T-Mobile USA is readying a firmware update for the T-Mobile G1 Android smartphone. Firmware version 1.1/RC33 was released to a small number of users on Monday and will be sent to all G1 users over the next two weeks. The update includes several bug fixes and features some enhancements.
T-Mobile stressed that this isn’t the much-anticipated Cupcake release. Cupcake is expected to come with a slew of new features, including the ability to save attachments and pictures, view applications and processes that are running, and search for text within the browser.
Cupcake Goodies
Initially expected in mid-January, Cupcake also promises an updated Webkit browser, the ability to copy and paste text within the browser by holding down the Shift key and sliding a finger across the desired text, and a new SquirrelFish JavaScript engine.
If that’s not enough, Cupcake will also offer stereo Bluetooth support, an on-screen keyboard for typing, thumbnails for video playback, and a new kernel based on Linux 2. Many bug fixes are also promised, including relaxed POP3 parser rules so it works with noncompliant e-mail servers.
But instead of Cupcake, T-Mobile is only issuing a fix for a few bugs and possible enhancements like voice search from Google. With voice search, users speak into the application and let the voice-recognition software do the work.
A Disappointing Update
“At the end of the day, this fixes bugs. It’s something that’s going to get pushed out over the air. G1 users don’t have to do anything,” Gartenberg said. “But it doesn’t seem like this is something major that’s going to breathe a whole lot of new interest into the platform.”
Although it’s good to see T-Mobile making efforts to update the first smartphone based on the Android mobile operating system, he said it would be nice to see more. Even with the voice-search update, for example,…