# Anyone planing on getting the Motorola Droid? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 6, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580 "2009-11-06T15:43:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MostlyClueless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@MostlyClueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyClueless)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/21 "2009-11-07T15:57:02Z")
Y’all do know these will be old hat in three months or so, right? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/22 "2009-11-07T16:09:39Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > ( I have the first generation of Chocolat, which apparently amazes the phone store people that it is still working and such.) Holy crap so do I!!! And the only real reason I want to change is that I am texting a lot more now (much to my dismay) and really want a qwerty ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/23 "2009-11-07T17:16:55Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I’d say if you’re happy with Verizon’s service and don’t want to switch, go ahead and get the Droid. But iPhone plans aren’t really what you’d call expensive, unless you go with an unlimited plan. > > I have a 3G iPhone and have a wireless plan with 450 anytime minutes plus 5000 night and weekend minutes for $39.99per month. I have a $30 unlimited data plan and get 200 text messages for $5/month. This is more than enough for my needs, and before taxes and fees adds up to $74.99 a month, which I consider reasonable for this phone and level of service. Plus, I have over 4000 rollover minutes squirreled away. > > As I say, you’d do fine staying with Verizon, but monthly rates for the iPhone are reasonably competitive. I actually did a breakdown of everything I wanted and they’re both coming up to around 90 a month. Damn, now my decision to get one is getting harder. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/24 "2009-11-07T17:22:15Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > A Droid plan costs a much as an iPhone plan. > > [http://www.billshrink.com/blog/total-cost-of-ownership-motorola-droid-versus-iphone-3gs-versus-palm-pre/](http://www.billshrink.com/blog/total-cost-of-ownership-motorola-droid-versus-iphone-3gs-versus-palm-pre/) Not really. $30 for a capped “unlimited” data plan. (5G per month) $30 for a 2nd plan to tether. (not a current iPhone option) $45 for MS Exchange email, also capped. Can you hear me now, laughing on my iPhone? MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/25 "2009-11-09T11:14:20Z")
Droid has a micro sdhd slot, which makes it infinitely preferable to an Iphone. Sadly, there is the double whammy of not being unlocked, AND requiring a plan to buy, both of which are game breakers for me. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/26 "2009-11-09T14:08:37Z")
My Verizon plan has another year before my “new every 2” window kicks in, so I’ll wait it out and see how it fares by then. I’m intrigued, though. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/27 "2009-11-09T15:23:27Z")
OK, got the droid yesterday. Upside, sound quality is quite good, even with minimal bars and driving through a known cell hell. Good heavy hand feel. I like the hidden keyboard, though I have read that some people dont like it [buttons too small and flat. I have tiny fingers so I dont seem to have that problem] So far, the only downside is there is not a good ebook reading app. I have been using mobipocket, but they do not have an update [and I understand probably will not since amazon owns them and they are pushing the kindle] and I downloaded the mini-office app, but it does not handle RTF format [what the fuck?!] so I have to redownload all my ebooks in RTF format and convert them to doc format. Major pain in the assitude. Or I have to convince a buddy of mine who is a programmer to write me an ebook reader app that will use the mobi format to read ebooks… Other than the ebook bit, I love it so far. very smooth internet action, good selection of apps for it, sound and vid quality are good so far [I loaded a selection of music vids to it] and it will take all sizes of micro chip for storage. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/28 "2009-11-09T16:50:55Z")
When I finally break down and get a smartphone, that’ll definitely on my short list. We’re with Verizon and except in the real boonies, they’ve got the best signal anywhere we go, so I’m not too keen on switching to the iPhone. We’re at least a few months away from doing this, however. Maybe a few years. I definitely won’t be in the first wave of early adopters. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/29 "2009-11-09T16:58:34Z")
> [@MostlyClueless](#): > > Y’all do know these will be old hat in three months or so, right? That’s pretty much the plan. Lock everyone into a “new every two (years)” type deal but introduce a new “gotta-have-it” type phone every 6 months. Then punch them in the gut for $$$ if they want to upgrade early. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/30 "2009-11-09T17:54:23Z")
I got one on Saturday. Haven’t used it enough to really have gotten accustomed to it yet. I upgraded from the Samsung Alias, which was fun but which had very limited internet capability. The Droid’s internet display is amazingly more functional and much faster than either the Alias or my pokey work Blackberry. The GPS looks to be very cool when I’m traveling. It’s easy to fat-finger, but this is my first touchscreen. The big screen sucks down power very quickly. I’m paying $75 a month; basic plan + texting + internet. No work email on here. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/31 "2009-11-09T20:04:25Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I’d say if you’re happy with Verizon’s service and don’t want to switch, go ahead and get the Droid. But iPhone plans aren’t really what you’d call expensive, unless you go with an unlimited plan. > > I have a 3G iPhone and have a wireless plan with 450 anytime minutes plus 5000 night and weekend minutes for $39.99per month. I have a $30 unlimited data plan and get 200 text messages for $5/month. This is more than enough for my needs, and before taxes and fees adds up to $74.99 a month, which I consider reasonable for this phone and level of service. Plus, I have over 4000 rollover minutes squirreled away. > > As I say, you’d do fine staying with Verizon, but monthly rates for the iPhone are reasonably competitive. Are you me?!? Aside from the texting thingy (that I have no use for and therefore do not have it on my bill) we have identical service plans, right down to the same number of rollover minutes banked… ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/32 "2009-11-10T00:24:55Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > $45 for MS Exchange email, also capped. > MeanJoe This is apparently [false.](http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/11/04/verizon-droid-data-plan-30-with-exchange-support-for-consumer-lines/) > [@](#): > > There have been rumors flying around the intertubes that Verizon is planning to charge an extra $15/month to allow your shiny new Motorola DROID to be hooked up to Microsoft’s Exchange email enviroment. Well, we are happy to confirm that, for consumer lines anyway, these rumors are false. The folks over at Gearlog received clarification from Verizon’s headquarters about the rumored $45/month data mandate, and it looks as though it’s for corporate responsible user accounts only. Individual accounts and family lines, whether you use Exchange or not, will still cost just $30/month. Good news for future DROID owners out there, and just the same as how the iPhone pricing works on AT&T. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/33 "2009-11-10T02:15:19Z")
I’m sort of thinking about it, but not the extent of looking at pricing. I’d have to switch from T-Mobile, which I’m a little reluctant to do, though their coverage isn’t as good as Verizon’s. But having the kind of connectivity that the Droid (and iPhone) affords is light years ahead of where I am with my old Nokia phone. Email, internet, GPS, apps – I don’t have any of that now. And I kind of want it. It really feels like the future to me. But what options are really out there, besides the Droid and the iPhone? Yeah, I know there are a million phones out there, but is there anything remotely comparable? I suppose if I’m patient T-Mobile will come out with something sexy, too. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/34 "2009-11-10T02:18:33Z")
Hmm, I’m up for my new phone on New Every Two and I was just in the Verizon store (and looked online) and I was told that I wouldn’t have to upgrade my data plan to get the Droid phone I want, which is the HTC Eris, not the Motorola. (I _hate_ the hand-feel of the keyboard on the Motorola.) I have unlimited data, but on a non-smartphone, so it’s only $5 a month on my old, grandfathered plan. I ended up not getting the phone tonight, but if I go back and find out that I have to pay more a month, screw Verizon, I’ll go ahead and get an iPhone. I’m all Apple at home, it’d streamline things for me. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/35 "2009-11-10T03:38:21Z")
And… I just looked online and lo and behold, yes, I’d have to pay another $35.00 a month for data on the Eris. Something that no one at the Verizon store could be bothered to tell me tonight. Yeah, forget Verizon. iPhone here I come. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/36 "2009-11-10T13:51:32Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Holy crap so do I!!! > And the only real reason I want to change is that I am texting a lot more now (much to my dismay) and really want a qwerty I would like the Qwerty as well. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/37 "2009-11-10T13:54:07Z")
> [@MostlyClueless](#): > > Y’all do know these will be old hat in three months or so, right? Yes, and someone will sell it on ebay! ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/38 "2009-11-10T13:56:15Z")
> [@Sal\_Ammoniac](#): > > But what options are really out there, besides the Droid and the iPhone? Yeah, I know there are a million phones out there, but is there anything remotely comparable? I suppose if I’m patient T-Mobile will come out with something sexy, too. I have no idea what is available on T-Mobile but there are several phones out there which are as good or better than the Droid and iPhone. For example the Samsung Omnia HD; if you can find one at a store check out the helicopter demo video on the phone. I was stunned that a phone screen could be so good. The camera is also a lot better than either the iPhone or the Droid. And unlike the iPhone, it does proper multi-tasking (The Droid and most other smartphones do multitasking as well). The Nokia N900 also looks amazing and news was just out today that it is now shipping. It has a flashy touch interface but it also runs a version of Linux called Maemo and is probably the closest thing to a PC-like experience on a phone. Potentially thousands of Linux applications could be ported to this phone. It also has 32GB of internal storage **and** a memory card slot meaning a total of 48 and potentially 64 GB of storage. Having said all this I am very interested in Android as well and the Droid pretty much has the feature set that I am looking for. I like my current phone just fine so I am not in a hurry to change but a year from now I will probably be looking for a new phone and it’s a pretty good bet it will be something like the Droid. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/39 "2009-11-10T14:07:42Z")
> [@Sal\_Ammoniac](#): > > I’m sort of thinking about it, but not the extent of looking at pricing. I’d have to switch from T-Mobile, which I’m a little reluctant to do, though their coverage isn’t as good as Verizon’s. But having the kind of connectivity that the Droid (and iPhone) affords is light years ahead of where I am with my old Nokia phone. Email, internet, GPS, apps – I don’t have any of that now. And I kind of want it. It really feels like the future to me. > > But what options are really out there, besides the Droid and the iPhone? Yeah, I know there are a million phones out there, but is there anything remotely comparable? I suppose if I’m patient T-Mobile will come out with something sexy, too. Well, I had the motorola 9M, which is what I replaced with the droid. On it I got emails, was able to surf the net but the webpages could be problematical in the layout [moto did not really adjust the size of the webpage to suit the screen, but frex google worked just fine, the pages linked to from google may or may not have been functional.] Not a touch screen which is why it was iffy to go to various pages. Obviously phone service and texting were fine, voicemail also. Had a camera like most phones, did an ok job playing music and videos [i had some music vids and a movie on the card] and it loaded mobipocket ebook reader just fine. I am having trouble with the droid not having mobipocket, because the book reader I have uses epub. I can convert the nondrm ebooks to epub but not the drm locked ebooks, so I have about 30 books I can not convert. I either have to break the drm or repurchase the books. And it is an older phone, I got mine 2 years ago … but it is still a nice phone. I just wanted to replace it as mine got 6-8 hours of use a day and it was getting a bit worn out, and it was more cost effective to replace than replace the battery and get it repaired/refurbished. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580/40 "2009-12-09T17:20:49Z")
Surprised nobody has posted to this thread in a month. I swapped out the 'berry for a Droid, I must say, it’s nothing short of perfection. If anyone has Q’s, let me know! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-planing-on-getting-the-motorola-droid/516580.md?page=3)