Droid Review
This goes beyond my usual topic, but I’ve had a ton of people ask me about what I think of the phone so I figured this would be the best place to share those thoughts.
As I said a few weeks ago, I got up early the day the Motorola Droid came out to make sure I could get it on the release date. It is the first phone on the Verizon network that seemed to compete with the best smartphones on the market (i.e. the iphone). I’ve been using it for a little over 2 weeks now and have a good handle on it and the Android operating system it runs on, I thought I’d share some thoughts in case some of you are on the fence about it.
The Phone Itself
The screen is huge and the resolution is quite amazing. I love using the browser on it because it is so crisp. It is a big phone, even bigger than the iphone but having the screen size is worth it. The slide out keyboard is a great feature that I use a lot. The one drawback goes hand in hand with the ability to switch out the battery (something the iphone cannot do). The back piece tends to slide off easily when it is in my pocket. I’ve figured out how to avoid it coming off when in my pocket, but this is definitely an oversight. The lack of multi touch hasn’t bothered me much. Double tap to zoom is pretty effective.
Apps
First off, nothing competes with Apple and the iphone when it comes to apps. But, Android isn’t far off and the release of the Droid along with a load of other phones running Android means the gap will close. I’m able to find tons of quality apps, many even better than what the iphone offers. I have an app to track my runs outside and post them online all for free. I have many google-made apps that you cannot get on other phone operating systems. And, I have the usual suspects of Pandora, Facebook, Twitter, and location aware apps. And there are enough apps with Android that I’m constantly doing research to find new apps, something that I enjoy doing. The only downfall in the apps for me, being a sports fan, is that the number of quality apps for sports is way too low. I hope that changes soon.
Messaging/Phone Calls
Having the extra keyboard is nice for texting. I had an ipod Touch before this, and I was never able to get comfortable with the onscreen keyboard. The slide out keyboard has gotten bad reviews but as long as you use your nail and not the pad of your fingers, it works great. The messaging app for Android is awful though. I just recently got a third party app named “Handcent” that has much more flexibility and blows the default messaging app away. I haven’t had any issues with call quality. The contacts work nicely and are easy to access when wanting to make a call.
Camera/Video
It is a 5 MP camera which is pretty sweet. I was able to get rid of my Flip video camera because my phone’s camera was just as good, if not better than it. The camera software isn’t great, but it isn’t horrible either. You don’t buy a phone for its camera so despite the software struggles I don’t mind much. They are coming up with a fix to the problem of the camera not correctly focusing. Here a sample picture I took in low lighting of my kitchen:
Battery
In all the reviews the battery was said to be quite strong and I’m sure this is true but it is tough to compare the iphone, which can only run one thing at a time unless jailbroken, and the Droid which can run as much as you want. I quickly learned I needed an app that could force quit apps that were running in the background and eating my battery. People have complained that they can’t get through a whole day on the Droid because of the multiple apps that run all day. I’ve found it quite easy to make it through a whole day by being proactive with closing apps that I’m not using and by using a power control widget (yes the Droid supports widgets on the home screens).
My Favorite Parts
- Voice search: It is amazing how well it picks up what I’m saying. It even works with the navigational piece of the phone. The phone is much better at figuring out what I’m saying and turning it into a google search or a phone call than anything I’ve ever seen.
- Google Navigation: I ride a bike so I don’t use this much, but I’ve found it amazing that it is just as good of quality as Rose’s Garmin Nav unit. The Garmin cost us just less than $200 a year ago…the same price as the Droid and it only navigates.
- Multi-Tasking: I can go on a run while listening to music, using my running app (Sportypal), get text messages, and continue syncing my email and Twitter account if I want. Doing all those things at once eats battery life, but having the option is very nice.
- Google Integration: As an avid user of everything Google this phone takes advantage of that more than any other. I can integrate my phone/Gmail/Facebook contacts all into one place. I can use Google Talk, Gmail, Google Calender all together. I’ve found this very handy.
- Notifications: I can personalize how my phone notifies me for every app that I use (including Facebook, Twitter apps, text messages, and email). Each of those syncs and notifies me of new stuff differently. Being able to switch everything from default to how I want it, is the kind of flexibility I need. It could notify me through some sort of a ring tone, flashing light, vibration or any combination of those so I know what it is notifying me about.
Have you used a Droid? Are you thinking about buying one?
Let me know if you have any questions or comments about the phone in the comments.
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Tyler Braun.
I guess I’m a Philistine for thinking phones should basically be able to make and receive calls, and that’s about it. MIDs are like sports cars and motorcycles to me: things other people like to spend money on.
(Though I must confess I occasionally text now.)
But just think – if you could use a phone for what normally 4 or 5 different devices would do? Why wouldn’t you?
Maybe if I wasn’t strapped to a computer all day I’d need one a little more.
I’ve had a BlackBerry for about 2 years now and it’s basically like my third child. The Droid sounds nice but I don’t think I’ll change any time soon. However, I do not like where the BlackBerry is heading (for instance BlackBerry’s excuse for a touch phone with the new Storm 2). I don’t think I’ll be moving in the same direction. Now that I think about it, my days continuing with BlackBerry look limited.
Interesting.
I’m a fairly bigoted Apple product user in general. My own blog was singing the praises of the iPhone during the rumors about the Droid and for a week or so after its release.
But lately some of the pros of the Droid have gotten my attention. I think I have a bit of Droid envy.
I’ve only recently started complaining slightly about the iPhone keyboard, but your statement about needing to use a nail to type is interesting for this chronic nailbiter. Hmmm.
I’m also absolutely uninspired by the ability to swap batteries. I just plug in my iPhone whenever I have the chance. So if the detaching door is that much of an annoyance, it’s probably enough to steer me away from the Droid.
All in all, it sounds like they’re still fairly comparable phones, each with a unique set of strengths and annoyances. So is it fair to say that the lesson here is that the grass isn’t as brown on one’s own side of the fence as one might think?
I’m looking forward to see how Google’s new phone will stack up. Supposed to announce it in January.
OMG, Ty – You so crack me up…but I love you always…:o)
With my luck, now Hannah will comment and make fun of me too. It is ok…you’ll all be jealous on Thursday when I’m doing all that fun stuff on my phone you all have to open up a computer.
oh my gosh tyler… you are such a dork. and yes i never comment on here but i couldn’t resist making fun of you.
i have the motorola version: motoblur’s CLIQ which contains the Android program & and is virtually the same thing. it has a much better slide and more secure lock when going between the keyboard and the touch screen (as compared to Android’s 1st version w/ htc). i like how sleek it is and the screen space expansion. the CLIQ doesn’t have a better quality camera, but does have more options to make picture taking more fun. it comes w/ a decent camcorder, which the first didn’t have and apps…well, i have all i need, a few games, the news, the weather, social networking and access to all my Googling: gmail, Google Voice, G-chat, blogger, rss, calender, etc. it’s a fine phone
Hi Tyler – Started reading your blog a few weeks ago. I’m a blog reader and not a blog commenter usually, so I doubt I’ve commented before.
Anyway, THANK YOU for the review. I’m eligible to upgrade in 2 weeks, and the Motorola Droid is at the top of my list. Thanks for including how it works for running with the app and music b/c that is one of my specific concerns.
Good review, sir. The only thing that is missing IMO is a bottom line summary. Can you peck out a few sentence giving us a big picture opinion, thumbs up or thumbs down? Also, you didn’t mention call quality vs. the iPhone, which is really Verizon vs. AT&T. Honestly, that is one of the big appeals to me, being able to switch networks and actually make a phone call now and again that doesn’t drop, all while having a smart phone. From that angle…what say you?
Hey Matt-
Bottom line is that I would take a jailbroken iphone 3gs over the Droid…but only that, nothing else. And that could change as Android becomes a bigger platform. As far as call quality, I’ve only ever had Verizon and where I live I’ve probably dropped 2 calls in 3 years. Call quality is good and the network is solid. AT&T isn’t as bad in Portland as other big cities but I’d still take Verizon since they cost about the same each month.
Cool, thanks!
Tyler,
I will be getting a Droid with my next Verizon contract renewal later this winter early spring. Thanks for the helpful review. I’ve been wondering how it has been working our for you, I was pretty impressed with the ability to video that tour of your new home (although the light was too low in some of it). I agree (I think this is what you were saying) that I would immediately take an iPhone on the Verizon network over anything else.
We were just looking at the Droid yesterday. Our plan is up with At&t and we were considering switching to Verizon.
Thank you for the easy to understand but thorough review.
wow babe, i must say that was nice LONG review on your phone…when your mom and sis where making fun of you- i can see why now.
I would never know that much about an electronic device in my life! And yes- i guess as they say opposited attract! 