CNET News Daily Podcast: Verizon takes on the iPhone with Droid

The latest Android-based smartphone, the Droid, could debut as early as October 30, according to a cryptic countdown code on Verizon's Web site that promotes the new device.

The Droid will run the new Android 2.0 operating system on a 3.7-inch touch screen along with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The 5-megapixel autofocus and flash camera will offer both still and video recording. Wi-FI, Bluetooth 2.0, and GPS are there as well.

Some sites have already gotten their hands on the device, and are saying it's one of the best Android devices yet.

Also on the podcast: Sidekick data is coming back, Firefox is blocking Microsoft's .Net add-ons, Plastic Logic gets ready to release its new e-book reader, and Gartner tells IT departments to embrace social networking.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

---

Today's stories:

Droid is coming to Verizon

Microsoft: Sidekick data recovery takes time

Firefox blocks insecure .Net add-on--awkwardly

Plastic Logic hopes there is a Que for e-books

Wolfram Alpha iPhone app is cool but overpriced

KaChing takes on mutual fund industry

Twitter co-founder's 'Square' comes into focus

Gartner: Growth coming after IT's worst-ever year

Gartner: Loosen up on social networks, security

Office 2010 to enter public beta next month

[JonD23]

Verizon will be smart to back the Android line. The app development has come a long way. Found a great poll on this --- [CNET editors' note: URL removed.]

[drivec]

The problem with all of these competitors to the iPhone is the fact that they brand themselves as such "iPhone killers", "the new iPhone", or "better than the iPhone." However, this has been a marketing disaster for everyone except Apple because every time the competing phone is mentioned, they have to mention the iPhone. Apple gets free publicity.

[jalderwood]

After owning several Motorolas over the past 10 years and finally deciding, "never again," I'm skeptical this will be much more than another "me too" phone. I waited a year or so for the G1 to come out, recommended it to friends, and ended up not buying it myself because it just didn't seem to live up to the hype. I finally caved and got the iPhone 3GS. I thought I might jailbreak it on principle, but right out of the box, with a few apps, it has turned out to be the most useful and pleasurable to use gadget I've ever owned. You kind of forget you're carrying around a $700 piece of electronics in your pocket, but it definitely feels worth that.

[billymac]

I'm a Motorola Q owner with no interest in buying an iPhone...but saying "Droid Does", as an attack on a mature product, when clearly Droid "Does Not Yet" (I can't buy it) suggests to me marketing didn't think this through fully.

[Iphone11429]

Horrible Ad. Horrible. Is that the best they could do? Most people have no clue what that was about.

New ideas please.

[ron_thompson]

Before the iPhone was introduced I had a Blackberry and was a big supporter of RIM smart phones. The iPhone was such an innovation, especially the better internet access, that I gave of the Blackberry for the iPhone. Because of the application support that ithe Phone now enjoys, I could never imagine switching to a new phone unless it had all the apps that I use. The app that I use all the time NeuroMobile is as far as know only available on the iPhone. To be successful these new market entries must first get the the application developers to port their programs. The app store and the abundance of applications has become a significant barrier to entry.