Hasta La Gadget!

It’s hard to look at the DROID without looking at the company which brought the device to life. Motorola: for years the name has been synonymous with… well, disappointment. While the industry-stalwart made cellphones sexy with the RAZR, the days which followed have not been especially fruitful or compelling. Over the past year or so, we’ve seen Motorola beating its way back into the mainstream through a series of smart plays: first embracing Android as a platform, then shucking off the weight of Windows Mobile and finally bringing some desirable (and high profile) devices to market.

With the DROID, the company has perhaps created its most attractive and intriguing piece of technology yet. Forging an alliance with both Verizon and Google, Motorola has come up with a second compelling reason to count the phonemaker down, but certainly not out, while the other two giants have finally found a seemingly worthy device to position against the iPhone. So we must pose these questions: is this the phone which will catapult Android into the mainstream? Is it the device that will pull Motorola back from the brink? And — most importantly — is it the lynchpin Google and Verizon have needed to challenge the leader in mindshare in the smartphone market? After putting the device through its paces, we think we can give you the answers you seek — so read on to find out!

Continue reading Motorola DROID review

Filed under: Cellphones

Motorola DROID review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Chris, who is deathly afraid that making the wrong choice on an Android phone will ruin his life completely.

“Listen, I am an obsessed gadget hound who needs some real help. I just switched to Sprint from Verizon about three months ago for the Pre. Mostly because they said that they weren’t getting an Android anytime soon (ha!). Anyways, I like the Pre but Sprint in my area is spotty at best. I have been intrigued with Android and have had HTC in the past with some good success, so I went for the Hero about a week ago. Now, I miss my hardware keyboard and am thinking about switching to the Moment. After Chris’s pithy review of the Moment it seems that may not be the correct choice either. So, I am still able to switch back to Verizon if I want and get the Droid when it arrives. Should I just trade up to the Moment when it comes out, see if I like it, and if not switch to the Droid? Or something else entirely? Help!”

Wow Chris, that’s a pretty compelling story. Really engrossing. So much so, in fact, that we’re sure you’ll have no issue getting all sorts of helpful replies in comments below. Right, Android lovers? Right?

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Ask Engadget: Which Android phone should I get? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve been waiting a long time for an Android-enabled device that wasn’t manufactured by HTC. A few weeks ago, Motorola answered our prayers with the Cliq, a handset flaunting an Android OS, but outfitted with a complicated skin that revolved around social networking. It was difficult to use, bloated as a beached whale and generally a pain in the ass to use. In short we were not amused.

But we just got Motorola’s second swing at an Android phone and, at first blush, it’s light years ahead of the Cliq.

Ostensibly dubbed the Droid, the phone is offered on Verizon’s network which thumps AT&T’s borderline crap coverage. Web pages loaded faster, calls were hardly dropped and the free(!) turn-by-turn directions blow away the $100 TomTom app offered on the iPhone app store.

And the bad? This thing is pants-tearing heavy at 6 ounces. It’s also not exactly easy to type on the smallish sliding QWERTY keypad either.

Right now the Droid is the best phone offered by Verizon and should quickly become its marquee device. But better yet for Motorola, the Droid is its most exciting handset since the OG RAZR.

See Also:

• First Look: Motorola’s Droid Is Memorable, But Won’t Make You Forget the iPhone
• Verizon Attacks iPhone, Hints at Upcoming Droid
• Motorola’s First Android Phone Delivers Messy, Turbulent Ride

Hey, HTC — we’re onto you. We know you’re a little upset that the lower-end Droid Eris isn’t getting much attention now that the DROID is all over Verizon’s marketing agenda, but it’s not like we don’t feel your pain. For those interested in spending a full Benjamin less on their next Android handset (on Big Red, anyway), the Droid Eris looks to offer that very solution, and now a few more sneak peeks have shown that a 5 megapixel camera (with a video record mode) is gracing the rear. We’re also told that WiFi will be onboard (right, VZW?), and a bundle of joy will also be thrown in after mail-in rebate. Whatever that means.

Read – Boy Genius Report
Read – phoneArena

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC Droid Eris peeks its head out once more, shows off 5MP camera originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid Motorola DROID first hands-on! (update: video, impressions, more pics) Motorola Droid unboxing! Motorola DROID official on Verizon: $199 on contract, coming November 6th (video) How-to: hack your own DROID dock with magnets and cardboard Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video) Google Maps Navigation (Beta) Google adds free turn-by-turn navigation, car dock UI to Android 2.0 (video) Google Navigation video hands-on: you want this The game has changed HTC HTC confirmed to be cooking up Android 2.0 update for Hero, other devices unclear HTC Droid Eris allegedly already in stock — if you know who to talk to HTC Droid Eris priced at $99 for Verizon?

Everything Else Windows 7 receives 7,000 domino salute (video) ASUS changes course, unveils ‘first’ USB 3.0 / SATA 6Gbps motherboards Netflix streaming purportedly hitting Nintendo’s Wii next Mobile SonyStyle unleashes Sony Ericsson Aino in the US for $600 Storm2 now available from Verizon for those who waited HD LG’s transparent 15-inch AMOLED display is amazing, possibly useless Microsoft temporarily suspends Sky Player for Xbox 360

The daily roundup: this is, in fact, the DROID you are looking for originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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