Droid - 5 out of 5 stars.... - Droid Forum

administrator · #1 11-18-2009, 11:12 AM

Computer World gives Droid 5 out of 5

Motorola Droid vs. iPhone: It's on!

By Keith Shaw
November 12, 2009 10:51 AM ET

Network World - I found some time away from producing this year's holiday gift guide to try out one of the hottest smartphones of the season.
The scoop: Motorola Droid smartphone (Verizon Wireless service), about $200 (with two-year agreement, plus $70 monthly voice/data service).

What it is: With apologies to Terrell Owens, "Get your popcorn ready!" The Motorola Droid smartphone is ready to take on the iPhone for the hearts and minds of consumers (and, gasp, enterprises). Running on Google's Android operating system, the Droid features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard as a way to combat the lack of a physical keyboard on the iPhone -- but like the iPhone it has a touchscreen (3.7 inches with 480 x 584 resolution) with an iPhone-like UI. In addition to the cell phone, the Droid lets you access e-mail, send text messages and download additional applications from the Android Market.

Why it's cool: The Droid's 5 megapixel digital camera is a step up from the iPhone's camera (the iPhone 3GS has a 3 megapixel camera), and the addition of Wi-Fi on a Verizon Wireless smartphone is a much appreciated feature (unlike last year's BlackBerry Storm, which was Wi-Fi-less).

Accessing applications from the Android Market was as easy as an iPhone, although some of the applications available were not completely formatted for the Droid (I tried the apps out before the phone's official launch, so hopefully they will conform more to the Droid's screen size). Connecting to Verizon's 3G wireless network was especially appreciated in New England. The built-in GPS and navigation application was very cool (and free), especially when it gives you a street view photo of your location when you arrive at the destination (it's possible Street View can be active while you're driving, but I had other things to worry about -- driving -- when I was trying that application.

Some caveats: I'm not completely sold on the slide-out keyboard. The physical placement of the keyboard (it slides out from the side, or the bottom if you rotate the phone 90 degrees) becomes an issue on the right side -- extra space is used, making it harder for people with smaller hands to do the thumb-typing method. Since I have smaller hands, typing on the keyboard was more difficult. I gave the phone to a colleague with larger hands, and he was not bothered by this feature.

Bottom line: I've seen a lot of iPhone clones and alleged "iPhone killers" come and go by the wayside. It's possible that the Droid will join them as well, but I don't think so. I think this device has legs, and it seems to have the support of Verizon Wireless behind it, based on some of their latest ads challenging AT&T's 3G coverage (somehow I think it means hopes for a Verizon iPhone has dimmed).

The final decision on whether to go with a Droid vs. an iPhone could ultimately end up being a choice of whether you prefer AT&T's network or Verizon's.

Grade: 5 stars (out of five).

VernDroid · #2 11-24-2009, 03:53 PM

I did print off the manuals I found on this site and they will help a bit. But still in here I could not even find a way to get my voice messages. A simple task I am sure, but it coud be documented easily somewhere.

jeffatthelot · #3 11-25-2009, 11:55 AM

Well my new droid should be arriving soon via fed ex. I have some basic concerns prior to the start up of the phone. My son works for a Verizon retailer and he tells me that I need to use some caution when wed browsing and getting apps. for the Droid. I am new to smart phones and phones that have html capacity and I am wondering if there is a firewall or some type of antivirus and /or protection that can be used to avoid anything malicious coming into the phone. Regardless I am very excited to start this new guy up and see just what all the fuss is over!

administrator · #4 11-25-2009, 02:20 PM

There are some anti-virus apps out there but I think they're somewhat primitive. You don't need to worry too much about it right now. I posted a informational piece about those who are concerned about this.. You should be fine. Enjoy your new phone.

HAWK88 · #5 04-06-2010, 09:53 AM

I just got the 2.1 OTA Pushed to my MotoDroid.
So far, form, fit, finish, its a great improvement. Speeded this rascal up noticeably, and the pinch zoom works really smoothly.

Haven't had time to explore yet, but I already miss the comma on this page, it's replaced by the voice command speaker.

More to follow.

richg12524 · #6 04-07-2010, 01:30 AM

Hawk88
I felt the same about the comma, I'm sure you have discovered by now it shows up with the 123 key / number key press. Have you played around with the voice to text at all? It works very well. The pinch to zoom is super smooth, one item I had hoped for with 2.1 was home screen orientation changing when in landscape mode, I was using the GDE home replacement & that has this feature, unfortunately 2.1 slowed my phone to a crawl while I had GDE running, even with most of the bells & whistles turned off, I sure miss the extra screens, 3 just doesn't cut it for me.
Rich

HAWK88 · #7 04-07-2010, 02:24 PM

Rich,
I'll check it out farther, thanks.
I did finally find, download, and install Google Earth.
Seems to be a smooth App so far, and quicker than I expected on this size device.
As far as I know, I have one of the rare 6 Nov 09 MotoDroids that has never required a reset to Factory defaults.
Jack

HAWK88 · #8 04-07-2010, 02:33 PM

Rich,
I'll check it out farther, thanks.
I did finally find, download, and install Google Earth.
Seems to be a smooth App so far, and quicker than I expected on this size device.
As far as I know, I have one of the rare 6 Nov 09 MotoDroids that has never required a reset to Factory defaults.
Jack