by Shawn Lahey

Created on: February 07, 2010   Last Updated: February 15, 2010

Motorola Droid, the iPhone it is not, thankfully!

I live in an area where AT&T is not available, and Verizon Wireless just recently moved into the locale. Being a computer geek by day, and night, I thought I would never be satisfied with a cell phone unless AT&T expanded their coverage into my area. Blackberry's were available and Microsoft-based operating system smart phones (like those from HTC or LG) but they just don't do it for me, really. If I'm going to make a two year commitment to something, I want it to do pretty much everything I need and carry only one device to do it. Alas, the Droid arrived!

I've only had the phone a short time but I've become familiar with most all of the feature-packed cell phone that has already become my go-to device (I'm thinking about giving it a name maybe, Droid seems to impersonal for this relationship we already share - I'll get back to you on that). In this short time I've been able to compile a mental list of pros and cons of this wonderful smart phone miracle. Below are some of the highlights, not necessarily ALL pros and cons but some of the more important ones.

THE PROS:

- It's a touch phone, that's just cool. Touch technology is fun in my opinion, with limitless possibilities. To expand on that, though, the Android OS (by Google) has incorporated features like voice-based dialing and searching. Not just searching for contacts, either. With the monthly data plan, it has web access and can search the Internet via the 3G network or Wi-Fi based communications with a touch of a finger or shout of a command.

- There are 3 keyboard types available (two touch-based, one slide out) to choose from allowing you to choose your best fit for your personal style. Considering the amount of time you use the keyboard, whether you use text messaging or not, it's great to have a choice instead of having to conform.

- Everything is built in. Speed and power (it's surprisingly fast), lots of memory (16GB preloaded), a relatively long battery life (I charge it daily anyhow, and keep a charger everywhere I am just in case), a 5MP camera with flash, call reception and clarity are great, the sound quality in the music player is wonderful and the screen resolution and sharpness are amazing. It's everything you would expect it to be.

- The apps available in the market are great for productivity, phone management, entertainment or just to play with. There are games, Youtube (built in, without ever visiting the app market), social networking

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