Fresh off its weekend of new found fame and glory, Verizon’s upcoming Android 2.0 device, the Motorola Droid, appears to have found its way into the hands of the Boy Genius.
Ever since Google announced its mobile OS, Android, I’ve been waiting for someone (er, some company) to have the wherewithal to use this seemingly perfect gadget name – Droid. For anyone who has a special place in their heart for the original Star Wars trilogy, the word ‘droid’ conjures up happy memories of an angsty teen riding into Mos Eisley with his new mentor and a couple of droids: “These aren’t the droids you are looking for,” explains the all-wise Obi Wan to some Stormtroopers. Fortunately for VZW/MOTO, this is the droid (an officially licensed TM from Lucasfilms) that many a consumer has been looking for…or so it seems.
Not only are we glad to see the old code-names, Sholes and Tao, kicked to the curb, but we’re pretty excited to see some more real, live shots of the MOTO Droid. But first, a one-sentence summary of BGR’s impressions: fastest, thinnest QWERTY, and most exciting Android phone ever. Now for a few pics:
For more, head on over to BGR’s photo gallery.
I think it’s not good looking at all. But then again I am from Europe, we’ve got higher standards I guess.
I agree it’s not very sleek. But its not that bad and as long as that doesn’t effect the phone’s performance I frankly don’t care.
I guess thats the difference between something you will use and something you will use and like…
I am really looking forward to android on a device like the pre or even iphone’s hardware.
Motorola’s version of the Blackberry Storm… The Storm is nicer looking and it doesn’t have the slider along with the full touch keypad like this one does.
Yes and no yes because it turned out to be no because Motorola nor google had the intention of doing that plus the Motorola operates 10 times better than the storm has.
Its a “droid.” I think the phone is supposed to appeal a little bit more to a more industrial style than the sleekness of an iPhone.
The touches of brass hardware make it look pretty cool. I just hope it has a metal body instead of plastic–i want a nice phone that will last a couple years.
eh metal is easier to scratch the paint of plastic isn’t as durable but can hid a scratch a bit better. So i am undecided on what type of material I would like to see.
Higher standards? Really? This is why your women love American men. Higher standards, I guess.
Its exactly because you are from Europe. You cannot afford anything :) Leave the expensive stuff to us Americans please and go buy your junk from IKEA.
I am from europe too and I guess Iit’s better to wait for an IKEA phone ;)
LOL, hope that phone comes with some better instructions than my desk did and I hope im not required to install all the components into the phone by myself lol
really??? this phone looks freakin awesome!!!!..but then again..im from america so i guess i have low standards…
Higher standards? Hah, please. More like higher demand for our products and services.
I happen to be an American, and nationalities aside, this phone is undeniably pedestrian in it’s aesthetics. Aesthetics and functionality, to me, are equally important. If a company takes all it’s energy and time to make a functionally revolutionary product, it should with the same vigor and care, create an equally revolutionary design. I’ll leave it up to Apple, yet again, to create the next sleek, original innovation that will have every company scurry to try and match!
skrew Europe
you are a stuck of European piece of crap i hope my country gets in a fight with ur country and we kick your ass and we would because im american and we are better at eveything else in the world and u suck get a job you bizznsach suck on dat
Better at everything except, apparently, English and spelling.
Even the greatest of countries has their ignorant degenerates, thanks for the reminder guy’s, Lincoln would be proud.
Looks Ugly, does not surprise me from motorola. If indeed it is fast that may make up for having to look at it. Especially the badges on the back, meh…
Very interested in this, but I agree with the comments calling it a bit ugly. There are big logos all over the front AND back of this thing. Ew
Who cares what it looks like, I just want a small, flat, QWERTY phone with apps and Verizon’s network
Seems like it could be a great phone but I have never had a good experience with Motorola cell phones.
I like the way it looks. Simple, no frills, and looks functional. My last phone was a Motorola, and I can agree with the others that the phone quality was crap, both physically and functionally (although that might’ve been the WinMo).
And in regards to the logos everywhere, that’s what you get when you have 3 companies involved in the creation and sales of the phone. This phone definitely looks promising, but I would wait a while after it comes out, give a chance for any initial updates that might be needed.
Pricing? Pricing? Off-contract pricing?
Gah, it’s no use, I’ll never be able to afford it anyway.
It has been rumored to be around 200 with a 2yr contract so it runs right at what verizon prices its new smartphones at. I think it looks great and fortunate for me I can upgrade anytime now so November cant get here any faster!
too bad it’s on Verizon, I would have loved to get this phone for any other carrier.
Why wouldn’t you want to be on the most reliable network around? Their only previous negatives have been the lack of phone selection and restriction of features. Obviously the first is irrelevant and the second is not an issue with this phone.
Nah Dude, Verizon stands alone as the #1 network to be on. Top-rate customer service and the most reliable network. What they lack is better phones, which are important…so this is a step in the right direction..
I have verizon with just a regular old cell phone and it blows. Doesn’t work at my house, doesn’t work in upstate ny. The only place it actually works in on campus at rpi. Everywhere else it gets sketchy and I have to walk around till i find service which is somehow never in the same damn spot. And its getting too cold outside to keep walking down the driveway in search of bars.
I have just come to grips with the fact that ever cell network sucks, they are going to drop your calls where ever you are and its going to piss you off. But there is nothing you can do about it.
Saying one is better than the other is like saying shit tastes better than it smells. Its still shit.
Jim
Jim- I also live in upstate NY and just happened to go to school right down the hill at RSC. It must just be your”old regular phone” because I have great service.
The only thing that impresses me about this one is that I think it is the first Android device with this level of processor – it uses the same one as the iPhone and Palm Pre. :o)
What impresses me is Android 2.0.
I like the idea that it can out do the iPhone software and maybe hardware wise, but it looks absolutely vile. I don’t think people will ditch their iPhone for it…
you’re right they wont…because they’ll still be contracted to ATT…but Verizon will retain the customers they have and draw new ones who never got the ifone.
I agree. The iPhone is so good looking. It’s great that Verizon is finally coming out with a phone that can compete with the iPhone specs, however, this Droid is not very good looking.
I have been waiting with fingers crossed for the iPhone to come to Verizon. Verizon’s network can’t be touched by any competitor. However, it has already been proven that network stability isn’t enough for their consumers.
We want a sleek, sexy and smooth phone. Not a big, black box. Motorola has a bad track record for ugly phones. Razor being a prime example.
With a rumored release date of Oct 30th it looks like it’s too late for changes. My guess is they lock down the look of this phone on the Droid 3.0 within the next 2 years. The marketing towards the new Droid will be based on a make-over.
I agree 100%
Android 2.0 looks awesome and all, and finally they have good specs on a Android phone (thin QWERTY slider, modern CPU, 5MP camera, etc), but it does look really ugly. Let’s be honest with each other:
1) The logos on the back are frankly too much (why note that it’s a 5.0 MP camera? does anyone ever read that??) and oriented the wrong way IMO (90% of the time you’re going to be holding the phone vertically). Though it would be cool if the Moto logo and others were hidden and glowing CLIQ-style behind the slider, I liked that. And come on Verizon. You have logo placement on the front of the damn thing. Why isn’t that enough?
2) Too many lines breaking up everything, especially on the back. It looks more amateurish than the phones that have single pieces that don’t look broken up (cf. Pre, iPhone, CLIQ)
3) Gold highlights??
What do looks have anything to do with it? If there was a phone that looked ugly but ran better than the iphone I would get it. The logos are there and will be there most people are not going to be like hey look at those logos mine look better lol I know I will be getting it on day 1
They should have named it the “MEphone”.
Definitely can’t wait for this to come out.
I’ve been a big fan of the G1 android os, and this is the 2.0, so its gonna be even better.
This phone is probably gonna be the best one ive ever had. I love google! all their services, so this is going to be a great device that fits all my needs.
I don’t care about looks– I’m into the 3 “f’s”–(form, fit, & function) I just want it to work when I need it, regardless of the application.
Guys, just calm down. This isn’t even the final version of the phone. Now yes your right about the phone looking ugly, but some of the other stuff like the logos are gonna be changed. Tonned down is what i’ve been hearing. Maybe you’ll get what you want. Who knows.
I’m glad most of you don’t like the looks of it so there will be more in stock for those of us who’ll be buying it on day 1.
Just looks like any other Touch Screen Smart Phone that isn’t an iPhone.
i loveee this phone. it doesnt look ugly, it looks alright to me. IT seems like it will be awesome! im excited i can get an upgrade now so i can get it in november (:
hey, it’s a freakin phone that has all the applications and can make calls too…what a novel concept!! A phone that can make calls on a great network…all of you that are hung up on the looks need to get lives…
Yeah i have to agree if one thing verizon could do is change their logo. I think its time for an update. Alot of companies nowadays have been changing their logos even KFC.
Anyhow the phone does look pretty plain. On our boards we have been discussing price speculations as well and a couple of us our saying its going to be around 249.99. 249.99-100.00 = 149.99 a little bit under the iphone. I cant see it being any less or else they will be selling it for 99 dollars. There will be a day when its going to be less than 99 but motorola and verizon is going to milk us first!!
What’s up with the keyboard? Keyboards are so 1980’s…reminds me of the Texas Instruments pocket calculator…like this one:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/TI-68.jpg/180px-TI-68.jpg
I think it’s funny how us “Americans” are so proud of our standards. We are way behind the technological loop anyhow. This phone has been out in Japan for 6 months now. Lets all hope we can be as advanced as our Asian countries have been with technology. Then we can talk sh*t. :) Nice phone by the way. I plan on buying ASAP. Glad to see an alternative to the iPhone.
i’m sure they will have designer type skins for it to hide all the lables dood… so just like worry about something else, like how you will afford it!
watch all the :Droid Does” commercials along with anti dorid videos from loyal iPhone users…
http://thetechnologycafe.com/droid-does-videos-motorola-taking-a-full-swing-at-the-iphone/
Why care about LOGOS? If your getting a great device like this, youd be buying a silicone case anyways. I work for Verizon, had the iphone prior, I have played with the droid, its much better, promise!
Really God-awful ugly. Looks like an industrial component. And what’s that bit sticking out at the bottom for?
Americans should just realise they’re no good at design, suck up their pride, and outsource the esthetics to Japanese or European designers.
You honestly think that they’re gonna put out their best idea for their first model? Heck, no. They’ve got sleeker looks and a variety of colors and such they’ll be putting out a few months after this one hits the shelves. Just a wait it out a bit till all the bugs and kinks are ironed and you’ll get stylish look. If I’m wrong on this then ask yourself if you’d really expect a posh look from motorola?