Motorola Droid: Coming to Canada W/ New Google Navigation

[xpoint9]

UPDATE:

Seems to be true

looks like telus will have the exclusive on this phone for a while.

Here's what happened after google announced its Free Navigation software which offers turn-by-turn voice guidance: http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASD...AMS%3ATOM2%2C+


http://www.i4u.com/article27842.html

The article doesn't give out any details but apparently this is the official iphone killer unlike the others that have been released before with the title "iphone killer".

If you're an Android fan who lives in Canada, or who uses AT&T as a carrier, I've got some good news for you. The sexy, critically-acclaimed and ultra-fast Motorola Droid could be coming to you. An FCC filing (via Electronista) shows that the Droid is set to run both CDMA and WCDMA. This means that Moto's new flagship smartphone will be able to handle HSPA-based 3G.

Since the Droid can connect on the same bands used by AT&T in the states, and Bell/Rogers/Telus in Canada, it seems likely that the phone is meant to spread to both. It is in Motorola's best interest to get their new #1 smartphone into as many hands as possible. Adding AT&T as a carrier would help that, as would selling the Droid in Canada.

Verizon might have short term exclusivity with the Droid, but I don't see that lasting long. Moto knows as well as anyone that exclusivity deals don't benefit the manufacturer in the long run. They are relying on the Droid to resurrect their company. The worst decision they could make right now would be to forever limit this smartphone to just one carrier.

[xpoint9]

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/...r-6th-for-199/

With DROID by Motorola, you can:

• Zip through the Web: Access the Internet at 3G speeds via the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network or from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The multi-window HTML browser with a massive processor delivers the Web the way you expect.
• See it all in cinema-style: View the Web, e-mail, Google Maps™, videos and more in widescreen on a brilliant 3.7” high-resolution screen. Boasting a width of 854 pixels to reduce the need for side-to-side panning and more than 400,000 pixels total, DROID has more than twice that of the leading competitor.
• Run multiple applications at once: Customize your DROID with thousands of applications and hundreds of widgets available on Android Market™. Toggle back and forth between up to six applications at a time to juggle the universe and your apps.
• Perform Google Search™ at the speed of sound: Simply tell DROID what you’re looking for using voice-activated search, and it will serve up Google search results based on your location. If you want more, simply type what you’re looking for into the search bar on the home screen and DROID will also search content on your phone, such as apps and contacts, and the Web.
• Capture moments: Snap digital camera-quality photos with a 5 megapixel camera loaded with the works, such as a dual-LED flash, AutoFocus and image stabilization, or capture your friend’s antics in 16 million colors with DVD-quality video capture and playback. Store it all on the included 16 GB memory card, so you always have it on hand.
• Multi-task like a master: Keep tabs on all your messages with integrated Gmail™ and Exchange e-mail pushed directly to you, but don’t let them get in your way. With the handy Android notification panel, go straight to the message or simply ignore it, and get back to the task at hand. And, a smart dictionary learns as you type and automatically includes your contacts.
• Get where you need to go with Google Maps Navigation (Beta): DROID is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It’s powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say “Navigate to [your destination],” and you’ll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.

More Info: http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/...r-6th-for-199/

[erikr]

I love the look of this phone. Specs seem impressive as well with 16Gb of pre-installed memory. I wonder how pricy this guy is going to be.

[xpoint9]

I love the look of this phone. Specs seem impressive as well with 16Gb of pre-installed memory. I wonder how pricy this guy is going to be.

Pricing and Availability:

• DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, Nov. 6, for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• Experience the all-new DROID by Motorola at www.droiddoes.com.
• To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.
• For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Also people consider Android based phones should check out google's new free turn by turn GPS service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGXK4...layer_embedded

[nyererei]

I'd love to buy this if/when it comes to Rogers. However no review as of yet has been able to comment on the battery life, so I wonder how long it'll last especially with a 3.7inch screen.

[CSAgent]

Pricing and Availability:

• DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, Nov. 6, for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• Experience the all-new DROID by Motorola at www.droiddoes.com.
• To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.
• For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Also people consider Android based phones should check out google's new free turn by turn GPS service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGXK4...layer_embedded

So basically it will be $299 in CAD, and 3 year contract with a data plan I'm guessing. GG Canada where we get royally ****ed for everything. Standard really.

I often dislike Motorola phones but this is pretty damn sexy. I'm using a BlackBerry Bold right now and this would be a welcomed change.

[Kakarot]

looks and sounds nice!

[Zero1]

However no review as of yet has been able to comment on the battery life, so I wonder how long it'll last especially with a 3.7inch screen.

+1. That is an issue I would worry about the most. Don't want a phone where a backup battery would be needed. That or charger everywhere I would go (work, home, etc..)

[ClubberLang]

Sounds nice. I was thinking of getting a Nokia N900 but this matches up nearly spec for spec.

[jcdogg]

Is it really coming out Nov.6 in Canada? If so which provider?

[MasterXan]

there are already leaked pics of the GSM model

[nyererei]

Is it really coming out Nov.6 in Canada? If so which provider?

No, its only verizon thats getting it nov.6th. We'll probably get it, but not anytime soon.

[guardianflash]

how does this Motorola Droid stand up against HTC Hero which is coming out for Telus on Nov 5th.

[sfu_lifer]

Well there goes my pre-order for the N900. I disliked Maemo with my N800/770 since so many of the repositories were missing essential libraries making it a Linux geek's tablet. I just want something that works out of the box
Can't wait to see it arrive here. I'm willing to wait it out. Plus the fact that Nokia Turn by Turn costs money after 3 months.

[lorax1284]

So, someone noticed that a someone has filed an application with the FCC for a device using frequencies used in Canada... that's a far way from "Droid coming to Canada". Perhaps there should be a ? in the subject line... but I would love to hear from Motorola if the Droid IS coming to Canada any time soon, because it's not whether or not I'll buy one if it does, it's whether I'll buy a US version if the Canadian version isn't forthcoming.