I chose droid over N1 today

[cggorman]

I had been patiently waiting for the Verizon Nexus One since I heard they were going to offer it. Then this week I saw the arstechnica article on the screen resolution... That combined with the multitouch tracking problems on the N1 and the high success with OC'ing the droid pushed me over the edge. Despite the craptacular hardware keyboard and aging platform, it still seems to be the better piece of hardware.

Besides, I saved enough $ to literally pay for a spare batt, car mount, AND desk dock...and still get a 16GB card. Screaming deal, if you ask me.

 

[The_Chief]

Sounds like a heck of a deal! I paid full price for mine on opening day but still think it's worth every dime. Enjoy your Droid

 

[jrob007]

I would like to add my 0.02 on this as well. I picked up a droid on the 4th because my ne2 was up. I had planned on getting the Nexus or HTC Incredible but the same article pushed me over the edge to keep my Droid. I am very happy with the device and have zero regrets.

Wrapped it up in a Zagg Invisible Shield last night.

 

[cggorman]

next: root and overclock!

 

[chrlswltrs]

I'm still ditching my Droid and paying retail for the N1 or incredible as soon as it is released on Verizon. I can't stand the keyboard, makes me feel like I have a phone with hardware from 2006.

And I'm still upset the way Verizon/Motorola has handled the 2.1 update, I may end up switching to Sprint for the 4G EVO. Looks like a great phone even though 4G is not available in Seattle as far as I know.

 

[sooper_droid12]

I don't know... I love playing SNES games with the keyboard. I don't know how any one can do this with a virtual keyboard. Cut & paste is also infinitely easier with the keyboard. Also allows me to type in user names and passwords without using the third-party keyboard app I've installed (which has the ability to track keystrokes). I mean so many advantages to having a keyboard.

But back to the OP, good choice man. Honestly, ever since the HTC Evo4G came out, all the other phones are basically the same. The Samsung Galaxy S is a beast of a phone too. So, with the current crop of phones, the DROID is a great phone considering like what you said about the screen. Did you know that the N1's screen resolution is a real 533x480? DROID has hands down the best screen on the market at the moment.

 

[sooper_droid12]

I'm still ditching my Droid and paying retail for the N1 or incredible as soon as it is released on Verizon. I can't stand the keyboard, makes me feel like I have a phone with hardware from 2006.

And I'm still upset the way Verizon/Motorola has handled the 2.1 update, I may end up switching to Sprint for the 4G EVO. Looks like a great phone even though 4G is not available in Seattle as far as I know.

It is available in Seattle, as well as two other Washington cities.

 

[DatacomGuy]

I battled with the N1 and the Incredible also. Went for the Droid, regardless of negatives i read all over the place. LOVE this phone!

 

[Laxstar785]

I see a lot of people complainging about the keyboard.... i use the keyboard for EVERYTHING i absolutely HATE using te touch screen.....and yes I have tried swype still have to correct it alot of the time....dont diss it too much if they make a 2nd droid it better have one or i wont buy it!!!!! lol

....initiate flaming about keyboard love lol

 

[UBRocked]

next: root and overclock!

My advice...Cyanogen 5.0.5.3 for your ROM with the 1.2GHz Low Voltage kernel...doesn't feel like a cooked ROM at all and it is very fast. It is built for the N1 and ported over to the Droid...so it's like a N1 with a keyboard and better screen!

Having said all that "rooted" stuff...I don't think you made a bad decision even if you left it stock. 550MHz is fine unless you want to root (most custom ROMs need the OC to run property...Stock does not IMO).

 

[cggorman]

I can use the hardware OK as long as I use my thumbnails, but the pads of my thumbs are too fat to select individual keys reliably. That's my only gripe. the D-pad location and keyboard footprint is actually fine by me. I already have an ENV3 that I have no issues with typing on. It has enough key depth that I can select individual keys easily. Droid just need a bit more key depth, IMO. I'm sure I'll grow to become proficient with it. just need time to acclimate.

 

[UBRocked]

I see a lot of people complainging about the keyboard.... i use the keyboard for EVERYTHING i absolutely HATE using te touch screen.....and yes I have tried swype still have to correct it alot of the time....dont diss it too much if they make a 2nd droid it better have one or i wont buy it!!!!! lol

....initiate flaming about keyboard love lol

I'm with you. I use the keyboard all of the time. I never use the on-screen keyboard in landscape mode...I only use the portrait keyboard for short msg's, searches, etc... I didn't love it at first and I don't "love it" now...but it is very usable and I don't see the problem. I think it's funny that people hate the keyboard...I know they are secretly using it!

 

[cggorman]

My advice...Cyanogen 5.0.5.3 for your ROM with the 1.2GHz Low Voltage kernel...doesn't feel like a cooked ROM at all and it is very fast. It is built for the N1 and ported over to the Droid...so it's like a N1 with a keyboard and better screen!

Having said all that "rooted" stuff...I don't think you made a bad decision even if you left it stock. 550MHz is fine unless you want to root (most custom ROMs need the OC to run property...Stock does not IMO).

Thanks, I'll check into that. I'm a tinkerer by nature, so rooting seems a forgone conclusion for me.

 

[Aldo Junior Ao2]

I'm with you. I use the keyboard all of the time. I never use the on-screen keyboard in landscape mode...I only use the portrait keyboard for short msg's, searches, etc... I didn't love it at first and I don't "love it" now...but it is very usable and I don't see the problem. I think it's funny that people hate the keyboard...I know they are secretly using it!

There's an on-screen keyboard on this phone I love the keyboard on this thing. I think people are way to picky. It's the slimmest phone i have ever used with a keyboard. Do i ever use the on-screen keyboard sure when i have to type ok or hi that's about it. To me on-screen keyboard is like charades like what new word its going to throw at me even though i typed something totally different yippee it says i have a dentist apartment at fort.

 

[snt]

I use HTC_IME.apk for the keyboard as I was not crazy about the stock one. I first used it with my G1 and was happy to learn that it works perfectly on my Droid. I like this keyboard so much better.

 

[SeismicWorm]

Congrats! Even though the Droid isn't aesthetically pleasing to look sat or doesn't have a curvy and trendy form-factor, you will grow to love it in time. You'll love the build quality over htc phones, including the N1. I now think my droid is the greatest thing since sliced bread; can't imagine how I made do without it up to now!

 

[kbza66]

Me too... I just jumped on the Moto Droid bandwagon... upgraded my wife's BB Curve and got mine free... not bad, huh? Pretty sure I'm gonna enjoy it... Cheers

 

[cggorman]

I actually prefer the Droid's looks over most other phones on the market. I like all the hard edges. I "forgiving" the appearance of the N1 while it was still in the running.

Motorola styling has always been near the top in my eyes. I think the StarTAC is still one of the best looking (and performing) phones ever.

 

[radikal]

cool to see choices and how they are made, i decided on droid cause i was with verizon and hadn't even heard the n1 rumors back in november, glad i didn't cause this phone is way better right now than the n1 for me...

 

[hitman618]

the people that complain about the droid are people that will never be satisfied with any phone. Not one phone released will be perfect without some kind of flaws. personally i love my droid and the stuff you can do with it is amazing and i have had and iphone,iphone3gs,htc hero,samsung moment,and a whole lot of blackberrys..but thats just my opinion and everyones got one

 

[xmr405o]

I use HTC_IME.apk for the keyboard as I was not crazy about the stock one. I first used it with my G1 and was happy to learn that it works perfectly on my Droid. I like this keyboard so much better.

Yup, HTC_IME is the way to go. It's really a great touch input kb

 

[infoman]

Good Choice! The droid is a solid phone. I owned both and found the N1 was one flakey phone. Too many engineering issues! N1 display is untouchable, stunning. Other than that you got the better phone for the time being. I went from a My Touch, to a Nexus. Left Tmobile for Verizon and got the droid. I am not looking back. I am not saying I wouldn't look at it again, but the service/support is a real issue. I would be more inclined to purchase the Incrediable for that reason.

 

[geezman]

Thanks, I'll check into that. I'm a tinkerer by nature, so rooting seems a forgone conclusion for me.

I suggest using Koush's ROM Manager, it makes it super easy to load and try different ROM's.

 

[sergey]

Same here. I waited for the CTIA for the N1 or Incredible. With all the issues of the N1 and customer support, and me needing a phone for work that can reliably make calls, I just decided to buy an oldie but goodie. For $20 w/ 2yr contract, I can't really complain, even if the N1 is released today.

Who would ever think that the Droid would be going for $20 (that's with shipping) so soon?

 

[atom631]

I use HTC_IME.apk for the keyboard as I was not crazy about the stock one. I first used it with my G1 and was happy to learn that it works perfectly on my Droid. I like this keyboard so much better.

I downloaded the keyboard and I'm confused about 2 things.

1. In landscape view, the keyboard doesn't extend all the way across the screen. What gives?

2. No spacebar?