Is there any reason I should wait to get my Droid?

[SydneyK]

Hi, guys. I think I'm jumping the BlackBerry ship to try a Moto Droid. I have nothing against BB, I just want to try something new. I thought about waiting for the Tour 2, but that gave me lots of time to research and I really want to experience what Android has to offer.

Are there any pros and cons to me waiting for my NE2 credit to come up in May? It's only $50 (I'm Alltel), and I really don't see any devices coming along between now and May that will be better than the Droid.

What do you all think?

[robbob533]

The Google Nexus One (N1) is supposed to release to Verizon early spring.  Rumor has it March 23rd.  Most people are waiting for the N1 because is a great phone with a 1Ghz processor.  Oh and of course it is running Android 2.1 or whatever the new version will be when Verizon finally does release it.  Good luck.

[fezzik]

If I were in your shoes I would wait for the Nexus 1.  The physical keyboard on my droid hasn't seen the light of day for months now.  the N1 has the same size screen and is Amoled so it is a little brighter with more contrast.  Essentially it is a Droid without the physical keyboard some of the weight and it has a much faster processor.  Also a little nicer design I think.  So yeah if I were up for an upgrade in May I would be looking in that direction.  Just my personal opinion. 

[TheGreatOne]

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fezzik wrote:

If I were in your shoes I would wait for the Nexus 1.  The physical keyboard on my droid hasn't seen the light of day for months now.  the N1 has the same size screen and is Amoled so it is a little brighter with more contrast.  Essentially it is a Droid without the physical keyboard some of the weight and it has a much faster processor.  Also a little nicer design I think.  So yeah if I were up for an upgrade in May I would be looking in that direction.  Just my personal opinion. 

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i would recommend waiting too. The Nexus is just around the corner so I think it is worth waiting for.

[Art010606]

the N1 has horriable battery power. the htc legend and desire look to be really nice. i would check to see if theyre going to be cdma or gsm.

[axel_2078]

The Desire won't be released to US retailers anytime soon.  I'm not sure about the Legend though.

[sranger]

Unless you want a physical keyboard, I would hold out for a new HTC phone with a 1Ghz ( or better ) processor.  I want a Nexus One (or equivalant)  I find the Moto Droid to be too heavy and bulky and I don't want or need a physical keyboard.

My ideal phone would be the new HTC Desire on the Verizon network, but that is probably many months off...

[#8]

I just installed Documents To Go on my Droid.  I'm not sure how you would use this without a physical keyboard.  I don't use the keyboard often, but there are times where it comes in handy.  The Droid is a little heavy, but not enough to make any difference to me.  I carry it in my pants pocket with no problem at all.  The Droid is basically a pocket computer.

[n0yxl]

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jimfitzgerald wrote:

I just installed Documents To Go on my Droid.  I'm not sure how you would use this without a physical keyboard.  I don't use the keyboard often, but there are times where it comes in handy.  The Droid is a little heavy, but not enough to make any difference to me.  I carry it in my pants pocket with no problem at all.  The Droid is basically a pocket computer.

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I am going to agree with you on this point. I only use the physical keyboard on the Droid about 10-15% of the time -which isn't a whole lot, but, the times when I do use it; I am REALLY glad it's there.   For sending out most texts and quick replies -I don't even bother sliding out the keyboard, but, when writing a lenthy note or email reply -that good ol' physical keyboard is a Godsend.

[SydneyK]

Thanks for all the insightful replies. I didn't realize the N1 release date was rumored to be so close; thought it was later in the year.

DOH! I see benefits to each device too. I'd love to have the Droid physical keyboard option because I've never had a touch-screen. On the other hand, I'm used to a trackball so that would be sweet too. And not just any ol' trackball, a "tricolor" one! 

I'll see how long I can hold out. Easier if I stop reading "I Got My Droid!" threads.

Have a good one, all.

[jsh1120]

As far as I know, the only hard evidence regarding VZW's release of the N1 is the statement that it would be coming " in the spring" from the N1 release news conference. The "rumor" that it will be released on March 23 (the second day of spring) is just that, a rumor. And not a reliable one at that, I suspect.

Why, for example, would Verizon release the N1 a week after it releases the "Devour," an android phone that VZW has already announced? I cannot imagine a more effective way to kill the buzz surrounding the Devour.

My guess is that the N1 is unlikely to show up on the Verizon network until at least June. And I'd be willing to put my money where my mouth is that it won't be showing up until at least the third quarter of 2010.

[SydneyK]

Sounds a lot like the Feb. 3 release of the "Tour 2," which may not even be named Tour.

There is one advantage to the Droid that I'm surprised I've not heard anyone talk about (and I frequent a lot of forums, because I'm a geek like that). While typing on a touch-screen, while on a web page for example, it seems a large part of the screen will be dedicated to the virtual keyboard. Whereas, if you have a physical keyboard, you get the full screen view.

[Dangerous_Dave]

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SydneyK wrote:

There is one advantage to the Droid that I'm surprised I've not heard anyone talk about (and I frequent a lot of forums, because I'm a geek like that). While typing on a touch-screen, while on a web page for example, it seems a large part of the screen will be dedicated to the virtual keyboard. Whereas, if you have a physical keyboard, you get the full screen view.

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Why would you need to see the whole screen while you're inputting text? The virtual keyboard goes away once you input the text you just typed and you can see the screen again.

[SydneyK]

On my BlackBerry, if I'm typing a reply in a forum, for example, I can see the post I'm replying to, then the box with all the text I've entered, no matter how lengthy. I just think there are times you want to see what' s on the page.

[Dangerous_Dave]

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SydneyK wrote:

On my BlackBerry, if I'm typing a reply in a forum, for example, I can see the post I'm replying to, then the box with all the text I've entered, no matter how lengthy. I just think there are times you want to see what' s on the page.

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And in most forums, like this one, there's an option to quote the text you're replying to, as I have here. So it's still visible in your text box. I get your point, I just don't think the benefits (perceived or otherwise) of the physical keyboard justify the extra bulk of the phone. MHO.

[#16]

It's just a matter of preference.  There is no right or wrong answer here.

[SydneyK]

Agreed. Personal preference. Having never had a touch-screen device, I do appreciate all the input.

My new thread title is:

Since my husband revealed yesterday that he wants to get me a Droid for my late-May birthday, do I wait until then, or totally p*** in his Cheerios and go buy my own now?

Ha. Just kidding. I won't do that. Maybe the N1 will be out by then to at least try. And -- even better -- I won't have to feel guilty for always being on it, because he will beam with pride that I like it so much.

Thanks again.

[#18 · Accepted solution]

Better yet, tell your husband you want the Droid for your birthday, but you want it now.