Latest News on Google Android

March 2010: Nexus One, Motorola Droid, Cliq XT, Backflip

The Android phone that currently still receives the most hype is Google’s Nexus One. These are the first steps from Google to get their foot into the door to a smartphone selling haven. However, take away the fact that it is sold by Google and it is just another HTC phone. Nothing is really mind blowing in this little “smartbox”.

Our kudos goes to Motorola. Even though the company was down in profits in Q4 2009 compared to Q4 2008, we think Motorola is the first company to embrace the Android philosophy of openness, availability to everyone, innovation and difference.

With the three products, Motorola DROID (Milestone), BACKFLIP and CLIQ XT (Quench), the company has shown us that they have understood what the market needs: not another smartphone that looks and does exactly the same as the iPhone and so many others before, but devices that give us alternatives to existing solutions.

The DROID (Milestone) is a lot sturdier than any HTC or iPhone. The fact that it is the first Android phone that has a QWERTY keyboard makes it attractive for business use, but the software that can make Android a business phone is still missing.

Even though, the hardware of the Motorola DROID (Milestone) only shows some features that have been present in other smartphones before, the recently unveiled Motorola CLIQ XT (Quench) has wowed with a new feature: SWYPE.

With this technology, users can create a path between letters without having to take the finger off the keyboard. This makes text entry easier and faster.

However, the true surprises are introduced by the Motorola BACKFLIP.

With MOTOBLUR, Motorola’s own Android UI, reverse flip design, QWERTY keyboard and BACKTRACK navigation. These features are original and add value to the Android platform with originality that cannot be delivered by an iPhone anymore.

In a nutshell, Google is a great company to successfully create a hype about a brand like Android, but at the moment, the real innovator is Motorola and we are looking forward to their next surprises yet to come!

October 2009: Motorola Droid

Verizon Wireless have today officially unveiled the Motorola Droid Android phone series at their ongoing media event in New York.

During the event Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha and Verizon Wireless CMO John Stratton revealed that the first Motorola Droid handset will be available from November 6th priced at $199 as part of a 2-year service contract with Verizon.

Our initial device is Droid, so this is kind of the cornerstone, but we will expect over time that the partnership between Verizon and Google will be a multi-year partnership. - Verizon Wireless CMO John Stratton.

The Motorola Droid will be a Google Experience device and will not feature Motorola's own MOTOBLUR Android UI. The handset will feature 3.7" touchscreen display, Android 2.0 (first phone Eclair), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5.0 megapiel camera, 16 GB memory, and a DVD-quality camera.