If you have been keeping up with the latest Android news, then you are probably well aware that Google has started to release its Android 2.2 operating system through various avenues.  Some have been able to attain the update via over-the-air updates, while others have manually installed the operating system by flashing their devices.  Many Android device owners, however, still don't have open access to Android 2.2, nicknamed FroYo.  If you are one of the many who still haven't been able to update your device to FroYo, then you've come to the right place.  This article will discuss two different ways of getting Android 2.2 FroYo without having to wait for a device update.

Treat your Nexus One to some FroYo action

Nexus One is one of the first devices that was given access to the Android 2.2 update, and that's no surprise considering that both Android and Nexus One are Google brands.  While some Nexus One users have been lucky enough to get FroYo through OTA updates, many of us are still waiting for that update notification.  If you're tired of the wait, you can install the Nexus One 2.2 update yourself.  Here's a short step-by-step:

1.  Download the Nexus One 2.2 ZIP-formatted update (Google removed the download link, so use this one instead: http://files.androidspin.com/downloads.php?dir=public/nexus-one/&file=signed-passion-FRF50-from-ERE27.1e519a24.zip)
2.  Rename the file to update.zip and copy it to your Nexus One's SD card.
3.  Turn off your device, then hold down the trackball while turning your phone on.
4.  A menu should pop up on boot and select the option "Bootloader", then select "Recovery"
5.  Your phone will reboot to show a picture of a triangle with an exclamation mark and the Android robot.
6.  Press the power button and volume up button simultaneously (may take multiple tries).
7.  Finally, choose the option "Apply sdcard:update.zip."
8.  Let the device install the update and wait.
Get your FroYo fix through the computer emulator

If you aren't a Nexus One owner, or you just don't want to mess around with manual updates, then you may want to try the Android 2.2 emulator.  To try it out, you will have to get the Android SDK, which you can download for Windows, Mac, or Linux from this link http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html.  At the bottom of that link, you will find a list of instructions that you can follow to get the Android 2.2 emulated on your machine.  Here's a quick look at what you'll have to do:

1.  Extract the Android SDK, open the Tools folder, and run the app script called "Android."
2.  When the manager app opens, select "Available Packages," download the available packages.
3.  A new download list will appear, download the following: Android SDK Tools, revision 6; Documentation for Android SDK, API 8, revision 1; SDK Platform Android 2.2, API 8, revision 1; Samples for SDK API 8, revision 1.
4.  Once these are downloaded and installed, go to "Virtual Devices," then click "New."
5.  Set target to Android 2.2 - API Level 8, select a screen resolution lower than WVGA 854, and set your other options.
6.  Click "Create AVD," then when you head to Virtual Devices, you'll find a simulated Android phone running FroYo.