July 17, 2010
While Apple commanded the attention of the media this week by offering a bumper crop of cases free to iPhone customers as a goodwill gesture, the Android camp was not resting at all. Verizon Wireless continued its Droid assault by releasing the Droid X, the big-screened rival to Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G. Motorola has matched many of the specs of HTC’s largest Android device, but the Droid X lacks the EVO’s front-facing camera, kickstand, and of course WiMAX radio compatibility. And for all those looking to get more than their starting basketball lineup using their phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, the EVO 4G can accommodate eight devices to the Droid X’s five.
At today’s Apple’s press conference, Steve Jobs weighed in on his thoughts regarding devices with 4′” or larger screens. I acknowledged their disadvantages while being somewhat more positive about their long-term prospects in my most recent (and last for this rotation) RCR Wireless Analyst Angle column. The larger screen makes it one of the more comfortable Android devices for typing in portrait orientation.
I’ve been using the Droid X since its announcement on a daily basis and like the device. I’ve found that the battery life — a concern on the EVO 4G — has been good enough to last into the evening with moderate usage. This was about what I was seeing with the iPhone 3GS, but the iPhone 4 has trounced that by a significant margin. Of course, the Droid X — like most other handsets — has a removable battery. Among my favorite software features have been the Mobile Hotspot app and the DLNA capabilities, both unsupported features in iOS (although there are several third-party DLNA apps). I also liked Motorola’s suite of widgets (the new, more understated MOTOBLUR).
But the Droid X has its weaknesses. The bottom row of buttons are quite narrow and a bit stiff and the camera button is a bit inconsistent and mushy. The device’s display led me to dread traversing the display’s length for the ever-necessary Back button, which I preferred to the far left as on the original Droid (and not just because of the convenience when using the slide-out keyboard). The Droid X pays an unwelcome homage to the RAZR by including a camera-hosting hump behind the top of the phone that resembles the infamous “chin” of Motorola’s once best-selling feature phone.
As I noted in my RCR Wireless column, the 4” display of the imminent Verizon Fascinate — based on the Galaxy S platform — will be a more agreeable compromise between screen size (and its screen is indeed extremely impressive) and portability. But the Fascinate will lack a few key specs that the Droid X can claim, including HDMI out and — more curiously — an LED flash. Speaking of which, despite having a higher megapixel count than the iPhone 4, Apple’s handset produces brighter photos with more saturated colors.
The Droid X is certainly a handful, but it’s fairly manageable, at least when you get used to it, at least for those with larger hands.
Tags: 4.3" screens, Android, chin, Droid, Droid X, Evo 4G, iPhone 4, Moorola, superphones
July 17th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
I’m a existing Omnia (910) user on Verizon who was extremely disappointed with Windows Mobile 6.1 and Samsung’s shell. Wound up acquiring SPB Mobile Shell to get a usable interface and needed to abandon Exchange e-mail due to protection restrictions. Generally anytime you tried to spot or obtain a call, you had to enter your PIN and I was missing calls to be a result. Finally decided to abandon smartphones for the time becoming (economic explanations) and wait for an excellent Android system. The Galaxy S (Facinate) should fit the bill. Disappointed to hear from the GPS difficulties. Let me add that Verizon’s 3G support was superb throughout and I sooner or later stopped applying WiFi due to the fact V3G was a lot fast sufficient for me.Interestingly, I’m applying the Omnia being a wireless device all-around the property for checking e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and uncomplicated browsing. But not as being a phone!
August 14th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
While I really like a physical keyboard, after managing the Samsung Captivate for approximately 15 minutes, it is onerous to go back. At this time I’m debating whether or not to go to Verizon for the Droid X, go to Dash for the EVO, or stay with AT&T for the Captivate…selections, decisions.