Today Verizon finally released solid information about the first Android 2.0-powered device, Droid by Motorola. The Droid is a Verizon Wireless exclusive and will be made available to purchase on November 6 for $199 (with a two year contract, after a $100 mail-in rebate). So it costs as much as an iPhone; is it worthy of its price tag? Seeing the handset in pictures and specification on paper alone make it look like a strong competitor. We already knew this but here are a bunch of the official specs: 3.7-inch display (854 x 480 resolution), 5 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, a bundled 16GB memory card, and a full slide out QWERTY keyboard (Verizon notes that it is the world’s thinnest slide out QWERTY), 3G, WiFi, and over-the-air Amazon MP3 downloads. A home dock accessory will also be available to purchase. Oh, and it’s also the first phone to support Google’s brand new Maps Navigation software. Get learn’d and preorder Droid here. Look after the break for the official press release and a hands-on video from Engadget.
At today’s press conference Verizon also confirmed that Droid is indeed a family of phones, though there was no mention of the oft-rumored Droid Eris by HTC.
All in all the Droid by Motorola looks great on paper and even better in pictures. Once it releases this November it will have to face the test of real usage. Who knows, this may be the competition the iPhone has been craving for over three years.
Today Google announced a major upgrade to its mobile Google Maps software with the introduction of Maps Navigation. Everything you’re used to with Google Maps is still there–search (by name of business), directions, traffic data, the three views (map, satellite, hybrid), etc. Maps Navigation brings full-blown turn-by-turn directions, including our friend the female robotic voice. New features included: address input by text or voice; text-to-speech (reads street names aloud); Street View (when you are making a turn or getting off a highway, an intelligent satillite view of the street will appear with directional arrows embedded on top); search along a route (it can point out and direct you to gas stations or resturants that fall on your route path); hold a finger down on any point of the virtual map and it will guide you there; layers (features like traffic and points of interest are “layers;” Gizmodo acknowledges that this may hint towards Google offering developers to create their own layers on top of the map (Wiki notes, etc.)); landscape and portrait modes. A docking station for car use was demoed. When a compatable phone is placed in the dock, an “arm’s length away” user interface takes effect (larger icons, etc.).
One of the most distinguising features of Maps Navigation as a navigation system is that it relies on the Internet to gets its information (maps, traffic, etc.) instead of actual satillites like most other navs. There are major advantages and some disadvantages to this. Gizmodo appropriately labels the single most important advantage “maps that never age.” In essense, you will never have to worry about updating your maps because the software is constantly updating itself via the carrier’s cell service. The disadvantage? If you happen to enter a dead zone and lose all cell service you might find yourself stuck in lost, unfamilar territory. However, it is worthy to note that the software sort of works offline in that it will cache (or save) your route once it is entered in a cell signal area. So if you happen to stumble upon a dead zone you may not SOL after all.
For now, Maps Navigation will only be available on Android 2.0 cell phones. The first cell phone to feature it will be Verizon’s Doid by Motorola. Eventually this upgraded version of Google Maps will make its way to other carriers and devices. In fact, Gizmodo reports that Google is in close talks with Apple about porting it to the iPhone.
One final, very significant point: Maps Navigation is f-r-e-e, that spells free. This is going to make a heavy impact not only on other cell phone nav applications that are not free, but it is definitely going to negatively affect major companies like TomTom and Garmin (it already has) who rely on people purchasing their standalone GPS units. If people have the choice of using a free (ad-free too, mind you) nav application on their cell phones or choosing to buy a separate typically expensive device, what do you they are going to choose? What would you choose? Share your opinion in the poll below.
Now that HTC is becoming more of a household brand with its slew of sleek cell phones coming out for AT&T (Pure, Tilt2), T-Mobile (G1, myTouch 3G), and Verizon (Touch Diamond, Imagio, O-Zone, Droid Eris?), it deserves an ad campaign to further integrate its brand image and make a name for itself in the consumer world. And you know what, it works for me. The “HTC You” campaign commercials and print ads are clean, sleek, and catchy (“You don’t need to get a phone. You need a phone that gets you”). And most important of all they get the HTC name out there and get people talking. And talk people should do–HTC, their partnerships with companies like Google, and their self-concocted Sense UI really do pay off their great, user-friendly handsets. Check out one of the commercials below, and look after the break for another one.
Johnny Chung Lee, everyone’s favorite modder-turned Microsoft employee, is back in action, bringing us yet another insanely awesome and innovative interface. This time it’s a muscle-computer interface. He explains: “We face many situations where we need to interact with technology without a physical artifact, because a physical control is not accessible or because hands are already busy.” The video is just over two minutes long. Just watch it. It features a demo of the interface using what would be best called “air” Guitar Hero, showing how the technology allows you to control on-screen action from mere “hand and finger-based input” without a separate material device. Although this is not so practical, it shows how the technology works. Lee goes on to explain how a muscle-computer interface canwork practically, in situations when you need to control a device (ie. a car) when your hands are full (ie. carrying groceries). Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next time Mr. Johnny Chung Lee.
With the help of wall-mounted vibration sensors and a large fretboard projection, athletes can control on-screen action of a modification of the ever-popular Guitar Hero. Check out the impressive action above and peek after the break for a behind-the-scenes video of how it was done.
DJ Hero is available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii at $119.99. The standard bundle comes with the game and the turntable. Don’t forget about the Renegade Edition. For $199.99 you get the game, a sleeker premium turntable, a carrying case and stand, and a 2-CD pack containing Jay-Z and Eminem tracks. Look after the break for a video featuring Eminem talking about the product.
Still on the fence about this pricey purchase? Head on over to IGN and read their rave review. They awarded DJ Hero a 9.0/10 and say “In an overcrowded genre of music games, DJ Hero resides at the very top with the best of ’em. The original mixes are stunning and scratching the turntable is just as fun as it seems.” “…DJ Hero is already the most exciting music game around and is guaranteed to get the party started.”
And if that’s not enough for you, IGN has recently reported that downloadable tracks will be making their way to DJ Hero starting tomorrow. Joining the original 93 songs are “All Of Me” by 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige vs. “Radio Ga Ga” by Queen and “DARE” by Gorillaz vs. “Can’t Truss It” by Public Enemy. A David Guetta Mix Pack is also on its way, coming November 24.
Sony announced that it will be offering Netflix streaming movies and TV shows to its Playstation 3 console owners come this November, thereby throwing the Xbox 360-Netflix exclusitivity out the window. Initially PS3 owners will be forced to feed a Netflix CD into the console in order for streaming capabilities to function. Don’t fret too much; Sony plans on releasing a software update sometime in 2010 that will remove this annoying barrier to entry. PS3 owners can order a streaming CD directly from Netflix. Check out the official press release after the break.
It is worthy to note that streaming Netflix on the PS3 (on Sony’s end) is absolutely free. What you pay for is the Netflix service itself, which starts at $8.99/month and rises as you increase the number of rentals. The Xbox 306, on the other hand, requires you to pay to stream Netflix content; you must be an Xbox Live Gold member ($50/year subscription) to access the Netflix menus.
In much related news, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter foresees the Nintendo Wii also gaining the ability to stream video via the Netflix service sometime next year. Though will many be excited for Netflix capabilities on a non-HD device?
Graffiti, Chris Brown’s next studio album release, is set to drop December 15. “I Can Transform Ya” is the first single. It features Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. Choreography rocks.
Rihanna’s fourth studio album, Rated R, releases November 20. “Te Amo” is an unconfirmed single off the album.
I like mostly what I hear and more what I see. It will definitely be interesting to see how these two climb back to the top. I have a feeling it won’t be too difficult for them.
