Google apps..

[walter2010]

I am getting a new phone, I have not had a smart phone as of now, and so I have no much idea at what can it do, except what I read. my question is: do I have to pay for applications, I know some are free, once they are loaded on my phone will Verizon charge me additionally for the use of the application, I like to know specifically about the GPS application from Google..

Anybody?

[Cody21]

The phone comes with some "stock" apps already. You will be able to download & install FREE Apps as well from "Market". There are also some APPS that the developers charge for - for as little as .99  or upwards of $5-10  ...   But there are a LOT of FREE ones available - not as many as available for the iPhone though ... yet ..  but climbing ever day.

Google Navigation is really nice.  I used to have Verizon Navigation app on my LG Dare - a rip off for $9.99/month I might add. The Google NAV is FREE and I highly recommend just using that.

You should go to a Verizon store and play with the various smart phones to see which one you like.  I have the Droid X and really love it.

[rcschnoor]

The Google GPS app will not cost you anything except for the amount of data you download to utilize it. With a smartphone, you will be required to add a $15 or $30 data plan to your phone and this will be how you are charged for the data.

[Wildman]

Google map isnt a Verizon app, it is a Google base software included and Verizon can only charge for the data usage that is supplied by them.  As for the apps from the Market, these apps are controlled by the developers that created the software so once you purchase the software usually no new charges will come from that app unless noted and the free apps can change from a free app to a pay app once it gets developed more but developers usually work something for the long time users.

Google apps are usually reasonably priced.

[TaeSong]

Getting a Droid X Mobile Phone?

Features:

Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 (ARM Cortex A8 based processor)

512MB RAM

8GB built-in flash memory

4.3" LCD screen (WVGA - 854 x 480 resolution)

microSD memory slot (additional 16GB possible, 24GB total)

3G

Wifi B/G

Bluetooth

GPS

Compass

Orientation sensor

micro-USB

micro-HDMI

8MP Camera

Pros:

 Android OS 2.3

 4,3" LCD screen

 3G

 GPS

 WiFi

Cons:

 Battery life

 Camera

 Recharging problems.

Comments:

It's a feature rich device, but doesn't live up to promises made by Motorola's advertising department.

It doesn't have a true 8MP camera, which is one of the main reason I choose to get a Motorola Droid X.  I was sorely disappointed, the picture quality is on the level of a 2MP webcam.  I have a bought and used various webcams and also used true 3MP - 5MP cameras, including a LG Dare (mobile phone with 3MP camera) and some close circuit security cameras and I know the quality difference between a camera using CCD and a CMOS image sensor.  If you're getting this phone because the 8MP camera, forget it.  Record 720p video... don't bother... it's not true 720p either... 720p is suppose to be 24 frames per second, what you actually get is something in the range of 8-15 frames per second.

Next major issue with Droid X is battery life.  You can expect little more than 5 hours of usage.  I probably use my phone more heavily than most people would, though.  You can literately get a larger battery (comes with modified cover to accommodate larger size) from Amazon.com (search on M810 battery).

On the plus side, I use it as a GPS frequently. Between Android OS, Google Maps and 3G mobile broadband connect to the internet, it beats Verizon's $9.99 a month (GPS) Navigator app hands down.  The downside is it reduces battery life considerably.

The micro-HDMi seems like a nice to have feature at first, till you realize there's hardly any apps written to take advantage of it.  The best idea I could come up for it is to hook the Droid X up to a display with a HDMI port and use the Droid X as the input device.  It would make browsing the web a lot easier.  Next improvement for the Droid X might be a connecting wireless to a display.