Verizon’s Motorola Droid 2 R2-D2 Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update Rolling Out Now

Motorola started rolling out the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the Verizon’s Droid 2, and the Droid 2 Global. It was only a matter of time before the limited edition Droid R2-D2 got some Gingerbread love from Motorola and Verizon.

The Gingerbread update brings the same new UI (ex-Moto Blur) as found on the Droid 2 and Droid 2 Global, post the Gingerbread update. Along with the usual Gingerbread goodies like a Download Manager app, Multi-touch key chording, Power Management details and enhanced security features like SD card encryption and VPN enhancements.

There are lots of other enhancements, and bug fixes. Below is the full change-log-:

• New App to manage all of your downloads from web browsing,
email attachments and other apps.
+ App and Power Management Details:
• Under Manage Applications, a new “Running” tab displays a list of active
applications and the storage and memory being used by each.
+ Multi-Touch Key-Chording:
• New ability to enter numbers and symbols with keyboard shortcut combos,
instead of having to change to the numeric keyboard mode.
+ Improved Word Selection and Copy Functionality:
• New capability to select a word via press-hold. A second press of
the selected word copies the selected characters.
+ New User Interface and Color Scheme:
• New widgets, icons and screens with refreshed colors.
+ Dock Icons:
• Static Phone, App Launcher and Contacts icons are replaced within a customizable
dock. Three swappable icons and the App Launcher icon are fixed to the Dock at
the bottom of all home screen panels for easy and instant access.
+ App Groups:
• New App Menu allows creation of custom app groups, in addition to 3 default
groups: All Apps, Recent and Downloaded.
+ Security:
• Added Device and SD Card encryption. VPN enhancements integrate IPSec VPN
clients into device security settings.

+ Updated Calendar Options:
• Display Calendar and event times in your home time zone when traveling.
• Dismiss individual reminders, such as dismissing one meeting reminder
without dismissing other meeting reminders.
• Easy conference dialing – simply dial and automatically enter a conference
code directly from your Calendar.
Other Improvements:
+ Email and Calendar
• Improved contact and calendar syncing from multiple accounts.
• Email pushes now work correctly when using Exchange ActiveSync.
• Exchange ActiveSync account setup will accurately present server option.
• Easily see Exchange ActiveSync Calendar appointments when created.
• Update Calendar appointments with Exchange ActiveSync without deleting them.
+ Device Features
• Improved battery life while using Wi-Fi.
• Keypad backlight turns on in low light conditions.
• Improvements in stability to prevent lockups, resets and “Force Close” errors.
• Improvements in screen display no longer causes display screen to turn black.
• Improved 3G data connectivity.
• Mobile Hotspot status is displayed accurately.
• Fixed issue that caused device reset and a black display screen after
over the air upgrades.
+ Messaging
• Correct contact name is displayed when receiving SMS messages.
• Forward SMS message conversations accurately.
• Emoticons are correctly displayed in messages.
• Notification LED will flash when new message is received.
+ Applications and Widgets
• Clock widget updates time correctly.
• GPS apps and programs no longer cause unnecessary device resets.
• Reduced “Force Close” errors when using My Verizon application.
• Blockbuster® movie rentals license remains active after download.
• Callback numbers now populate in Dialer app.
• Compass calibration within Google Maps syncs accurately with your location.
• V CAST Media Manager now comes preloaded.
• V CAST Apps now comes preloaded.
• Google Books now comes preloaded.

The new software update (v4.5.602.A957) is being rolled out to the limited edition R2-D2 via OTA.