Week in review: Motorola, Verizon ready the Droid

Verizon Wireless customers will soon be able to get their hands on the much-anticipated Google Android phone called the Droid.

Verizon and Motorola officially unveiled the device, which, like most smartphones of its class, will cost $199 with a two-year contract. And it will be available to consumers starting November 6.

The device offers voice-activated search that allows users to speak a query, and the Google-powered search engine delivers Web results or device-native results such as stored contacts, music, and photos. The voice search also works with the new turn-by-turn directions for Google Maps. It allows users to view geographic information, such as My Maps, Wikipedia entries, and transit lines on the map.

Motorola Droid hands-on photos

•  Can the Droid save Motorola?
•  MLB uses World Series to warm up Android app
•  Is the Motorola Droid ugly?
•  Google Android resource guide

More headlines

Microsoft puts its 'signature' on PCs

In its online and retail stores, Microsoft is selling computers loaded with all of its online software, including its Windows Live, Zune, and Security Essentials products.
•  Students find problems with Windows 7 upgrade
•  Windows 7 is an all-ages show
•  Results of the Windows 7 upgrade poll

Yahoo, Microsoft need more time to ink pact

Yahoo says in a regulatory filing that the companies have agreed to extend the deadline by which they will have a definitive agreement.

Former AMD chief linked to Galleon case

Hector Ruiz, the former CEO and chairman of Advanced Micro Devices, has been linked to the insider-trading case.
•  Contradictions stalk former AMD chief

Cisco to buy cloud security firm for $183 million

Cisco Systems plans to buy a Web-based security software company called ScanSafe, marking the third announced acquisition this month.
•  Cisco revs its acquisition engine

Facebook spells out updated privacy policy

After continued scrutiny from privacy advocates, Facebook has explained the difference between deleting and deactivating accounts.
•  Facebook woos developers with a road map
•  Pandora now shares with Facebook, Twitter
•  Facebook's 'share' buttons: Now with numbers
•  Bank Trojan botnet targets Facebook users
•  Fake Facebook e-mail contains Trojan

Twitter investor: 'We didn't need the money'

Although the company hasn't put a long-term revenue strategy in place, one of its backers says Twitter didn't raise $100 million last month out of a need for cash.
•  Why Hollywood needs to hear more about Twitter
•  Twitter users warned about new phishing attack
•  Kaspersky tool detects malware in Twitter links

Analyst: Chip recovery under way

Revenue from chip sales is expected to rise in the fourth quarter. Still, iSuppli adds a good dose of caution to its report.
•  Netbooks boost graphics chip shipments

Google Voice now (kinda) works with your number

Google is giving users of its Voice service a way to forward missed cell phone calls to its free voice mail service while retaining their usual cell phone number.
•  Hands-on: Google Voice's new voice mail service

White House Web site makes open-source move

The open-source Drupal package now is used to power WhiteHouse.gov. But please don't conflate open source and open governance.

Bill Gates casts self as 'impatient optimist'

In a speech on global health, Bill and Melinda Gates tout some successes but also call for more action to nearly halve the number of childhood deaths worldwide within 15 years.

Also of note

•  Apple delivers Apple TV 3.0 software
•  Yahoo planning Santa Clara campus
•  Microsoft pulls plug on 'Family Guy' special

[AppleSuxLeo]

Come on Cnet...be brave...report on the iPhone launch failure in China. Pretty please ?

[Fil0403]

Why would CNET report something they know will upset many users? Many CNET users are Apple users and most Apple users don't take criticism or bad news about Apple easily (even if they only mirror reality). It's much safer to not mention that and publish criticism or bad news about Microsoft instead, for instance (such as a few of the million people who got 7 having upgrade issues). It's all business. Gotta keep 'em hapy.

[Fil0403]

@ lesbihonest17: He has one already, thanks to all the pretencious Apple fanboys out there.

[Random_Walk]

Well, how about something more relevant to the Droid:
http://androidandme.com/2009/10/news/google-fails-to-address-app-storage-issue-with-droid-and-android-2-0/

...seems you only get 256MB for applications storage... and that's it.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Not true...GPS maps store on SD card...large game texture maps/audio/etc store on SD also.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Just wondering how iPhone apps store works. Tmobile site says on Android you can try any app and get refund before 24hrs are up , also they let you re-DL app again if you deleted it. Also they say one app used on multiple phones if they are on same acct is OK.
What are the particulars on Apple apps ? Tmobile has $80 unlimited EVERYTHING just buy phone at full price you end up way ahead after 2 yrs. Where I live and go , they have fully implemented 3G and it`s not overloaded like ATT.
May get the Sony "Rachael" instead with 4.1 OLED screen.
Big announcement on 11/3 !!! May be on ATT. Would they do that to iPhone ???

[Fil0403]

IMO they have a hard road ahead fighting leader RIM, but more competition can only be welcomed.

[Fil0403]

I meant Symbian, sorry.