December 4, 2009 83 Comments

Motorola Droid- My Take

Droid Report I purchased my own Motorola DROID (amazon affiliate link) on the day they came out, and have been using it as my primary (only) cell phone for weeks. I left behind the iPhone 3G primarily because of AT&T’s service. I just couldn’t keep a phone call up. My take, after a few weeks of intensive use of the Droid is that it’s a good phone and worthy of your consideration. Let me give you a bit more information.

Motorola Droid – The Good

I’m a Google kind of guy. My email is gmail. I use Google Apps. I use Google Calendar. The phone is built for this. Calendar, Google Voice, and all the other apps really integrate well. I make my calls via Google Voice. I schedule appointments with the same calendar I use on the web. So with that in mind, everything I used worked really seamlessly between the web and the phone (except, oddly, Google Wave, which says it’s not compatible with the browser).

The camera is 5 megapixels, and does stills and video. It’s pretty decent. The “hard” button is in a silly place, and using the soft button wasn’t very simple. But there were all kinds of 3rd party apps in the store to make this easy. The video is HD quality, by the way, which is nice. Oh, and there’s a flash for stills. Eat that, iPhone.

The app store had lots of apps that I was using on the iPhone, including Evernote, PixelPipe, SnapTell, Shazam, Pandora, and more. I’m using Twidroid right now for a Twitter app, though I’m hoping the Seesmic Android app gets better, as I’d like to support Loic LeMeur.

I love the maps feature, which is a lot more like a full function turn-by-turn GPS and blows away the iPhone built-in maps feature. It’s provided by Google and it’s really a threat to Garmin and Tom Tom and the boys.

The 3G network seems pretty darned fast. I have done some comparisons that showed the iPhone winning, and some showing the Droid winning, but in general, I feel like the Internet runs faster on the Droid. Might be a perception. You be the judge.

Motorola Droid – The Bad

The soft keyboard is silly. It’s messy, not very responsive, and requires a lot of patience. The hard keyboard isn’t as good as a blackberry, but after a while, I got used to it.

Battery life is a hair better than an iPhone, but not much. I like that I can buy replacement batteries and swap them out on my own. The guys at AMD told me a lot of the future wars around computer components would be around battery life. This makes me believe them.

Apps crash every now and again (but then, they did on the iPhone, too).

I have only 10,000 apps and iPhone has 100,000 or something. So, sometimes that shows. Now that everyone and their brother is making an iPhone app, I find myself hoping they’re also making Android apps. It’s never fun to be in the “B” category of software crazes. But so far, that’s not hurting me too bad.

I find there are lots of design elements where Apple did it better. The iTunes interaction is much better than the various entertainment products lopped into the Droid. Meaning, the App Store seems smoother than the Android Market. The iTunes part seems better than Droid’s Music app. So, it’s a little bit of what Robert Scoble said, about it not exactly being as ‘smooth,’ but I’m holding out that there are more options for improvement.

How I think the Droid Compares

I think people who have a Blackberry should think about the Droid.

I think people who are considering the Palm Pre should think about the Droid.

I think people who are tired of AT&T dropping their calls should think about the Droid.

I think the other Android phones are good, but Droid is Android 2.0 and seems a little bit nicer.

So that’s it. That’s what I think. What about you? And are there any other questions?

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  • andreapegg

    Chris, thanks for the review! I was just researching these this past week and literally walked into Best Buy this morning with more questions. I should have checked my Twitter feed first. :)

    Thanks,
    A
    @_wordgirl

  • TomRoyce

    What is the camera app that you are using to make the Droid work better? Fight with the buttons all the time.

  • scottbauman

    Thanks Chris. I continue to like my Droid and your comments are helpful.

    Scott

  • http://alwaysalli.com/ Alli

    I've been looking at the phones that have the Android OS and while the Droid looks ok, I'm probably going to go with the HTC Eris, because of price. I have a friend w/ an HTC T-Mobile phone and he gives it and the Android OS high marks. I want to stick with Verizon, so I'm glad I held out. Now, if my new every two deal discounts the Motorola Droid heavily, then I might head that way. But the Droid Eris will probably be mine.

  • http://www.JanetOber.com Janet Oberholtzer

    Bought a Droid three days ago … beginning to like it better today, but it was a learning curve. Frustrated with the current Twitter apps …seems like there should be better options.
    But all in all … its working well.

  • TomRoyce

    My favorite twitter app for the Droid is the XeeduTweet.

  • http://www.theapartmentnerd.com The Apartment Nerd

    Nice follow up Chris. I agree with you on the majority. I guess here's some follow-up points from my perspective as I know I added my thoughts on your other post.

    - I can't get the Evernote app to work.
    - As my work email is with a Microsoft Exchange server and I use Outlook to manage my email and contacts, I've found that the Touchdown app from NitroDesk is a better option to connect there.
    - While it's cool that you can run widgets, they suck the life out of the battery
    - I don't like that I have to pay extra for the visual VM. They should have just rolled it into the plans somehow.
    - I do think there are plenty of apps to satisfy my hunger, and look forward to more. d
    - I also anxiously wait for a better music integration app that can possibly sync my iTunes playlists.

    For the most part I recommend the phone for all the reasons you do. It's a really great device, and Verizon service has always been good to me.

  • http://thelacproject.com ajleon

    Chris, been an Android guy since the G1 launched last year. Apple will always have a leg up on aesthetics and sleekness, it's just what they do. However, I think the functionality of Android will eclipse the iPhone soon if it hasn't already.

    Great review!

    AJ

  • rbrianforrester

    Thanks for the review. I left Verizon after 15 years for the iPhone, only to be really disappointed w/ AT& T (as sooo many others are). Now, whenever any asks me about my iPhone, I'm prone to saying “Love my iPhone, Hate my AT&T”. I've been thinking about going back to Verizon for the Droid. Honest reviews like your are always a big help.

  • http://www.kimwoodbridge.com Kim Woodbridge

    Thanks for the review. As much as I've wanted an iPhone, I've refused to use AT&T as my carrier. I now feel a little bit more confident about giving the Droid a try when I get my next phone.

  • pdilly

    I think you left out a group of people. The people who are happy with AT&Ts service.

  • http://twitter.com/TMetzner Tim Metzner

    I've been seriously weighing Droid vs. HTC Hero; from reviews i've read the edge on the actual hardware (phone) goes to Droid, but Sprint def seems to offer a more reasonable plan.

    Anyone have experience w/ both Sprint and Verizon? Thoughts?

  • VinceVaughan

    Chris,

    Interesting take on the Droid. The google stack integration makes the Android platform a solid choice. This blog post appears to be “serendipitous” to one I made yesterday and today.

    Trackback is listed below the comments.

  • pdilly

    I think you left out a group of users. How about the people that are happy with the service from AT&T?

  • http://www.JanetOber.com Janet Oberholtzer

    Thanks … will try it out.

  • http://twitter.com/kellipoliska Kelli

    Thanks for the review! I've heard a lot about people buying the Droid, but I haven't heard much about it's functionality. It's good to see that there's a contender for the iPhone and the Droid is living up to the hype.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Cool! What'd you write about?

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Well then awesome. : ) Keep with them. I've had nothing but dropped calls all over the US.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I used to use Sprint years ago, so no new news. I hear they're good, network wise. I think the HTC phones are pretty good.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Oh that's interesting about Evernote. Works fine for me.

    I don't use Exchange. I meant to talk about that.

    Ohhhh! Good feedback about widgets. I'll kill the 3 I added.

    And yes about music.

  • http://smartic.us bryanl

    I agree with all your assertions. It took me a couple of weeks to untrain my iPhone ways, but now I really love this phone. I even gushed about it here: http://smartic.us/2009/11/30/the-motorola-droid…

  • http://twitter.com/TMetzner Tim Metzner

    Thanks for thoughts – much appreciated!

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I've tried Swift and Twidroid and Seesmic. So far, I'm liking Twidroid.

  • http://www.bolduniverse.com/ geophrey

    Greate review man….I love my hero and the sense UI is very Iphone esque…being a former ATT guy I hated the coverage and the over charging and while Sprint foot-print is smaller it offers 3G everywhere and where I can't get pure Sprint I use Verizon towers so coverage is really a non-issue and the price is awesome simply everything 99.99….I anxiously await the Android 2.x upgrade but only if it includes the sense updates…best UI experience I've had across all platforms and I've owned them all!

  • http://www.mobi-strategy.com Banky

    Chris,

    My trackback below is about how AT&T's failings is good news for Android and the Open Handset Alliance.

  • TomRoyce

    My favorite app is the one that extends my battery life, Advanced Task Killer “Free”. Use it regularly and it kills all the apps I have opened.

  • http://www.socialidentities.com Hugh Briss

    I opted for the Droid Eris because I had a physical keyboard for a few years on my i760 and frankly, I can type quite a bit faster on the virtual keyboard. I am considering switching to the Motorola Droid but will play around with it in the store for a while first. The first time I liked the feel, size and weight much better with the Eris. The screen is only slightly smaller but there is something to be said about that huge screen on the Droid.

    As for the keyboard on the Droid, you can get an app that gives you the same keyboard that is on the HTC Eris, which I think is pretty darn nice and much easier to type on than the iPhone.

  • Andy Samler

    Twidroid is simply one of the best clients on any platform. Just b/c Loic is your pal doesn't mean you have to promote his app. He's got 6 mill. in the bank whereas Twidroid is built by an army of two. Would have expected a bit more vision from you.

  • Andy Samler

    Twidroid is simply one of the best clients on any platform. Just b/c Loic is your pal doesn't mean you have to promote his app. He's got 6 mill. in the bank whereas Twidroid is built by an army of two. Would have expected a bit more vision from you.

  • http://www.JanetOber.com Janet Oberholtzer

    Thank You … will try them.

    And I'm still confused, is there a way to get itunes on the droid and/or what app will do that?

  • http://nateriggs.com nateriggs

    Chris,

    Thanks man. Great critique on the device. I've just about had it with AT&T as well, and have a ton of rollover to burn before I switch. Been considering a move to one of the two you mention.

    Here's a question. I use Batchbook, Freshbooks, Showboxed, Jott, etc to run my business and love it. One of the main reasons is the iPhone apps.

    Do you by chance know if the Droid or Android 2.0 have supporting apps for these services? I know you used some of these tools a while back. If so, how are they?

    Just curious. Thanks for the review :)

  • Pingback: Bad News for AT&T, Good News For Android | Mobi-Strategy.com

  • mattstubbs

    Thanks Chris. I'm actually a little behind the curve in that I'm still using a 2G iPhone, but after the latest drop and subsequent killing of a few lines of my screen it is past time to be looking for a replacement. I actually left Verizon and switched to the iPhone and AT&T for work. This looks like a good excuse to get a new phone and switch back to a much better network.

  • josephnamzoff

    I was just about to go out and get an iPhone, partially because my company only allows access to corporate access to iphones and blackberries and I am done with my blackberry! Are other folks having issues with iPhones dropping calls? I am mostly in the Northeast, is it a regional thing? And does the iPhone not work well with google apps? I am definitely looking to use gmail and would love to use google calendar as well…

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I'm in Massachusetts. And lots of people love the iPhone.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    No idea, but a great question. They SHOULD, but I hear developers are slow to get to it.

  • http://www.UltimateMarketingOnline.com/ Aleksandra

    I'm glad you shared….I've been looking at getting an iPhone bur heard a lot of bad stories…I'll have to check this on out…thanks for sharing.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I said I was using it, Andy. I also said I hope Seesmic can get theirs in order.

    I can pick whatever app I want and for why I want. Seems like a dopey thing to be disappointed about. A bit more vision? Supporting the little guy just because they're little? So far, I'm supporting them because they're the best app for Twitter. That's vision. Vision is giving people a choice I think works.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I use that app all the time!

  • http://www.mikestenger.com Mike Stenger

    Yeah, I heard the keyboard wasn't too great but like to hear the other good stuff about the Droid. Christmas present maybe? We'll think about it Mike…

  • http://www.liftdevelopment.com daveyank

    The real question, Chris, is which games on the Droid are the best? Ha! Nice review here. I'm considering the Droid as my next phone since I can't stand AT&T either. Verizon is far superior.

  • http://twitter.com/eranevenkesef Eran Even-Kesef

    You should try Waze on the Droid m.waze.com great turn by turn navigation with audio, and free!

  • http://www.quired.com J. Paul Duplantis

    That is great Chris. I am thinking about a Droid in the future so your review helped quite a bit.

  • dragonblogger

    Nice review of the Droid, currently I am still using a Blackberry on Verizon network, but was interested in the Droid. You wrote a thorough pro's and cons of the device, droid will probably catch up on apps eventually.

    Apple made a poor decision by making the iPhone exclusive to AT&T it would be much more prevalent and dominant had they licensed it to Verizon, Sprint and other networks.

  • farhatyemoneyhuntercom

    Thanks for the review. As much as I've wanted an iPhone, I've refused to use AT&T as my carrier. I now feel a little bit more confident about giving the Droid a try when I get my next phone

  • http://twitter.com/karinalam Karina

    Thanks for posting the review, I will consider your take when I shop for a smartphone this season.

  • odiextian

    I like my Motorola droid a lot. I got it at http://www.amzpricesniper.com at its best reatil price.

  • http://www.beingakb.com BeingAKB

    Thanks for the review! Glad you brought up the “Blackberry users should consider a Droid” point. I'm kinda weary about giving up my Blackberry…that just might have been my tipping point.

  • http://www.vitabits.de/gesundheit-des-mannes shaunhenriques

    I have read the article which tells about the good and bad things regarding the mobile piece Droid of the Motorola.I like both agreements against this model.Its decision depends on the user choices and their experiences. I continue to like my Droid and also with certain useful comments.

    vitamine

  • jonnyangel44

    I also ate the cancellation fee with AT&T, on the very day the Droid was introduced but not because of AT&T. I stood in line, in the MN cold, to grab a Droid; like a thirsting man in the desert crawls toward a mirage because I was jumping through impossible hoops to sync my calendar with Mobile Me through BusyCal through Mobil Me to Google, my contacts, in short – my life. Why? Because Apple is once again doing what it did “in the beginning.” People ask me, all the time, why I work with a pc system instead of Apple's, especially since I started and stayed with Apple until I was convinced it would wind up back in Wozniak's garage. It is precisely because Apple has marginalized itself, yet again. Yes, I can get 100,000 apps but that would cost about $100,000, so it's not as good as it sounds. Yes, I loved my iPhone and it is hands down more beautiful than my Droid but no, I can't live with the constrictions that make my iPhone limited. This isn't the first time I cheated on Apple, I even tried a Windows based Samsung phone and Microsoft sent me back, screaming, to Apple as fast as Tiger expressed undying love for his wife and once again 'longed' to seek solace and loving with none other than the mother of his children, paying some reported $55,000,000 for just two more years with a lady who once loved him for free. I've now paid three cancellations to AT&T but the bright side is that three ladies can now call 911 from the coolest thing on the planet because I recycled them. Too bad, that Apple and AT&T needed a prenup to keep me. Enjoy the millions Elin, you will earn every penny.

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