Posted on 10/28/2009 12:47:49 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Motorola and Verizon Wireless on Wednesday unveiled the Droid, a smartphone that will test whether the companies can use software from Google to chip away at the dominance of Apple's iPhone.
The Droid, a svelte slider with a full keyboard and an expansive touchscreen, will be available at Verizon Wireless Nov. 6 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers have to sign up for a two-year contract and data plan.
Success of the new phone, which is being launched in a competitive holiday season, is crucial for Motorola, where co-Chief Executive Sanjay Jha has placed a heavy bet on Android to turn around the company's mobile devices business.
The Droid is the first phone with Android 2.0, the newest version of Google's operating platform, and is also Verizon Wireless' first Android device. The carrier announced a partnership with Google this month, pledging to co-develop phones and other gadgets using Android software. Like Apple's App Store, Google's Android Market offers thousands of applications that can customize a phone to perform functions such as search for reviews of local businesses, download podcasts and connect with social networks.
"What this phone does is it gives us the answer to what customers want in an open platform," said Marni Walden, Verizon Wireless' president of the Midwest area.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
I’ve always felt I had to stick with Verizon, because I travel a lot and need their great coverage.
So, I’m glad to see this, and may well get one.
Is there a particular reason you would only go with a GMS phone?
Are you aware of any pay as you go cell phones (like TracFone) that do not require a data plan but do have WIFI?
I want a more capable phone especially for PDA funtions (contacts and calendar) but I want to be able to surf the web and would be happy with internet access through WIFI but data plan pricing is ridiculous.
Any suggestions?
“Is there a particular reason you would only go with a GMS phone?”
yes. First, I can take my SIM card out, and put it in another phone, if need be. So, if I drop it (been there-broke that), I am able to use my olde phone as a backup-or buy another phone and use it immediately.
Second, I’m not “locked” to buying my phone from the cellco, and then having to get a new prison term for upgrading. And, GSM is worldwide. You’re not bound to a single carrier.
Keep in mind, that on most phones, you’ll need to “unlock” the SIM before you can do any of this. Some come unlocked, and it’s very simple to do so, if it doesn’t. Just google, unlock cell phone. Most of the good forums have How Tos on how to do it yourself, as well.
Two of the best are:http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=181, and http://forum.xda-developers.com/index.php
In the last 9 years, I’ve had 5 different phones, and never switched from T-Mobile, nor had to sign another contract, and I’ve traveled to Europe and still used my phone.
Lastly, there are some really neat things you can do. Such as, buy a “Dual SIM” adapter, and use two lines in one phone. Or buy a blank SIM, and have it “cloned”, so you can have your data account (internet) plugged into your laptop, while using your phone. Or, you can “flash” you current Operating System to something else, then if you don’t like it, re-flash it to the original. If you have Windows Mobile, or one of the many different Linux based phones, you can modify it to your liking.
Oh, I love technology. :O)
when my verizon contract is up in january i'll be buying the droid. i cannot wait.
Netbook gravy train starts to slow as euphoria fades(what's your opinion?)
Figures.
The same week I buy the iPhone...
(Still love the iPhone, BTW)
So, I’m glad to see this, and may well get one.
Ditto. My contract ended a year ago and I've been eligible for a new phone ever since. I think this might be it.
Now that is informative....I had no Idea.
I’ve been a Pocket PC Phone Edition fanboy for years now. But, I’m waiting for just the right .nix based unit to appear, and then...wham! LOL I’ll be papamsrf’n remixin’ all up in they stuff! hahaha
So how has Verizon crippled it?
Can I take a picture and transfer it to my computer _without_ paying Verizon for the privilege, and _without_ having to disassemble the device (power off, remove back cover, remove battery, remove microSD card ...)? Can I transfer, say, 200 pictures _without_ literally thousands of key presses?
Wow, you know a lot...would you have any thought on my questions on post 23? Thank for helping me...AGAIN.
And I see this :
Of the U.S. carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM while Sprint, Verizon, and smaller carriers such as such as MetroPCS and U.S. Cellular use CDMA. Though Nextel is part of Sprint, Nextel-branded phones use a third technology called iDEN, or Integrated Digital Enhanced Network.
as long as they don’t make me upgrade to one of their smart phones I don’t care what they make!
I really don’t know. I’ve been “married” to T-Mobile for so long, I haven’t paid attention to other carriers or their plans. T-Mobile has treated me very well, and offers World Class Service.
You should go to: http://www.howardforums.com/index.php?, and scroll down. There are discussions for each carrier, and their plans. If you can’t find the answer, readily, sign up and post the question there. That’s an amazing website with resources than any I’ve ever encountered.
Sorry.
I’m not sure. I know I don’t usually agree with their computing picks, so I may not agree with their pda/phone/device picks, either. They seem to be more smartphone oriented than complete pda/phone solutions. I don’t really care for smartphones. They’re like the iPhone, locked down too tight. I need freedom! LOL
I have had nextel for business reasons, and I liked the 2 way. I had 14 phones from them for my employees, which were a mix of different models. Some of those did work by putting in my T-Mo SIM card, but most did not. Motorola used to sell iDen kits on their website (they may still), and you could get into the ROM with those. So, if you are thinking of going that way, check on http://www.howardforums.com/index.php? or some Motorola specific sites and see which phone is most likely able to be modified or do what you want it to.
BTW, AT&T have both CDMA and GSM. (they bought Bell South a few years ago) Check the phone to be sure.
My wife had a Razor, and it had a good signal, whereas my HTC Wizard does not. She now has a Crackberry, and it pulls in 5 bars, but the data rate is so slow!
T-Mobile Will Drop Its Second Android Phone, The myTouch 3G, This August For $199.
They’re $149 (2 yr contract) and $339 (NO contract) on T-Mo’s site right now.
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=MyTouch-3G-Black
LA Times: Thanks to Google's and Motorola's Droid, Verizon opens up
Me too...just wannabe’s...
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