to return to stock – With the news of SPRecovery’s addition to ROM Manager, we went video tutorial to make sure you can still get back to stock.  Your welcome.  :)
• DROIDshortcuts viral videos – Some of the cleverest viral videos surrounding your Motorola Droid.
• Asphalt 5 in action – Into gaming?  Here is the top dog on the market.  Check out the full version in action including a walk-through of every car in the game.
• Astro File Manager beta coming to an end? – Our favorite file manager will no longer be free?  We’re still trying to find out what’s going on.  April Fools joke?  Who knows!
• The new Blackdroid Ultimate Droid v8.6.3 – The latest build from Blackdroid.  This time, he’s used the Nexus One’s ERE27 build which is incredibly smooth and fast.

Who’s ready for a fantastic week?  Oh, and don’t forget, that the Android 2.1 update was promised before the end of Q1 which would be Wednesday.  Going to happen?  We’ll see.

The new custom ROM from Blackdroid hit the rooted world today and is noteworthy for the simple fact that it is running on the ERE27 build which is the same build the Nexus One was updated to just a short while back.  This new ROM is available in ROM Manager (premium) right now and includes a pretty cool installation process.  It takes you through a series of steps and lets you choose exactly what you want included in your ROM (kernel, launcher, music app, etc.).  I’m actually very impressed by this new version.

*Warning* – As always, you are performing these tasks at your own risk.  We are not recommending that you do ANY of these, but simply providing information to you.  There is a chance you could brick your phone, do other permanent damage and this will more than likely void your warranty. Please do as much research as you can beforehand.  We are not liable for any of your actions.

Installation instructions…

If you are already running a custom 2.1 ROM:

1.  Purchase ROM Manager premium and open.
2.  Click “Download ROM”.
3.  Choose “Ultimate Droid”.
4.  Choose “Ultimate Droid V8.6.3″.
5.  Choose which options you want included and let the ROM download.
6.  When finished select “Backup Existing ROM” if you don’t have a backup.
7.  Leave “Wipe data and cache” unchecked.  Click “OK”.
8.  Phone will boot into recovery and install your ROM.
9.  Enjoy!

If you are not running a custom 2.1 ROM:

1.  Root your phone.
2.  Download ROM Manager from the market and purchase paid version.
3.  Flash ClockworkMod Recovery.
4.  Follow steps 2-5 above.
5.  Choose both “backup existing ROM” and  ”wipe data and cache” and select “OK”.
6.  Phone will boot into recovery and install your ROM.
7.  Enjoy!

(Video tutorial on how to install here.)

Update 7:36PM 3/28: Here are the options I picked, for those wondering…

Chevy’s 1.0Ghz medium voltage kernel

HelixLauncher2

NexusMod with original background

Various apps such as WiFi tethering, Cubed music, 2.1 desk clock, etc.

If you do not want to purchase ROM Manager premium from the market, you can find additional instructions and support at this official Blackdroid post.