Video: Pogue reviews Verizon’s Motorola Droid
Is the new Google Android 2.0-powered Droid from Verizon Wireless — the carrier with the biggest most reliable network — an iPhone killer? According the New York Times technology editor, no, but he qualifies that judgement in saying it’s a very competitive product and that it offers features that Apple’s hot-selling handheld doesn’t, including some free turn-by-turn GPS and nifty docks for the home and car.
For a purported Apple fan boy, Pogue has a lot of good things to say about the Droid.
That’s a fairly strong endorsement, especially considering the advantages Verison’s network has over AT&T in the key New York and California markets, not to mention a thousand smaller markets, where iPhone users have complained bitterly about dropped calls and other network issues.
Droid loves me, Droid loves me not
As a person who’s Verizon contract is up, I’m eligible for a new subsidized handset and the Droid looks great, though a bit expensive. That said, HTC’s Adroid 1.5-powered Droid Eris looks a bit thin in terms of “wow” though it’s $100 more less expensive and Google says they’ll offer an upgrade at some unspecified later date after they get some issues worked out.
Review, Tom Bradley, PC World
“All of those efforts combined point to a successful device launch capable of going head-to-head with AT&T and the Apple iPhone. But Verizon seems to be doing everything it can to make the Droid as unappealing as possible by nickel and diming customers so that actually using it is not cost-effective.”
However, the upfront cost of smartphone is only a small part of the overall TCO, making the Moto Droid that much more attractive, assuming I afford the $70 per month (minimum) subscription fee. Call me torn.
Are you considering an Adroid-powered smartphone? Share your thoughts in the comments below…
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[...] smartphone offering to date — Motorola Droid — now shipping, more than a few people (See also: Video: Pogue reviews Verizon’s Motorola Droid) are saying they’re tempted to go with the second-best handset on the best network, including [...]