(Verizon/Motorola/Google) DROID - November 6th

[SonOfAStu]

I think we can officially retire this thread: Why is Verizon so slow with phones with newer technology?

Welcome to the new Verizon.

http://droiddoes.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2009

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Brenda Boyd Raney
Verizon Wireless
908.559.7518
Brenda.Raney@verizonwireless.com

Juli Burda
Motorola
847.877.7277
juli.burda@motorola.com

HELLO HUMANS: DROID BY MOTOROLA ARRIVES NEXT WEEK

Verizon Wireless DROID By Motorola: World’s First Smartphone with Android™ 2.0

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – High-speed Web browsing, voice-activated search, customizable large screen, access to thousands of Android applications and hundreds of widgets and the best 3G mobile network in the country: DROID by Motorola arrives on Nov. 6.

Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest wireless 3G broadband network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a pioneer in the mobile industry, today unveiled DROID by Motorola, the first smartphone powered by Android™ 2.0. DROID by Motorola features the brainpower and breakneck speed of a modern smartphone, designed to outperform where other smartphones fall short.

“We’re proud to work with Verizon Wireless and Google™ on the first smartphone to feature Android 2.0,” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices. “DROID by Motorola delivers a rich consumer experience with warp-speed Web browsing, a mammoth screen, and Motorola’s expertise in design and voice quality. Combined with Android’s open, flexible graphical user interface and the power of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, DROID is a smartphone that simply doesn’t compromise.”

“This is an exciting announcement for Verizon Wireless, as the DROID by Motorola is the first device that we are bringing to market under our ground-breaking strategic partnership with Google,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “DROID by Motorola gives customers a lifestyle device with access to more than 12,000 applications that will help them stay in touch, up to date and entertained, using the best 3G network in the country.”

DROID by Motorola has a solid exterior, intelligent interior and is one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available. It is a no-fuss, high-tech, location-aware, voice-recognizing, over-the-air updating, multi-tasking machine – and it is available just in time for holiday wish lists.

With DROID by Motorola, you can:

· Zip through the Web: Access the Internet at 3G speeds via the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network or from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The multi-window HTML browser with a massive processor delivers the Web the way you expect.

· See it all in cinema-style: View the Web, e-mail, Google Maps™, videos and more in widescreen on a brilliant 3.7” high-resolution screen. Boasting a width of 854 pixels to reduce the need for side-to-side panning and more than 400,000 pixels total, DROID has more than twice that of the leading competitor.

· Run multiple applications at once: Customize your DROID with thousands of applications and hundreds of widgets available on Android Market™. Toggle back and forth between up to six applications at a time to juggle the universe and your apps.

· Perform Google Search™ at the speed of sound: Simply tell DROID what you’re looking for using voice-activated search, and it will serve up Google search results based on your location. If you want more, simply type what you’re looking for into the search bar on the home screen and DROID will also search content on your phone, such as apps and contacts, and the Web.

· Capture moments: Snap digital camera-quality photos with a 5 megapixel camera loaded with the works, such as a dual-LED flash, AutoFocus and image stabilization, or capture your friend’s antics in 16 million colors with DVD-quality video capture and playback. Store it all on the included 16 GB memory card, so you always have it on hand.

· Multi-task like a master: Keep tabs on all your messages with integrated Gmail™ and Exchange e-mail pushed directly to you, but don’t let them get in your way. With the handy Android notification panel, go straight to the message or simply ignore it, and get back to the task at hand. And, a smart dictionary learns as you type and automatically includes your contacts.

· Get where you need to go with Google Maps Navigation (Beta): DROID is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It’s powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say “Navigate to [your destination],” and you’ll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.

Pre-loaded Applications and Enhancements to Google Mobile Services:

· Google Maps: With layers in Google Maps, view geographic information, such as My Maps, Wikipedia, and transit lines, right on the map.

· Gmail: Multiple accounts support and undo for common operations.

· YouTube™: One-touch recording and playback from homescreen widget or app, one-touch sharing with friends, and the ability to view your own uploaded videos and high-resolution videos.

· Google Talk™: Easily switch between chats, search your chat history, and preview pictures and videos sent by links.

· Android Market: Browse and download applications created by third-party developers.

· Calendar: Ability to see who has R.S.V.P.’d to your meeting invitations.

· Amazon MP3 Store: Download the latest tracks over the air.

· Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail: Delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions.

Pricing and Availability:

· DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, Nov. 6, for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

· Experience the all-new DROID by Motorola at www.droiddoes.com.

· To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.

· For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.



(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of the DROID by Motorola in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to high-definition video and mobile devices, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $30.1 billion in 2008. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. Android, Google, Google Maps, Android Market, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk are trademarks of Google, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2009. All rights reserved.

[SonOfAStu]

PC World's review (90/100)

FYI - they gave the iPhone 3Gs an 89 I believe.









DROID by Motorola

Multimedia Docking Station


Google adds free turn-by-turn navigation, car dock UI to Android 2.0 (video)

[Deftones]

The turn by turn thing sounds freaking awesome. I'd always wanted a GPS for my car, but not to the point where I'd ever need it frequently (making it a waste of money). This will be sweet. Even better that I have NE2 credit sitting and waiting for me at Verizon. The only thing that sucks is having to switch my plan to the dataphone one. Oh well. I think I'll stick with Verizon now.

[Deftones]

Oh, looks like you can keep your nationwide plan, you just have to add the $30 data plan. Interesting. That won't raise my bill too much.

[SonOfAStu]

Yeah - if you're used to paying smartphone plans (and I am) this isn't going to run you any more. And the initial price point is spot on. If anything ever has a chance to compete with the iDon't, this is it. And it's on the right network. Verizon FTW!

I'm really looking forward to having the car dock with the charger and hooked up to the AUD port on the stereo. Listening to music from the DROID through the car stereo, taking calls and hearing them through the speakers, the voice directions, etc. This thing would be a truckers best friend. They should actually target that market in some of the campaign.

[Deftones]

I want the dock only b/c I use my phone as an alarm clock and this seems like a cool thing to have. I can charge the phone and have it act as my alarm clock.

[Baron Of Hell]

Didn't read the full thing but verizon has a few different phones all called droid something. So if you see different reviews with different specs on phones but all called droid that is the reason. Seems kind of silly to me and will just confuse people.

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by Baron Of Hell

Didn't read the full thing but verizon has a few different phones all called droid something. So if you see different reviews with different specs on phones but all called droid that is the reason. Seems kind of silly to me and will just confuse people.

Yeah, that'd be like Apple making different devices all called iPod something.

I think it makes sense as long as Verizon labels all of its Android phones Droid. It gives consumers an idea of the base functionality of the phone in terms of OS. It's a better move than T-Mobile labeling its first Android phone the G1, then the second the myTouch, and the third the Cliq.

[Deftones]

Droid Eris, which is an HTC phone similar to the Hero. I think it will be slightly confusing until you actually see the phones in person. They look nothing alike as one has a trackball and no physical keyboard (Eris) and the other has no trackball and a physical keyboard (Droid).

[SonOfAStu]

Originally Posted by Baron Of Hell

Didn't read the full thing but verizon has a few different phones all called droid something. So if you see different reviews with different specs on phones but all called droid that is the reason. Seems kind of silly to me and will just confuse people.

Whatever. I guess we'll wait and see, but anyone who is interested in these won't be confused and if you're seeing them in a store, it'd be hard to get confused.

This is the DROID you're looking for.

[Deftones]

Woops!

[namja]

Google redefines GPS Navigation. Awesome.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/28...ation-android/

[SonOfAStu]

No lie. Watch!

[Deftones]

looks brilliant

[spainlinx0]

So what's the price on this thing? What would it cost monthly?

[SonOfAStu]

· DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, Nov. 6, for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

· Experience the all-new DROID by Motorola at www.droiddoes.com.

· To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.

[parker63]

1) I wonder what the upgrade price will be on this? Our Verizon contract is up, and I've been waiting to figure out what to get. This might be it, but at what "upgrade" price?? I'm thinking two phones here.

2) The GPS navigation. Looks fantastic, but one thing I didn't notice in the video: Will it give verbal direction cues like Garmin, TomTom, etc. or just visual cues on the phone display? ("Continue 1.5 miles, then turn left, Kern Street") It's pretty cool technology, but when driving, audible cues help much better than constantly checking the phone display.

[Tracer Bullet]

I like what I've seen of Android but I wish someone would do something about the status icons (battery, 3G, etc.). They look cheap.

[Baron Of Hell]

Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet

I like what I've seen of Android but I wish someone would do something about the status icons (battery, 3G, etc.). They look cheap.

Don't they use a theme system? If so they should be changeable

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet

I like what I've seen of Android but I wish someone would do something about the status icons (battery, 3G, etc.). They look cheap.

there are hundreds of themes you can download to change those items.

[SonOfAStu]

Originally Posted by parker63

Will it give verbal direction cues like Garmin, TomTom, etc.

Yes, I believe so.

[Superboy]

i'm still happy with my HTC TP2. I need a GSM/worldphone and windows mobile is still one of the best phone OSes, despite its detractors.

Still, if this phone had come out a month earlier... I might be singing a different tune.

[al_bundy]

how do you get music on there? can you sync it with itunes and will genius playlists sync as well?

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

how do you get music on there? can you sync it with itunes and will genius playlists sync as well?

Only iPods sync with iTunes.

Android phones don't have a desktop manager at the moment. I believe they just mount as a removable drive in Windows.

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by Jay G.

Only iPods sync with iTunes.

Android phones don't have a desktop manager at the moment. I believe they just mount as a removable drive in Windows.

that's not true. The Palm Pre did, then didn't, then did, then didn't, then did, then didn't.

look it up if you don't know what i mean.