Verizon has officially announced the Droid 3. The key features of the new phone include:
- 5-row keyboard. (dedicated number row).
- 4-inch display
- Dual-Core 1 GHz processor
- Front-facing camera
- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
It looks like a very strong upgrade. Yet another high-powered phone without LTE. This also seems very geared towards business. It is global ready, comes with Citrix GoToMeeting, and a Motoprint app to print to networked printers over Wi-Fi.
The phone is available now online, and will be in stores July 14th. It costs the standard $199.99 with 2-year commitment. If you are a new customer, looks like you will have to sign up for a tiered data plan (starts at $30 for 2GB data). If you are upgrading a current phone with data plan you can keep your old data plan.
I think the fifth row is a big deal. The dedicated number row makes the keyboard a lot more usable. What do you think? Is no LTE an issue? I’ll trade the LTE for the better battery life, myself. See the press release after the jump.
07/07/2011
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BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Verizon Wireless and Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI), today announced the new Android™-powered DROID 3 by Motorola, a global smartphone that delivers power for work and play without making compromises.
DROID 3 by Motorola is the world’s thinnest full QWERTY smartphone, and still delivers the power of a dual-core 1 GHz processor for fast multi-tasking. Customers can take stunning photos with the 8-megapixel camera or capture the moment in 1080p HD video. Equipped with Android 2.3, the DROID 3 by Motorola features a brilliant 4-inch qHD display, a roomy 5-row QWERTY keyboard and 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities, with the ability to connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. DROID 3 by Motorola delivers the power needed to conquer the day whether customers are at home, work or somewhere in between.
Additional features:
- Powered by Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread
- Mirror mode allows you to view and share photos, videos and movies on a larger TV via HDMI output (requires HDMI cable)
- Global ready, allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries, including more than 125 with 3G speeds
- Enterprise ready with advanced security policies, device and SD card encryption, complex password support, remote data wipe of device and SD card; document and presentation viewing and editing with Quickoffice®
- Citrix® GoToMeeting® for Android, gives users the ability to attend online meetings while on-the-go, and Citrix Receiver® for Android, a universal software client that allows companies to deliver corporate apps, desktops and data to any corporate- or employee-owned device
- ESP smart dock technology for a tailored experience based on whether DROID 3 is docked in home, office or car settings
- Adobe® Flash® Player 10
- Front-facing camera for still shots and video chat
- Video playback in 1080p HD in mirror mode
Pricing and availability:
- DROID 3 by Motorola is now available online at http://www.verizonwireless.
com/droid-3-motorola.shtml , and will be available in Verizon Wireless Communication Stores by July 14 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. - Customers that purchase a DROID 3 will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package. New Verizon Wireless customers will have the option of smartphone plans starting at $30 for 2GB of data. Current Verizon Wireless smartphone customers who are upgrading their smartphone can keep their current data plan.
For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library atwww.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visitmotorola.com/mobility.
MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc. Adobe and Adobe Flash are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved.
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No LTE is a deal breaker for me. I have the Droid 2, but I am not switching to a phone without LTE. Especially one in this price range.
I can totally understand that. For me, the LTE phones I have used just cost too much in battery life. The Bolt was only getting about 4 hours of life out of it. Until they get an LTE phone that can last a whole day, a powerful 3G phone is more my speed. The speed was really nice though.
I am not eligible for an upgrade until April anyway. My hope is I can continue to have the unlimited data plan at that time and that the battery life issue will be solved . Things I will be looking for at that time:
1. LTE.
2. Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich Android
3. Front facing camera.
4. Dual Core
5. One of the integrated cameras should be 5-8 MP. Preferably 8.
6. Netflix – thought about this one…since i use mas transit, I would use this ALOT.
7. HTC or Samsung…..unless Moto confirms they aren’t locking down the kernel/bootloader.
8. 4 inch high resolution screen with 4.1 being the top end. 5 is too big.
9. Color e-ink LCD(probably not possible, but I would LOVE this)
10. Built in keyboard – though this isn’t a deal breaker. I DO like having it but would be able to deal without it as long as I have the Flex T9 keyboard.
I think I can definitely get 1-8. I would be totally happy with that. If I can get 1-8 and 10, even better. 1-10 and I would be in heaven.
That’s a good list. I would happily take a lower resolution camera that did better in low light, though. I used an iPhone for a couple of weeks (need to post) and the camera really did seem to be better. Packing too many MP in a camera can actually make it suffer.
Hmm….not sure about that, Using crappy sensors is more of an issue in phones since they are after thoughts….usually. Also if possible, they should be using better lenses….instead of the flat piece o plastic.
True, crappy sensors and bad lenses are big part of the blame, but the sheer physics of the matter means more pixels (on the same size sensor) leads to poorer low-light sensitivity and poorer images.
A busy doctor really needs long battery life! Being able to upgrade and preserve my unlimited mobile spot plan is important. Otherwise, what I wanted was a great video shooter to capture new granddaughter. Is Sept possible for the iPhone 5 with Verizon? I think it will be later.