Evo 4G users to get Android 2.2 “Froyo” update starting August 3

Google’s Android 2.2 “Froyo” update is finally hitting more phones than just the Nexus One. Sprint announced today that it will start rolling out the update to Evo 4G users starting next Tuesday, August 3, Engadget reports.

Android 2.2 comes with a wealth of upgrades over 2.1, including OS-wide speed increases, a more polished user-interface, a faster web browser, support for Adobe Flash 10.1, built-in tethering capabilities, and improved camera options. Google has been saying for some time that Android 2.2 will be available by the end of the summer, so other Android phone owners can expect the update some time in August as well.

Sprint will begin sending out update notifications to Evo 4G users on August 3 — at which point users only need to choose to download, and then install, the update. Since it will take the carrier until the middle of August to bring the update to all Evo 4G owners, it’s allowing more impatient Evo fans to grab the update manually. The simply need to head to their Evo’s “System Settings” menu, select “System Updates” and then “HTC Software Update”.

Evo owners have waited since the device’s June 4 launch to receive the update, and they will likely find much to love about Android 2.2. I used an Evo 4G for several weeks, and while it was certainly a well-built phone with a gorgeous screen, the device’s software issues — including instances of slowdown, and general instability — made it more of a pain to use than my older iPhone 3G S. The Froyo update should resolve much of those issues, and it will bring a level of polish to the Evo and other Android devices that will make them closer to the iPhone’s more mature user experience.