With three Droid smartphones on the shelves (and, in some cases, in short supply), Verizon Wireless may be ready to add two more to take advantage of the popularity of the Android operating system.
Openly intended as an alternative to Apple's iPhone -- a recent Verizon ad even mocked the iPhone 4's antenna problems -- the original Droid launched with much fanfare last November is widely believed to have two new siblings in the making. They are the Droid 2 and the Droid Mini, both of which would have a slide-out QWERTY  keyboard featured on the original Motorola Droid but not the Droid X or HTC-made Droid Incredible. The iPhone has never had a slide-out keyboard.
A Mini-Me for Droid?
Tech blogs in recent days have displayed photos of the Droid 2 running Android 2.2 or Froyo (for frozen yogurt) and packaging one blog says will be used for the device.
A Korean web site, Hiapk.com, has displayed what it says is the Droid Mini, a scaled-down, possibly cheaper version of the Droid. A blurry image shows the trademark red eye on its screen reminiscent of the cyborg eye sported by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator movies.
Verizon won't confirm or deny that it has commissioned the devices. "We don't comment on speculation or rumors," spokesperson Howard Waterman told us in an e-mail. "We have the original Droid, the Droid Incredible, Droid X, plus the LG Ally that has the Android OS, all available now."
Android 2.2 Coming
Consumer devices researcher Avi Greengart of Current Analysis declined to speculate on whether the devices will be released. But he said the series is working out well.
"What I can say is that Verizon Wireless has done an excellent job building its own sub-brand around Android, and that we're definitely seeing the Android ecosystem fill out with different vendors, form factors, carriers and software capabilities," he said.
The new device rumors come as the Droid X, which sold out in some locations and is back-ordered online through Friday, is expected to receive an over-the-air update to Android 2.2. Google says the update will operate up to five times faster than its predecessor and will support Adobe Flash 10.1 graphics. Apple has refused to support Flash on the iPhone. The update is rumored to be only weeks away, but Verizon would not specify a date for us.
Android 2.2 will allow phones to operate as a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot so other devices can connect to the Internet. It will also allow over-the-air downloading and updating without the need to attach to a computer.
Surveys show Android-based phones capturing an increasing share of the U.S. smartphone market in the first quarter. An NPD study found Android in second place after Research In Motion.
The news for Droid phones isn't all good, though. There are some reports on user forums of faulty displays, including flickering screens and dead pixels in new Droid X handsets.
Adam D.:
Posted: 2010-07-21 @ 12:57pm PT
This statement arrived after deadline from Verizon Wireless spokesperson Brenda Raney regarding the problem of faulty screen displays on the Droid X:
"Verizon Wireless and Motorola are aware of a very small number of DROID X units that have experienced a flickering or banding display. Motorola has resolved the issue and is continuing to ship the phones. Any consumer who experiences a flickering or banding display should contact Motorola customer support center or Verizon Wireless."
LiveWire05:
Posted: 2010-07-21 @ 12:43am PT
I owned the Motorola Droid and I now own the Droid X. It is everything I could ask in a smartphone. I use to work for Verizon Wireless and I couldn't tell you how many AT&T customers call each day asking when are we going to carry the iPhone. My response: even if we did carry the iPhone 4G I wouldn't trade it for my Droid X. Android OS is only going to get bigger! Didn't Apple learn their lesson in 1987?
jealousjavier:
Posted: 2010-07-20 @ 8:08pm PT
I agree. But sadly, cannot empathize. Luckily I'm on Verizon.
crankypaul:
Posted: 2010-07-20 @ 3:04pm PT
When is AT&T going to embrace the Android platform? They've been in bed with Apple for so long they seem to have forgotten that technology progresses too. I wish that all phones would work with all carriers instead of isolating a phone to a carrier. If you have specific reasons to use a carrier, say it's the only one that covers your neighborhood, then why should you be limited to phone A, B, or C???
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