Android 2.2 (Froyo) and the Dell Streak: Details on how the upgrade will work

Update from Lionel (January 15, 2011): I know on he #dellstreak hashtag and many other places on the web, many customers are asking when the update is going to happen. At this point, we continue to work with AT&T. The Froyo upgrade will not happen in January for US customers with SIM-locked Streaks. When we have more details to share on this topic, I will.

Since we launched the Dell Streak back in May 2010, one of the biggest requests from our customers was to upgrade to Android 2.2. If you look at the conversations using the #dellstreak hashtag, it’s pretty easy to see that the over-the-air (OTA) upgrade is one of the most common discussions. You may have seen some chatter about this on sites like StreakSmart.

The day has come. Since there are a lot of details to share, I’ve segmented out the information below.

When/Who?

The Streak Froyo Update will be completed in two phases for existing Streak customers.

Phase 1 : Beginning today, Monday, November 15, 2010, an OTA update will be available to customers who purchased their Streaks as unlocked units. These units will be upgraded first because they do not have to go through the carrier approval process. Unlocked units are generally popular outside the United States and can be identified by the fact they are able to be used with a SIM card from any carrier network. The rollout of the upgrade will be gradual with different regions and versions of Donut and Éclair updated over the weeks following November 15, 2010. When a user’s device is ready for an update, the user will be notified by an update icon in the notification bar after a power up. A user can also manually check for an update by going to Settings – About Device and selecting System Updates. Devices ready for update will then be taken through the update process.

Update:  We have begun rolling out the OTA update slowly this week. We'll be continuing the Phase I rollout on a broader scale next week.

Phase 2: Starting later in December, users on devices locked to a specific carrier (i.e. you can only use your carrier’s SIM in the device) will start seeing updates as we work with our carrier partners for technical approval.

How?

Dell Streaks will receive an Over-the-Air (OTA) update which will appear in the form of a notification page. Although you will receive the notification while connected via Wi-Fi OR over a mobile connection, it is highly recommended that you switch over to a Wi-Fi connection during the actual update.

Here is what the Software Update notification page will look like:

Dell Streak - Software Update Screen

What Should I Do to Prepare for the Update?

Back up your data. On the first screen of the update, you will notice a large green button that takes you to a screen that explains how to update your Streak data. Here is what the Backup page will look like:

Dell Streak - Froyo Backup screen

After reviewing the instructions for backing up your Streak data, click on the green “Download & Backup” button to retrieve the Dell Backup & Restore app. On the next screen, click on the “Install” button.

Dell Streak - Froyo Backup and Restore Process


Create a Backup to SD Card

After downloading and installing the Dell Backup & Restore app from Android Market, touch the Open button from the install complete screen.

1. Touch “Backup”

Dell Streak -  Froyo Backup and Restore Process

2. Touch “Add new”

 Dell Streak - Froyo backup process

3. Enter backup name and touch “OK”

Dell Streak - Froyo backup process

4. Backup in progress

Dell Streak - Froyo backupin progress

5. Backup complete.

Dell Streak - Backup Complete

6. Press Back button to exit

After you backup your data, there will be a few more informational screens which outline some of the Froyo update changes. Then you will prompted to connect to a WiFi Network and start the update by clicking the Red “Download & Install” button. PLEASE NOTE: If you click on the Green “Connect to WiFi Network” button, you will be re-directed to a page that provides instructions on how to accomplish this. Do not click this Green button if you are already connected via WiFi.

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While the update is downloading, you will see the following status bar on your Streak:

Dell Streak - .pkg Download Status

Once the update is downloaded and ready to install, you will see the following window. Click on the “Update Now” button if you are fully charged or plugged into a charger, connected to WiFi and prepared to dedicate approximately 15 minutes for the update.

Dell Streak - System Update Install screen

Restoring a Backup to SD Card

After completing the software update, find the “Backup & Restore” app in the menu.

1. Run Backup & Restore app.

Dell Streak - Froyo Backup and Restore process

2. Touch “Restore

Dell Streak - Froyo update

3. Touch the backup to restore

Dell Streak - Froyo update restore process

4. Touch OK to start the restore

Dell Streak - Froyo update restore process

5. Restoring in progress

Dell Streak - Froyo update restore process

6. Restore applications

Dell Streak - restore applications

What's New in this Update?

Dell Mobile Synch

One of the changes following the 2.2 Update is that the Dell PC Suite will no longer be supported. The Dell Mobile Sync software will be the new version of Streak sync software and must be downloaded from the Dell support web site. Use Dell Mobile Sync powered by Nero to manage & sync your media & Outlook contacts with your PC.

Dell Stage

The new Dell Stage Interface, which is a set of widgets that brings your data and content such as music, photos, and email to your fingertips. If you haven't seen Stage, take a look at this post from Jenn K. Lee over at StreakSmart.

Beyond Stage, the Dell Streak Froyo update also Includes:

  • Improved performance & memory management
  • Adobe Flash 10.1 support
  • Support for more apps like the native Twitter client, Skype for Android and the Firefox Beta browser
  • Live Wallpapers
  • Ability to create a portable W-iFi hotspot
  • An improved more-responsive phone dialer interface
  • Enhanced Microsoft Exchange support 

What Should I Do if I Have Problems with the Update?

For US customers, call the Dell Mobility Queue at 1-800-308-3355, select Technical Support from the menu and enter your Mobile Device Express Service Code. In the UK, call 0844 444 3244. In France, appelez le 09 69 39 00 31. In Germany, telefon 069 979 2 3840.

You can also utilize the Dell Community Forum – Mobile Devices board to engage other Streak owners who may have tips or solutions for specific questions or issues.

Thank you to all of the early adopters and supporters of the Dell Streak. We appreciate your continued feedback and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the update.

About the Author: Amy Bivin