The Droid provides Verizon Wireless a ‘more credible alternative’ to Apple’s iPhone, according to Walt Mossberg, a technology columnist for the Wall Street Journal.
“Like the iPhone, the Droid is really a powerful handheld computer that happens to make phone calls,” Mossberg wrote at All Things Digital. After testing a review version of the Droid, the Wall Street Journal writer told readers the Motorola-made device using Google’s Android 2.0 software has some advantage, as well as disadvantages to the iPhone.
While much is made of the Droid’s physical keyboard, Mossberg deems it “pretty awful.” The columnist wrote he frequently returned to the virtual keyboard after cramped keys repeatedly caused typing errors. The review Droid did not have auto-correction.
That keyboard plus a larger 3.7-inch screen adds 25 percent to the Droid’s weight, prompting Mossberg to judge the unit uncomfortable to carrying around in your pocket. That screen omits multitouch features and is more sluggish than other touchscreens, according to Mossberg.
Despite the larger screen, it is short of real-estate to display your apps. Mossberg notes the Droid’s screen has three panels for your apps versus 11 for the iPhone. In addition, the Droid’s “widgets” are space hogs.
Verizon recently announced the Droid will launch Nov. 6 and cost $200, less a $100 mail-in rebate.
[Via ATD]
