AfterDawn: News

Motorola DROID is official

The long hyped (and rightfully so) Motorola DROID is finally official today, heading to Verizon on November 6th with a $200 USD price tag with two-year contract.

The phone has a 3.7-inch multitouch screen, full sliding QWERTY keypad, 5MP camera with dual-LED flash and autofocus, as well as 720x480 videocamera capture at 24fps.



The DROID will run on the newly announced Android 2.0 and will also be the first Android phone to include Google Maps Navigation GPS for free turn-by-turn voice navigation.

The device will, as is standard, have Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth 2.1 support. The phone will come with a 16GB microSD card as well, more than enough for music, movies and apps.

You will need a data plan for the phone, which begins at $30 USD, says Verizon.




Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Oct 2009 13:21

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• 37 comments

• rosedog

  looks slick.

  28.10.2009 13:36 #1

• ydkjman

  Quote:You will need a data plan for the phone, which begins at $30 USD, says Verizon.I was afraid of this.

  28.10.2009 15:12 #2

• slickwill

  The day that these smart phones are close to replacing modern laptops.....I might consider buying one.

  28.10.2009 15:26 #3

• dragnandy

  man, i like how they try to maximize the screen space. making it touch screen makes this phone even cooler! its alittle pricing, being $200 w/ a 2 yr. contract, but it looks sick.

  28.10.2009 19:56 #4

• xnonsuchx

  Quote:Quote:You will need a data plan for the phone, which begins at $30 USD, says Verizon.I was afraid of this.So you'd rather fork out up to $400-500 up front and only use it for phone calls and WiFi Internet access?

  28.10.2009 22:34 #5

• Amak

  Still cheaper than that over priced brick Apple put out. And it actually works! :D

  28.10.2009 22:36 #6

• ydkjman

  Quote:
  So you'd rather fork out up to $400-500 up front and only use it for phone calls and WiFi Internet access?Um No, I just won't buy it. Same reason I wouldn't buy the iPhone if I was with AT&T. I'm not going to get a phone where they are forcing me to get a data plan just to get the phone.
  
  If I was just getting the phone just so that I could do all the web surfing and all that jazz, there is a plan out there I would go and get for alot less money that would give me unlimited min, unimited texting, and unlimited data.
  
  I know I wouldn't have this cool phone, and don't get me wrong I would love to have the phone, but I would make that trade off to save a ton of money.

  28.10.2009 23:47 #7

• KillerBug

  I'd love this phone too, but the data plan is a bit problematic. The $30 plan gives you just enough bandwidth to get overage fees, and the $40 plan gives you just enough to do the most basic things like checking email and such (5GB per month=1.8K/Second...my PC uses more than that just for RSS, and RSS would be my main use for a data plan).
  
  Alltel used to offer a $40 3G data plan that offered unlimited bandwidth, plus teathering. Customers who had this plan before got grandfathered over when verizon bought up Alltel, but you cannot start the plan today, even though it now costs them less money to offer such a plan.
  
  I know that you can downgrade the contract for your phone (like going from the 6000 minute plan to the 1000 minute plan)...I wonder if I can buy this phone with the data plan, then downgrade after a month...
  
  I'l probably go down to the verizon store towards Xmas see what can be done (I'll let the early adopters deal with the bugs in the first batch of the phones).

  29.10.2009 03:24 #8

• Mikiec

  Amak, Not sure why you would think that the iPhone is a brick? It works very well, and lets be honest, if Apple hadn't done such a great job with it, we wouldn't be now seeing Motorola, et al, bringing out their own touch screen phones.
  This looks pretty good too, with free turn by turn gps being it's particular 'killer app'
  I'm guessing that the data plan includes phone calls as well? I.e. do you need to pay for a calling plan and a data plan?

  29.10.2009 06:37 #9

• xnmalletx

  I have a Blackberry Bold and I have the Google maps and I just want to let everyone know it is spectacular. I don't know why anyone would pay for the Cell Carrier's GPS app when you can get google maps.
  
  
  
  Quote:Amak, Not sure why you would think that the iPhone is a brick? It works very well, and lets be honest, if Apple hadn't done such a great job with it, we wouldn't be now seeing Motorola, et al, bringing out their own touch screen phones.
  This looks pretty good too, with free turn by turn gps being it's particular 'killer app'
  I'm guessing that the data plan includes phone calls as well? I.e. do you need to pay for a calling plan and a data plan? With your comment about the Iphone, It really is an incredible piece of hardware but the reason why people hate the Iphone is the same reason that many people hate PC; well Microsoft did something right when apple has to ridicule them in those crazy commercials. And about your question I'm fairly sure you have to pay for the data and the calling. They are separate, at least that's how mine is with AT&T.

  29.10.2009 07:01 #10

• Mikiec

  Here in the UK, you pay one charge (On O2) which includes unlimited data and various free calls and texts.
  I pay £35 for 500mins and 250 texts a month, which isn't too bad. But my iPhone did cost £175.
  In the past I've always been a Microsoft/PC advocate, but I'm slowly getting into Apple and Mac stuff because it is so good.
  If you forget about being a fan boy of either camp, and just look at what you get, then Apple/Mac/iPhone/whatever have strengths and weaknesses and so too do MS/PC/nokia,motorola,whoever.
  Apple are generally pretty good devices but they're very expensive.
  An equivalent PC or Nokia will be typically less than half the price of an Apple but you might miss out on a few features. Whether the features missing are worth the extra price will always be debateable.

  29.10.2009 08:14 #11

• rabby

  Currently choice is what we're all after. Flexibility is not what Verizon is offering, rather forcing a data plan in addition to a phone plan steps backward toward carrying two devices for those who don't need a data plan, but wish to have a (hate to use this acronym) "PDA". For an urban resident, wireless connections are everywhere. What college doesn't offer it? Verizon previous offered a couple feature rich phone (UTStarcom) models without a required data plan, but no longer does so. Verizon is after that 2 year contract with guaranteed money. Hardware and customer service is not in the offer. I feel like a cow at the slaughter when I get in the que at the local Verizon store... Sad

  29.10.2009 08:27 #12

• Sneeches

  If you dont have one of these, you just definitely are not the best *irrelevant link removed*

  29.10.2009 11:02 #13

• Daniel_1

  Um, people...this is called a "smart phone" and Vorizon really socks you (as well as the rest of the carriers) as they want $80. a month for just 300 minutes. Now that seems like a lot of minutes but when you factor in texting and internet access (each using up a chunk of that 300 minutes) you would have to go for the unlimited plan to gain anything and that costs you $250. a month for ONE BLINKING PHONE!! So what I would be paying for my two phones (my elderly mother has the second phone for safety use) it would cost me close to $425. a month for two phones and unlimited use
  
  
  It looks nice but till they lower the prices on the plans quite a bit, I will stick with my safe $105. unlimited plan

  29.10.2009 11:41 #14

• omegaman7

  Nice phone, junk plan... :P I am however jealous. My phone is pretty old.

  29.10.2009 14:55 #15

• Therepy

  Sprints data plan is $15 a month i believe. I have been a customer with them for about 6 years so I get it for free. Verizon's prices are seemingly outrageous compared top other providers; HOWEVER when i go fishing, snowboarding, hiking, whatever, my phone won't work and my buddy with Verizon always has a signal it seems. This does look like a very tite phone bc of all the options; 16 G included mem. is pretty huge for a $200 phone. If you want the best coverage go with verizon. If you want the cheapest prices go to Tmobile. If you have bad crdeit go to Sprint. And lastly if you want an Iphone go to ATT. True Verizon's prices are high but they know they have the best reception. Niche marketing

  29.10.2009 15:54 #16

• omegaman7

  LOL! When I was through sprint, I got better coverage area then everyone else around me :P I guess it depends on where you are...I sure miss sprint :( I'll likely go back to sprint when I get a new phone.

  29.10.2009 16:03 #17

• zdiggler

  Because of data plan prices this phone will FAIL!!!
  
  Their voice plans alone are already expensive.
  
  Don't care about Email on the Go.
  
  I just want to use the phone for future apps. and may be hook up on web in Emergency
  
  I don't care about OnLine Maps GPS, put GPS with Built-In map.
  
  Able to download Podcast over the network.
  
  2yr Contract I don't really care, nobody cover this area like Verizon.
  
  Verizon won't activate any phone considered SMART (used/New) without dataplan.

  29.10.2009 19:57 #18

• ghost89

  Quote:Quote:Quote:You will need a data plan for the phone, which begins at $30 USD, says Verizon.I was afraid of this.So you'd rather fork out up to $400-500 up front and only use it for phone calls and WiFi Internet access?you're a edited by ddp kid, why would you not expect there to be a data plan forced? so they lose money on the phone? dumb kid, who's gonna buy an iphone just to text on it? get a job then you don't have to worry about mommy not paying for your phone edited by ddp

  30.10.2009 01:52 #19

• Daniel_1

  Ghost, be polite. ydkjman has a job, quite probably unlike you; and supports himself. If you have a job then my apologies but I find that people who use schoolyard and playground insults repeatedly (like your douchbag insult)are the ones without gainful employment and are using insults to try and hide the fact that they still live with mommy and daddy at 30 years old.

  30.10.2009 10:22 #20

• pirkster

  Quote:Quote:
  So you'd rather fork out up to $400-500 up front and only use it for phone calls and WiFi Internet access?Um No, I just won't buy it. Same reason I wouldn't buy the iPhone if I was with AT&T. I'm not going to get a phone where they are forcing me to get a data plan just to get the phone.
  
  If I was just getting the phone just so that I could do all the web surfing and all that jazz, there is a plan out there I would go and get for alot less money that would give me unlimited min, unimited texting, and unlimited data.
  
  I know I wouldn't have this cool phone, and don't get me wrong I would love to have the phone, but I would make that trade off to save a ton of money.No one would buy such a phone to use it solely as a phone. It would be virtually useless if you didn't get a data plan. Otherwise, go get yourself a bottom of the line free phone. This phone isn't for those types of users.

  30.10.2009 10:47 #21

• rabby

  Disagree totally with mandatory data.
  
  Someone who is around wireless connection 99% of the time and needs a device to run applets in addition to carrying a phone would use a device without a data plan. I have a home office for 20 years and do not need a data plan since I am already paying for internet and can use a wired or WiFi connection. When I'm out, I still need to use the applets loaded on the phone. So it is correct to assume that no one would buy it soley for a "phone", but my contention is why not allow users to pay for data services as needed/per megabyte? That is what I have been doing for 3+ years now. I rarely if ever need the phone carrier data connection. Just like the phone minutes, many users do not use all the minutes in the plan, so why pay for them.
  
  My argument is about choice.
  Corporate America is stuffing their will on the consumer and until consumers express displeasure, more and more money will be sucked out of the pockets of users.

  30.10.2009 10:59 #22

• ghost89

  Originally posted by Daniel_1: Ghost, be polite. ydkjman has a job, quite probably unlike you; and supports himself. If you have a job then my apologies but I find that people who use schoolyard and playground insults repeatedly (like your edited by ddp insult)are the ones without gainful employment and are using insults to try and hide the fact that they still live with mommy and daddy at 30 years old.
  playground insults? wow you too are a edited by ddp kid, im not 30 im 20 working at menards and going to college at UIC in Chicago. nice try though, what in fact just happened is you were made an edited by ddp.

  30.10.2009 11:07 #23

• LissenUp

  Seeing that Verizon and Sprint are the only CDMA carriers left in the world and the rest is GSM..............one might as well sign a 2 year contract. Personally, I hate contracts and won't sign on GSM because the phones that are available throughout the world are 100 times better, cooler and more advanced than anything Verizon has for CDMA. Cool phone though. 'Bout time Motorola!!!!!!! 5Mp camera and great video player/recorder, touch screen.......that company is SOOOooooo behind the times compared to Samsung, Nokia and others.
  
  
  Besides............40 data plan is ON TOP OF THE CALL PLAN at about 60 for 900 minutes. Verizon, Sprint and at&t could all learn a thing or 2 from T-mobile. I pay 49 for unlimited minutes and 10 for net.

  30.10.2009 12:18 #24

• omegaman7

  Ghost89, this is not youtube. Those comments will not be tolerated for long. Would you please stick to the thread title :) I'm surprised a moderator hasn't caught wind of this yet...I hate to see you suspended for silly behavior... ;)

  30.10.2009 12:41 #25

• ikari

  Everyone might get use to the fact that you are going to have to get data plans with the new smart phones. They are starting to require constant data connections.
  
  Yeah, they might charge a bunch for it but if you want a smart phone you are going to be using data.

  30.10.2009 13:16 #26

• cragsoig

  Droid + Page Plus Cellular = SPAM win imo.

  30.10.2009 15:33 #27

• creaky

  ghost89 - It's blatantly obvious that you're not 30. Let's have some decorum in future.
  

  
  
  Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
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  30.10.2009 17:04 #28

• zdiggler

  Yeah, get used to it that's what corporation want. iphone sold crap load and people pay for data plan, corporation wins, people who bought phones loose.
  
  There are more and more Cellphone users out there now day with even much longer contract then ever before which mean monthly should be lower. Monthly is even higher then before. I'm sick of phone carrier raping people for SMS messages. Which used to be free long time ago before people knows about it. Now people buy smart phone and consumers supply the lube!

  30.10.2009 19:36 #29

• ydkjman

  Originally posted by LissenUp:
  Besides............40 data plan is ON TOP OF THE CALL PLAN at about 60 for 900 minutes. Verizon, Sprint and at&t could all learn a thing or 2 from T-mobile. I pay 49 for unlimited minutes and 10 for net.That's really what I was getting at. They (verizon) have great service, hands down. The DROID is a great phone, hands down. It's a phone that I wouldn't mind having and would be willing to pay the $200 for. But I'm not into getting screwed on the plan part
  
  It's true about the comment that most of the new Smart Phones are probably going to require Data plans. But if access to the net and being able to download stuff and check email is really what you want (other than looking cool with the newest phone) these phone companies are really going to have to start thinking about their price plans.
  
  Has any one heard about that Prepaid cell service called Straight Talk ? You can get Unlimited Minutes, Messages & Data for only $45 Now for me I could care less what kind of phone I had if I got all that for $45.
  
  And oh the best part about Straight Talk their service run on Verizon's Network

  30.10.2009 23:29 #30

• ydkjman

  sorry hit the wrong button

  30.10.2009 23:32 #31

• shaffaaf

  Originally posted by omegaman7: LOL! When I was through sprint, I got better coverage area then everyone else around me :P I guess it depends on where you are...I sure miss sprint :( I'll likely go back to sprint when I get a new phone.if you going with sprint hit up the superb Palm Pre :)
  
  Sprint are really cheap though, there everything unlimited service is $99 and there unlimited data plan, with texts, and unlimted mobile to mobile calling (with 450 other mins) is only $69.99
  

  
  
  
  My MGR (Micro Gaming Rig)
  Intel E5200 @ 3.65GHz .|. DFI Jr P45-T2RS Micro ATX .|. 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500 Geil Black Dragon RAM .|. Samsung F1 640GB HDD .|. Pinoeer DVR-216DBK ODD .|. Silverstone NT-06E CPU cooler (passive) .|. Sapphire 4870 512MB .|. Silverstone Sugo Micro ATX SG02-F Evolution .|. NorthQ Black Magic 850W PSU .|. 24" 1920x1200 DGM MVA Monitor .|. 24" 1920x1080 Dell TN Monitor .|.

  31.10.2009 09:24 #32

• omegaman7

  That seems like a fair plan and a sharp phone. Probably too much for me LOL! I love powerful computers, but the phone really is just for emergencies or checking in with the homestead to see if anything is required on my way home. I look at cell phones like they're insects!
  
  You guys ever see that video where 3-4 phones surround a couple kernels of popcorn? And when they all ring, it generates enough heat to pop the corn! Well...I have my phone at my side(Pocket) every waking hour. The muscle next to the phone twitches regularly. Coincidence? I think not LOL! Just don't let your babies talk on the phone...
  

  
  
  Are YOU in the zone?
  

  31.10.2009 17:13 #33

• Daniel_1

  Originally posted by ghost89: Originally posted by Daniel_1: Ghost, be polite. ydkjman has a job, quite probably unlike you; and supports himself. If you have a job then my apologies but I find that people who use schoolyard and playground insults repeatedly (like your edited by ddp insult)are the ones without gainful employment and are using insults to try and hide the fact that they still live with mommy and daddy at 30 years old.
  playground insults? wow you too are a edited by ddp kid, im not 30 im 20 working at menards and going to college at UIC in Chicago. nice try though, what in fact just happened is you were made an edited by ddp.As I said, a kid living in mommy and daddys home at 30. For your information child I have already worked 30 years and retired. I have put in my time and could very well buy and sell you three times over (over 2 mill in my 401K and my retirement combined from my military service as well as my time with chrysler comes to about $60,000. a year) so before you continue making a complete fool of yourself. Calm down, have a coke and a smile and shut up

  31.10.2009 17:51 #34

• Mikiec

  Dude, that mobile phone/popcorn thing was BS. I can't believe you thought that was real. lol
  Try it yourself if you don't believe me. Getting 8 mates with mobiles isn't at all difficult (4 phones for pop corn, 4 for caling them).
  
  Are you the kind of person that forwards emails to eight friends expecting 'something special' to happen?! rofl

  31.10.2009 17:53 #35

• omegaman7

  LOL! No, im not that gullible! So would you suggest that the muscle twitch is psychosomatic then(In my head)? I dunno, I don't take coincidences lightly. In fact I don't usually take coincidences period. There HAVE been a number of studies conducted on the health concerns of cell phones...
  
  The first popcorn video I saw LOOKED completely legit. All I'm seeing on youtube now, are a bunch of bogus videos. Perhaps I missed something in the first video then. I suppose I am somewhat skeptical now about the validity of the Cellphone Popcorn myth.
  
  Basically what I heard was that electrical signals in the body are disrupted by the Cellphone signals. My muscle twitch COULD be proof of that...
  
  Just please don't let children use them...
  

  
  
  Are YOU in the zone?
  

  31.10.2009 18:36 #36

• rparks3

  We know the price is $200 for the Motorola Droid phone, do we know the cost of specific data plans? Thanks, WolfpackRon.

  1.11.2009 08:15 #37