Crave

Motorola Droid

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Shortly after we posted our Motorola Droid review, we received quite a few e-mails from CNET readers who were concerned about the phone's inability to support hands-free voice commands and dialing. Indeed, the readers were correct and Motorola's support forums continue to buzz with user complaints regarding the issue.

As part of our original Droid review we did not test whether the handset supported hands-free voice dialing. We apologize for that, but we've now updated the review to reflect our findings.

Below is the passage from the review:

Unfortunately, the Droid does not support Bluetooth voice dialing or commands. In order to use the Voice Dialer feature, you first must select the icon from the main menu (you can move on a shortcut to the home screen). After speaking your command, you then must confirm it via a prompt on the touch screen. Though we found the voice dialing feature to be quite accurate--it successfully picked up a command when we were a few feet away--it is not an ideal scenario for people who need to completely hands-free. We hope this omission is corrected in a future software update.

In the future, we will report on hands-free voice dialing in our smartphone reviews. As more state and local areas pass laws mandating hands-free driving, such capability will only grow more important.

I get really excited when I see devices like the Android-powered Vega Tablet that debuted last week. The moment I read the announcement, I started thinking of all the ways it could enhance my life.

And where would I use it first? In the kitchen, of course! After a minute or so I realized that there are five Google Android applications that I use on a semi-regular basis with my T-Mobile G1 that would be greatly improved by a device like the Vega.

Grocery List

(Credit: Screenshot by Scott Webtser/CNET)

Cooking Capsules allows me to watch cooking shows on my handset so I can whip up a romantic dinner for my wife. I can also search through the Taster Collection videos and watch step-by-step instructions on how to create such delicious dishes as a tofu stir fry or chocolate pots de creme.

While this and the other apps would look nice on my handset, I would simply love to see them on my kitchen counter on a screen large enough to view across the room. The idea behind Cooking Capsules is fantastic, but I've found myself getting close to dripping marinades on my phone twice already.

I downloaded a free application called Grocery List which is exactly as it sounds. Beyond creating a list of items to pick up the next time I am at the store, Grocery List also allows me to swipe my finger across items and check them off as I go.

... Read more

(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

On Monday, Samsung revealed its latest Google Android device, the Samsung Galaxy Spica (I5700).

Like its siblings, the Samsung Behold II and Samsung Galaxy, the Spica has more of a multimedia focus and is actually the first Android smartphone to offer DivX support. In addition, it includes DNSe 2.0 (Digital Natural Sound engine) technology to improve sound quality and features a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 3.2-inch (320x480) capacitive touch screen.

The Spica measures 0.51 inch thick and features a 1500mAh lithium ion battery. Other highlights of the smartphone include an 800MHz processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The Spica will support the full suite of Google services but runs Android 1.5 rather than 2.0.

The quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900; HSDPA 900/2100) Samsung Galaxy Spica is available in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States now and will be expanded to the Middle East and Asia markets. However, there's no word yet on North American availability.

T-Mobile G1

(Credit: Corinne Schulze)

With the recent flood of new Google Android phones, some of you may be thinking of making the switch. You're right to consider it, as there are many advantages to the operating system, not the least of which is the growing line of attractive handsets. But for the uninitiated, Android can be a bit of a mess. It's supposed to be a uniform operating system across all devices, but in practice, the user interface on each device varies slightly. It offers third-party applications, e-mail syncing, and a media player; however, the capabilities of those features also will differ by handset. Lastly, while Android promises a high degree of user customization, that may not mean a whole lot to the average person.

Understanding the operating system
Fear not, as Android takes only a brief period of acclimation. Even after a few minutes, you'll get the hang of the interface and you'll be able to navigate your way through your phone. Yet, you need to know a few things about Android before making the jump. Below I've told you what to expect, because I'd hate for you to be surprised by what you find. And equally as important, because your Android experience will vary by device, I'll break down the current U.S. handsets and give you the basic scoop of the Android features on each device. ... Read more

A leaked screenshot of the HTC Passion?

(Credit: Boy Genius Report)

We've seen the Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Eris from Verizon Wireless so far, but apparently there is a third Verizon Android handset waiting in the wings, if rumors are to be believed.

Rumors are that it will be the HTC Passion, which is supposedly powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon chipset (the Passion might also be called the Dragon). The rumor mill (from Boy Genius, Phone Arena, and elsewhere) claims that the HTC Passion will feature a 5-megapixel camera, a large WVGA-resolution screen with multitouch, a 3.5mm headset jack, 256MB RAM, and it's said to run Android 2.0 with the HTC Sense overlay.

We have heard nothing about this through official channels, so this is strictly rumor territory here, but we can't help but be intrigued by this mythical phone. The Android 2.0 with multitouch and the Snapdragon processor certainly puts it just a notch above the Droid. Perhaps that's why Verizon is keeping mum about the device for now. Still, the rumor mill claims we'll see an announcement about the Passion/Dragon in mid-December, so we'll definitely keep an eye for that.

In this corner, the iPhone.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

Last June, I complained about the overused phrase "iPhone killer." I argued that it elevates the iPhone to a place that it doesn't deserve. Yes, it's a great device in many ways, but it's not the pinnacle of cell phone achievement.

As it turns out, I was a little ahead of myself. In the two-and-a-half years since the first iPhone , was born, I've seen quite a few supposed iPhone rivals pass through CNET. But I had to wait until two weeks ago before a real challenger finally landed on my desk.

The Motorola Droid challenges the iPhone on more fronts than I've seen from others--it has some multitouch, the display is magnificent, and it's packed with a multitude of features. Granted, its media player can't quite compete, and it didn't win our Prizefight, but it bests Apple's device in overall performance. And really, the iPhone won that Prizefight by the thinnest of margins.

And in this corner, the Droid

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

As you can imagine, CNET readers had passionate opinions on both sides of the battle. Some praised the Droid before even touching it, and others wondered how we could dare suggest that the iPhone was deficient in any way. I have to say the latter camp was a little more vociferous--perhaps Verizon touched a nerve with their its snarky ad campaign (they aren't any snarkier than the "I'm a Mac" commercials)--but the Droid got people riled up on all fronts.

In the back and forth, however, an important point gets lost. It's not about which device is better, it's about which device is better for you. Some will prefer the iPhone and some will prefer the Droid. There's plenty of room in this world for more than one good phone.

Apple fans shouldn't reflexively slam the Droid (seriously, there's no reason to feel threatened) and Google Android devotees shouldn't cheer for the iPhone to be vanquished (schadenfreude is not charming). Each device can can excel in its own way, and not every phone will be perfect at everything. It's all part of the gadget world. And that's OK.

The Vega tablet: killer Android device?

(Credit: ICD)

As if Apple and Microsoft didn't already make it clear (editor's note: by Apple, we mean the ever-pervasive rumors of their upcoming "slate"), 2010 looks like the Year of the Tablet. First viewed sitting on a table of an Nvidia executive, the Vega tablet will try to beat Apple's tablet (if the rumors are true), Microsoft's in-process Courier concept, and the semievaporated Crunchpad to the punch.

ICD, the manufacturer of the Vega, has confirmed the existence of the tablet as a real product, whose details will be more fully revealed at CES. Vega...Vegas...it seems appropriate.

The sleek black pad will come in sizes of 7, 11, and 15 inches, and will run Android OS 2.0. Its internal processor will be a Nvidia Tegra, which means that HD and even gaming-level graphics should indeed be possible.

The Vega tablet from the back.

(Credit: ICD)

Other specs, according to ICD:

• Resistive touch-screen display
• 1,366x768 screen (for the 15.6-inch model)
• 512 DDR/512 NAND storage
• 1.3-megapixel Webcam
• MicroSD card slot
• Bluetooth 2.1
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• USB 2.0 port/s
• 2g/3g data accessible
• Magnetic docking
• Accelerometer
• Dual microphones

We like that dock.

(Credit: ICD)

The fact that it has magnetic docking and an accelerometer sounds promising, and ICD also claims video chat, gaming, and "on-demand Web TV" as features.

The dock, in the photos, seems to allow the Vega to be stood up like a photo frame, which is a nice touch. The most disappointing aspect: ICD's fact sheet claims 4 hours of battery life. We also would have preferred a capacitive touch display, like the iPhone's, as opposed to a resistive.

What's the cost? Well, we'll find out that soon enough.

On Thursday, Samsung and T-Mobile announced that the Samsung Behold II will be available starting November 18 for $229.99 with a two-year contract.

First announced at CTIA Fall 2009, the Behold II is Samsung's second Android device. It uses Samsung's TouchWiz interface and includes a 3D cube navigation menu for the phone's multimedia features.

The smartphone also has a 3.2-inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen and a 5-megapixel camera. While we're all about the AMOLED display, we think the price is a little high, considering that the Behold II is running Android 1.5 and the Motorola Droid is running Android 2.0 and costs about $30 less.

Samsung actually stopped by our offices and left us with a Behold II of our very own. While we work on getting you a full review, you can check out a preview of what's to come in our First Look video, and get more of our hands-on impressions in the photo gallery below.

Samsung Behold II photos

We have special guest Damian Koh from CNET Asia joining us on today's show. He answers our questions about the cell phone market in Asia, and surprisingly, he tells us he actually envies us for the phones that are available only in the U.S. We also discuss the Motorola Droid, Verizon's AT&T-bashing ads, Samsung's Bada, and more.

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