Android Atlas

With four Android phones in its stable, T-Mobile remains the Google Android leader. Its latest model is the Samsung Behold II, which offers a brilliant display and one of the best media players we've seen on an Android phone so far.

But just a week earlier, and the same day it introduced its Motorola Droid, Verizon Wireless unveiled the HTC Droid Eris. Also a touch-screen phone without a physical keyboard, the Droid Eris offers all the features you'd expect from an Android phone, while adding full multitouch and deeper levels of customization with the HTC Sense interface.

The two devices are similar, but they're distinct in their own way. So how will they fare in the CNET Prizefight ring? Read our Samsung Behold II vs. HTC Droid Eris Prizefight find out.

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

The Droid is in our hot little hands.

(Credit: Kent German/CNET)

Editors' note: That's it for our live review! Over the next few days we will continue to test the Droid, including the GPS and battery life, and add in final results. For now, here is our full review of the Motorola Droid for Verizon Wireless.

Hooray! We finally have the Motorola Droid in our hands. Though it's much too early to offer a full critique, we can report that Verizon's first Google Android device is a looker. The display is gorgeous, Android 2.0 looks spiffy, and the handset appears to be lightning fast. Though we'll refrain from using the dreaded "iPhone killer" expression, comparisons between the two devices are obvious, particularly in light of Verizon's snarky ad campaign.

We're starting now and will continue posting our analysis this afternoon until we have a full rated review. So join Kent German and Bonnie Cha as we dive into the Droid.

12:30 p.m., PT
Design
At first glance you might not think that the Motorola Droid's design amounts to much. Its build isn't unique and the sharp angles result in a somewhat boxy look. But this is a smartphone that holds a lot of surprises, the biggest being the positively gorgeous WVGA display. At 3.7 inches it surpasses even the iPhone and is firmly in the bounds of what we consider to be an acceptable size for a touch-screen display. Color support is generous (16 million hues) and the resolutions (440x854 pixels) is some of the richest we've seen. We aren't kidding when we say that this display is bright and brilliant with vibrant colors and sharp graphics. It also lends itself well to the welcome Android 2.0 interface updates (more on that later).

Of course, with a large display the Droid is rather big (4.56 inches by 2.36 inches by 0.54 inch), but that's a small price to pay for the top-notch display. You'll notice that the Droid is a heavy (5.96 ounces) compared with other smartphones, but the trim design keeps it portable. We also welcome the solid feel in the hand, even if the slider mechanism is a little quirky. The actual sliding motion is quite stiff, but the front face doesn't really lock into place on either end. Indeed, we noticed that even a gentle nudge can start to close the Droid. No, it's not a big deal, but it's something to consider.

1:15 p.m.
The capacitive display's touch interface is quick and responsive and we love the added multitouch capability that lets you zoom in on Web pages with a double tap. As with previous Android phones, there's vibrating feedback only for certain functions (like a "long press"), though you can turn off the haptic feedback completely. When we selected items and scrolled through long lists, there was no lag time in performing the command (more on that later as well). You also can customize the display's brightness, backlighting time, and animations. The accelerometer will adjust the display's orientation as you rotate the Droid in your hands, but you can turn this feature off.

Outside of the upgrades from Android 2.0 and the Droid-specific tweaks, the basic interface will be familiar to Android users. You only get three home screens--we prefer the five we got on the Motorola Cliq--but you can customize each pane with widgets. And, of course, the central pane has the Google search bar. The main menu is accessible via the pull tab at the bottom of the display. The menu's design is mostly unchanged. You can move icons around and add shortcuts and folders. The Droid does not offer the MotoBlur interface, but there is a new integrated Facebook widget for viewing status updates and posting your own. We'll describe that in more detail in the Features section.

Below the Droid's display are four touch controls: Back, Home, Search, and Menu. They perform the same functions as on other Android phones, with the search and menu keys being the most useful. The former activates Google search with just one press, and the latter opens relevant menu commands for various handset modes and features. Though the touch controls are responsive, they're not very big. And at the end of the day, we'd prefer actual physical buttons. We know this all comes down to a personal preference, but that is ours.

In case you haven't noticed, the Google Android dam has broken. For almost a year HTC was the only manufacturer to offer handsets with the operating system, but in the past month, Motorola and Samsung almost fell over each other to offer Android smartphones of their own. Moto gave us the satisfying Cliq and Samsung countered with the Moment.

The Moment offers everything you'd expect from an Android phone while adding Sprint-specific media services. Other features are plentiful, and the sturdy design and comfortable physical keyboard offer a nice contrast to Sprint's other Android phone, the HTC Hero. The Android OS still has its quirks, camera-editing options are nonexistent, and we had a few performance complaints, but it's clear that Sammy is taking its Android endeavor seriously. Check out our Samsung Moment review for the full scoop.

Samsung Moment photos

Just a few weeks after its splashy debut, Moto graced us with a review model of its first Google Android phone, the Motorola Cliq. Though our first impressions were mixed, we can report that the Cliq has a lot to offer. With its easy-to-use design, spacious keyboard, and action-packed feature set, the Cliq combines an attractive, powerful device with the customization of the Android operating system.

Moto added its own twist to the Android OS with the new MotoBlur user interface that syncs your social media, contacts, and e-mail. Though having all your information in one place is convenient, the overall effect can be overwhelming. Its performance also could be better, and the Android OS saddles the phone with a few limitations. Yet, despite those drawbacks, the Cliq proves that Android continues to evolve. It goes on sale at T-Mobile on October 19 for $199 with a service contract. For the full story, check out CNET's Cliq review.

Motorola Cliq photos

Sprint was one of the first carriers to join the Open Handset Alliance when it was founded in November 2007 to promote Google Android. However, unlike T-Mobile, which released the T-Mobile G1 and the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G, the carrier wasn't so quick to offer an Android handset to its customers because it simply didn't think the operating system was "good enough"; that is, until now.

Starting on October 11, Sprint will offer its first Android device, the HTC Hero, for $179.99 with a two-year contract and unlimited data plan. We've actually had a few days with the device, and it looks like the carrier's waiting game might have paid off. The Hero offers a number of notable enhancements to make it the most advanced Android device to date. The smartphone also sports a new design and the highly customizable HTC Sense user interface. However, it's not without its faults and won't be everyone's cup of tea. To get all the details, read our full review of the Sprint HTC Hero.

Sprint HTC Hero photos

Amazon offers its full shopping experience in a mobile format.

(Credit: Taylor Wimberly)

Amazon customers finally have their own application for Google Android phones. Amazon App for Android provides the full Amazon shopping experience while adding new features like Amazon Remembers. Customers also get full control over their Amazon account to manage orders and track packages.

When users first open the app, they'll see their recommendations and an option to search for any product. Pressing the menu button opens more shortcuts for viewing your cart, checking your account, or scanning the latest Gold Box deals. The interface is streamlined and easy to navigate, but I would like to see more information provided on the home screen.

You can search by typing a term or by using the experimental Amazon Remembers feature. That allows you to snap a photo or scan a bar code to add items to a list. Any item that you tag will also be synced to your account and available on the desktop site. Scanning a bar code will provide results in an instant, but snapping photos of an item might take several minutes to find a match.

To test Amazon Remembers, I took photos of everything that I've recently purchased from Amazon. Books, CDs, and DVDs offered the best results as I got a correct match every time. However, the new feature struggled with other items. When I took pictures of a T-Mobile G1, a Ginsu knife set, and an action figure, the feature found a product in each case, but it wasn't an exact match. Fortunately, you can report inaccurate matches to help improve the system.

The purchasing process is easy for Amazon Prime customers. Once you have signed into your account, Amazon will prompt you to confirm your 1-Click settings that allow you to purchase items (in one click!) without having to enter shipping and billing information. If you are an impulse buyer like me, this feature can be hazardous to your wallet.

After purchasing an item, you can quickly view, change, or track your order from the account screen. Everything is formatted for the small screen and easy to read. I enjoy the shipment tracking option that's built into the app.

Amazon did well with the initial release of this app; indeed, it's a must-have for frequent Amazon customers. There's a lot of room for improvement and Amazon provides an option to send in your feedback. Personally, I'd like to see an expanded home screen that provides more account information and it would also be nice to receive custom notifications of shipping updates. The Gold Box deals of the day should also be expanded to match what is offered on the full Amazon site.

To download the app, search "amazon.com" in the Android Market on your device.

Sherpa learns your taste over time and suggest results closest to your location.

(Credit: Taylor Wimberly)

Sherpa is a new location-based service from Geodelic that was set to launch with the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G on August 5. Luckily, however, the app got an early release to the Android Market and it's now available for download.

Users will find a well-polished app that allows them to quickly obtain information that is relevant to their location and tailor it to their liking. Simply open the application and Sherpa will begin displaying locations and information around you based on distance, relevance, and personal interest. Users can browse the results in a slick-looking carousel view, top-down Google map, or in a list format.

I was pleasantly surprised the first time I used the app by the number of locations it found around me. Nearly every business in my neighborhood that I could think of was listed. Sherpa also managed to display the actual logo for most companies as well. Clicking on any entry will take you to a more detailed information page for the listing. You can phone the business, get directions, give your personal rating, and read reviews. Geodelic has partnered with Yelp and Citysearch to provide ratings.

Eventually, Sherpa will offer three types of experiences for the user. The first, which is currently available, is the General Experience that lists everything around you and updates as you move.

Geodelic refers to the second experience as "Onsite." After you reach a location with published custom information, Sherpa will load that experience for you. Examples include a restaurant displaying its menu and current specials, a retailer publishing its weekly circular ad, or an amusement park providing the map to their rides. Other Android apps like Where and Aloqa are attempting similar features, but Sherpa has the advantage of being backed by T-Mobile.

Themed Experience is a collection of locations and information that is targeted toward a specific niche. For example, Greenopia, which is a themed version of Sherpa that is currently available on the iPhone, includes more than 1,000 green stores, restaurants, and services in the Los Angeles area.

It will be interesting to see how all of these new location-based apps compete on the Android platform. Many offer promising features, but they need an active community of users and publishers to be successful. As mentioned, Sherpa has the early edge by being recommended by T-Mobile and featured in the AppPack. Currently, I find Sherpa provides the best user experience, but we'll have to wait and see which app gains the support of larger stores looking to provide a mobile experience.