I was getting itchy to upgrade my phone. I knew I was close to the end of my contract. Maybe I should go with the Iphone?
But Verizon has been my mobile carrier for several years now. As much as I wanted an Iphone, I refused to move services over to AT & T. I had AT & T once for a contract. I said I’d never go back. I lost more calls than I kept, I couldn’t even pick up service in several locations and the customer service was below par.
So I brought my Blackberry Curve into the Verizon store to see if I was eligible. Walah (pronounced wa-la). I was. Next decision was which phone. I liked my Blackberry but craved for a touch screen. The Blackberry Storm was getting terrible reviews. The salesperson convinced me to go with the Droid.
So far, after a month of use, these are my observations:
1. It’s not well made: Ok, I dropped it once while walking. But still. The slide keyboard is loose.
2. It’s heavy: It’s much fatter than the Iphone, and heavier. This is in compromise for the large screen and full keyboard.
But if you are on long conference calls, which I am often, it’s best used with Bluetooth, speaker phone or headset. It’s just cumbersome to hold for any length of time.
3. Not intuitive: The setup and menu screens are difficult to navigate. And Verizon/Motorola has done a horrible job in using YouTube and other video social mediums to get the directions circulated.
4. Touchy: This is a positive or a negative. For me it’s a negative. I find it impossible to use the touch keyboard while holding the Android vertical. The horizontal touch keyboard is a little easier. However it than uses too much of the screen. The slide keyboard is the best but I find that challenging as the keys are not raised at all. I may have to get rid of my finger nails. I think the phone is designed for men.
5. Notification System is Annoying: This is a problem only because I haven’t found a solution. I’m SURE that Droid/Google/Motorola COULD not have possibly made this without customization. But I have yet to figure it out. I have notifications going off for calendar reminders, email notifications, Twitter, Facebook and phone. Which has caused me to turn it off the phone completely. Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of having a phone?
Now, onto the positives.
1. The screen is beautiful: So crisp. And larger than the Iphone. I do warn that it is impossible to see in the sun, but I don’t know a smart phone that is.
2. Camera is awesome: Enough said. Much better than the Blackberry.
3. Microphone works: The Droid has a voice activation search feature. It’s so helpful and functional. It helps me work around the keyboard issues I have from above.
4. Google Maps is Fantastic: I work in Boston. Google maps help me navigate through the streets while walking or visiting another city. This feature helps me feel safe wherever I am, particularly while I’m in another city.
And saving the best for last……..(drum roll)
5. Gadget Master: This phone, added with apps and apps, becomes the best gadget in the world. I can link to all my social network accounts, Twitter, can keep track of shopping lists, emails, music (my favorite is Shazam. It’s come in handy during those times that song is playing somewhere and I need to have it), my calorie intake, coupons, news, dictionary…..blah, blah, blah. Finally in one place, I can store everything.
All in all it’s been a good experience. For the most part, other than the input challenges, most of it’s been “user error”. Trial and error.
However………Verizon and Apple just announced the Iphone for Verizon service. Doesn’t it just figure? Grrrrrr. Technology is becoming a lot like purchasing cars. As soon as you take it off the lot, it decreases in value because something newer and better becomes available.
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