What is a Droid?

I was cruising on my Google Reader homepage and I came across a total gem. Noah Kravitz, head honcho at Phonedog.com, told a story about how he ran into someone who recognized him from one of his TV appearances. The person asked him to help his friend with his "Droid". The "Droid" in question was actually a T-Mobile G1 with Google, aka the very first Android smartphone.

Being known as the top phone guy where I work, I have been in the same predicament. People ask me all the time what the best "Droid" phone is. I, of course, start talking about Android. Then they get confused when I tell them that only Verizon carries the Droid. The conversation normally goes like this:

"Is it like the iPhone, where only Verizon can carry the Droid?" they ask.

"No, all the major carriers carry an Android smartphone." is my stock reply.

"But I want a Droid. They can do everything with all the apps like the iPhone."

"Well, there are a bunch of phones which use Android OS that can do that. The Droid is a specific phone"

"But to get a Droid, I have to go to Verizon?"

Sigh. "Yes, to get a Droid, you have to go to Verizon."

"But I'm on Sprint. I don't want to switch." they whine.

"Then get an EVO 4G or Samsung Intercept. They're just as good, if not better, and the plan will be cheaper."

"But can they run apps like the Droid? I want a Droid for the apps."

And it goes on. Why do people not know what Android is? Because the Android OS is not marketed.Or, more specifically, it's not marketed like the individual phones are. Everyone knows Droid. Almost as many people know EVO. Android? Not so much. Maybe that's the way Google wants it. I suppose more of the burden for getting the name "Android" out there lies with the manufacturers, though it could be argued that they would want to make their phones seem as unique as possible to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. In any case, it's the same situation that killed Windows Mobile so dead that they had to completely nuke the entire operation and start again from scratch. It's only a matter of time, in my opinion, until it happens to Android.

RIM's co-CEOs give Apple a bitch slap

Hot on the heels of yesterday's Apple press conference regarding their antenna issues, Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie (the best CEO last name EVER), co-CEOs of Research in Motion (RIM), took extreme exception to Apple's claim that all smartphones can lose signal reception based on how the device is handled. If you remember, Apple had a portion of their presentation yesterday dedicated to showing a BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia losing reception if held a certain way. Lazaridis and Balsillie issued the following statement:

"Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage.  One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."


Way to bring the pain, RIM. 


(source: BGR)

Apple to Offer Free Cases for iPhone 4

Finally, an actual response to the Apple iPhone 4 "death grip" problem. In Apple's press conference today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced that they will give every iPhone 4 owner a free case. It has been said by various sources that a case fixes the problem; it isolates the antenna away from your hand, stifling the conduction of bio-electricity that short circuits the antenna. It's not like they admitted that the iPhone 4 had a unique problem with its antenna (they showed how the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris and Samsung Omnia can lose signal depending on how it is held), but they did admit there is a problem.

Sounds like something that's hard to believe, right?

Anyway, Apple will send you a free case if you are having problems with your iPhone 4. They have acknowledged that they will not have enough of their own proprietary bumpers to cover the nearly 3 million iPhone 4s that have been sold in the past 3 weeks, so they will source cases from other companies to cover every iPhone 4. 


A satisfactory result? I'd like to think so. It shows that Apple is willing to at least attack the PR problem that they've had. Good to see Jobs and Co. step up to the plate and take care of their customer base.

(source: Engadget)