Motorola's hardware doesn't live up to the potential of Google's software.

 

In the year 1 B.iP. (Before iPhone), all a smartphone was expected to deliver was the ability to email on the go, sort of browse the Internet, and maybe have two or three simple games to help pass the time. Smartphone OSs were updated with the same frequency as presidential elections, and the idea of one of those devices playing nice with your Mac was laughable. Of course, once the iPhone hit the market, smartphone makers scrambled to catch up. The Motorola Droid is a prime example of that scrambling attempt to dethrone the iPhone as the king of smartphones.

The Motorola Droid runs Google’s Android 2.0 OS. Out of the gate, the device has a leg up on all the other Android devices as the first and only one (at press time) running the new version. The new OS is a nice update with features even the iPhone can’t match. The voice recognition is spot on. It’s also tied in to another feature that should have GPS makers scared--Droid offers turn-by-turn directions like your favorite GPS system does, just without the overhead. Unfortunately, that overhead pays for maps--Droid’s navigation works great as long as you have a data signal. If you’re lost in a cellular black hole, then Houston, we have a problem. Still, the tight Android OS integration with apps such as Google Voice and Facebook, as well as the phone’s ability to run background apps, reminded us of all that the iPhone is missing in these areas. But be careful: Too many background apps can bring the phone to a standstill. All told, Android 2.0 OS could certainly be a contender as it progresses.

That doesn’t mean all is well in Androidville. Instead of setting up all your email accounts in one app, the Droid requires one for Gmail and one for everything else. Exchange setup was easy, but it boggles our mind that we need two email and calendar clients. The UI also felt a little sluggish compared to other Android devices we’ve used. When typing with the software keyboard, there’s an annoying split-second delay between contact and the phone responding.

Even worse, the Android Marketplace is a good case against an open, unmoderated store. It’s difficult to navigate, and we found ourselves downloading multiple apps that did the same thing just to find one that didn’t crash or was supported by the new OS. Android 2.0 is a giant ball of potential, and it should put Apple on notice that someone out there is gunning for the top mobile OS spot. It’s not there yet, but the warning shots have been fired. Apple needs to continue to innovate to stay ahead.

The Droid's home screen (left) allows you to place custom wallpaper behind the app icons. And the media player (right) helps you fast-scroll through your library by popping up letters.

The Droid’s hardware really is its Achilles’ heel. If you’re used to the lighter weight of the iPhone, you’ll be surprised at the Droid’s 6.6-ounce heft, much of which can be attributed to the slide-out keyboard. Physical keyboard fans might start rejoicing, but the keyboard itself is barely usable--and since the surface is flat, the advantages of physical keys are largely negated. After days of fumbling, we switched to the onscreen keyboard and never looked back--although the D-pad to the right of the keyboard is great for navigation.

The camera, on the other hand, is five megapixels of suck. Images are washed out and grainy. Another hardware misstep was placing the speaker on the back of the Droid, which forces you to put the device screen-side down on a tabletop to hear music or the speakerphone.

The Droid still manages to be the second-best smartphone on the market. Unfortunately, the hardware isn't nearly as good a dance partner as the software, and the Droid could easily be knocked from that spot when Android 2.0 is available on other phones.

Droid
COMPANY: Motorola
CONTACT: www.motorola.com
PRICE: $199.99 with two-year contract from Verizon
REQUIREMENTS: USB 2.0 port
Android OS 2.0. Background tasks. Scary-good voice command.
Physical keyboard is horrible. Worst camera ever. Feels like a brick in your hand. No direct synchronization with iCal or Address Book.