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November 7, 2009 - 3:07 P.M.
Motorola/Verizon Droid: When to recommend?
16 comments- TAGS:droid, Google, iPhone, Motorola, Verizon
- IT TOPICS:Macintosh & Apple, Mobile & Wireless, Operating Systems, Personal Technology
My friends, family and colleagues have been asking me about this amazing new phone from Motorola, Verizon and Google. It is the Droid. Have you heard of it?
Of course you have. It has been trending high for the past two weeks on all technology sites and went on sale yesterday (somewhat unceremoniously) at Verizon Stores and Best Buy.
But, should you get one? Is it better than the iPhone, Pre, G1, or any of the other handsets out there? Here's what I've been telling people who are considering it:
Consider the Droid if:
- You don't get good AT&T service in your area (like me). I can't recommend the iPhone to anyone in the New York area because people won't be satisfied with the voice/network performance. AT&T has been "working on it" for over a year but I've seen no difference.
- If you want the best GPS Navigation system built in to a smartphone, get the Droid. With Android 2.0's Google Navigator, not much else comes close. Google's Navigator is really impressing everyone who uses it. They also have a nice $30 car mount which opens the nav app when plugged in.
- If you need a physical keyboard and don't want a Blackberry, this is a no-brainer. You should try virtual keyboards, however. Most people who use these for a few days can get used to it.
- If you want the best screen on a good smartphone. The Droid's 854×480 display with a pixel density of 267ppi will blow your mind if you are used to the 320x480 screens common to the iPhone, Pre and G1.
- If you appreciate good sound on your phone calls? Droid's sound quality is the best there is - even the speakers for speakerphone beat the competitors'.
- Speed is important. The Droid uses the same snappy ARM Cortex A8 processor from TI as the Palm Pre. It makes the other Android phones seem like 486es.
- If you want an open file system and an open app distribution, Android is for you. Droid is the best Android phone. In reality, this won't make a big difference but things like Trilian and Google Latitude won't get stuck in App Store purgetory like they do on the iPhone.
- If you want to tether, you can right now on Droid for $30/month. AT&T might let you do that for iPhone next year.
- Even though the quality of the shots is questionable (see below), the 5 megapixel camera and flash are something that other phones in this category don't have. If you need this... Droid.
- If you are big Google users, Android is for you. iPhone and Pre also support Google applications but, as you can see with Google Navigator, Google is naturally prioritizing its own platform.
But, you may want to avoid the Droid if:
- Do you need your smartphone overseas? Too bad, Droid uses Verizon's network and won't work on GSM networks. If your need your phone overseas, go get a device that works on GSM/EDGE/HSDPA-UTMS (anything on Tmobile/AT&T) or Worldphones from Verizon/Sprint with dual radios.
- Do you want to use it as an MP3 player? The Droid is a poor MP3 player. You must manually sync you music and it doesn't have integrated podcast/Audiobook support or any of the cool stuff the iPhone has. Even the Pre is better in this regard.
- Want to use it as a camera? Early tests have shown that even though the camera is 5 megapixels and has a LED flash, the quality isn't a good as the iPhone or much better camera phones from Samsung and Sony Ericsson. The video captures aren't great either and are saved in non-standard formats.
- If you aren't a techie. I've had a few problems with the Droid's interface and apps. They weren't nearly as intuitive and as polished as the iPhone or Pre. That could change with time.
- If you want the most different types of Apps, get an iPhone, though 90% of the good apps on iPhone are on Android.
- Multi-Touch. The Droid doesn't have it built in to the OS, though apps have access to multi-touch libraries. If you, for some reason, need this, get an iPhone or Pre.
- Size/weight. Though it is just slightly bigger than the iPhone and Pre, it weighs significantly more, due to its use of metal casing and removable battery. Pick one up to make sure you are OK with its weight.
- Rollover minutes: If you want those, you'll need AT&T.
- Afraid of Google having all of your information? If you a 'Google is evil' person, you won't want to give them a new avenue to collect your personal info.
- You use a Mac. The iPhone's integration with Apple's iPhoto, Addressbook and iTunes (also on PC) are better than Droid's
The biggest factor is probably the network, and most likely this will be the deciding factor. If AT&T is good enough for you, the iPhone is probably your best bet. If you want the best network, get the Droid.
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