I admit it. I’m a middle-aged geek. I love my gadgets and toys. I was the first on my block to get a Blackberry Storm (big mistake). I got my Amazon Kindle the day after it was released (much wiser decision). And now I have my Droid. Actually, I’ve had my Droid for a month now, having purchased it on its release date. And a month later, I still love it. What’s a Droid? Thanks for asking.
The Droid is Motorola’s entry into the “Android” phone market. Sold exclusively through Verizon, it’s a (not too) distant cousin of the iPhone. Android phones are Google-connected communication devices. They do email, texting, Twitter, and Internet browsing; music, videos, and the usual calendar/contact PDA stuff.
I’ve been a Blackberry devotee for five years, and it was a difficult choice for me to jump ship. But after testing out the Droid in my Verizon store — comparing it to the Storm 2 and several other touch screen smartphones, I decided unequivocally to cast my lot with the Droid. And here’s why:
Touch Screen and Virtual Keyboard: For those of you who’ve used an iPod Touch or iPhone, you know how wonderful the touch screen is. It’s responsive, and the virtual keyboard (in landscape and in portrait mode) is accurate and simple to use. I have an iPod Touch, and after I bought it, I realized it was the gold standard of touch screens. The Droid is as good (to me — and I’m no techie, just a consumer) as my Touch. The Blackberry Storm and the Storm 2 aren’t even in the same league. Typing, in fact doing anything, on the Storm is exponentially clunkier than on the Droid.
“Real” Keyboard: Unlike the iPhone, the Droid has a “real” keyboard. It slides out very sleekly, revealing a full QWERTY set of keys and a four-way cursor on the right side. Although the virtual keyboard is excellent in both landscape and portrait modes, the pullout keyboard is a nice option for responding to emails or posting tweets on Twitter.
Google Search: This is where the Droid really does it for me. Say you are trying to find Joe Smith's phone number in your contact book. Touch the little microphone on the home screen and a window pops up telling you to speak. You have now activated Google Search. “Joe Smith,” you say. The Droid will search your contacts and emails for “Joe Smith.” Select the contact and it phones Joe Smith.
Article comments
1 - Orange450
Thank you! This is very helpful for me, since my Verizon account is currently insisting that I get a new phone ASAP, in order to waive the early-cancellation fee my son incurred on my plan, when he switched from Verizon to ATT to be on the same plan as his wife.....
Well, it's complicated. But you did the legwork for me, so thanks :)
2 - Donna
Hi Barbara-
I just bought an iPod Touch last week and while I love it, almost immediately wished it was an iPhone. Since I'm a Verizon customer I was hoping for the day in the not too distant future where Apple and Verizon would finally partner up and sell/support the iPhone. Reading your review of the Droid has me thinking now that this partnership may never happen. As you, I truly have fallen in love w/the Touch and all the touch has to offer but it's missing the phone, an integrated microphone and yeah, even a camera. Sounds as if the Droid will be just another device I want to seriously consider vs the iPhone (yes, I like tech devices too even though I'm not that into the more involved geeky stuff). I also prefer Verizon as a provider.
Well thanks for this review and happy holidays!.
BTW, what's doin' w/your Touch. Still using it?
P.S. Love your beautiful dreidel collection (great resolution from the Droid camera!).
3 - barbara barnett
Donna--My Touch has been gathering dust since I got the Droid. I've been able to get my apps on the Droid. My mail, etc. The droid has both wi-fi and 3G. I have plenty of music with Pandora and my mp3 collection.
4 - Val
Barbara,
Great review! I've been thinking that someday I will replace my reg cell phone with a smartphone, and didn't know which to get...considered a Blackberry for the "real" keyboard (I really dislike those touch keyboards), but liked the Droid for it's Google connection. When the day comes I think I'll go Droid!
I've seen there is a House game available for my touch and i phone...wonder if it would work on a Droid ;)