I am not a first-day-adapter when it comes to new technology. My attitude towards cellphones, in particular, has been to treat them as necessary (and not particularly user-friendly) evils.
So why was I at the Verizon store yesterday to be among the first to buy Motorola's new Droid phone?
Several reasons.
First of all, I have long envied those who own and use Apple iPhones. But the iPhone is locked into the AT&T system - and that's a deal-killer for me. I left AT&T years ago, because their signal is virtually unusable in my neighborhood. End of story. So the iPhone, while I loved everything I heard about it - and I heard a great deal from tech-savvy people I know and trust - was simply off-limits for me.
But the Droid operates on Verizon's network, which is where I need to be, because it really is the only network with acceptable service where I live. Is it an iPhone wannabe? Not really - but it is a tremendously versatile phone. Here's a good, side-by-side comparison between the Droid and the iPhone. You can see for yourself where the Droid can do some things the iPhone can't do - and vice versa, to be sure. There's a good, thorough review at Associated Content, too.
As for me, I love the Google Maps-based turn-by-turn driving instructions (which I am still learning to use). I like the Facebook widget which lets me stay up to date there. I'm looking for a good Twitter app - and would welcome any comments you care to leave here. I like the way YouTube videos play on the remarkably high-res screen. I like the way new email is announced in a malevolent-robot voice that says DROID! The keyboard takes some getting used to - for a touch typist, that's true on ANY mini-keyboard, including touchscreens. I'm told I can convert DVDs to MP4s and take them on the road for viewing on planes. I'm really just beginning to explore the possibilities. But I'm glad I did this.
Oh yeah - and it makes phone calls, too. ;-)
UPDATE: Here's a very good review from Randy Neal at KnoxViews. Hat tip: Instapundit.
Good review Les. I'm curious...what do think of the keyboard and the camera (a major deficiency in the iPhone, IMO)?
Posted by: Joel Tesch | November 07, 2009 at 07:48 PM
I'm a touch typist, and the keyboard keys are a trifle small - but it's a matter of learning to control my fingers, I suppose. I prefer a real keyboard to a touchpad; I've seen people argue the other way as well. As for the camera, it's 5 megapixels, with a built-in flash (which I don't think the iPhone has). I really haven't played with it much yet - I have seen some complaints that it is sluggish on occasion. I know that it also shoots video; I haven't tried that at all yet.
Posted by: Les Blatt | November 07, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Twidroid is the best out there for now, but it's not saying much. I'm hoping UberTwitter kicks into gear and releases one - I'd pay for it. Had the phone since Tuesday, ad you'll learn to love it totally in 36 hours. :)
Posted by: Peter Shankman | November 08, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Thanks, Peter. Twidroid seems to get a very mixed review in the comments in
the marketplace, but it looks like I'll have to try it - Twidgit Lite, the
Twitter widget that's distributed separately, doesn't seem to do much (or maybe
I'm using it the wrong way).
In a message dated 11/8/2009 9:34:31 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
Posted by: Les Blatt | November 08, 2009 at 12:30 PM