[Andrex]

I gotta scram right now but here's the full press release.

HELLO HUMANS: DROID BY MOTOROLA ARRIVES NEXT WEEK

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

LAUREL, MD – 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.

· Facebook: Syncs Facebook contacts to your address book, and a live widget gives the ability to update status and view latest updates from friends.

· 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.

Key Features:

• Available Exclusively on Verizon Wireless
• November 6th @ $200 with rebate/2-year contract
• Android 2.0, including free Google Maps Navigation
• 3.7-inch WVGA (480 x 854) capacitive touchscreen
• ARM Cortex A8 CPU + PowerVR GPU - same combo in the iPhone 3GS
• 1400 mAh battery - best battery life for Android yet
• 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash
• 480p (720 x 480) 24fps Video Recording
• Super-slim but with a hardware keyboard

[Fatalah]

WWW.DROIDDOES.COM

Fully functional now!

[Skittleguy]

ANGER. DAMN CANADA.

[claviertekky]

ANGER. DAMN CANADA.

I thought you guys are happy with an iPhone.

[Skittleguy]

I thought you guys are happy with an iPhone.

I never was. My brother has one and the stupid thing irritates me.

[Polari]

Looks nice, except for that big ugly d-pad thing and all the logos. I understand Motorola and Verizon wanting to get their respective brands out there though.

[alr1ght]

hot

[Baker]

I'm getting one depending on how bad the real price is. I don't even know if I'm one year into my current contract (LG Dare).

I'm sure google could tell me, but what the hell does that ugly gold rectangle next to the keyboard do?

[Zaptruder]

Not only does it look like a pocket version of HAL, it also looks like the eye of mordor.

They're targeting a pretty specific niche with this one aren't they?

[mrklaw]

how do different android phones differentiate themselves from others? Do they have UIs etc on top, or are they basically all like Winmo phones? I see Motorola trying really hard with marketing the droid as something a bit odd, a bit different. But is it just another android phone?

[Solstice]

Hooray for Android! It's nice to see more and more Android devices coming out.

[kaching]

Going to have to check one of these out. So it has a 16 gig card included in the package? The onboard storage itself is fairly low, right?

[Costanza]

:lol

[Kagari]

I wonder if there will be any deals for it come January when my upgrade is due.

[numble]

I like the dock.

[gutshot]

Going to have to check one of these out. So it has a 16 gig card included in the package? The onboard storage itself is fairly low, right?

512 MB, I believe.

Oh and the dock is pure sex.

[sharkmuncher]

I am pumped
That dock is the shit

[chaostrophy]

This is the first phone ever that's tempted me to pay money for it. Both of the cell phones I've owned have been ones that came free with service.

[fistfulofmetal]

looks like a phone.

[mckmas8808]

· 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.

Does this mean that you can record video with the camera and upload immediatly to youtube?

[Solstice]

looks like a phone.

No no no. It looks like the Alpha phone. It looks like the Jesus Christ of all phones.

Does this mean that you can record video with the camera and upload immediatly to youtube?

You can do that on any Android phone, I believe. I know my G1 can do it.

[Ridli]

Lookin pretty nice. Next week can't come fast enough. I've been an idiot, lugging around an enV for way too long and the thing has gone senile, dropping connections all over the place.

No no no. It looks like the Alpha phone. It looks like the Jesus Christ of all phones.

I wouldn't go that far. I like the device for what it does, but the big black slider/candybar isn't exactly a groundbreaking look.

[sharkmuncher]

Anyone have any idea what the cheapest plan for a single user w/ unlimited data & texts (amount of voice min. doesn't matter). I have heard ~70-80 but does anyone currently have a similar plan on another device? I am trying to figure out how much this phone is going to end up costing me

[Akim]

I WANT IT NOW

[gutshot]

Anyone have any idea what the cheapest plan for a single user w/ unlimited data & texts (amount of voice min. doesn't matter). I have heard ~70-80 but does anyone currently have a similar plan on another device? I am trying to figure out how much this phone is going to end up costing me

Pretty sure it goes like this:

$40 - 450 anytime minutes plus free nights & weekends
$30 - unlimited email and data
$10 - unlimited text and picture messaging
=$80 a month

That is what I pay now on Verizon with my current smartphone.

[GMUNYIFan]

Anyone have any idea what the cheapest plan for a single user w/ unlimited data & texts (amount of voice min. doesn't matter). I have heard ~70-80 but does anyone currently have a similar plan on another device? I am trying to figure out how much this phone is going to end up costing me

39.99 for the 450 minute nationwide plan
29.99 for smartphone unlimited data plan

not sure if the unlimited data includes unlimited texts, someone mentioned in the android thread that it did, but I haven't verified

[Fisticuffs]

me want

[glistenm]

how do different android phones differentiate themselves from others? Do they have UIs etc on top, or are they basically all like Winmo phones? I see Motorola trying really hard with marketing the droid as something a bit odd, a bit different. But is it just another android phone?

All signs point to the droid havin 2.0 android before anyone else even it's for a limited time. That's enough to pull a few months of marketing from.

[GMUNYIFan]

Pretty sure it goes like this: $40 - 450 anytime minutes plus free nights & weekends $30 - unlimited email and data $10 - unlimited text and picture messaging =$80 a month That is what I pay now on Verizon with my current smartphone.

yeah that's what I initially thought. does the 450 minutes plan come with unlimited nights and weekends or is there a number of allowed night and weekend?

[Mii]

512 MB, I believe.

· 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.

.

[Wrekt]

I always get psyched up for new phones and then I just can't bring myself to pay $30 a month for a data plan. Especially when my average day has me driving from one internet ready PC to another. I can live without youtube access the 15 minutes a day I'm not around a PC. Especially since my Zune HD has wifi and a web browser.

[FleckSplat]

I'm sure google could tell me, but what the hell does that ugly gold rectangle next to the keyboard do?

I'm guessing it's the shift key, since the numbers and alt characters are gold on the keyboard.

EDIT: Wait, just saw the gold alt key. I dunno.

[Nerevar]

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

Ugh. I hope the AG of Massachusetts wins on this one. Those things are scams, pure and simple. Definitely aren't a "rebate" in any sense of the word.

[glistenm]

.

16GB card

Not onboard.

[AlteredBeast]

...Crimson King...somethingsomething

[Solideliquid]

It seems the monthly rates are about equal to AT&Ts iPhone.

Can someone explain why you can't have more than 512mb for apps when the phone comes with 16gb memory?

[gutshot]

yeah that's what I initially thought. does the 450 minutes plan come with unlimited nights and weekends or is there a number of allowed night and weekend?

Don't have a bill handy to double check, but I'm pretty sure it is unlimited free nights & weekends. Plus free in network calling. There really isn't a reason to get anything other than the cheapest voice plan IMO.

[Tideas]

the phone has IS? Sold and sold

[Mii]

16GB card Not onboard.

Got it now. My bad.

[Snaku]

It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.

[Solideliquid]

It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.

Poor Reese...

[cory]

I want this so bad, but I'm only 2 months into my 2-year, and there's no way I'm paying full price. I'll probably wait till the 2nd wave of android phones for Verizon and get the mid-level one anyway.

Oh, and it's $199 with a new contract and $100 rebate.

[CiSTM]

That is one ugly ass user interface. Will wait for more Nokia n900 and xperia 2 impressions.

[Andrex]

Going to have to check one of these out. So it has a 16 gig card included in the package? The onboard storage itself is fairly low, right?

On board storage is 512 MB, which excluding the Samsung Galaxy and Spica, is still the highest of an Android phone. This means it isn't too much of a problem as most apps are 4 MB max. 16 GB MicroSDHC card is included with every phone, yes.

[Blackface]

The best thing about the Droid is all the videos from Apple fan-boys that have popped up on Youtube saying Droid is trash, then saying they aren't biased.

All the while making sure we see their Macbook in the background, and them flashing their Iphone every five seconds.

[Roders5]

The best thing about the Droid is all the videos from Apple fan-boys that have popped up on Youtube saying Droid is trash, then saying they aren't biased. All the while making sure we see their Macbook in the background, and them flashing their Iphone every five seconds.

If that's the best thing, I wouldn't want to see the worst thing

[Andrex]

I'm guessing it's the shift key, since the numbers and alt characters are gold on the keyboard. EDIT: Wait, just saw the gold alt key. I dunno.

It's most likely the OK/confirm button.

[BigGreenMat]

Anyone have any idea what the cheapest plan for a single user w/ unlimited data & texts (amount of voice min. doesn't matter). I have heard ~70-80 but does anyone currently have a similar plan on another device? I am trying to figure out how much this phone is going to end up costing me

It will be ~$100 per month before taxes and junk. I have the premium nationwide plan and those start at $99 a month

[shenglongdong]

I want this so bad, but I'm only 2 months into my 2-year, and there's no way I'm paying full price. I'll probably wait till the 2nd wave of android phones for Verizon and get the mid-level one anyway. Oh, and it's $199 with a new contract and $100 rebate.

Same here. I'm guessing there won't be any special offers for existing customers looking to upgrade to the phone/more expensive plan?

[Bboy AJ]

I'm getting sick of my iPhone 3GS. I've had an iPhone for like three years and the experience is growing stale.

Wonder what GSM android phone I should get. I wish this Droid was GSM because it seems great.