Since Verizon is in the process of improving its 3G network in the NYC area, we thought that we would provide our readers with a summary of our experiences using the Motorola Droid, which we have been using for the past month.
First, there's the design. For users accustomed to the Apple iPhone's touch-screen keyboard, the Droid's keyboard seems superfluous. But, if you're transitioning from a RIM Blackberry or other such device, the keyboard will probably be useful for you.
Next, we took a look at the apps available. While there may be more than 10,000 apps in the Android Market, Google's version of iTunes for apps, many which iPhone users would be familiar with aren't there, including a New York Times app or a Wall Street Journal app. However, there are apps useful for NY-area residents such as mobile social-networking service Foursquare, allowing users to keep their friends updated on their location, or OpenTable, allowing users to reserve seats at an area restaurant.
The Droid's GPS also functions rather differently. To get it to work, we have found that a user should be outside or in a moving vehicle or the Droid takes a few minutes to or simply can't find you. It is unfortunate, especially since iPhone users have been accustomed to using their phones indoors to plot the shortest route to their next destination via Google Maps. On the other hand, the Droid's turn-by-turn navigation certainly comes in handy when a user is in a taxi and isn't exactly of their destination.
Our readers, by now, are also probably very familiar with Verizon's "There's a Map for That" campaign, touting how much more extensive their 3G network is than AT&T's, especially in the NY-area. Based on our use of the device, we have found that the Droid is able to surf the Internet at higher speeds in more locations than the iPhone and we have only experienced one dropped call so far. Interestingly, the Droid, unlike the iPhone will not connect to the Internet unless the 3G network is present. So, in those few instances where we have been in a dead zone, our Droid has only been usable for calls and text messages.
Overall, NYConvergence has found that the Droid performs better than the iPhone, but if you're looking to switch or upgrade, you may want to wait until the next-generation Droid is available for access to more apps and for tweaks to be made to its design.
[Editor's Note: NYConvergence received a complimentary Droid at a promotional event hosted by Cake Group on behalf of Motorola.]
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