Motorola Droid Reviews

The Motorola Droid was the first Android 2.0 phone to hit the market. It was introduced by Verizon, and uses Google’s Android technology. The use of Android technology on phones was intended to provide competitive models of smart phones for the popular Apple iPhone. Today, Android technology can be found on over a hundred different models of smart phones. Although the Droid was the first Android phone on the Verizon network, there are now several other Android phones offered by Verizon that offer improved functionality and better features.

Still, the Motorola Droid offers a full suite of web features that will baffle anyone new to smart phones. The 3.7 inch display is also impressive, but the shallow keyboard makes inputting text somewhat of a hassle. The touch screen interface, however, makes browsing and using web-based features a snap. The screen display works both horizontally and vertically.

The Droid comes equipped with a built-in 5mp digital camera, a big step up from other camera phones. However, the lack of autofocus on the camera itself makes taking pictures on-the-go less favorable. Some pictures can also come out grainy. For pictures further away, the camera also has 4x digital zoom.

The Droid is GPS-enabled, which provides added functionality for many of the Android apps that can be downloaded from Android Market and used with the phone. The extended  battery life offers 6.4 hours of talk time or 270 hours of standby time. At 6 oz., the phone is a bit heavier than some of the other smart phones on the market, a trait that is often offset by the QWERTY keyboard and the enhanced screen size.

The phone operates on Verizon’s CDMA technology. This may cause a lag in connection or download speeds for many mobile internet users accustomed to AT&T’s 3G network. The 550 MHz processor on board, however, loads images and videos rather quickly, independent of the internet connection. The display includes three home screens, with icons for calling, contacts, web browser, maps, and Android Market. Upon introduction, the phone was available for around $200 with a two-year contract through Verizon. However, a year later, the phone can be found for even less. Refurbished Motorola Droid phones are also sometimes available through the Verizon website.

Many users report excellent call-quality with the phone, and sound is also an improvement upon many earlier mobile phone releases. Additional models of the Droid are anticipated, with improved Android software, a better keyboard, and increased functionality.