droid or android or..
- Thread starter RonC
- Start date
theribdoctor
Certifiable.
if it's on T-mobile hell no.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
OK, first of all, for clarification purposes (since Verizon is being a bit cagey about the nomenclature):
Android has been out for about a year now and it's honestly a pretty cool smart phone OS, lotsa features and easily has the second-largest App marketplace (although only a tiny sliver of a fraction of the iPhone App store). It's a bit cumbersome and perhaps not as, well, "simple" or as easy-to-use as the iPhone, but the trade-off is that it's technically more capable...or at least, the OS allows you to do more since it's far less locked down than the iPhone (or really, any other mobile OS).
There are roughly a dozen devices running Android, with many more to come, including Tablet and MID computers--so it is far more extensible than the name "mobile OS" would initially appear.
The DROID is going to run the forthcoming Android 2.0 OS, which by all accounts is a big upgrade and improvement, particularly in the areas of interface and usability. I haven't played with it personally, but I've seen lots of screenshots.
As for the hardware side of things, the DROID is a slider phone with full QWERTY physical keyboard, large capacitive touchscreen display (that's the good kind), a 5MP autofocus camera and LED flash, a removable battery, a relatively fast TI processor, all in a relatively thin case (just slightly thicker than the iPhone 3Gs), which is damn impressive for a slider phone.
Here's a link to a whole pile of PHOTOS if you're interested:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/handsets/motorola-droid/
MY OPINION:
I don't think Android is anywhere near as nice as the iPhone OS or the Palm Pre's WebOS, however the 2.0 release will no doubt improve things--but probably will still fall short of the elegance and ease-of-use of those two. Having said that tho, Android is IMO significantly better than Rim's Blackberry OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile (aka "Windows Phone"), and Nokia's Symbian OS.
I think it will be a big hit mostly because of Verizon, who honestly is really far behind all the other US carriers in their top-shelf consumer smartphone offerings. So far, Android hasn't been a gigantic hit (although it's no slouch in the sales department) but I think Verizon's involvement and big marketing push will really knock this phone outta the park.
I am a bit concerned that it's MOTOROLA making the damn thing tho. I mean really, they've been on their deathbed for a couple years now, and if this isn't a big hit for them, they really could just go under. Hell, they might STILL go under. They are a seriously troubled company.
I still have some reservations about Android as well, particularly the required integration into a Google account as well as the inherently problematic nature of developing apps for a platform with such ambiguous hardware capabilities and support (which is both a blessing and a curse)--I mean that's really one of the biggest pain-in-the-asses with the Windows Mobile platform (or "Windows Phone", ugh) as well. The lack of standardized input and use really puts damper on well-designed applications.
Would I buy it? Absolutely, if I were (A) opposed to the iPhone or (or even the Palm Pre) for some silly reason; and/or (B) tied to or preferred Verizon. Thankfully, I am neither of those, so I have and will continue to use the iPhone.
But yeah, under the right circumstances, I would seriously consider the DROID.
- Android = Google-created mobile Operating System (based on Linux kernal)
- DROID = Verizon's Lucasfilm-liscensed branding of the Motorola A855 (aka "Sholes")
Android has been out for about a year now and it's honestly a pretty cool smart phone OS, lotsa features and easily has the second-largest App marketplace (although only a tiny sliver of a fraction of the iPhone App store). It's a bit cumbersome and perhaps not as, well, "simple" or as easy-to-use as the iPhone, but the trade-off is that it's technically more capable...or at least, the OS allows you to do more since it's far less locked down than the iPhone (or really, any other mobile OS).
There are roughly a dozen devices running Android, with many more to come, including Tablet and MID computers--so it is far more extensible than the name "mobile OS" would initially appear.
The DROID is going to run the forthcoming Android 2.0 OS, which by all accounts is a big upgrade and improvement, particularly in the areas of interface and usability. I haven't played with it personally, but I've seen lots of screenshots.
As for the hardware side of things, the DROID is a slider phone with full QWERTY physical keyboard, large capacitive touchscreen display (that's the good kind), a 5MP autofocus camera and LED flash, a removable battery, a relatively fast TI processor, all in a relatively thin case (just slightly thicker than the iPhone 3Gs), which is damn impressive for a slider phone.
Here's a link to a whole pile of PHOTOS if you're interested:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/handsets/motorola-droid/
MY OPINION:
I don't think Android is anywhere near as nice as the iPhone OS or the Palm Pre's WebOS, however the 2.0 release will no doubt improve things--but probably will still fall short of the elegance and ease-of-use of those two. Having said that tho, Android is IMO significantly better than Rim's Blackberry OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile (aka "Windows Phone"), and Nokia's Symbian OS.
I think it will be a big hit mostly because of Verizon, who honestly is really far behind all the other US carriers in their top-shelf consumer smartphone offerings. So far, Android hasn't been a gigantic hit (although it's no slouch in the sales department) but I think Verizon's involvement and big marketing push will really knock this phone outta the park.
I am a bit concerned that it's MOTOROLA making the damn thing tho. I mean really, they've been on their deathbed for a couple years now, and if this isn't a big hit for them, they really could just go under. Hell, they might STILL go under. They are a seriously troubled company.
I still have some reservations about Android as well, particularly the required integration into a Google account as well as the inherently problematic nature of developing apps for a platform with such ambiguous hardware capabilities and support (which is both a blessing and a curse)--I mean that's really one of the biggest pain-in-the-asses with the Windows Mobile platform (or "Windows Phone", ugh) as well. The lack of standardized input and use really puts damper on well-designed applications.
Would I buy it? Absolutely, if I were (A) opposed to the iPhone or (or even the Palm Pre) for some silly reason; and/or (B) tied to or preferred Verizon. Thankfully, I am neither of those, so I have and will continue to use the iPhone.
But yeah, under the right circumstances, I would seriously consider the DROID.
Electric Sheep, heres a question for you. I am a tech moron. do i go with the palm pre or the droid? i love my ipod touch, but want a cheaper plan than the iphone. i was thinking about the palm pre because of the $60 plan. will the palm pre be easy to use like the iphone and touch?
theribdoctor
Certifiable.
unfortunately the pre is crappy...a friend has had one for 4 months and had 3 of them.
smokemifugotem
BoM July '10
I have contiplated upgrading quite a bit...but I have had three Treos Windows based and everytime I had a complaint...the new one fixed it....something about having a full real button keyboard is nice for me...anyone made the jump from treo to another? Wins opps?
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
The Pre is super easy for a non-techie, much like the iPhone (hell it's developement was headed up by the guy who was in charge of the iPod and iPhone development, Jon Rubenstein). Unfortunately, like theribdoctor mentioned, the hardware is kinda crappy; I too have friends who've had the hardware go out on them (replaced for free, but still a pain in the ass). The plan is wicked cheap tho, so that's a bonus--the total cost over two years is so significantly less then other smart phones that it's not even funny--but then again, it's Sprint which might or might not have good coverage in your area (it's great here FWIW) and of course the company itself is in poor financial shape.
The Pre is supposed to hit Verizon in January.
I seriously, seriously doubt the iPhone will be headed to Verizon. It was offered to them initially by Apple, but the big V tuned it down because they didn't want to play by Apple's terms. at&t really wants to do everything it can to keep the iPhone exclusive, so that's probably how it's gonna be for the foreseeable future (just my guess tho).
The DROID should be a good phone (assuming you can deal with Android's little quirks), and of course it's on a great network, but I don't expect it'll be any cheaper--hardware or service plan--than the iPhone.
The Pre is supposed to hit Verizon in January.
I seriously, seriously doubt the iPhone will be headed to Verizon. It was offered to them initially by Apple, but the big V tuned it down because they didn't want to play by Apple's terms. at&t really wants to do everything it can to keep the iPhone exclusive, so that's probably how it's gonna be for the foreseeable future (just my guess tho).
The DROID should be a good phone (assuming you can deal with Android's little quirks), and of course it's on a great network, but I don't expect it'll be any cheaper--hardware or service plan--than the iPhone.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
My wife was a long-time Palm user (from back in the days of the Palm Pilot) and Treo user...and she switched to the iPhone. She absolutely loves it and finds it much more useable and useful than her Palm units ever were. But, she didn't have the WIndows Mobile version, she had the Palm OS version, so her situation is obviously different than yours.
Windows Mobile 6.5 devices should be on the streets this month, but it's not much of an upgrade--sorta a stopgap measure to tide people over until WinMo 7 ships next year...which should be a HUGE upgrade. Unfortunately, Windows Mobile is a hot mess right now, and unless you gotta have one for work purposes (and only then if for some reason you can't use a Blackberry) there's no reason anyone should buy into that platform at this particular moment. Next year with 7 that'll change, but 6.5 ain't gonna do it.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
Hey, check out this article from the NY TIMES about Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, etc. It's got some great insight into what's going on in the smartphone marketplace:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/technology/26android.html?partner=MYWAY&ei=5065
I particularly loved this part:
Indeed, a J. D. Power & Associates survey found that Windows Mobile had the lowest satisfaction rating among customers of any smartphone operating system. The iPhone has by far the most satisfying software, the study found. Android is a distant second, followed closely by BlackBerry’s operating system.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/technology/26android.html?partner=MYWAY&ei=5065
I particularly loved this part:
Indeed, a J. D. Power & Associates survey found that Windows Mobile had the lowest satisfaction rating among customers of any smartphone operating system. The iPhone has by far the most satisfying software, the study found. Android is a distant second, followed closely by BlackBerry’s operating system.
I saw a review of the Droid on G4TV just a couple weeks ago and it was very clunky from what they were showing. Quite the lag time going from screen to screen. Didn't get high remarks at all
avid toker
Regulator
I'm curious if developers are going to build widgets for the Droid. It'll be a long time coming before anyone can match the iPhone OS. Pure simplicity when it coms to surfing the web or knowledge gathering via apps. The iPhone however is a terrible phone and it's on a terrible network, AT&T. Anyone thinking about picking up an iPhone, wait another year. It's rumored 4G speeds are around the corner.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
I mostly agree with that. I mean, if you can wait until next June there will probably be another iPhone model released (like they've done every June recently) and I'm willing to bet it'll be a relatively significant upgrade--however I don't know if it'll be 4G; I doubt it. I mean, at&t is having enough trouble deploying 3G, there's no way they'll be able to turn around and go to 4G this quick. But having said that, I don't think 4G is important right now. Data transfer speeds aren't the issue with the iPhone, it's the friggin' bullshit at&t network that sucks.
I'm lucky that I live in an area with top-notch at&t 3G coverage, but every time I travel the damn thing is just borderline USELESS.
I'm lucky that I live in an area with top-notch at&t 3G coverage, but every time I travel the damn thing is just borderline USELESS.
avid toker
Regulator
The rumor is Verizon is deploying 4G networks next year and they plan to test the 4G iPhone next year. So rumors say you could see iPhone's on Verizon's network sometime next year. AT&T will be deploying 4G in 2011. Some European cities already have 4G networks in place. Battery life's overrated anyway :devil:
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
Oh yeah, THAT rumor! Ha-ha, yes you're completely correct!