Sure, Motorola has moved onto the RAZR line as their new pride and joy, but the DROIDX line used to be the top dog in the Android game. Just because the DROIDX2 is a few years old now doesn’t mean it’s dead. XDA developer dragonzkiller has provided the public with an alpha build of CyanogenMod 10 that can be flashed to bring your old device up to speed once again.

But be warned, this is still in alpha stage and a few big pieces are not working just quite yet, namely recovery. Restoring and flashing ROMs isn’t functioning yet, but restoring backups works fine. However, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, Calling, GPS and Google Now are a few of the big features that are working. Installation isn’t too complicated but shoehorning new versions of Android into old devices is always tricky. If you want to dust off your old phone and give it a shot, hit the source link below and please make a backup first for safety.

Update:  According to readers, this was updated late last night with working recovery. Go get it!

Via: XDA

Developers Provide Working CM10 Alpha for Motorola DROID X2 is a post from: Droid Life

Late Friday afternoon, Motorola took to its blog to help clarify its reasoning behind the decision to not upgrade the DROID 3 and DROID X2 to Ice Cream Sandwich. This note came just hours after they released a new timeline for Android 4.0 updates, which as in the past, did not include either of them. It seemed odd knowing that both devices have dual-core processors, were released right around the middle of 2011, and for the most part, have above average specs, aside from a lack of 4G LTE and only 512MB of RAM. 

So what is the problem then? According to Motorola, ICS will not “improve” these phones enough for them to receive an upgrade:

You may be wondering why all devices aren’t being upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Here’s the deal. We work very closely with Google and cell phone carriers for every software update. And, obviously we want the new release to improve our devices. If we determine that can’t be done—well then, we’re not able to upgrade that particular device.

If we look at the actual timeline of updates, again, it does mention that all devices set to receive ICS have 1GB of RAM, so there is a good area to target since neither of these phones do. Using the word “improve” may not have been the best choice though, as we all know how much Android 4.0 improves everything about an Android phone. Choosing the politically correct or PR/vague response wasn’t the best choice here. When it comes to updates, Motorola, you need to tell people exactly why without beating around the bush.

Via:  Motorola

Motorola: Not Upgrading the DROID 3 and DROID X2 to ICS Because It Won’t “Improve” Them is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, Motorola sent out invites to owners of the DROID X2 and DROID 3 to participate in a soak test for new software. It’s tough to tell what is included in either, especially since we saw an update to 1.3.418 for the DX2 back in February. The DROID 3 on the other hand, has not been updated since September and is long overdue. Neither will be Ice Cream Sandwich, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the D3′s was pretty major.

Let us know if you receive the update!

Cheers J and B!

Soak Tests Starting For Both DROID X2 and DROID 3 is a post from: Droid Life

We first learned of a new software update for the DROID X2 back on March 12 that we expected to be nothing more than a bug fixer. Since Motorola and Verizon seem to have decided that the dual-core powered phone is not worthy of Ice Cream Sandwich, what else could it be?

The changelog has now been posted and we see that a new security patch is included (goodbye, root?), new Verizon Video and VZ Navigator 3D apps preloaded, and some other mostly meaningless add-ons.

The new build number after updating is 1.3.418. The update will run you 35MB.

More info.

DROID X2 Software Update is Ready as Build 1.3.418, Includes a “Google Security Patch” is a post from: Droid Life

A reader of ours filed a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) over Motorola’s bootloader and update practices, receiving a response back that will not excite DROID X2 owners. While the bootloader info in the response is exactly what we have heard for 2 years now (“where carriers will allow it”), the Ice Cream Sandwich update is a bit more disappointing. The DROID X2 is “not on our list” says the letter we have included below. 

Dear Ivan,

I am responding to the complaint you filed with Better Business Bureau regarding our Droid X2 model phone. I reviewed your recent case notes and it is noted that you received information from Motorola regarding Bootloader unlock and Ice Cream Sandwich.

We are working to balance the operator requirement for security to the end user, while supporting the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM on other devices, where carrier and operators will allow it. This process is requiring a good deal of consideration and technical infrastructure and we have no announcements to make at this time for unlocking any devices.

Droid X2 is not on our list of devices that are slated to get Ice Cream Sandwich, but that does not mean it is not continuing to get support. Though it will remain on Gingerbread it is eligible for software updates if it’s determined that any are needed.

Thank You,
Dorothy Hodges
Corporate Consumer Advocacy Office

After seeing Motorola’s initial ICS update list, the DROID X2 was listed, but in the same manner as all other Verizon phones with a “in evaluation and planning” tag. The device, however, did not make Verizon’s list which left us assuming that it would not receive the update. That appears to have been confirmed now.

Cheers Ivan!

In Response to BBB Complaint, Motorola Says that the DROID X2 Will Not Receive Ice Cream Sandwich is a post from: Droid Life

Motorola and their infamous soak tests, they hardly ever hold anything of significance but we still get excited each time they message us telling us about secret projects. Even though they don’t stay secret for long we wait and watch for what is updated, and the next device looking to get some changes is the DROID X2. This is an “early preview of a new software release” but with nothing big (read Ice Cream Sandwich) planned for the DX2 we aren’t expecting much more than bug fixes. We will keep you updated when we hear more on when or what this will include.  

Hi,
Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola Droid X2 on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Droid X2, please excuse and ignore this email.

Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners’ Forums to be included. If you have not logged into the new site (forums.motorola.com) please do not wait until the soak starts to do so, as we will have little capacity then to help with any log-in issues

This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites.
Thanks — please understand that start times are always fluid. We urge you to respond as quickly as possible but also ask for your patience if you register but don’t hear from us right away.

Matt
Motorola Owners’ Forums
Motorola Feedback Network

Cheers El Chingon, Adrian and Nate!

DROID X2 Soak Test From Motorola Set to Begin Shortly is a post from: Droid Life

The Motorola Droid X2 was a tough nut to crack, but it seems that there has finally been a breakthrough as far as custom ROMs go. XDA user dragonzkiller has successfully brought CM7.2 to the handset that gave people headaches over it’s locked bootloader. The ROM is almost fully featured as well:

• Full Theme Support For Every Aspect of Your Phone
• Incognito Browser Mode
• DSP Equalizer
• Lockscreen Customizations
• Lockscreen Gestures
• Fully Customized Pull Down Toggles

As far as installation goes, this one is a little bit tough so I suggest heading over to the XDA thread and following the instructions exactly. This has got to be good news to anyone with the X2 that was frustrated with the lack of development for this device. This brings one of the most stable and functional ROMs out there to your phone. Head over to XDA to get started.

Via: XDA

DROID X2 Finally Gets Some CyanogenMod 7 Love is a post from: Droid Life

A potential permanent root solution has popped up for Motorola devices (including the Bionic, DROID3, and DROIDX2)  that you should be able to complete in about 5 minutes time. You have to be rooted already (instructions), but from there you just need to edit some lines in your “mount_ext3.sh” file using Root Explorer. Now, there is a chance that Moto could (will likely) patch this up in a new update, but you might as well attempt it anyway if you love having root access.  

Instructions:

1.  Using Root Explorer, head into /system/bin.
2.  Hit the Mount R/W button.
3.  Scroll down to find “mount_ext3.sh” and long press on it.
4.  Choose “Open in Text Editor.”
5.  Scroll to the very bottom and add the following lines:

chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
chmod 4755 /system/xbin/su
chmod 755 /system/app/Superuser.apk

6.  When finished, press Menu and “Save and Exit.”
7.  Hit the Mount R/O button and reboot.

Via:  MyDroidWorld, @DjrBliss

Potential Permanent Root Method Released for Motorola Devices: Bionic, DROID3, and DROIDX2 Included is a post from: Droid Life

10 years ago this month, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto III to the world. An open world game where you were a lowly thug on the streets of Liberty City and things happened, bad things. No one knew that this game would change how almost every other game after it would play. So to celebrate this benchmark in video games, Rockstar is planning on releasing a mobile version of GTA 3 “later this fall” to a “select new generation of Android devices.” Those devices include the Motorola Droid X2, Atrix, Samsung Galaxy S II and even support for the Motorola XOOM, ASUS Transformer and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Rockstar says to “stay tuned for more devices to be announced” on top of that list. Noticeably missing though is the Xperia Play, a ‘Playstation phone’ made specifically for games. Seeing as how GTA 3 made a name for itself on the Playstation 2 this is an odd omission.

It will be interesting to see how well the mobile devices will run this game, but it is 10 years old after all and it did not have the same graphics or size that games these days have. As long as this is reasonably priced I will definitely be looking into this as a game for my XOOM.

Via: Rockstar

Grand Theft Auto III Coming To An Android Near You, Get Your Bulletproof Vests Ready is a post from: Droid Life

The Android 2.3.4 update for the DROIDX2 is finally available to all. It has been out to soak test members for a week now, so the timing seems about right. You can grab it now by heading into Settings>About phone>System updates. Look at this slight bump in version as a stability enhancer. Nothing ground breaking to point out.

The list of bugs that are fixed can be found here.

Cheers to everyone who sent this!

DROIDX2 Android 2.3.4 Update Rolling Out Now is a post from: Droid Life

If you are a part of Moto’s Feedback Network and own a DROIDX2, then you should be receiving an update for Android 2.3.4 this very minute.  You can everything that it fixes here.  If you don’t feel like waiting for the update to hit your phone, you can always run the SBF that has been leaked into the wild here.  Just remember that that wipes your phone completely.

*Note – You will lose root when updating, but root is easily gained again using the DROID3 root method.

Cheers Dale!

DROIDX2 2.3.4 Soak Test Happening Now is a post from: Droid Life

Not that this update is a surprise to anyone, but the 2.3.4 for the DROIDX2 finally received its changelog on Verizon’s site.  The update – which already has an SBF available – will fix a dozen or so bugs that were introduced when it first picked up Gingerbread.  Nothing major, but added polish is always accepted with open arms around these parts.

More info.

DROIDX2 2.3.4 Update Gets Its Changelog – Bug Fixes Galore is a post from: Droid Life

This week we found out that a “soak test” has been scheduled for owners of the DROIDX2.  Details of what were to be included had yet to materialize, but this latest leaked SBF file (from the2dcour) for the device may give us a pretty good hint.  The full SBF below will bring your device up to Android 2.3.4, is still locked, and does not appear to be the 3D Blur that we have seen on the DROID3 and Bionic.

Download:  VRZ_MB870_4.5.1A-DTN-150-30_1FF_01.sbf.zip (334MB)

Good news is that you can still root with Pete’s root tool.

Via:  XDA

Cheers Balltongue!

DROIDX2 2.3.4 SBF Released, Guess We Know What the Soak Test Is is a post from: Droid Life

Another update for the DROIDX2 is on the way?  I’ll be honest and say that I have no idea what it could be other than bug fixes.  Is there a chance that the DX2 finally gets that 3D Blur love that the DROID3 and Bionic have been able to experience?  Seems like it should knowing that it has equal specs to the D3 and should easily be able to run that version of Moto’s custom UI.  I guess we’ll know in just a few days when the soak starts.

Cheers J, A, R and D!

New DROIDX2 Soak Test is About to Begin, Just Bug Fixes or Something Else? is a post from: Droid Life

Both the DROIDX2 and DROID Bionic are now supported by ROM Manager thanks to @koush and @cvpcs.  You will need to be rooted and then bootstrapped in order to use it, but you probably already knew that.  Official Bionic bootstrap should be out soon – the current version works just fine for now though.

For those new to ROM Manager, simply look at this as one of your best tools when it comes to switching ROMs, managing backups, and taking care of a variety of root-only tasks.  One of the top 5 apps for rooted devices of all time, right here.  Now we just need a whole bunch of ROMs to play with on both devices.

Market Link

Cheers MistaWolfe, Mike, and Kevin!

ROM Manager Now Supports Both the DROID Bionic and DROIDX2 is a post from: Droid Life