Motorola Droid
Recently, Verizon and Motorola (and perhaps Google) have struck back at Apple Inc.’s iPhone with a “Droid Does” ad campaign that highlights many of the lacking features of the iPhone. It’s a pretty cleaver ad that parody’s Apple’s own cutesy iPhone ads (check below). The ads have recently popped up during the MLB postseason and a lot over this past weekend during NFL football. According to cell phone megasite Boy Genius Report, the Motorola Droid is the best Google Android handset to date.
It’s been about 2 years since the original iPhone came out and there have been many who have claimed to be THE “iPhone Killer” yet none have actually lived up to the moniker in terms of sales or usability (the usability can be debate with the Palm Pre and my current favorite Android handset in the US, HTC’s myTouch). Whatever opinion you may have about Apple Inc., there is no doubt to the fact that Apple forever changed the mobile cell phone industry with their iPhone and its exclusive U.S. deal with AT&T. For Verizon, it is clear that this one single phone from Apple has been a pain in their ass despite being the superior mobile network over AT&T. Whatever you believe about the deal that didn’t happen between Verizon and Apple back in 2007, the fact is Verizon did not get the iPhone and has been looking that signature phone ever since. Verizon put their eggs in the basket before by touting the Blackberry Storm as the “iPhone Killer” and the result was a mediocre at best for both Blackberry and Verizon.
For Motorola and Google, the success of this phone is not only important from a business standpoint but in many ways revenge towards Apple. Google and Apple recently had a fallout that resulted in Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigning from Apple’s board of directors and there is the ongoing saga of rejection of Google Voice from Apple Inc.’s App Store. Those who have been following Google probably saw the collision course with Apple was inevitable when Google released the Android OS for mobile technologies and when they announced the Chrome OS for computers – territories that both Apple compete in. As for Motorola, their cell phone division went from having the hottest phone in the world (the RAZR V3) to barely surviving in less than a decade. Apple did partner with Moto to release an iTunes-enabled phone that was both a sales disaster and innovative failure for both companies. Apple ditched Moto and created the iPhone while Moto failed to be relevant. There have been industry whispers that indicate Google having a direct hand in production of Moto’s Droid handset. The Tripartite Pact between Verizon, Google, and Motorola is a clear shot for vindication.
My take? I like my iPhone, but seeing the huge jailbreaking community only verifies the lacking capabilities of the iPhone. In other words, the iPhone could do so much more. Plus the big elephant in the room is AT&T. God I have no idea how I have been an AT&T customer for 10 years now, but damn I can’t take it anymore. I don’t need to elaborate further, just Google it yourself and you will see the dissatisfaction with AT&T among iPhone customers. The exclusive deal with AT&T has to end not only because AT&T sucks but because it will help Apple achieve further sales success. It’s only smart economics. I also like what Android brings to the table, and hopefully the Moto Droid does some innovative things to perhaps force Apple to innovate further and faster (c’mon Apple is clearly holding back). I don’t know if the latest Verizon campaign dampens the possibility of the iPhone going to Verizon, but please get this phone on there.
Would I get the Moto Droid? Let’s put it this way: Verizon = Awesome, Google = Very Awesome, Moto = uh…
Yep, Moto is the weak link in this Tripartite Pact and I’ll hold my judgment until this things come out. If HTC made the phone, I’d jump it no question. Moto just makes me hesitate and I have a wait and see approach right now.
Moto Droid's Virtual Keyboard
Droid's back
Sliding Keyboard
What is for sure?…Windows Mobile sucks. Big time.
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