republican-creole
site Search:


 
   
story category
Verizon Takes Aim At iPhone
Hints at October 30 for Android 'Droid' launch
by Karl Bode Monday 19-Oct-2009 tags: competition · business · wireless
A few weeks ago Verizon began taking aim at AT&T and Apple by running a suite of ads that mocked AT&T's loose 3G coverage. The company also announced they'd soon be offering new android-based phones. As part of their promotion for the new phones, Verizon's launched a new countdown clock that marks October 30 as a date to watch, though they don't say whether that's a launch date or a date for further announcements. They've also cooked up this spot that takes competitive jabs at what the iPhone doesn't do. The Boy Genius Report has an early hands on look at the new "Droid," so you can make up your own mind.

view: topics flat text 
Post a:

crazyk4952
Premium
join:2002-02-04
united state
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Charter
·voip.ms
·Future Nine Corp..

Greedy Verizon

Verizon is just mad that they said "no" to Apple in the first place.

If they really want to have something that competes with the iPhone, they had better make their Android phones a lot less clunky than the G1 and G2.

Or here's another idea: make the monthly price for the data service cheaper than what AT&T charges for the iPhone (or wait...this is greedy Verizon we are talking about that likes to nickel and dime their customers!).

ThrowDemsOut
If you can't convince 'em, confuse 'em
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Mullica Hill, NJ
kudos:4

2 edits

The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by crazyk4952:

If they really want to have something that competes with the iPhone, they had better make their Android phones a lot less clunky than the G1 and G2.
And this is supposed to be just that. Faster, slimmer, bigger screen(3.7 in.), better camera, newer Android OS version, etc than any Android phone yet released.

Pics here, looks good:
»www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/···a-droid/
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page


Telco_Tech

join:2009-05-18
Toledo, OH

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

I'm not so sure. Based on those pics it looks kinda cheap and "plastic-ey". Of course the OS will be the real star of the show, so I'm interested to see how VZ + Moto will set themselves apart from everyone else's Android offering.

For now, I'm content with my Pre. Even with all its imperfections it's still a heck of a phone, and between community mods and official updates, my complaints are starting to get whittled down. Still, I'm always keeping an eye on the Android scene for something truly game changing to emerge.

- Tate

--
It's time to let go of TDM people. If it's not IP-based, it's crap!

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
Reviews:
·Site5.com
·Comcast
·Callcentric
said by ThrowDemsOut:

said by crazyk4952:

If they really want to have something that competes with the iPhone, they had better make their Android phones a lot less clunky than the G1 and G2.
And this is supposed to be just that. Faster, slimmer, bigger screen(3.7 in.), better camera, newer Android OS version, etc than any Android phone yet released.

Pics here, looks good:
»www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/···a-droid/
I want to see some reviews of the product before I make up my mind. There are some fanboys out there saying this phone is equal to the second coming of Christ. Hell, even I waited on the fence for the Iphone 3g to come out before I bought it. If this new phone is in fact that awesome, word will spread quickly. Otherwise, it will just die on the vine like so many other products that have been touted as the next "iphone killer".
--
My domain - Nightfall.net

Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
kudos:2

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by Nightfall:

said by ThrowDemsOut:

said by crazyk4952:

If they really want to have something that competes with the iPhone, they had better make their Android phones a lot less clunky than the G1 and G2.
And this is supposed to be just that. Faster, slimmer, bigger screen(3.7 in.), better camera, newer Android OS version, etc than any Android phone yet released.

Pics here, looks good:
»www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/···a-droid/
I want to see some reviews of the product before I make up my mind. There are some fanboys out there saying this phone is equal to the second coming of Christ. Hell, even I waited on the fence for the Iphone 3g to come out before I bought it. If this new phone is in fact that awesome, word will spread quickly. Otherwise, it will just die on the vine like so many other products that have been touted as the next "iphone killer".
IMO, there's no way this phone can beat out iPhone. It can be "the killer" phone, but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.

Like the Pre (which is a great phone, btw), the Droid will just be another "smartphone".
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
Reviews:
·Site5.com
·Comcast
·Callcentric

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by Rob:

IMO, there's no way this phone can beat out iPhone. It can be "the killer" phone, but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.

Like the Pre (which is a great phone, btw), the Droid will just be another "smartphone".
Well then I want to see some reviews on the smartphone. I am not married to the Iphone at all due to the apple name. I enjoy the phone because it just works for me.

Will this phone be the next big thing? I have no idea. I am at least willing to read the reviews though. One thing I will not do is start touting the Droid to be the Iphone killer like many fanboys are doing right now.
--
My domain - Nightfall.net

doc69
Premium
join:2004-08-01
Reviews:
·Insight Communic..

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

IMO, there's no way this phone can beat out iPhone. It can be "the killer" phone, but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.
----------------------------------------------

That's the reason many people, including myself, wont buy one!!!!! Apple stands for "Over Priced". I avoid anything Apple.
--
I'll keep my God, my freedom, my guns, and my money. You can keep "THE CHANGE."

funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Yarmouth Port, MA
kudos:5
said by Rob:

but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.
To me, the Apple brand has continued to mean "cool but expensive and incompatible." Buying a phone because it's Apple-branded is like buying a backpack for the Nike "swoosh." Rather foolish, unless you're really into "swooshes."
--
Robb Topolski -= funchords.com =- District of Columbia -- KJ7RL
Test your Broadband connection today! -- »measurementlab.net/
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:1

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

There are a lot of people that are interested in "swooshes", plus more and more people are tying themselves into Apple's ecosystem which only entices consumers to buy more Apple products. Apple has done an awesome job branding and marketing their gear. Full disclosure, I do not own an iPhone or iPod, but I do own three Macs and couldn't be happier with them.

ThrowDemsOut
If you can't convince 'em, confuse 'em
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Mullica Hill, NJ
kudos:4

1 edit
said by funchords:

said by Rob:

but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.
To me, the Apple brand has continued to mean "cool but expensive and incompatible." Buying a phone because it's Apple-branded is like buying a backpack for the Nike "swoosh." Rather foolish, unless you're really into "swooshes."
New rumor out. Verizon and Apple working on an 4G LTE iPhone to come out next year.
»www.9to5mac.com/apple_verizon_4g
»fonefrenzy.com/2009/10/18/bigger···s-droid/
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page


nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by ThrowDemsOut:

New rumor out. Verizon and Apple working on an 4G LTE iPhone to come out next year.
»www.9to5mac.com/apple_verizon_4g
»fonefrenzy.com/2009/10/18/bigger···s-droid/
Not new. That rumor's a couple months old. People were previously speculating for why VZW was looking to push LTE deployment and noticed that several of the deployment targets corresponded with AT&T/Apple contract renewal and locations of heavy iPhone usage.
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

m698322h

@zoominternet.net
Hmmm it seems to me Android has a name behind it to! GOOGLE may be the name.

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
said by Rob:

IMO, there's no way this phone can beat out iPhone. It can be "the killer" phone, but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.
Except that, at least in the U.S., the iPhone also has the "AT&T" name on it (and their associated garbage data networks). Seriously, it's the utter craptacularness of AT&T that keeps me from hopping on the iPhone train (well, other things, too, but that's the primary one).
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
kudos:2

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by nixen:

said by Rob:

IMO, there's no way this phone can beat out iPhone. It can be "the killer" phone, but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.
Except that, at least in the U.S., the iPhone also has the "AT&T" name on it (and their associated garbage data networks). Seriously, it's the utter craptacularness of AT&T that keeps me from hopping on the iPhone train (well, other things, too, but that's the primary one).
Which brings up another good point. Apple can open up the iPhone to T-Mobile and that would increase the number of iPhone numbers fairly quickly.
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us

optemino

join:2009-10-13
Patterson, CA

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

i wouldn't even flinch and hop the AT&T boat for a T-mobile iPhone

Matt
All noise, no signal.
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12
said by Rob:

said by nixen:

said by Rob:

IMO, there's no way this phone can beat out iPhone. It can be "the killer" phone, but the iPhone has something that the droid doesn't - it has the Apple name behind it.
Except that, at least in the U.S., the iPhone also has the "AT&T" name on it (and their associated garbage data networks). Seriously, it's the utter craptacularness of AT&T that keeps me from hopping on the iPhone train (well, other things, too, but that's the primary one).
Which brings up another good point. Apple can open up the iPhone to T-Mobile and that would increase the number of iPhone numbers fairly quickly.
In my experience, T-Mobile is even worse than AT&T and their network is even smaller.
--
"What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?" - Abraham Lincoln

John McClane
yippee ki yay
Premium
join:2005-03-19

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

your wrong and your correct. t-mobile crushes AT&T for customer service. but you are right that their network is smaller.
k1ll3rdr4g0n

join:2005-03-19
Homer Glen, IL
said by Matt:

In my experience, T-Mobile is even worse than AT&T and their network is even smaller.
HAHA OH MAN you do not know how hard I just laughed when I read that.

AT&T tech support sucks, their network sucks, you know...come to think of it they must do a lot of sucking at their HQ.
I called them to inquire on getting provisioned for VPN on my phone and the "A+ certified" CSR told me I needed an SMS package because VPN goes over SMS. I will never forget it because she labeled herself as A+ certified.

Telco_Tech

join:2009-05-18
Toledo, OH

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by k1ll3rdr4g0n:

I called them to inquire on getting provisioned for VPN on my phone and the "A+ certified" CSR told me I needed an SMS package because VPN goes over SMS. I will never forget it because she labeled herself as A+ certified.
Wow, must be that VPNoSMS protocol that's been rumored to be under development for the past five years. Tunneling packets via SMS... ingenious concept! Better get AT&T's bargain $20 unlimited texting package or else you'll rack up thousands of dollars in overage fees in no time!

- Tate

--
It's time to let go of TDM people. If it's not IP-based, it's crap!
rradina

join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

And of course, although the latest iPhone OS upgrade added SMSVPN tunneling capabilities to the iPhone, AT&T doesn't support it on the iPhone -- yet.
k1ll3rdr4g0n

join:2005-03-19
Homer Glen, IL
For those wondering, this was a Windows Mobile device.

My hypothesis:
I was trying to get provisioned for isp.cingular which gives you a dedicated IP instead of NATing which, supposedly, prevents GRE VPN packets. I believe iPhone users are automatically provisioned for isp.cingular, as some of my iPhone touting co-workers tell me they can VPN into the company network....but I have no proof that they are on isp.cingular. I think the problem could also deal with the fact that with wap.cingular you are regularly getting a new IP, whereas with isp.cingular you should get a fixed IP.

sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
said by nixen:

Except that, at least in the U.S., the iPhone also has the "AT&T" name on it (and their associated garbage data networks).
That was really what was holding me back for a long time. But I lucked out - so far I have better reception and call quality at home than I did with TMO, and in NYC the phone has been great. Speedtests show around 1200/300, which is enough for my email checking and light browsing. I'm betting that T is pumping a shitload of money into NYC though, and if I travel with this thing I'll get to experience crappy service.
--
with every mistake we must surely be learning
xrobertcmx
Premium
join:2001-06-18
Sterling, VA
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
I really do not like to say this as the only reason I went back to AT&T was the simple fact that they are the only provider with decent service at my house, but they aren't bad.
Aside from a few minor billing issues over the past couple months service has been good. Aside from that when we decided to sign back up with AT&T I figured that as I was going to sign a deal with the devil I would go ahead and get the iPhone, and it works greats more or less everywhere, including the middle of nowhere. Speeds tend to be around 900K a second.
Albeit, I live just outside DC.
--
Retaking our country one election at a time.

Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
kudos:2
The keyboard reminds me of an old HP calculator. The whole shell of the phone gives me a plastic "cheap" look.

The screen isn't bright and vibrant like the iPhone.

The back is fugly.
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1
Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
·AT&T DSL Service

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by Rob:

The keyboard reminds me of an old HP calculator. The whole shell of the phone gives me a plastic "cheap" look.

The screen isn't bright and vibrant like the iPhone.

The back is fugly.
Supposedly the keyboard isn't finalized. I hope it's not. I like the G1 keyboard much better than that.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara

Noah Vail
Son made my Avatar
Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lorton, VA
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Bright House
·Sprint Mobile Br..

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

said by tiger72:

Supposedly the keyboard isn't finalized. I hope it's not. I like the G1 keyboard much better than that.
The keyboard is the first thing I look at. It's why I use HTC products and will never land in the BB or Apple worlds.
I'm not sure why it's so tough to get the keyboards right on these things.

Heck, Apple couldn't even figure out where to begin building a keyboard for employed people, but that's Apple.

The Droid buttons seem to be a good size. But no one knows what the tactile feel will be like till they hold one in their hands.

Not having played with this OS, I'm not sure what keys should be included for cut-and-paste. But, like everyone else, Motorola seems to think that the ALT CTL HOME END DEL and INS keys are some kind of individual features. Pick 2 for this phone and 3 for that one.

Heck, it was ages before news of cut-and-paste leaked to Apple from the real world, but that's Apple.

NV

Matt
All noise, no signal.
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12
said by ThrowDemsOut:

said by crazyk4952:

If they really want to have something that competes with the iPhone, they had better make their Android phones a lot less clunky than the G1 and G2.
And this is supposed to be just that. Faster, slimmer, bigger screen(3.7 in.), better camera, newer Android OS version, etc than any Android phone yet released.

Pics here, looks good:
»www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/···a-droid/
It does look good. I hope it has a more vibrant screen and Verizon/Motorola can do something about the clunky Android OS. I am pretty tired of my iPhone and the AT&T network, I'm just waiting for a thin slider like the Droid to be released. Once a compelling phone comes out, we're paying our ETFs and leaving AT&T.
--
"What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?" - Abraham Lincoln

John McClane
yippee ki yay
Premium
join:2005-03-19

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

android is anything but clunky

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1
Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
·AT&T DSL Service
said by Matt:

said by ThrowDemsOut:

said by crazyk4952:

If they really want to have something that competes with the iPhone, they had better make their Android phones a lot less clunky than the G1 and G2.
And this is supposed to be just that. Faster, slimmer, bigger screen(3.7 in.), better camera, newer Android OS version, etc than any Android phone yet released.

Pics here, looks good:
»www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/···a-droid/
It does look good. I hope it has a more vibrant screen and Verizon/Motorola can do something about the clunky Android OS. I am pretty tired of my iPhone and the AT&T network, I'm just waiting for a thin slider like the Droid to be released. Once a compelling phone comes out, we're paying our ETFs and leaving AT&T.
It seems you haven't seen the screenshots of Android 2.0's gui... Social networking built in, etc..

As a matter of fact, almost every new phone to be released since the MyTouch3g will NOT be using a stock Android interface. The Hero interface is very nice imo. In fact, my girlfriend who definitely prefers her iphone to my stock G1, preferred the Hero ROM that I was using to her iPhone (yay widgets!).

»www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/···through/
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara

Matt
All noise, no signal.
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12

Re: The drop dead Apple "Verizon Droid"

Early reports said that Droid would run Android 1.6, not 2.0, but it looks like that's been updated: »www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/···ands-on/ 2.0 (and especially the note about Exchange support) would definitely seal the deal if the Droid is released with 2.0.
--
"What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?" - Abraham Lincoln

Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
kudos:2
While it's a nice GUI, it looks like a cheap knock off of the iPhone.
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us

See 15 replies to this post

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by crazyk4952:

Or here's another idea: make the monthly price for the data service cheaper than what AT&T charges for the iPhone (or wait...this is greedy Verizon we are talking about that likes to nickel and dime their customers!).
What are you talking about? PDA data plans are $30 from Verizon and iPhone plans are $30 from AT&T. They are exactly the same.

crazyk4952
Premium
join:2002-02-04
united state
kudos:1

Re: Greedy Verizon

Yes I know that. My point was that if Verizon wants to compete with the iPhone, they should lower the cost of the data plan for their android phones. This would make more people consider switching to the Android.

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by crazyk4952:

Yes I know that. My point was that if Verizon wants to compete with the iPhone, they should lower the cost of the data plan for their android phones. This would make more people consider switching to the Android.
There are things to compete on other than price. People don't choose the iPhone or any Apple product based on price, therefore it would be foolish to compete against the iPhone on price.

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
said by crazyk4952:

Yes I know that. My point was that if Verizon wants to compete with the iPhone, they should lower the cost of the data plan for their android phones. This would make more people consider switching to the Android.
Dunno: I'm stuck paying $60/mo for voice service plus $30 for data service. If I could get a $70/mo data-only plan and a phone that could do pure VOIP, I'd go that route.
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by nixen:

said by crazyk4952:

Yes I know that. My point was that if Verizon wants to compete with the iPhone, they should lower the cost of the data plan for their android phones. This would make more people consider switching to the Android.
Dunno: I'm stuck paying $60/mo for voice service plus $30 for data service. If I could get a $70/mo data-only plan and a phone that could do pure VOIP, I'd go that route.
I have tried VOIP (SIP) on EVDO and it was so-so.

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by fifty nine:

I have tried VOIP (SIP) on EVDO and it was so-so.
One would hope that you'd at least be able to use other devices as TAs so that, when you're in places like my office building, and have "no bars", you could use your laptop to place/receive calls.
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

Geminimind
Premium
join:2003-12-20
Sacramento, CA
I so agree greedy greedy greedy and snobby, Thats why I left them. I will never go back to verizon.

thender
Screen tycoon
Premium
join:2009-01-01
Brooklyn, NY
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Optimum Online
If by nickel and dime you mean allow me to receive phone calls in times square subway station while AT&T people get the shaft on 30th st office buildings, then yes, they are greedy.

I get what I pay for, I know that much.
--
Macbook repair in NYC
pandora
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Outland
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Google Voice
·Future Nine Corp..
·Comcast
·ooma
said by crazyk4952:

Or here's another idea: make the monthly price for the data service cheaper than what AT&T charges for the iPhone (or wait...this is greedy Verizon we are talking about that likes to nickel and dime their customers!).
That is why I'm on Sprint and not Verizon or AT&T. The monthly cost matters more to me over time than having an iPhone. The Palm Pre or an Android phone are great alternatives IMO.
--
"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."

Matt
All noise, no signal.
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12

1 edit

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by pandora:

said by crazyk4952:

Or here's another idea: make the monthly price for the data service cheaper than what AT&T charges for the iPhone (or wait...this is greedy Verizon we are talking about that likes to nickel and dime their customers!).
That is why I'm on Sprint and not Verizon or AT&T. The monthly cost matters more to me over time than having an iPhone. The Palm Pre or an Android phone are great alternatives IMO.
If the Droid came out on Sprint, I'd be veeeeery happy.
--
"What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?" - Abraham Lincoln
Nesse

join:2009-06-12
Naperville, IL

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by Matt:

If the Droid came out on Sprint, I'd be veeeeery happy.
You mean besides the HTC Hero that came out Oct 11th? Or besides the Samsung Moment that comes out Nov 1st?

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1
Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
·AT&T DSL Service

Re: Greedy Verizon

said by Nesse:

said by Matt:

If the Droid came out on Sprint, I'd be veeeeery happy.
You mean besides the HTC Hero that came out Oct 11th? Or besides the Samsung Moment that comes out Nov 1st?
Neither of those is packing the power that the Droid supposedly does. In fact, no other Android phone really comes even close.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara

imrf
Premium
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI
said by crazyk4952:

Or here's another idea: make the monthly price for the data service cheaper than what AT&T charges for the iPhone (or wait...this is greedy Verizon we are talking about that likes to nickel and dime their customers!).
It's the same price, $30 a month. They also have a plan that's somewhere around $15-$20, I think, that does have a data cap.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1

Re: Greedy Verizon

They have a dumbphone plan...
dragon2611

join:2006-12-30
UK
There are slimmer Android powered handsets around, although they lack the hardware keyboard

E.g HTC Magic/Tatto and the Samsung i7500 (Galaxy)

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

Data Only?

I know it won't happen, but still wish that it would. I'm a VZW customer, and fairly satisfied with them, but, the first company that offers data-only, such that voice could be replaced with VOIP service, and I'll jump, immediately.
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

See 13 replies to this post
moonpuppy

join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

The ONLY thing good I can see out of this....

....is more apps for Android devices. With Verizon pushing this, the apps store might get quite a few more entries.

The bad things:

- Verizon wanting to exert a lot of control.

- Verizon only apps.

- Lockdown of a lot of normal features.

Only time will tell how Verizon reacts.

See 7 replies to this post

obeythelaw
Premium
join:2003-04-16
Bayonne, NJ

They try

Everyone is trying to come out with the phone to beat the iPhone. But it hasn't happened yet. This past weekend, I was showing a couple of non tech people my iPhone. They were amazed at the ease of use over their blackberries. That's where the iPhone really shines. The software literally makes it easy to use every feature on the iPhone. Yeah, somethings like true multitasking can't be done, but the average person doesn't know or care about that and that's why AT&T and Apple have solidified the smartphone market with the iPhone. It will be very hard to beat the iPhone.

See 16 replies to this post
BB_Hunter

join:2008-05-16

It's a Motorola!

Need I say more? I'd be slightly excited if the Droid wasn't made from a company that makes cheap garbage.
glinc

join:2009-04-07
New York, NY

Re: It's a Motorola!

Agreed. Motorola phones have gone downhill after their big hit with the Razr.
NeoandGeo

join:2003-05-10
Harrison, TN

Re: It's a Motorola!

The Razr was one of the worst phones I ever used. The hit was in how cool it looked at the time.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1
Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
·AT&T DSL Service
said by BB_Hunter:

Need I say more? I'd be slightly excited if the Droid wasn't made from a company that makes cheap garbage.
The Droid is their major attempt to change that image. While I've had far too many Motorola devices die on me for 1 reason or another (a couple razrs, a v330, etc.), the Sholes/Droid might be the first Moto device I'll give a look at in 4 years. They're certainly trying to turn that sinking ship around.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara

John McClane
yippee ki yay
Premium
join:2005-03-19
Reviews:
·Comcast
·T-Mobile US
·AT&T U-Verse
·Vonage
i've had a chance to play around with the one of the early designs of the cliq a little bit. i have a friend that is a software and electrical engineer for motorola. if it is anything like the one i played with it will blow your freaking mind. it made my G1 look like a kids toy.

optemino

join:2009-10-13
Patterson, CA

HAHAHA

if Verizon is keeping to its standards, then i wouldn't be surprised if it ends up looking like a piece of crud... just like all of the other smart phones it offers
glinc

join:2009-04-07
New York, NY

Re: HAHAHA

Have you even done a research or used their smartphones? because it clearly shows you have no clue about it.
majortom1029

join:2006-10-19
Lindenhurst, NY
kudos:1

hmm

Wel lconsidering i know atleast one spot on the verizon map that is a compelte lie i wouldnt go too much on these ads.

Noah Vail
Son made my Avatar
Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lorton, VA
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Bright House
·Sprint Mobile Br..

It's not so much Oil and Water as it is...

I'm having a bit of trouble reconciling the polar opposites of Open Source and Verizon.

If you mix water and rocks, you get water with rocks in it. One part is flexible and the other is in the way.

So Google created an Open Source OS. They then decide that a really good place to deploy it is inside of a walled garden.

Among Verizon's chief attributes are their abilities to restrict devices and withhold traffic. And this is what Google sought out right after they created Android?

Um, OK. If that's what you want Google.

NV
Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC

Pics look interesting, but ...

I'm really liking the timing of this. Bring it on at the end of Oct... By the time my NE2 comes up (Feb next year) I can hope (probably in vain) for the price to come down a little.

Seriously, I'm a happy Verizon subscriber, not a smartphone user, not a data plan subscriber, not a heavy TXT user, mainly have the phones for voice calling. As such, I have NO NEED for a phone like this.

But, there's still the WANT factor...

So, here's how it will play out. The Droid will be launched and availabe in Verizon stores. I'll get a chance to actually HOLD one (to see if I'd still want it)--check out the display quality, the tactility (is that a word?) of the keyboard, etc. I'll see the price of the phone and the plan requirements imposed by Verizon on anyone who want to use that phone.

IF the requirements aren't too onerous and the phone feels solid, display is acceptable, etc., maybe I'll buy it. My last Moto (the T710 - quite a while ago) had a crappy screen.

Who cares if its the "iPhone killer" or "just another smartphone"? Much of that will depend on the actual FEEL of the phone, something no one here can judge from pictures; in-person views of the screen, speed, capabilities. Price may be a factor, but as mentioned elsewhere, many iPhone users are willing to pay for the 'toy' and/or the name...
mystikmedia
Premium
join:2004-06-17
Hampstead, NC

I'm Hopeful for It

Yep, that's me there in south-east North Carolina. Charter has been having a fair bit of down-time recently, which it about the worst, but as far as speed goes, they're the best option there is for me. In fact, the DSL option is only 6mbps, whereas Charter is 16. Those are the only two real options in my area. There's always satellite, but that would be even worse.

jpl931

join:2001-02-22
Herculaneum, MO
Reviews:
·AT&T Southwest

Uphill battle

The new droid phone may be a great improvement over the previous phones but Apple has something they all wish they had, an iconic brand name and an amazing piece of technology the iPhone.

perki

join:2008-12-01
Santa Maria, CA

does all this mean that...

Verizons going to pass on the iphone?

John McClane
yippee ki yay
Premium
join:2005-03-19

Re: does all this mean that...

it will be the first smart choice they ever make

Phil
Rojo Sol
Premium
join:2001-06-11
Camarillo, CA
kudos:2

Re: does all this mean that...

Because not agreeing to exclusive iPhone rights in the first place had to be their biggest mistake ever.
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA

Keyboard

I don't WANT a keyboard. Also, Verizon isn't known for the openness of their phones either. Otherwise, this was a good comercial.

Seth

@comcast.net

AT&T doesn't work in Chicago

Too bad AT&T has no signal in Chicago. Worst of all cell carriers. I'd love an iPhone, but the network is non-functional.

Sunday, 12-Feb 07:13:56 Terms of Use & Privacy | feedback | contact | Hosting by nac.net - DSL,Hosting & Co-lo
over 12.5 years online! © 1999-2012 dslreports.com.