First Look: Verizon Droid with Google Maps GPS
The new Android 2.0 phone from Motorola and Verizon packs impressive features including Google's turn-by-turn GPS service.
October 28, 2009 04:09 PM ETMobile OS War
- Google reduces its Nexus One termination fee
- Motorola launches Devour, Verizon's first Android phone with Motoblur
- Sprint's first WiMax smartphone called Supersonic, runs Android, say reports
- Google's Android will surge in mobile OS wars, IDC says
- Analysis: Free Nokia GPS could hurt TomTom, Garmin
- Nokia hopes to outdo Google with free voice nav on its smartphones
- Motorola's latest Android handset unveiled in South Korea
- Nexus One success hampered by Google Web store
- Nexus One fiasco continues for Google
- Google lists $350 fee for early Nexus One returns
PC World - After weeks of ads teasing us with glimpses of a handset that could do what iPhones don't, Verizon Wireless finally unveiled the Droid by Motorola. This is an impressive phone that flexes its raw data and graphics processing muscle as much as its does its smart features such as Google's new turn-by-turn 3D Maps Navigation service.
The Droid is the first mobile phone to sport the Android 2.0 operating system (previously code-named Éclair). The Droid will cost $300 (with a two-year contract), but a $100 mail-in rebate drops the price to $200. Monthly voice plans start at $39.99 and the monthly charge for e-mail and data services such as Web browsing start at $29.99.
Google GPS surprise
Also announced here, during a joint Verizon and Motorola press event, is Google's 3D Maps Navigation application which will be available first on the Android 2.0 OS. The mobile application is a hybrid GPS and Internet-based system. When using the GPS system it has the ability to do some slick tricks.
When you get closer to your destination it can switch to Google's Street View (an interactive street-level photo). It also supports voice navigation, allowing you to say the name of your destination ("Yankee Stadium, New York," for example) and get quick turn-by-turn directions.
(See Related: Is New Google Nav Service Really Android-Only?)
At a busy press event in New York's Times Square, representatives from Verizon Wireless, Google and Motorola showed off the new handset, which includes a 550MHz processor, hardware graphics acceleration and a 3.7-inch, 480-by-854-pixel display, which is significantly larger and sharper than the one on the iPhone 3G S. Also included is a 5-megapixel camera which can capture DVD-quality video and a 16GB memory card (upgradeable to 32GB).
Connectivity is king
"It's built for best-in-class connectivity," said Giancarlo Fasolo, director of product management at Motorola, one of the demonstrators at the Droid launch event. He noted that the Droid's browser was "very fluid because of the hardware acceleration."
During a test of the Droid I noticed the Web surfing was indeed very snappy, with images coming up as quickly as Web pages loaded. A high-definition YouTube video took a few moments to load, but played smoothly without a stall and with excellent audio. Call quality was also quite good; the earpiece was comfortably loud and the people at the other end could hear me without any static or other problems.
Originally published on www.pcworld.com. Click here to read the original story.
Verizon Droid
Additional Resources



Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.
White Papers & Webcasts
Accelerating Your Mobile Workers: Controlling the Uncontrollable
Today's workforce is truly mobile. Unlike the managed environment of the office LAN, remote users face many challenges to being productive while out...
eGuide: Enterprise Security
Smart Security Strategies for 2010. Read now!
Managing Laptops Outside the Office
Learn how you can reduce costs by tracking mobile computers no matter where they are located.
How to Improve Remote User Satisfaction and Maximize ROI by Using SSL VPNs
Download this white paper today!
Mobile U Webinar
Watch Now!
The New Mobile Order
Download Now
4G Ahead Video Program
Uncover the features and benefits of the two leading 4G technologies for enterprises considering future deployment.
WAN Application Delivery for Executives
Learn how to simplify server and application administration without creating performance problems for distributed users.
Horror stories: Managing IT Across Multiple Locations
How one extra sharp IT manager eliminates daily agony, hassle and repetition.



