I just ordered a Verizon Droid

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maziwanka

Lifer
Jul 4, 2000
10,415
1
0
how accurate is it?

I was reading a cnet review of the google gps service and it mentioned being off by like a block+ -- obviously not an option when driving in an urban area if I ever wanted to replace my garmin gps.

so far in my limited experience the gps has been both fast and accurate. like i mentioned above i was lost trying to find the verizon store in union square and it located me pretty well. i can't say it was my EXACT location, but it definitely was not 1 block away (or even half a block away for that matter).

i've been happy with it so far.
 

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
how accurate is it?

I was reading a cnet review of the google gps service and it mentioned being off by like a block+ -- obviously not an option when driving in an urban area if I ever wanted to replace my garmin gps.

I don't believe GPS unit with a chip from the current or even previous two generations could be that inaccurate. From that description I'd bet good money that CNet had their DROID deriving their location via cell phone tower triangulation, not by GPS.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
wish I was due for a new contract, but I just got a damn blackberry a few months ago. don't wanna spend $500+ on this

I still have another year left with my Storm. I wish I could pick up a droid, too. Honestly, though, the last Storm update (that came out with the Storm 2) absolutely breathed new life into my Storm. It completely fixed the UI lag/clunkiness, I'd say my Storm is now as responsive as an iPhone. I'm really enjoy my Storm a lot more now.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
I still have another year left with my Storm. I wish I could pick up a droid, too. Honestly, though, the last Storm update (that came out with the Storm 2) absolutely breathed new life into my Storm. It completely fixed the UI lag/clunkiness, I'd say my Storm is now as responsive as an iPhone. I'm really enjoy my Storm a lot more now.

a lot of options are out there for upgrading

If you have a cellular plan that has a base cost of over 39.99/month (might be 49.99), or are a primary line on a family share plan of similar base cost, you have the option of an Annual Upgrade. You get a phone at the 2 year contract price, and you get 2 years tacked onto your original contract. So it'd be at most a total of just under 3 years of contract if you go that route.

If you have had a phone over a year, you can also file for a Damaged/Lost/Stolen upgrade discount. You can report your current phone is damaged, and get the option to get a phone upgrade at the 1-year contract price, which tacks on another year to your current contract.

The latter is what I did. I had my Omnia (purchased out of contract actually, didn't matter though), and my 2 year contract was going to end in May 2010 (with upgrade eligibility in March). I upgraded to the Droid using this discount, so now my contract will end in May 2011.
You have to get a manager to approve that upgrade route though. Thankfully I didn't really have any difficulty in getting that done on Friday, when the Droid was released.
The cost I think was around $360 + tax for the 1 year upgrade, but you still get the $100 MIR. A hassle, but whatever. I got the Multimedia Station too, and total cost upfront was around $430 iirc. When I get my MIR that will be around $330. And that includes an accessory and tax. So looking total around $80ish more than the 2year contract price (including the additional tax that larger sum carries with it).

I can handle that. Excellent phone, completely worth it imho. I get amazing reception with this phone, and it does everything I want it to do with such ease. Completely pain free and integrates with my life very well, considering I use Google for just about everything. This was not the case with my WinMo Omnia.

Windows Mobile 7 with Zune integration my temp me if it operates more fluidly than current WinMo phones, and if a 4G phone with that comes out when I am eligible for my next upgrade. In general, this phone will last me quite a while, definitely until 4G (LTE) phones are available.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
why would you get droid? its a half baked phone in the first place. in the second, 4g will be out early next year and iphone 4g and tour 2 4g will make droid seem totally gay by comparison. enjoy your droid....for the next two years!
There is a lot of ignorance in this post. First off, no, 4G will not be out in phone form early next year, where are you getting your information? Secondly, if people buying Droid wanted an iPhone or Tour, they'd, uh, get the one on the market already. I'm fairly certain you don't know anything about phones and are just trying to be a dick...problem is, you just looked like an idiot.

To those that have one, how is the battery life so far?

edit: sweet, my post count got reset :confused:

Yesterday it lasted about 11 hours on a full charge, but that was with very heavy use. Decent amount of GPS, a ton of downloading and browsing, phone calls and text messaging...I imagine under regular usage it will easily last the day.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
is your guys's googlemaps painfully slow? i played around with 2 units at the verizon store and it takes forever to load up the maps in googlemap when I tried to move around or zoom out, almost as if it's on a 36.6k connection. the store is in a giant mall, could it be the connection problem?
Mine is fast. Much faster than on the G1 or the Touch Pro 2. Probably an issue with that unit.
Wow, Verizon wants to charge an ETF of $350 on advanced devices? Are they actually going to do this? Couldn't they just man up and charge people more on their phones instead of doing something this deceptive?

Verizon has been getting screwed on all of the BOGO deals they've been running. People get the free phone, pay the ETF, and sell the phone. This is to combat that.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Mine is fast. Much faster than on the G1 or the Touch Pro 2. Probably an issue with that unit.


Verizon has been getting screwed on all of the BOGO deals they've been running. People get the free phone, pay the ETF, and sell the phone. This is to combat that.


Yep- that's the deal a good portion of the new phones on EBay.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
when the iphone comes to verizon next year, the suckers that got the droid will be regretting it.

You make the ignorant assumption that everyone purchasing a Droid would prefer an iPhone. I would not ever buy the iPhone under any circumstance, so speak for yourself sport.
 

Glitchny

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2002
5,679
1
0
You make the ignorant assumption that everyone purchasing a Droid would prefer an iPhone. I would not ever buy the iPhone under any circumstance, so speak for yourself sport.

:cool:

same here. No need for an iphone.
I prefer to have the dock, removable/ugradeable battery, expandable storage, nice camera, andriod phone.

Widgets and multiple apps is very nice.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
how accurate is it?

I was reading a cnet review of the google gps service and it mentioned being off by like a block+ -- obviously not an option when driving in an urban area if I ever wanted to replace my garmin gps.
I set up the Locale app today to track me at home and school. It seems to be accurate within 50 feet while walking around. Next I'll set up the local movie theater.
No longer have to worry about forgetting to silence the ringer.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
The vast majority prefer the iPhone and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Agreed, but there's room for more than one OS, I think ~4 will end up with any significant market share.

The Android OS isn't grandma friendly, but the iPhone is.

Dell has a 5" screen prototype floating around that I really like. It's a MID/phone with an Android OS, I want one.
 

dwell

pics?
Oct 9, 1999
5,185
2
0
Agreed, but there's room for more than one OS, I think ~4 will end up with any significant market share.

The Android OS isn't grandma friendly, but the iPhone is.

Dell has a 5" screen prototype floating around that I really like. It's a MID/phone with an Android OS, I want one.

I'm pretty happy the Droid has been received so well. Will stop Apple from sitting on their laurels. The next iteration of the iPhone has to do better than just being faster than the 3GS.
 
Mar 16, 2005
13,856
109
106
You make the ignorant assumption that everyone purchasing a Droid would prefer an iPhone. I would not ever buy the iPhone under any circumstance, so speak for yourself sport.
yeah, because you'd be stuck with the droid's 2 yr contract.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
The Android OS isn't grandma friendly, but the iPhone is.

While I don't think the higher level functions if the iPhone, Droid, Pre, or any other smart phone are really 'grandma' friendly, any one who's used a telephone before is going to be able to use an Android phone without any trouble. They won't downloading SSH clients from app stores, but they'll be able to make and receive calls, access their contact lists, send text messages, etc, without any trouble.
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
I'm still using my E815 that I've had since the day they came out. I tried out a new phone earlier this year, but went back to my E815 because the reception and battery life was much better.

Every moto phone I've owned including the e815 has the battery charger contacts fuck up after about a year because of that stupid design