Verizon says that Droid Incredible users will be sent a message on their handset about the Android 2.2. update. When you see the message, click the “install now” icon, and the download will begin. The standard warning: If you don’t immediately see the system upgrade message, be patient. Verizon is rolling Android 2.2 to an awful lot of users, and the process could take a few days to reach everyone.

The HTC Droid Incredible rolled out back in April to much fanfare, and has been extremely popular ever since.

The phone features a seven-panel home touch screen with a wide selection of interactive widgets so the most important content is immediately available at your fingertips. Users will be able to enjoy seamless integration with Exchange ActiveSync, quick and easy access to Flickr for sharing and viewing pictures, video, and Android Market with more than 30,000 Google applications.

It’s available at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

“When we announced DROID X last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to continue to bring unique Android experiences to the Verizon Wireless network,” said Jeffrey Dietel, vice president – wireless device, marketing and development for Verizon Wireless. “The DROID by Motorola was our first Android device, so it is important for us to include the successor to that phone in our portfolio. DROID 2 is not only a continuation of our commitment to Android but offers customers the features and form-factor they crave on the Verizon Wireless network.”

The DROID 2 sports an enhanced QWERTY keyboard, ultra high-speed Web browsing, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, full push corporate e-mail, intuitive social messaging and Adobe Flash Player 10.1 for access to the full web – all built on Android 2.2.

Users will be able to watch content on the full multi-touch 3.7-inch brilliant display, or share content captured on the 5mp camera with enhanced functionality and DVD-quality video capture with DLNA connectivity to share on compatible devices.

The DROID 2 will be available online beginning August 11, and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning August 12 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

The portable device will sport a 10-inch screen and will allow users to watch TV on the go. It is the ability to stream TV content that is what Motorola hopes will set the device apart from others as it seeks to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

“We’re very focused on participating in this convergence between mobility and home, and I actually think you will see some products from us in a very short period of time,” said Sanjay Jha, chief executive of Motorola’s mobile devices business.

Apple has so far failed to convince TV programmers to either lower the price of TV show sales or sell a package shows for fear of undercutting traditional subscription TV delivery models.

With Verizon on board Motorola may be able to experiment with TV delivery options that complement Verizon’s current business model and which won’t worry TV programmers in the process.

This includes Univision Interactive Media providing live streams of all 64 of its Spanish-language broadcasts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer matches from South Africa exclusively to V CAST Video customers’ mobile phones.

The World Cup tournament is just one of hundreds of live sporting events – including college football, college basketball and NHL Hockey – available on V CAST Video throughout the year.

V CAST Video gives users news and sports programs on demand, whenever they want. Shows include programming from AETN, including A&E, Lifetime and History, NBC, Fox, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.

V CAST Video can be found in the Verizon Channel in Android Market and is available for all Android smartphones from Verizon Wireless: DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS™ by HTC, Motorola DEVOUR™, DROID Incredible by HTC and LG Ally. V CAST Video costs an additional $10 per month in addition to a regular data plan.

Apple has asked apparently asked its supply and manufacturing partners to prepare for a production rate of 4 million iPhones a month by September, a 25% increase, says analysts who have been monitoring the production plans in Asia.

It has asked its manufacturing partner to plan on starting full-scale production of a CDMA version of the iPhone to be available for Verizon Wireless customers possibly as soon as early November, indicating once again that Apple intends to deliver on a long-awaited Verizon iPhone.

With Verizon already announcing plans to embrace Apple’s competitor Google and Android OS-based smartphones, the move may be an attempt by Apple to prevent the two companies from forging closer ties.

Earlier this month Verizon’s chief executive, Lowell McAdam, said that the two were even partnering to develop and carry a rival to Apple’s iPad.

Dubbed “Project Pink,” the smart phones models will have easy access to a number of different social-networking sites and include keyboards for easier text messaging.

The Project Pink phones are seen as Microsoft’s latest challenge to both Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android OS-based smartphones. Microsoft hasn’t had much success with its Windows-based phones in a market dominated by Apple and with Google quickly making inroads.

Until now, Microsoft has focused on providing its mobile Windows software to phone makers, rather than offering a model under its own brand. The move would echo Google Inc.’s decision to sell the Nexus One phone, which uses that company’s Android operating system. Microsoft is seeking to win back market share in the phone market after Android and Apple Inc.’s iPhone lured away customers from Windows.

By teaming up with Verizon, Microsoft seems to be taking a different path to market than Apple and Google with what would perhaps be its signature smart phone entry.

The only problem with Microsoft and Google entering the market as a handset manufacturer is the risk it poses to the relationships with other handset makers whom they convinced to use their respective OSs. Their competition is going to be awfully leery of using their software if it’s viewed as providing an additional economic advantage in the marketplace.

Some of this week’s highlighted apps include:

• iheartradio – Listen to over 400 of America’s favorite radio stations and some of the best talk stations in the United States for free with Clear Channel Radio Digital’s iheartradio. Bookmark your favorite radio stations, view lyrics and enjoy on-demand content including exclusive performances, songs and intimate vignettes from today’s hottest music stars.
• TuneWiki Social Media Player – TuneWiki is a free social media player that shows subtitled lyrics as you listen to your music, watch music videos, or stream songs through the SHOUTcast™ radio feature. Search for lyrics to over 2.5 million songs and get translations in over 40 languages. Other fantastic features include the Playback Widget and Facebook® and Twitter integration.
• Slacker Radio – Get free personalized radio on your mobile phone with Slacker Radio, the best way to discover new artists and hear favorite songs. Create your own custom station or choose from over 100 expert-programmed radio stations from every genre.

The Motorola DROID phone is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online for about $199.99.