Motorola Droid 2
Encyclopedia
The Motorola Droid 2 is the fifth phone in Verizon's Droid
line. In the U.S., it is available exclusively on Verizon Wireless
, and was released August 12, 2010 (pre-order sales of the device began August 11). It runs the Android operating system by Google
, and can run Flash Player
10.1. It comes with 8 GB of internal memory and is shipped with an additional 8 GB SDHC card, upgradable to 32 GB. It has a 3.7 in display and a 5 megapixel camera. Unlike the Droid X, the Motorola Droid 2 features a redesigned slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but still features the Swype
keyboard found on the Droid X. A limited edition version featuring the Star Wars
droid character R2-D2
with exclusive apps and content was announced by Verizon for September 30, 2010 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary for The Empire Strikes Back
, like the sturdy build and functional styling, were maintained in the Droid 2, but with many refinements. Some reviewers thought that the styling was less abrupt, but some criticised the device for not departing enough from the prior design. The consensus on the screen was that, while it was not as big as some phones, or as high resolution as the iPhone 4
, it was good quality and not too small. The new keyboard was praised by some reviewers for being less awkward than on the prior Droid, but others found little improvement. The keyboard overall had mixed reviews but was generally the same but without a d-pad. The camera, like other parts of the device, was criticised by some for being little better than the prior device, but most were happy with picture quality. Most reviewers found the device to be good and solid all around, but were unimpressed by what they saw as a small evolution of an already successful model than a revolutionary new device.
filed a lawsuit against Motorola with the International Trade Commission in a district court
in Washington, D.C.
, claiming the manufacturer had "infringed on nine patents in its Android-based devices." The court papers specifically mention the Droid 2 and Motorola Charm
smartphones but Microsoft claimed that it was not limited to these phones.
In December 2010 a Texas man claimed to have had a Droid 2 explode in his ear. He said he was considering suing Motorola. However, some have questioned the validity of the phone 'exploding' when it was not the battery and that the phone continued to operate. On further analysis, according to Motorola, "glass experts have determined that the breakage is consistent with an external force applied to the phone."
A revision of the Droid 2 features keys that are much closer to the flatness of the Droid 1, but it does maintain the offset placement. Both phones are labeled as Model: A955, HW B on the inside of the battery compartment. Other changes may have been made as well.
Motorola Droid
The Motorola Droid is an Internet and multimedia enabled smartphone designed by Motorola, which runs Google's Android operating system. The Droid had been publicized under the codenames Sholes and Tao and the model number A855...
line. In the U.S., it is available exclusively on Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
, and was released August 12, 2010 (pre-order sales of the device began August 11). It runs the Android operating system by Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, and can run Flash Player
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
10.1. It comes with 8 GB of internal memory and is shipped with an additional 8 GB SDHC card, upgradable to 32 GB. It has a 3.7 in display and a 5 megapixel camera. Unlike the Droid X, the Motorola Droid 2 features a redesigned slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but still features the Swype
Swype
Swype is an input method for touchscreens developed by Swype Inc. Swype was first commercially available on the Samsung Omnia II running Windows Mobile. In October, 2011, Swype Inc was acquired by Nuance Communications.- Design :...
keyboard found on the Droid X. A limited edition version featuring the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
droid character R2-D2
R2-D2
R2-D2 , is a character in the Star Wars universe. An astromech droid, R2-D2 is a major character throughout all six Star Wars films. Along with his droid companion C-3PO, he joins or supports Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in various points in the saga...
with exclusive apps and content was announced by Verizon for September 30, 2010 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary for The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...
Reception
Reviewers felt that the good aspects of the prior DroidMotorola Droid
The Motorola Droid is an Internet and multimedia enabled smartphone designed by Motorola, which runs Google's Android operating system. The Droid had been publicized under the codenames Sholes and Tao and the model number A855...
, like the sturdy build and functional styling, were maintained in the Droid 2, but with many refinements. Some reviewers thought that the styling was less abrupt, but some criticised the device for not departing enough from the prior design. The consensus on the screen was that, while it was not as big as some phones, or as high resolution as the iPhone 4
IPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail...
, it was good quality and not too small. The new keyboard was praised by some reviewers for being less awkward than on the prior Droid, but others found little improvement. The keyboard overall had mixed reviews but was generally the same but without a d-pad. The camera, like other parts of the device, was criticised by some for being little better than the prior device, but most were happy with picture quality. Most reviewers found the device to be good and solid all around, but were unimpressed by what they saw as a small evolution of an already successful model than a revolutionary new device.
Legal
In October 2010, MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
filed a lawsuit against Motorola with the International Trade Commission in a district court
District court
District courts are a category of courts which exists in several nations. These include:-Australia:District Court is the name given to the intermediate court in most Australian States. They hear indictable criminal offences excluding treason, murder and, in some States, manslaughter...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, claiming the manufacturer had "infringed on nine patents in its Android-based devices." The court papers specifically mention the Droid 2 and Motorola Charm
Motorola Charm
The Motorola Charm is a smartphone manufactured by Motorola. It was released exclusively to U.S. carrier T-Mobile, and Canadian carrier Telus. The Motorola Charm is the second Motorola Android phone to feature the updated Motoblur UI for Android 2.1....
smartphones but Microsoft claimed that it was not limited to these phones.
In December 2010 a Texas man claimed to have had a Droid 2 explode in his ear. He said he was considering suing Motorola. However, some have questioned the validity of the phone 'exploding' when it was not the battery and that the phone continued to operate. On further analysis, according to Motorola, "glass experts have determined that the breakage is consistent with an external force applied to the phone."
Revised model (new keyboard)
The original Droid phone received criticism for its keys being too flat and for not having an offset placement. The Droid 2 was designed with a replacement closer to that of standard keyboard as seen with computer's keyboard with significantly raised ("domed") keys.A revision of the Droid 2 features keys that are much closer to the flatness of the Droid 1, but it does maintain the offset placement. Both phones are labeled as Model: A955, HW B on the inside of the battery compartment. Other changes may have been made as well.
See also
- HTC Droid Incredible released on April 29, 2010.
- Motorola DroidMotorola DroidThe Motorola Droid is an Internet and multimedia enabled smartphone designed by Motorola, which runs Google's Android operating system. The Droid had been publicized under the codenames Sholes and Tao and the model number A855...
released November 6, 2009. - Motorola Droid ProMotorola Droid ProThe Motorola Droid Pro, also offered by Sprint as the Motorola XPRT, is an Android-based smartphone manufactured by Motorola and released on November 18, 2010, for Verizon Wireless and June 5, 2011, for Sprint...
optimized for business users, released November 18, 2010. - Motorola Droid XMotorola Droid XThe Motorola Droid X is a smartphone manufactured by Motorola Mobility, Inc. that runs the Android 2.3 software; the version of the hardware released in Mexico is called the Motorola Motoroi X. The Droid X has been distributed since July, 2010 by Verizon Wireless in the United States and Iusacell...
Android 2.3 version hardware released in Mexico. - Motorola Droid X2 released May 19, 2011.
- Motorola Droid 3 released July 7, 2011, shipping with Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread).
- List of Android devices