As many people know, I (and my wife) have Verizon Wireless cell service. I've been really disappointed over the last few years or so at Verizon's so-so rate plans and especially disappointed with their pathetic line-up of handsets, the bulk of which you can probably label as 'feature-phones', or phones that look cool but don't really do much.
I've been getting ready to ditch Verizon for Sprint or (gasp) AT&T and the iPhone. But Verizon just launched a game changer a couple of days ago that's making me rethink that decision (sorry, Ben).
By now, everyone must have heard of Verizon's new handset that was just released, the Droid. This device is, IMHO, a very, very serious competitor to Apple's iPhone 3GS. It has a better higher res screen, removable battery, 16-32GB micro-SD card memory, multitasking, free turn-by-turn GPS, physical keyboard, etc. iDon't think it's an iPhone killer, though.
There are three things that I'm on the fence about with the Droid, now that I've used an iPod touch for a while:
iDon't - like Android 2.0's media app, it really looks horrible and pales in comparison to iPhone OS 3.1's app. You can't even mention the 2 in the same sentence. Will Google update this in a later update (Android 3.0, perhaps)? Who knows. But it's important to me, plus there is as of yet no viable syncing software for Android that can compete with iTunes.
iDon't - like the lack of multitouch. Come ON, Verizon, Moto, and Google!! Google, you build multitouch capability into Android. Verizon & Moto, you release the Milestone in Europe (essentially an overseas Droid) with this capability. Palm's Pre has it, Verizon's own Droid ERIS has it; come ON! How did they miss this? My guess is that the Droid CAN do multitouch, but was released without it for some inexplicable reason. I can only hope that it can get 'turned on' through some over the air or software/firmware update. I was playing with the Droid on Friday and found myself instinctively trying to pinch to zoom and not being able to REALLY was annoying. The Droid does have zooming soft buttons onscreen but their functionality is really limited when comparing to the iPhone.
Last, iDont - like the severely limited podcast search and playback options. Note - I just found out about Google Listen, so this iDon't may turn out to be an iDo.
So, I'm sitting on the fence to see what happens in the next 6-12 months with Apple, Motorola, and Verizon. I'll see how the device and OS landscape shakes out before iDecide what to do.
What does everyone else think of these two devices and their respective networks?
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ReplyDeleteAs an iPhone owner for the past few months I must confess that both my wife and I are smitten with the device. Admittedly, however, it does have many shortcomings. But the Droid Does Not address them all. I have not had a chance to test the droid but am certain that it is a fine machine, just as the Pre is as well. Certainly none of these devices are perfect and any future udates will not make them so either. You may as well jump into the game now and enjoy the offerings, no matter how limiting they are. Waiting six months is foolish IMHO.
ReplyDeleteWithout comparing features or even knowing all the comparable specs I will withhold my opinion. In respect to service I will state that I have been VERY satisfied with the service from AT&T. Not that it has been perfect but neither was Verizon for the decade+ that I used it!
I'm a Sprint all the way kinda guy. You can't beat their phone plans. After all, they offer Any Mobile, Anytime with Sprint TV and unlimited messaging all rolled into their data packages. You can't beat it. Their service is also amazing (except in the mountains, but you can always roam onto Verizon for free if you need to).
ReplyDeleteThe Droid is a compelling choice for Verizon, but so many Android phones will be flooding the market soon, and I see no reason to jump on it just yet. I'm still holding out for the right Android phone, and I write write for an Android website. Strange, ain't it?
I like shauls comment!
ReplyDeleteShaul. I don't THINK. I MUSE...
ReplyDeletei feel like i am sitting at the shabbos table when i read these.
ReplyDelete