Engadget.com get's their hands on Droid and Droid News

[MinisterofDOOM]

Smartphones are a strange set of devices. They're particularly unappealing to me because they combine a lot of shortcomings and offer little real versatility. They're incredibly expensive, with good ones costing more than a netbook. Yet all of them are limited by either hardware or software and many are hampered by both. It's really hard to justify paying $300 or $500 for such a restricted platform. Hardware support is poor, software libraries are extremely limited, and most of the time you can find some features you like and some you hate in every phone, but there aren't really any phones that combine all the ideal good features in one device. This phone lacks multitouch, that phone is massive, another phone is restricted to a crappy provider.

I'd rather just buy a teeny netbook for the same money. Sure, I can't talk on it, but at the point where netbook/smartphone features begin overlapping, the phone part of a smartphone becomes irrelevant. With a netbook you get an x86 processor (HUGE), a real keyboard, a non-eyestraining screen, and still good portability. Some of them are even genuinely pocket-sized. And many come with integrated cellular modules which means 3G internet on a REAL device anywhere.

I'm AMAZED that there aren't any Tegra-equipped smartphones on the market yet. Every single phone company has morons working in its R&D labs. It's the most obvious "next step" for any technology since adding a second button to the mouse.

[Nali]

The HD2 is not an Android phone - its HTC's windows mobile phone. I would take that into consideration.

The Droid is a brick, it's the only thing that has stopped me from getting it.

Maybe this month, but more likely January from what I've read, HTC will release a new Verizon phone the Dragon/Bravo/Passion, with a far faster processor than the Droid, and a sleeker form factor from what I've seen. If you're in the market, I'd wait a month and see how that shapes up.

Im not too worried about the HD2 running WinMob as im going to run SPB as soon as i get it(if i get it)If worst comes to worst and i really feel the need for Android ill just install it using one of the tuts on xda.But i probably wont.

The HTC Dragon looks like an Android version of the HD2, so i dont really feel like waiting till Q3 2010 to get it, when by then the HD2 will have been completely cracked open.

Arrrghh, i hate buying new technologyIll just stick to my K750i till die.

[NY94J30]

Where are you seeing Q3 2010? Everything I've seen is late Dec. 2009/ early Jan. 2010.

[Nali]

Where are you seeing Q3 2010? Everything I've seen is late Dec. 2009/ early Jan. 2010.

HTC Dragon:It was delayed to Q1: 2010, and the first carrier will be Verizon(CDMA) im with T-Mobile(GSM)

So i have to wait for the GSM version of the Dragon, which will only be available Q3 2010.

Im too lazy to start googling to find all the links but just take my word for it.The GSM version of the HTC Dragon is expected Q3 2010.

[Jesda]

Winmo is awful. Just awful.

Motorola Droid has a terrible keyboard, one that resembles my first PDA:

[Nali]

Winmo is awful. Just awful.

Motorola Droid has a terrible keyboard, one that resembles my first PDA

Well the reviews ive read so far of the HD2 say that they completely reskined the UI of WinMoAnd the only gripe Eg had with it was the stock web browser, but Opera is installed stock so that isnt a problem for me.

Plus if i was to get the HD2 id just need to hold out till:As the HD2 is the first to support it....well its listed as supporting it, but who knows

And the Droids keyboard isnt bad, you dont even have to use it, but if you do id say it is definitely a plus not a minus(?)

I do like your PDA thoughCasio used to me favorite watch maker.....i wonder what happened to that company?

[Rob.Vegan]

My Voyager just crapped out on me yesterday, I've had my eye on the droid for about a month now. I've played with a couple now I just need the money Shouldn't be too bad though, I'm eligible for the new every 2 thing Verizon does

[93coupe]

I've been looking at pron ad fee apps all day on the Droid.

[Jesda]

And the Droids keyboard isnt bad, you dont even have to use it, but if you do id say it is definitely a plus not a minus(?)

The problem is that you do have to use it when communicating, and its wide and awkward. As a pocket computer its a great alternative to the iPhone, on a much better network. Unfortunately, none of the iPhone alternatives out there have the quick and easy input of the Blackberry.

Would be nice to get BB email and data capabilities with the iPhone's multimedia power. (The BB Storm is not so great.)

[timay]

I do agree, the keyboards (yes both, screen and slide out) suck. Atleast I haven't gotten used to either of them yet.

Everything else, pretty amazing. Cool a** phone. Plus I am using my wifi at home (instead of the 3g at the moment) to browse the internet, that's also pretty cool.

[RCA]

the quick and easy input of the Blackberry.

Which BB?

[Jesda]

I disagree...I can type 2-3 times faster on my Storm2 or an Iphone than I can with my brother's LG voyager...

I can type faster on a BB than with any of the above.

I can type even faster than that with

[Jesda]

Which BB?

Curve 8330. I like the space between the keys and the angled shape. It keeps your thumbs from slipping on to the wrong letter or number. I also like how the keys go clack-clack so you can feel and hear exactly when you're inputting a character. When I get bored I sometimes put the phone up to my ear and mash the keys just to hear them click. Too bad the CPU is slow and dated.

I'm considering the Tour next year. 70% of my phone usage is for typing emails to customers. The other 30% is for music in the car.

BB OS 4.6 is pretty buggy though, like a Swiss army knife that gets rusty. The occasional reboots are starting to gett on my nerves. We'll see if the release version of OS 5 is any better.

[RCA]

Blah, I feel that there isn't enough space dedicated to the keyboard. Way to small for my liking. Also that click-clacking is cool and dandy but it is uber annoying when you are on the recieveing end of a speaker phone conversation. My buddy insists on answering texts when play PS3 online angry7:

Try it one day, have some one type while your on speaker. Especially if they type fast. OMG SHOOT THEM!

As for best key boards, I like Sidekick's. I used to text while driving but I wouldn't need to look at the phone. Good times.

[Jesda]

Blah, I feel that there isn't enough space dedicated to the keyboard. Way to small for my liking. Also that click-clacking is cool and dandy but it is uber annoying when you are on the recieveing end of a speaker phone conversation. My buddy insists on answering texts when play PS3 online angry7:

Try it one day, have some one type while your on speaker. Especially if they type fast. OMG SHOOT THEM!

As for best key boards, I like Sidekick's. I used to text while driving but I wouldn't need to look at the phone. Good times.

Why the hell is he typing while on speaker? Why is his PS3 involved? You lost me.

Sidekick easily has the nicest keyboard, with nice side anchors for the large thumb muscles, but by having to slide the device open you lose a little instant access and it becomes thicker and wider. When I see my LED flashing or hear a sound, its nice to grab the BB, reply/mark quickly, and move on.

[marlin29311]

Curve 8330. I like the space between the keys and the angled shape. It keeps your thumbs from slipping on to the wrong letter or number. I also like how the keys go clack-clack so you can feel and hear exactly when you're inputting a character. When I get bored I sometimes put the phone up to my ear and mash the keys just to hear them click. Too bad the CPU is slow and dated.

I'm considering the Tour next year. 70% of my phone usage is for typing emails to customers. The other 30% is for music in the car.

BB OS 4.6 is pretty buggy though, like a Swiss army knife that gets rusty. The occasional reboots are starting to gett on my nerves. We'll see if the release version of OS 5 is any better.

Look into the new Curve - same great keyboard, now with OS 5.0, a new processor that supports OpenGL API's, 256mb onboard memory, WiFi, and some other goodies.

[RCA]

Why the hell is he typing while on speaker? Why is his PS3 involved? You lost me.

What I was saying isn't a point againt the BB keyboard but it was just a pet peeve I have about loud keys. We would usually play COD4 online and the PS3 has more challenges with headsets so I usually just call and we play on speaker. After you die though, you have some idle time and he usually answers texts but it is annoying and it was a rant.

but by having to slide the device open you lose a little instant access

For me, sliding the phone open screams 13 year old girl. There are many times in an interview that I needed information from my phone or I needed to take down information down and was embarrassed because of it's slide feature

Another thing that bothers me is people who shouldn't have a Email/business phone have one. It's like your 13 years old, WTF do you need with a Bold 9700