Motorola Droid X

[Hook Set]

So I'm a Blackberry user, use it a lot for work related emails, and the such.

Seriously considering getting the Droid X, saw a demo at my local Verizon store and i must say, this thing is just awesome.

Is anyone here a former Blackberry user who has switched to a Droid type of phone?

I'll admit I am not overly technically savvy (but do catch on fast)and wonder if I would be making a mistake just for the extra gadgets, but boy do they look neat!

Thoughts!

[BrianinMD]

I just switched from a blackberry storm to a Droid incredible its freaking great. There is a lot of stuff to learn but you won't be disappointed

[RWHusker.]

Just switched from an 8330 to the Sprint version of the droid and very happy.  I thing the Blackberry was better for email but the new EVO/Droid is better in every other way.

[CFFF 1.5]

So I'm a Blackberry user, use it a lot for work related emails, and the such.

Seriously considering getting the Droid X, saw a demo at my local Verizon store and i must say, this thing is just awesome.

Is anyone here a former Blackberry user who has switched to a Droid type of phone?

I'll admit I am not overly technically savvy (but do catch on fast)and wonder if I would be making a mistake just for the extra gadgets, but boy do they look neat!

Thoughts!

Better make sure your email is supported by the Droid. Our company uses exchange email and the only Droid phone that syncs email, contacts and calendar are the Motorola Droid phones, and that is because they have a proprietary software called Moto Blur that preforms this function flawlessly. Just do your research and ask questions before you jump into anything.   

[Glenn]

Actually, all Motorola phones that come with MotoBlur have this functionality (Motorola Cliq, for example).

Android phones are not as compatible with exchange servers as Blackberry phones.  The primary difference is with calendar functions.  So if you have a lot of meetings you track via Outlook, for example, you may encounter difficulty.

That said, Android phones have a lot of apps available for them now, many of which are free.  This is a huge advantage over Blackberry, but this can be problematic in that you could end up installing A LOT of apps. 

At some point you'll encounter conflicts and resource issues.  Either the phone will start acting weird and/or it will chew up battery power quickly.  I've had to "reset" my Android phone twice because of this.  It's pain because you lose all your settings when you do this.

Aside from that, I really dig the Android platform!  There's a lot of Android phones available now (T-Mobile offers the lion's share), and they act basically the same.  It's the screen size and clarity along with processor power that's the major difference.  Price and form factor are differences as well. So shop around before plunking your money down on something simply because it's marketed the most.

[NateFollmer]

I currently have the Droid and will probably be getting a Droid X when it arrives.

Glenn, which phone do you have? I never had any issues like that. I did do a factory reset after a software update once, but within 10 minutes EVERYTHING was back to the way it was before I did it (google backs up all your stuff, except for your photos, which are on the card and are safe).

You should be ok with the email. It has the option to set up corporate calendars (exchange calendars) and exchange emails. I think there is an app to work with Blackberry Enterprise Servers, but I'm not 100% on that.

A guy at work here has a Nexus One and it just got the Froyo (2.2) Update and the flash is AWESOME! You can watch all the videos on here and myoutdoortv FINALLY! The Droid will have it at the end of the month, but I don't think the Droid X will get 2.2 until the end of August.

The Mobile Hotspot is a great feature. Your phone will transmit a WiFi signal and up to 5 devices can be connected at once. If you have 3G in your area, it works flawlessly (which most of the country is 3G on VZW).

ok ok I'm done promoting the droids... when you work with these things everyday, you learn to talk about them too much!

[Glenn]

I'm using the original myTouch, which is about a year old.  I have to clarify - the resetting of preferences is about the apps.  When you reset the device, you lose the apps you've downloaded.  So you have to reinstall and re-personalize them. But you do keep your contacts, address book, etc. via the Google account.

Yes, I can get corporate email just fine.  But setting up the calendar requires a bit more work, which was what I was alluding to. Again, that's an Android thing, not a device thing.

I'm thinking of upgrading to a Galaxy-S when it comes out:

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s-review-2891746/

It, too, will get the Froyo 2.2 update later this year, according to that article. I'm not sure if it will be compatible with HSPA+, but the thing would be blazingly fast if it were! 

That said, I'm also considering the HTC HD2, but that's not an Android device, so there's no app-land for it.  :-/

[Hook Set]

Exactly the the kind of real world info I was looking for guys!

My company prefers for us to carry the Blackberry because we do use Outlook for our calendar and such. One of my partners just got the Droid and he did say that I would need to set up my corporate email differently. He is a whiz with devices and offered to help me set up the Droid so I "shouldn't" have any transition problems.

Still gonna hash it out a bit, but am leaning strongly towards the Droid, how cool would it be to check out some fishing videos or browse Bass Resource between my cases!

Thanks again,

Jason

[aut0]

(Former employee of Verizon)

I currently have a Motorola Droid, love it, and plan on getting the Droid X shortly. Played with a demo, it's awesome. I'm a huge texter, and Swype (The program used on the "world's fastest texter" commercial) is available for Android phones, including the Motorola Droid and Droid X. (For phones other than the Droid X, it's in Beta, currently, but if anybody wants a copy, I'll host it and give it to you.)

X also has the "MotoBlur" style widgets, although it's not technically a MotoBlur device, also, you can dynamically change the size of the widgets to make the most use of your screen's real estate.

The camera has a mechanical shutter, which is an absolute new move in phone cameras. Sports/Action photography should be GREATLY improved. Big plus for those of you like myself, who take pics of the smallies and Redeyes I pull out of the New River. ;-)

The Droid X is a VERY large phone, but quite thin. It is, indeed, larger than the HTC Evo (Sprint)

[BrianinMD]

aut0,

What is going on with the story about the Droid X having the eFUSE set to self-destruction if a user attempts to mod the phone? Seems to be an issue for the geek crowd, and potential security risk if hackers find a way to purposely set off the self-destruct "feature".

[Glenn]

Gotta correct you on the Swype feature. It's been available on other Android devices already, and is standard on the Galaxy Vibrant. Not as beta, but full blown.

Folks, if you're new to the Android craze, then you need to know that Android phones have been on the market for about 2 years now. The Droid is a relative newcomer. You have choices. Each phone has it pluses and minuses. Price, form factor, processing power, display size & quality should be compared. If you take videos/pictures, then be sure to compare those as well.

If you want the latest and greatest, then check out today's article from CNN on the Android devices launched today: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/07/15/droid-x-and-t-mobile-vibrant-launch-today/

But again, all the carriers have Android phones now.  Do your homework and compare.

[Glenn]

Oh, I almost forgot!  Rate plans - especially data plans - vary greatly from carrier to carrier.  Some offer pretty decent no-contract plans, so it really pays to shop around.

[Hook Set]

Just about ready to pull the trigger on this one, I will be able to manage company emails and corporate calender as well with no problems. (work partner just did it)

You guys are much more savvy than I am with all your technical jargon, I'm impressed! And here I thought you were just a bunch of rednecks who are obsessed with fish like me and not much else, who knew!

[NateFollmer]

I'm using the original myTouch, which is about a year old. I have to clarify - the resetting of preferences is about the apps. When you reset the device, you lose the apps you've downloaded. So you have to reinstall and re-personalize them. But you do keep your contacts, address book, etc. via the Google account.

Yes, I can get corporate email just fine. But setting up the calendar requires a bit more work, which was what I was alluding to. Again, that's an Android thing, not a device thing.

I'm thinking of upgrading to a Galaxy-S when it comes out:

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s-review-2891746/

It, too, will get the Froyo 2.2 update later this year, according to that article. I'm not sure if it will be compatible with HSPA+, but the thing would be blazingly fast if it were!

That said, I'm also considering the HTC HD2, but that's not an Android device, so there's no app-land for it. :-/

Ah, my Droid got all the apps back too. Maybe it's a VZW thing then? The droid doesn't have MotoBlur, which I really didn't like anyway (we sell VZW and ATT here and the Backflip had motoblur (avoid the backflip).

We got the AT&T version of the Galaxy literally 10 minutes ago. The hardware is SLICK, but again AT&T puts their junkie bloatware custom builds on all their phones. It doesn't feel like an Android device, it just feels like another AT&T phone to me. Hopefully your carrier doesn't screw with it haha. I really wanted that Fender MyTouch... I almost bought it even though TMobile doesn't work here.

Anyway, back to the X... I haven't got to play with one yet because the supplies are tight and we haven't received any yet! I'm a sad panda  :'( I don't think you'll regret getting one though. We only have 1 person here at work that won't give up their Blackberry but we'll get em to switch!

[aut0]

Gotta correct you on the Swype feature. It's been available on other Android devices already, and is standard on the Galaxy Vibrant. Not as beta, but full blown.

...for T-Mobile. Other than the Omnia II, we've got nothing, really. http://www.swypeinc.com for more info. The beta actually just closed last month. (Click MYSWIPE, then Swype Beta to see that.)

REUTERS, 2 weeks ago:

"Since its first commercial phone launch in December, Swype has already been added to about 10 phone models and is expected to be in 50 devices by the end of 2010, said Chief Executive Mike McSherry."

...but whatever. I'm so far from a T-Mobile native region, it's ridiculous. Multiple hours.

[aut0]

aut0,

What is going on with the story about the Droid X having the eFUSE set to self-destruction if a user attempts to mod the phone? Seems to be an issue for the geek crowd, and potential security risk if hackers find a way to purposely set off the self-destruct "feature".

It's actually the same bootloader protection stuff that the Droid had... Here's the basic concept though. (My Droid is rooted, overclocked, and was a member of blapkmarket, and Helped test the Droid "Steam ROM" etc. etc. Matter of fact, I made the Steam ROM background. hehe)

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/07/15/reality-check-modding-the-droid-x-may-not-lead-to-a-bricked-phone/

[NateFollmer]

Auto do you have a 2.2 rom? I was going to root my phone but my line is a store demo line and I didn't want to mess with that stuff and have them see I did it when they audit the lines and phone haha.

Man I used to love cooking custom windows mobile roms. That's about the only good thing you could do with wm haha. Hopefully android kitchens will be easier and widely available in the future!

[Redlinerobert]

I've been more than happy with my Droid.  I'm waiting on the Droid2. 

[aut0]

Auto do you have a 2.2 rom?

Not as of yet. We were still using Moto Tools to bust 'em down to 2.0 and then flash a 2.1 on 'em. I know Cyanogen and koush were contemplating it, but I've been concentrating on apps.

...Btw, I went and got the Droid X today. ;-)

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

Just sayin at and t sucks

[NateFollmer]

Auto do you have a 2.2 rom?

Not as of yet. We were still using Moto Tools to bust 'em down to 2.0 and then flash a 2.1 on 'em. I know Cyanogen and koush were contemplating it, but I've been concentrating on apps.

...Btw, I went and got the Droid X today. ;-)

Still can't get them yet Freakin' VZW Core stores and walmart's eat up the stock and don't leave any for us little guys to sell... We have plenty of Incredibles though I usually don't like Motorola phones and have used HTC's for years, but Motorola really stepped it up with these models!

[BrianinMD]

Plenty of Incredibles?? It took 3 1/2 weeks for VZW to send mine. Got it on Tuesday.

[NateFollmer]

Yeah we didn't have Incredible's for weeks, but once we did get them, we got as many as we could. Should have came up to Central Pa, I could have hooked you up

Funny story behind the Incredibles and why they were short stocked:

The screen in the Incredible is a new form of screen called OLED (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_LED). As of now, only Samsung makes these screens (for phones anyway). Apparently, Samsung wasn't 'ready' for this rush for the incredible. But you know whats funny, ALL of Samsungs new Android phones (and some of their basic phones) are shipping with this screen. I think they were saving their stock for themselves and not giving HTC what they needed Well played Samsung...

[aut0]

After a day, I'll say the messaging/email/facebook stuff is far superior to any of the other Android phones Verizon's seen so far.

One big note is it comes with an FM tuner. I hadn't read that in the promo stuff.

It's loaded with a few different things that are "Ahead of it's time" too, which will be fun to watch grow, like the DLNA stuff (Which is one of the 2 ways to share media... Looks to be pretty sweet, haven't really played with it yet though.) And of course, being a Wifi Hotspot.

If you use the flashlight app, or want a REAL flash for the camera, you'll be pleasantly surprised, as the flash is RIDICULOUSLY BRIGHT. I've used the Droid, the Incredible, and now the X... And the X has 5x the flash of either of them, easily. Quite a few functions with the camera too, I'm anxious to go on top of East River Mountain here and try out the automatic panorama feature.

[South FLA]

Droid X = BRICK!  That thing is HUGE!