Verizon DROID by Motorola
With a brazen ad campaign and incredible buzz in the tech blogosphere, anticipation for the upcoming Motorola DROID smartphone has grown to a fever pitch. Touted as a more powerful, more modular and sleeker smartphone than anything currently available on the market, DROID is the first smartphone to be released from the dynamic partnership of Verizon Wireless and Google, and the first smartphone to make use of Google's Android 2.0 Operating System. Boasting the backing of the Verizon Wireless 3G network and an array of simply awesome features, DROID is certain to be a super-hot item. Check out the great features (and some very sexy DROID photos) offered by the new Motorola DROID after the jump.
The Motorola DROID is an impressive smartphone that looks to outperform every available competitor in just about every way. And this with a $199 price tag (after a $100 mail-in rebate and 2-year Verizon Wireless contract). Here's the low-down on the most attractive features offered by DROID. Shop Now: Motorola DROID $199
Let's start with the dazzling customizable touchscreen interface of the Motorola DROID. The 3.7-inch screen is bigger than the DROID's primary competitor (oh I'll just say it, the iPhone) by .2 inches. While that may not seem like a lot, you'll really notice it when you load webpages on your DROID and notice that you don't have to scroll or zoom out to see the entirety of them. Even better, DROID's crisp, gorgeous 854x480 pixel display is significantly sharper and more vibrant than the iPhone's 480x320 display, so you can view smaller text without zooming in. Perhaps these are little things to some, but I know how many times on the iPhone that I'm stuck zooming in and out trying to find the balance between too small to read and too big to fit on the screen.
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Speaking of web browsing, the Motorola DROID boasts built-in HTML5 support and a Flash 10 ready browser. In other words, it's fast, on the level of a desktop. Combine this with the high resolution touchscreen, and you've got a pretty powerful streaming media player. If you like streaming video on your smartphone, Verizon is touting DROID's video playback capabilities as "DVD quality."
DROID by Motorola also features the slimmest slide-out QWERTY keyboard of any available smartphone. If you haven't yet learned to type with your thumbs, it may take some getting used to, but it's a definite advantage over error-prone touchscreen keyboards. I've got thin fingers, and I still have to waste time backing up to correct words on touchscreens. Of course, the trade-off for having a slide-out QWERTY keyboard on a smartphone is additional weight, and it is true that the DROID weighs more than the iPhone--by a mere ounce. The DROID has a remarkably small profile for how powerful it is, weighing in at only six ounces, and just 1/2-inch thick, 4.6 inches tall, and 2.4 inches wide.
Possibly the most impressive feature of the Motorola DROID is the Google Maps Navigation application, which turns your cell phone into a full-blown GPS navigation system. Using the power of Google Maps, the DROID will give you real-time, turn-by-turn navigation, with voice guidance and 3D maps. It even goes beyond most dedicated GPS units by responding to voice commands, so you can keep your eyes on the road while your DROID begins plotting a route to your destination. You can also opt to add on a dashboard mount for your DROID, making any dedicated GPS system more or less superfluous. DROID is pushing the envelope for what's possible in a smartphone. Sooner or later these things will drive us to work.
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The Google Maps Navigation app isn't the only voice-activated feature on DROID. In fact, voice commands are an integral part of DROID's next-gen cachet. With the touch of a button, you can launch the Google voice search function to perform web searches for local businesses or destinations, or have DROID search your own contacts--or both at the same time. With another voice command, DROID will dial up those contacts or launch the Google Maps app to point you in the direction of that restaurant you've been dying to try.
In addition to the Google Maps Navigation app, users will be able to pack DROID with up to 16GB (or 32GB with an upgrade) of cool apps and widgets from the thousands available on Android Market. Now here's the cool part! DROID will allow you to use up to six apps at the same time and easily switch between them with the touch of a button. That's pretty amazing, I gotta say. We all love apps for our smartphones, as demonstrated by the billions we've downloaded so far, but only being able to use one function at a time is a thing of the past. Multi-tasking is a crucial component of DROID. You'll also be able to integrate your business and personal emails into one inbox, and store all of your contacts in one master list.
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One of the first things I noted when I saw the buzz-worthy "iDont" TV ad was that DROID boasted the ability to take pictures in the dark. Once upon a time I thought a camera on a cell phone was nothing but a novelty. Then I started using my cell phone to take pictures of everything because, well, I never have my camera. But lacking a flash, autofocus or image stablization on a cell phone camera often resulted in some pretty worthless pictures. The 5 mega-pixel camera on the DROID, however, has a dual-LED flash, autofocus, and stabilization, as well video recording with easy upload capabilities so you can post your videos to YouTube in no time. In the ever-shrinking gap between cell phone and camera, DROID is the closest thing to the missing link.
So what, if anything, is DROID's weakness? Not much. About the most glaring deficiency of the DROID in comparison to, say, the iPhone, is that Google doesn't yet have an answer for iTunes. Nor does it seem to be interested in entering the downloadable music and videos market. So the DROID will lag behind the iPhone in terms of being an all-in-one music player. But to be perfectly honest, that's what an iPod is for, right?
Also, at the moment the Android Market is still behind Apple in its selection of available applications (Apple has on the order of 100,000--albeit many of which aren't that special). There is no reason to believe that Android will waste any time in catching up, however, especially given that Google has opted to make Android an open-source platform, giving application developers free reign to create DROID products. In contrast to Apple's tight control of developed products, Android's future in the application market is wide open, meaning we may see some pretty outstanding and creative applications.
Comments page 1 of 2
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gr8bsn said 11-06-2009 @2:35PM
Sorry Apple Fanboys. Android>Apple. Open source FTW!
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LPS said 11-06-2009 @3:20PM
Ya Ya Ya, If I had a dollar for every time I heard that "Motorola's new phone is going to be the best". I find it hard to believe that both Motorola and Google are going to continually send out software updates to their devices. How many of us have suffered with buying Motorola device after device because they became obsolete. I'm keeping my Apple and its 200,000 applications and its ability to be upgraded. Please don't downplay iTunes either. It's the way 80% of the legitimate market is now getting their tunes these days.
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Lhee said 11-07-2009 @2:14PM
Whatever you says,who freaking cares I still wont replace my I-Phone,Even if you will give me a Billion Dollars.
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Lynne said 11-06-2009 @3:05PM
Just bought 2 Droids! Am very pleased with the ease of learning my way around it.!!!!!!
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John said 11-06-2009 @3:30PM
What is the monthly fee?
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Lamar Young said 11-06-2009 @8:11PM
That's great i don't know what you paid for them both but I know how you could have purchased each phone for $49.99
http://ppl.blastoffnetwork.com/lamaryoung
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realestate said 11-06-2009 @7:00PM
All these features sound very nice. However, what about the quality of the phone transmission? My phone is my life where business is concerned; and I frequently find the conversation quality lacking.
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melissa said 11-06-2009 @3:49PM
i have an iPhone. it works perfectly!!this article is trying to say bad things about it and just not saying all the good things. You could buy apps and download music. Having to carry around an iPod too is just extra weight. I doubt the droid isn't going to be perfect either. I feel bad for you that bought 2 of them because they SUCK!iPhone will forever be the best phone!!!!oohhhh yea!
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Vince said 11-06-2009 @4:03PM
The Motorola Droid fo Verizon Still Does not compare to the Iphone. The device is bulky and doesn't stand alone Like the Ipnone does. Just seem like Verizon has miss the mark again trying to keep up with the Iphone. The biggest suprise is the ETF change on November 15, 2009 from $175 To $350. This ie effective on all pdas.
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Karen said 11-06-2009 @4:18PM
well, DROID won't be an option since my husband won't use Verizon, but if it lives up to the hype, I would trade in my iphone. I am not a fan of the touch keyboard and can't stand proprietary technology.
replyI have downloaded one song from itunes in 5 years...so this is NOT a big bonus.
I use it a LOT though for internet surfing and e-mail, so it sounds as if the DROID would be much better for me...sigh, figures.
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An Apple A Day said 11-06-2009 @11:05PM
You're against proprietery technology? What does that mean? From dishwashers to Playstations, 99% of ALL technology IS proprietery. If it wasn't we'd be living in a world where we're all the same. Kind of "Droid" like, if you will. Continue to work on your PC (wow, Windows 7 has arrived!) and if you like, I have some vinyl to sell you.
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jim said 11-06-2009 @4:29PM
well.....anything is better than ATT service. it is the worst. Big mistake by apple for giving it's contract to ATT. I love my apple but hate the ATT service...it is dead zone city. I'm on board with the Droid and the Verizon network. GOOD LUCK YOU ATT NETWORK SUCKERS!!!!!!!!!
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artdlee said 11-06-2009 @4:55PM
You can have the most technologically advanced phone on the market, but if you don't have the network to power it, it's just a glorified and expensive toy.
I've actually had friends of mine who have AT&T to ask to use my phone (Verizon) because they could not get a signal, or calls kept dropping out.
It's way too early to tell which is better so I don’t think anyone can really speak to the point except those who have had an iPhone and the new Droid.
But it is pretty much common knowledge that Verizon's network is far superior to AT&T's in every way.
I'm sitting here watching a video on a gorgeous screen, while texting a friend and typing this message online, all using my new Droid, with no slow down whatsoever. The sound quality on calls is also fantastic. But I'm sure that has a lot to do with the fact that I'm on the Verizon network.
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Elly said 11-06-2009 @5:13PM
I have the iPhone and I have service everywhere I go. You must live in the boonies.
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mhathawa said 12-17-2009 @9:56PM
Acutally, the network fails in the crowded markets. I have had chronic reception and availability problems in NYC and San Francisco.
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Tom said 11-06-2009 @4:39PM
Everybody says about how the open source is wonderful.... Don't forget about all the lovely viruses and bugs that home programmers can make and add to your lovely DROID.... I can just hear the reviews now as these phones start crashing... Some of the specs sound nice, but so did the storm and we see where that went.... I love the IPHONE
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travis said 11-06-2009 @4:43PM
I have read reviews on phone scoop and there are a lot of former iphone users stating that the droid is serious competition. The reviews also said that the call quality was the best of any phones they had used. I had an iphone 3GS and it was a great phone, but the camera pissed me off and so did always having to zoom in and out. On top of that at&t's 3G coverage is a joke my contract just ran out with them. So long story short I'm getting a droid. Want unbiased opinions on phones go to Phonescoop.com
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Brad said 11-06-2009 @4:56PM
Hey! I have an idea! How about a stupid phone that works and has no problems? Too much to ask for? I want my phone first and foremost to be a phone, anything else is extra baggage. How about a phone that lets us choose what we want as features instead of tekkie morons telling us what we need? I have 23 apps loaded on my phone I will never use but not enough storage for what I DO use. Sometimes, new tech is not alsways good....
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Carlos said 11-06-2009 @6:46PM
iphone still rules motorola is gonna flop I had went through 4 motorola phones razor, sliver, rocker, razor3g and they were all ok but one the iphone came out I never looked back nor will I ever consider getting a droid I am happy with my iphone and android still can't compete with iTunes so apart from haveing a droid you still gotta carry around your iPod which is an Apple prodduct so Apple is still ontop the iPhone will never be surpassed just imitated but never duplicated
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Reginald E Johnson said 11-06-2009 @5:12PM
What a corporate butt kisser! This is the most one sided review I have ever seen! It sounds like this guy was paid to gush over this phone and he does it quite well! I'll stick with my iPhone and the mighty iTunes store to back it up. Actually this is good for us iphone users because Apple can give us more features anytime they get ready. That's the beauty of the Apple system, you've got one cook to deal with rather than millions! Virses are born that way!
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