Motorola DROID A855 Android Phone
Blogportant is presenting Motorola DROID A855 Android Phone for you.
- Android 2.0-powered smartphone with 3.7-inch touchscreen and slide-out full QWERTY keyboard
- Access a wealth of Google mobile services including Google Maps with Navigation for voice prompted turn-by-turn directions, Gmail, Google Talk, Calendar and more
- GPS-enabled for location services; Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g); 5-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD expansion (16 GB card included)
- Up to 6.4 hours of talk time, up to 270 hours (11.25 days) of standby time.Full manual available for download from www.verizonwireless.com or www.motorola.com.
- What’s in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, 16 GB microSD card, quick start guide
Check Price: Motorola DROID A855 Android Phone
Amazon.com Product Description
The first Android-powered phone for Verizon Wireless, the 3G-enabled Motorola DROID smartphone offers a full package of powerful mobile connectivity–from easy access to all your social networks and viewing of full Web sites to spoken turn-by-turn directions thanks to the new Google Maps with Navigation Beta app. One of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available, the Motorola DROID also features a high-resolution 3.7-inch touchscreen display and a virtual onscreen keyboard that auto-rotates depending on the phone’s orientation. And you’ll be able to capture high-resolution images and DVD-quality videos on the go with its 5-megapixel camera with flash.
The Motorola DROID offers the powerful Android 2.0 operating system, fast and reliable Verizon Wireless 3G connectivity, and a wealth of Google Mobile services–including the new Google Maps with Navigation app. |
With integrated Google technology, the Motorola DROID brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by Voice, YouTube and Picasa. The DROID also provides easy access to both personal and corporate email, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail.
In addition to 3G connectivity, the DROID offers Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and business networks as well as hotspots while on the go and Bluetooth connectivity for both hands-free devices and stereo music streaming. Other features include memory expansion via microSD memory cards (a 16 GB card is included with the device), threaded text and picture messaging for seamless on-the-go conversations, Visual Voicemail capabilities, 3.5mm headset jack, and up to 6.4 hours of talk time.
Here are just a few of the things that the Motorola DROID can do for you:
- Zip through the Web: Access the Internet at 3G speeds via the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network or from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The multi-window HTML browser with a massive processor delivers the Web the way you expect.
- See it all in cinema-style: View the Web, email, Google Maps, videos and more in widescreen on a brilliant 3.7-inch high-resolution screen. Boasting a width of 854 pixels to reduce the need for side-to-side panning and more than 400,000 pixels total, DROID has more than twice that of the leading competitor.
- Run multiple applications at once: Customize your DROID with thousands of applications and hundreds of widgets available on Android Market. Toggle back and forth between up to six applications at a time to juggle the universe and your apps.
- Perform Google Search at the speed of sound: Simply tell DROID what you’re looking for using voice-activated search, and it will serve up Google search results based on your location. If you want more, simply type what you’re looking for into the search bar on the home screen and DROID will also search content on your phone, such as apps and contacts, and the Web.
- Capture moments: Snap digital camera-quality photos with a 5-megapixel camera loaded with the works, such as a dual-LED flash, auto-focus and image stabilization, or capture your friend’s antics in 16 million colors with DVD-quality video capture and playback. Store it all on the included 16 GB memory card, so you always have it on hand.
- Multi-task like a master: Keep tabs on all your messages with integrated Gmail and Exchange email pushed directly to you, but don’t let them get in your way. With the handy Android notification panel, go straight to the message or simply ignore it, and get back to the task at hand. And, a smart dictionary learns as you type and automatically includes your contacts.
Other features include a 3.7-inch touchscreen, slide-out full QWERTY keyboard, real HTML web browsing, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, microSD memory expansion (with included 16 GB card), and access to both personal and corporate email (see larger image).
See a schematic of all the controls.
- Get where you need to go with Google Maps Navigation (Beta): DROID is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It’s powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say “Navigate to [your destination],” and you’ll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.
The Motorola DROID comes pre-loaded with a variety of Google and Verizon Wireless mobile services, including:
- Google Maps: With layers in Google Maps, view geographic information, such as My Maps, Wikipedia, and transit lines, right on the map.
- Gmail: Multiple accounts support and undo for common operations.
- YouTube: One-touch recording and playback from home screen widget or app, one-touch sharing with friends, and the ability to view your own uploaded videos and high-resolution videos.
- Google Talk: Easily switch between chats, search your chat history, and preview pictures and videos sent by links.
- Android Market: Browse and download applications created by third-party developers.
- Calendar: Ability to see who has R.S.V.P.’d to your meeting invitations.
- Amazon MP3 Store: Download the latest tracks over the air.
- Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail: Delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions.
Key Features and Specifications
- Fast 3G connectivity thanks to the reliable Verizon Wireless EV–DO, Rev A network
- Powered by the Android 2.0 operating system with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market. Built-in GPS with turn-by-turn directions provided by Google Maps and voice prompts using the Google Maps Navigation (BETA) app.
- 3.7-inch touchscreen with 480 x 854-pixel resolution and 16 million color depth
- Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with familiar layout lets you type messages easily without scrolling for the letter you want.
- 5-megapixel autofocus camera also includes multiple scene modes, white balance settings, image quality choices, macro setting, multiple color effects, and geotagging capabilities.
- DVD-quality video capture at 720 x 480-pixel resolution and up to 24 fps capture; up to 30 fps playback
- Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
- Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile–enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
- Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB (16 GB card included).
- Multi-format digital audio player with dedicated Amazon MP3 Store app for over-the-air downloads. Includes compatibility with MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, and WMA formats and the capability to create and manage playlists on the phone.
- YouTube app for streaming video over 3G and Wi-Fi connections.
- Real HTML Web browsing provides more pages and better Web content delivered efficiently to your phone (Android Webkit HTML5-based browser).
- Standard voice mail and compatibility with Verizon Visual Voice Mail (subscription required), which enables you to delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail.
- Email: Corporate (Exchange 2003 and 2007), Gmail, IMAP, POP3, Attachment and browser document viewer (Microsoft Office and pdf)
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- 3.5mm Headset Jack
- Bilingual Interface: English/Español
- Cortex A8 processor with dedicated HW Acceleration
- Memory: ROM: 512MB; RAM: 256MB
- TTY compatible
- Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3/T3
Vital Statistics
The Motorola DROID weighs 5.96 ounces and measures 4.56 x 2.36 x 0.54 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6.4 hours of talk time, and up to 270 hours (11.25 days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as EV–DO, Rev A 3G frequencies.
What’s in the Box
Motorola DROID handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, 16 GB microSD card, quick start guide, user manual
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pro: bright and shiny
cons: not a phone, too thick to fit credit card slot of a shredder
The Droid is probably best considered an overweight flash drive with bluetooth.
It has no controls worthy of the name.
One might fantasize that a stylus could offer an illusion of control,
but iPod/iPhone reviews suggest that styluses are effectively incompatible with capacitive touch screens.
A phone should have a grip, place to speak and place listen, so zero for three.
Fully charged before turning off: two days later the battery was flat.
This appears to be related to (and can be repeated by) selecting full power down
while in airplane mode, then storing in the Verizon holster,
which by the way has cutouts which in no way correspond with connectors.
We have seen the battery go from fully charged to flat over night in this way.
Leaving the Droid in sleep mode, on the other hand, barely discharges the battery.
For dependable wireless communications (that is why you chose Verizon, right?),
you will need to also carry a real cell phone. Voice communications are
nearly unintelligible, mostly resembling grunts and mumbles.
Droid Wi-Fi appears to confuse our NETGEAR WGR614v6;
for the initial connection each day we now have to power that wireless router off and on
to re-enable 802.11g access for any of our wireless devices.
If you are the sort of person who prefers their SLR with a battery grip
or appreciates why real typists chose the IBM Executive to Selectric,
then move along, nothing to see here.
The LCD seems quite nice until your eyes tire of focusing on things no more than 8 inches away.
Rating: 3 / 5
Democracy in America (and elsewhere) is under threat by corporate domination. The Supreme Court (through its conservative majority) decided on Jan. 21 to allow giant corporations and other special interests unlimited economic influence in elections. The power to control information is, in the end, the power to control the future. The rich and powerful already have too much influence in Washington. This new rule (supported only by so-called conservatives!) will give them much much more.
What does this have to do with Verizon, and the Droid?
Some Verizon products and services are pretty good. But if you give Verizon your money, you are threatening the future of the United States. That’s because Verizon is a key supporter of the groups that organize the Tea Party movement.
Verizon doesn’t support this movement because it shares their agenda. It has a different agenda, one that has something to do with band widths and other tech issues. It only wants to get certain politicians elected because it wants greater freedom to dominate its markets. In other words, it’s using the Tea Party movement as a private lobby– exploiting and corrupting its aims.
If you want your government to be strong, let Verizon know (through your consumer choices) that you won’t tolerate them exploiting urgent American problems as tools for their own corporate ends.
Rating: 4 / 5
First of all, this review is based on my personal experience. This is not just review of the product but also some experience with VW services. Since this phone is exclusive so the carrier service is part of the overall product experience I believe.
Here are what I care about when select phones:
carrier service quality
product quality (user interface, build quality, functionality, etc)
international roaming
I waited for the droid but I got iphone 3GS (2 of them now, one for me and one for the wife) after I delt with VW rep. When I asked the VW rep if I could see one that is powered one for demo. the guy told me one word ‘NO’ and walked away. Then I immediately drove to the nearby ATT store. While at ATT store, I got warmly greeted. the girl asked me what’s the purpose of my visit and put me on the list. while I am waiting, she offered me some water. then in about 2 minutes, a rep is ready. Does VW have better network coverage? probably yes but better coverage doesn’t mean better service overall.
Another thing I am concerning about is since most of my friends are using iphone, so switch to VW will cause higher phone bill and not be able to stay in touch( I assume even the same Apps e.g. ping! is available on Droid, it probably won’t be compatible between iphone version)
I think iphone has better build quality overall. it has the solid feeling. the UI is extremely easy to use. Droid has it’s advantage too. multitasking is my favorite. turn by turn GPS is another one and higher resolution is very attractive as well. It’s all about personal preference I guess.
International roaming might not be a concern for most of Americans. however, I do travel from time to time and I need GSM since this is most available mobile network around world.
So overall, I think iphone fits me. JB it and it will even fit better.
Rating: 3 / 5
I bought this phone specifically to get Google’s new Translate for Animals application. The application was supposed to allow me to understand my pet’s vocalizations. I downloaded the application, installed it, and used it according to the directions, but I do not believe the application’s translations of the cat’s meows. Those translations are krazy! What a waste of money!
Rating: 1 / 5
MY DROID IS BROKEN. SO, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD SEND ME A NEW ONE. GOOD. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR IT. BUT, THEY SENT ME A USED, CERTIFIED LIKE NEW PHONE. I DON’T WANT A USED PHONE. I WANT WHAT I PAID FOR–NOT A USED PHONE THAT SOMEONE ALREADY HAD PROBLEMS WITH AND HAS BEEN RETURNED AND MAYBE OR MAYBE NOT FIXED; I WANT A NEW PHONE THAT WORKS. HAVE YOU EVER RETURNED A PRODUCT THAT IS BROKEN AND THEY GIVE YOU A USED ONE?
ALSO, WHEN ASKED ON THE PHONE, VERIZON WIRELESS COULD NOT PRODUCE THE WARRANTY INFO THAT EXPLAINS THAT. THIS IS THE VERY WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MY LIFE. I FEEL SCREWED.
Rating: 1 / 5