We’ve been avidly playing with the Verizon DROID by Motorola since its launch on Wednesday, and while we think it’s still too early to give a definitive opinion on the Android smartphone either way, we wanted to share some highlights. The Motorola DROID could be one of the most important smartphones of 2009, so check out our early thoughts on battery life, the QWERTY keyboard, some camera disappointments and more, after the cut.
Neither Verizon nor HTC have officially confirmed the existence of the Verizon DROID Eris, but unless you’re looking at the handiwork of a particularly impressive Halloween costume (sized for hamster) then we’d say the Android smartphone’s existence is pretty much assured. The BGR received two live shots of the HTC DROID Eris – you can see the second after the cut – together with a little feedback as to how the handset performs.
If you are a fan of Android-powered smartphones, you have probably been following the new Motorola DROID with interest. We got all hands on with the DROID earlier this week and the handset is very cool. Best Buy has announced that it is now taking pre-orders for the DROID in its stores at Best Buy Mobile kiosks.
The original BlackBerry Storm failed to sweep through the smartphone sector in the way RIM had hoped it would, criticized for its frustrating SurePress touchscreen technology, glitchy firmware and – most damningly – not being all that hot at messaging. With the BlackBerry Storm2 9550, RIM claim to have not only addressed all of those elements but more, and so it’s with the mildest of trepidation that we’ve been playing with the new smartphone. Breath of fresh air or an ill wind that blows no good? Read on for the SlashGear review.
Recently I asked, if a DROID could take on the Death Star? Now, Motorola and Verizon, along with some help from Google launched DROID. I’ve spent the day with a device and here’s what I think so far. First, Verizon was clear that DROID is going to be a family of devices running Android, Motorola’s device will be the only one called DROID, others will be known as the DROID-XXX. DROID is the first Android 2.0 device and the Google branding points to the fact that this is stock Android. And I do mean stock Android: there are zero Verizon services on this device (with the exception of a non-branded visual voicemail app). No VCast. No nothing. One wonders if Verizon were willing to go to this length a few years ago, would the iPhone have landed on Verizon? Android 2.0 is a great update and finally is starting to feel complete. Compared to V1 Android running HTC Sense, it’s a mixed bag. HTC’s UI is lightyears ahead of stock Android in my opinion but the DROID performs so much better than any Android V1 phone I’ve used and is nearly feature complete that it’s hard to recommend a V1x device at this point.
We may have accused the HTC Eris – aka the Verizon DROID Eris by HTC – as having underwhelming specs this week (what can we say, we want some Snapdragon!) but according to the latest batch of leaks Verizon will at least be pricing it right. gdgt’s Peter Rojas has heard from “a very trustworthy source” that the Android smartphone will be priced at $99 with a new two-year agreement, just half the price of the Verizon DROID by Motorola.
We’ve just finished a sit-down session with Verizon, Motorola and Google to discuss the first Android 2.0 smartphone of the year, the Verizon DROID by Motorola, and this is certainly one very impressive smartphone. It’s far too early for our full review, but check out some live photos and first impressions after the cut.
Motorola and Verizon Wireless have officially announced the Verizon DROID by Motorola, the first Android smartphone for the carrier and what’s promising to be one of the most interesting. The Verizon DROID has a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard and EVDO Rev.A, and will arrive on shelves on November 6th priced at $199.99 with a new, two-year agreement and following a $100 mail-in rebate.
Update: Video overview of Verizon DROID by Motorola after the cut
Remember the Droid Eris, Verizon’s second Android handset and their first from HTC? It seems that Verizon staff are already being trained on the technical details of the smartphone, thanks to a leaked screenshot over at AndroidGuys. Meanwhile BGR are reporting on the specs of the Eris, which may come as something of a disappointment.
Google have launched Android 2.0 Eclair, complete with SDK support for developers. Key changes for the new version of the OS include multiple Google and Exchange account support, two-way contacts sync, the ability to pull in contacts from multiple accounts, the ability to switch methods of communication and accounts within threaded conversations, and a unified email inbox. There’s also new camera functionality, including macro focus and integrated flash support.
Video overview after the cut
SlashGear Japan
