I don’t know how you could forget, considering we’ve been posting Droid updates just about every day, but according to our calculations, tomorrow is October 28th: the day Droid drops. Now, we don’t expect the Droid to set the mobile world on its head exactly, but we’re pretty sure that it’s going to be the premier Android device — until the next premier device comes out.
The combination of better hardware, better software, and a slim form factor gives it a leg up on pretty much every other Android device out there, unless you want the non-hardware keyboard, in which case the Hero is your best bet.
We expect something to go live at midnight, and then an announcement in the morning, probably of an actual release on November 6. We’ll have our hands on one in short order and post hands-on impressions ASAP. If you have any questions or concerns in particular (keyboard, screen brightness, that sort of thing) feel free to leave them in the comments here and we’ll address them. As for other speculation and the AT&T version, well, we’ll soon find out, I suppose!
[image: BGR]
So then do we have an ETA on android 2.0 release to the rest of us?
The Verizon data service will make this smartphone popular. Now where are all those smartphone websites? Coming.
Now, if only the OS wasnt ugly, and reeking of 2003…
Have you seen Android 2.0? Google released the SDK today. Its a good update on Android 1.6.
Well obviously he hasn’t or he wouldn’t have said something that makes him look like a mouth breathing cretin.
Are you talking about iPhone’s OS?
Its pretty amazing how much hype a Verizon tagged phone generates.
@Ryan: For better or worse, I’m stuck on Verizon, and I haven’t taken my upgrade from two years ago because I’ve been waiting for a Verizon Android phone… Finally it’s coming, and it is good after all!
@Nate: I feel your pain. I’ve been waiting a year myself, in the meantime continuing to use my poor clamshell that came free 3 years ago. Can’t wait for it!
I couldn’t wait for Verizon to get off their rumps… I just switched to Sprint’s Hero. I’m not unhappy about it by any means, but Verizon could have nailed me for another $2k+ contract had they acted sooner.
Same here. My RAZR is on its third battery. Verizon has the only cell tower within ten miles of home, so I can’t switch.
Same here NateO, I’ve held onto my ‘new every two’ credit for a while, waiting for either an iPhone, or something better than the current Blackberry offerings. I think my ship has just come in!
Not really given they have 89 million subscribers.
sdk 2.0 is out since todays morning
I’m interested in how it’s slides. I just can’t see people sliding 300x a day. The slide transition has always been a turn off and seems like a gimmick.
I’m sure the new OS will be nice or even great as it progresses so if you could comment on the hardware it would be great.
The slide-down shown in the demo video is totally unintuitive as is somehow touching someone’s picture to get contact options. What?
I’ve been using a G1 since it came out and I love the slide. It goes from touchscreen all-purpose device to email and text machine just like that.
I have an HTC Dream (with the sliding keyboard) but most of the time I use the on-screen keyboard (the hardware keyboard is nice if I have a lot to type)
After using the excellent iPhone keyboard, especially the wide screen version, I have zero interest in a clunky physical keyboard. IMHO Androids on screen keyboard was close to unusable but 2.0 is supposed to be better. So I wonder if we can expect to see these in Verizon stores tomorrow?
AndroidSmackkk rocks :)
w00t… another iPhone-killa is born!
The big question will be “Is this phone good enough to actually illicit a response from Apple or is it just another also-ran?”
I feel like the battle will be based on OS’s more than the actual phones… But I need to get my hands on some good droid phones to really see what’s out there.
I am hoping this will convince Apple to get the iPhone into Verizon asap. But it remains to be seen how well Android will do. It hasn’t exactly set the world on fire so far.
The minute Verizon gets a contract with Apple, I will defect from AT&T as soon as humanly possible. AT&T cannot keep up with Verizon.
I waited for years for an iPhone “killer”. Unfortunately, I fell for the LG-Vu. It’s garbage. 100% garbage. I’m still mad that they hyped it as an iPhone “alternative”. Samsung Eternity is MUCH better, and I do think some of the newer smart phones are great iPhone alternatives. I almost got a Samsung Instinct. Glad I didn’t. It’s garbage too. I have a few friends who have them. In August I got sick of waiting on an iPhone killer to come out and I broke down and assimilated. Hate to admit it, but I just love my 3Gs. It is outrageously advanced. I don’t think the Droid will compete, but hey, it’s a start. I like to see competition. The only downer is that there will be too many Android phones competing on the market. I’ll be watching this one play out though. I just wish I could have Verizon. AT&T coverage blows.
I don’t think the Droid will compete
I have one big question. Is this phone coming to Canada as well? Or is it just a Verizon-Only Phone taking over the USA but ignoring – again – the rest of the world?
It’ll probably be everywhere, but we don’t keep track of Canadian pre-release stuff (like the US FCC leaks) so it’s hard to say.
Quite uncanny how Apple is still virtually the only manufacturer that’s avoided having to plaster the carrier’s brand all over their devices… nobody else seems to care.
More, Apple can actually get carriers to stand in line to distribute their phone.
if I’m not mistaken, the iPhone shows the carrier all the time on your phone’s actual screen, which honestly seems more annoying to me.
I prefer that tiny little AT&T logo to the alternative… “No Service”.
I prefere by far the iPhone’s on-screen display of my carrier’s name. Also, it changes to let me know which type of connection is currently beeing used (Orange 3G / Orange Edge / Orange, for me).
It’s not only a brand display, it’s an info.
That’s the power of Apple. And of the Apple brand.
Haha. How’s the kool-aid today? Cherry or lime?
When you review it could you comment on the ringer volume? I’m too good at filtering out background noise – I need my phone to be nice and loud for me to even notice it is ringing (much to the chagrin of everyone around me I’m sure).
CAN. NOT. WAIT.
*dies from anticipation*
I purchased the Hero 2 weeks ago. Moved from BB 8130. Love my Hero so far. Doesn’t have all the apps that the iPhone has, but I don’t want all those apps (at least not for my business phone). I’m a small business owner who needs access to Gmail, GChat, AIM, Y! Messenger, Facebook, Twitter, the web, AND I want a great phone. The Hero is all that. I use Pandora while walking to work, play a game of chess now and then, and use the Weather Channel’s app, but that’s it. Works great. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a great business phone.
I got the Hero recently also and am fairly happy with it. My only real complaint is it’s a bit slow. The droid has a much better processor which is why I’m interested in it. A bigger, higher-res screen doesn’t hurt either :)
You sound just like me, as those are the same apps I use for my iPhone WHEN I ACTUALLY HAVE A CONNECTION.
If the Droid can solve those problems, and since its on Verizon I think it can, then I’m about 95% sure I’m going to make the switch.
Noun
S: (n) premiere (the first public performance of a play or movie)
Verb
S: (v) premier, premiere (be performed for the first time) “We premiered the opera of the young composer and it was a critical success”
S: (v) premier, premiere (perform a work for the first time)
Adjective
S: (adj) premier, premiere (preceding all others in time) “the premiere showing”
I do think you mean “premier”.
good call, I’ve made that mistake before.
Oh man I can’t wait to get this phone.
Chipotle, you better get your developers cranking, I want an Android version of your app.
I can’t wait to see how this one stacks up against the Hero.
This is a good time to be a consumer.
Yeah yeah just demo the damn phone already! I mean that in the nicest way of course.
Can someone tell me or point me in the direction to more info on why I should be interested in this phone? I’m not being sarcastic, I’m looking to buy a new phone and android sounds awesome, so yeah thanks! :)
how do you purchase things if you don’t know how to do research for products… and i am not being sarcastic at all…
Want do you call this then?
Because Android is an amazing platform that so far has been dogged by so-so hardware. This is the first Android phone with what I would call “awesome” specs, which is why a lot of people are excited about it.
No. Android 1 was not much to write home about. 2.0 might be better. It’s more than an hardware issue.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/23/motorola-droid-preview/
can’t wait. besides the palm web OS, android is the only mobile OS i haven’t tried and am anticipating badly.
what other OSes are there (that matter)? Windows Mobile? dying.
Cant wait =D
this is going to be amazing… I cant wait!
Is this phone hearing aid compatible? does it work for blind people? Or did they forget all about people with disabilities with this new phone?
Do I have to file some Sec 255 complaints?
I think I read somewhere that Android 2.0 will come with TTS, but that is all I heard accessibility wise and even that was not very reliable.
Very interested in the screen material and if it will scratch easily. One thing that is great about iPhone is you really don’t need a screen protector because they are very scratch resistant. I actually hope the whole device, front and back, is pretty resistant and sealed to avoid dust under screen and scratches.
Can’t wait for an AT&T Android device. Any idea what the first one will be?
watched the droid clock run down to 12:00 (I know, sad) but nothing happened.
are we sure that it comes out tomorrow.. I just saw a droid commercial that said “November”… just wonderin..
ok nevermind… just finished reading the post.. wish there was a delete comment button.
I don’t know if Google knew the 28th is Bill Gates birthday or not, but it is interesting that they picked this date to release the latest Android.
*crickets chirping
New Droid seems good. But none will understand, keyboards are useless. Touchscreen allow anything.
HTC- Hero is an plastic- Bomber an fail construction like every other scrunchy mobile plastic device with expendable parts.
And now Verizon will attack iPhone with another device wich based on plastic parts, keyboard and some other useless features.
Next failed Step.
Will Droid be the one? Probably not but momentum is building behind the Android OS and it’s only a matter of time before a true competitor to the iPhones dominance emerges…
So, ummm… The countdown is done… Still no updates… Did someone at Verizon fall asleep while waiting for Midnight?
jkoeber -> Keyboards are useless ?
Say : ” I think keyboard are useless” or “I don’t like keyboards”
People are leaving the Iphone in Europe for new devices with social networking and real keyboards (like new nokias)
Sending hundred of sms or chatting live with a real keyboard is totally different
really, how so? please explain.
I send sms and email everyday on the iphone’s virtual keyboard without any problems. I type at least as fast as I do on a “real” keyboard and sometimes faster (depends on the keyboard).
The countdown on the Verizon Droid website as stopped ticking…
Will the Droid’s Android OS have full support for Microsoft Exchange?
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/23/motorola-droid-preview/
The preview by BGR says it does support multiple Exchange and Google Mail accounts. It actually has a unified inbox for all your mail in one place too.
nothing cool
Missed android turn-by-turn nagivation?
that’s primarily a google product that will undoubtedly roll out to other platforms shortly.
According to the Verizon Email I just received, it’s going to be a few days.
“Only a few more days until you can get the phone that’s location-aware. Voice-recognizing. App-mashing and multitasking. It can connect you to anyone or anything at break-neck speed. It’s more than a phone. It’s a Droid. Check out the new site today. You’ll find many of the features Droid does for you.”
looks cool
awesome I mean
Official Adobr Flash Player 10 doesn’t release yet. I’m very interested in what kind of FP10 clone does Moto use.