Hands on with the Motorola DROID and some of its optional accessories
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We've managed to get a sneak peak at the Android powered handset and got our first hand taste of what to expect with Motorola's latest smart phone. There's a lot of expectations with this one, especially when it's already been hype as being probably Motorola's saving grace – bringing back the once venerable company to its former glory. We have to admit from just getting our hands on it that it's built quite well with a feeling of quality workmanship from Motorola. The solid metallic feel is a welcomed sight with the soft matte rear finish complimenting the phone well. This form factor they've decided to go with isn't the traditional one we've seen in the past from them, but it's new design is a refreshing sight to behold.
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Undoubtedly its the first phone to feature Android 2.0 and we hope to put it through its paces to see how this latest version stands up. So far, we just notice a little bit of lag from just moving between the home screen, but the smooth typing experience using the virtual QWERTY is a definite improvement. There's some new applications that the DROID will prominently feature out of the box – specifically Google Maps Navigation.
Finally, there will be a couple of accessories expected to launch with the release the phone to compliment some of the specific aspects of the phone. GPS users will be pleased to know that a dash mount will offered to give the phone that standalone GPS feel. Surpsingly the unit will automatically switch to the GPS mode of the phone when connected to the accessory – we're still scratching our heads as to how the phone recognizes it because the mount was just one piece of plastic. Nonethless, we're sure that it'll find its niche out there – especially when Google Maps Navigation is offered for free without any monthly subscriptions. There's even a charging stand which doubles as an alarm clock that will display useful information such as weather and time while it's connected. Both are expected to be available for under $30 each from what we were told – so it won't break you in the bank. We'll see if Motorola has an ace up its sleeve in the form of the DROID – one thing we know for sure is that this will mark the beginning of the Android explosion. Enjoy the shots from the event and expect our in-depth review soon!
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38 Comments
1. Sethdras posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:44 0 0
i read somewhere that the reason the docks know to change to a docked screen is from the magnets placed in the docks. Friday the 6th cant come soon enough
2. coppertrail (unregistered) posted on 29 Oct 2009, 09:39 0 0
Saw the video from the launch event yesterday, ordering mine on the 6th!
4. vzwman posted on 29 Oct 2009, 09:47 0 0
this phone looks like its built like a tank its nice to have an all metal exoskeliton its seems like a really sturdy phone i give an A+ in my book... im getting this phone on the 6th and im not paying a cent upfront... put it on the tab
5. Dood posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:01 0 0
I can't buy this phone from my store till the 12th. Screw that noise, I'm buying it online.
6. shgam2 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:11 0 0
Why do people want this phone so much? I don't see anything special about this phone other than the Android 2.0. Plus, the phone seems too laggy and slow to compete with the phones being released these days.
8. shgam2 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:29 0 0
I'm just making personal comments and being curious on why people want this phone so much.. I don't see the point of your reply lol
10. rehnhart posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:40 0 0
For most people it's because their on Verizon and don't have a good choice in phones. Second, as you stated, it's Android 2.0 with several improvements. Third, the new Google Maps Navigation blows away most third party nav apps that you have to pay for. Fourth, the docks are a nice feature. I'm getting the car dock with my Droid.
11. swc5062 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:41 0 0
The point of vzwman's reply is that you don't have the network, which seems to be true since you didn't rebut his claim, meaning you can't actually have the droid even if you did want it. If you don't understand why the droid is creating so much buzz, than you don't know anything about the phone.
14. vzwman posted on 29 Oct 2009, 12:27 0 0
its the first android phone from verizon i hope i answerd your question
37. wishbone posted on 01 Nov 2009, 10:31 0 0
Everyone on Verizon wants it so bad cause it's the closet thing to an iphone they can get,,,and we all know how bad VZ wants the iphone. Shouldn't have turned it down when they had the chance,,,,regretting it now
9. MR521 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:37 0 0
can this phone sync up your email accounts, like hotmail, yahoo, etc...?? will it support office suite docs? perhaps theres an app for that?
12. swc5062 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:44 0 0
Supposedly it has a notification pull down menu that will color code your email messages based on which account they come from, so yes. Don't know about the office suite docs, maybe there is an app.
13. zfly9 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 11:45 0 0
I see that the HTC android phone runs Sense UI which I really like.. Are we able to put that on this Droid?
26. mkl4466 posted on 29 Oct 2009, 19:56 0 0
can you put touchflo3D on the Omnia or Palm Treo? Sense UI is made by HTC so it only comes on their handsets, like touchflo but for Android.
15. vzwpenguin posted on 29 Oct 2009, 13:12 0 0
Does anyone know what data plan this wil require?
16. johnolesen posted on 29 Oct 2009, 13:19 0 0
29.99 Data plan...just like EVERY PDA on the market for pretty much EVERY carrier
