(2009-10-08) Verizon Android Deal

Verizon will start selling Android Mobile-s. The Motorola Sholes, also known as Tao, is one of the first Android devices with compelling hardware specs. Rumors indicate that it will include an OMAP 3430 processor and a WVGA display. It is said to be a Google Experience phone and will not have Motorola's custom Moto Blur interface. Verizon says that it will be launching two Android handsets within a matter of weeks. There is some evidence indicating that the second one will be an HTC touchscreen device with HTC's Sense UI. I wonder if either of these will be multi-band to support GSM as a World Phone?

Oct28 update: will be available Nov6 for $200, and called Droid. See hands-on notes and other tidbits.

• Jean Louis Gassee on its significance to GPS makers, the Palm Pre, Nokia, etc.

Nov05: David Pogue gives some detailed pros-and-cons.

Dave Winer bought one. And loves it.

Robert Scoble is not thrilled, esp from the newbie-consumer perspective (vs as a developer). (Plus he notes where the Droid is better than the IPhone.)

Nov23: ouch you can't use data services while on a voice call! (Or is it just the 3G data isn't available, but you can get slower data?)

Nov30 update: Stewart Alsop finds the phone itself unusable. I Commented to ask if his Address Book is huge...