An Android is targeting Apple’s iPhone. Verizon Wireless has begun running ads comparing the iPhone to its upcoming Droid, a Motorola-made phone based on Google’s Android 2.0 open-source operating system.
“iDon’t have a real keyboard,” the ad says, touting other “iDon’t” feature shortcomings of the iPhone. The ad, which ran on TV this past weekend, ends with what may be the Droid’s tagline: “Everything iDon’t … Droid Does.”
First Android From Verizon
The Droid, the first Android device from Verizon, is expected to be released at the end of this month. Although specifications haven’t been announced, a minimalist Droid page on the Verizon Web site indicates the new device will have a five-megapixel camera, speech recognition, video, multitasking and high resolution. In addition, Flash is supported by Android 2.0, and is not currently available for the iPhone.
By implication through the iDon’ts, the new Verizon phone may also have a real keyboard, take night shots, allow customization, use interchangeable batteries, and allow simultaneous running of applications and multitasking.
While images and prices haven’t been released, photos that purport to be the Droid have appeared on several technology sites. Boy Genius Report, for instance, said it has used one. It described the Droid as “easily the most impressive” Android device yet, calling it “the most impressive phone we’ve used since the iPhone.”
Verizon has said it will launch various Android-based feature phones, PDAs, notebooks and specialty devices in the near future as part of a partnership with Google. At least two of the phones are scheduled before Christmas.
iPhone ‘Never About Features’
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