Verizon Droid

HTC said today that it will update the GSM Hero, Sprint Hero, and Verizon Wireless DROID ERIS to the latest Android 2.1 operating system. The update will also include HTC’s new Sense user interface which adds a host of new features, including improvements in social networking, multitouch, and user interface updates. HTC wasn’t specific on when the updates would be available

source: HTC

Verizon Wireless announced on Tuesday that the HTC Droid Eris will get much needed OS update in the first quarter of 2010. The HTC Droid Eris is currently stuck with Android 1.5 when compared to Motorola Droid which comes with Android 2.0.

Verizon spokesperson Brenda Raney said, “The Droid Eris currently using Android 1.5, can and will be upgraded to newer a Android operating system software in first quarter 2010.

The Android OS update will bring Google Maps Navigation to HTC Droid Eris along with other benefits of Android 2.1. The combination of Sense UI and Android 2.1 will make Eris a highly capable device.

The HTC Droid Eris uses a 3.2-inch screen and a trackball, as well as a 5-megapixel camera, GPS and Wi-Fi.

[Source: Area cellphone]

Laptop Mag has a review of the HTC Droid Eris. Here are some of the highlights:
3.5/5 stars.

The $99.99 (with two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate) Droid Eris is the smart phone for Verizon Wireless customers who are looking for something more pocket friendly and affordable than the Motorola Droid. While the Eris doesn’t have the latest Android 2.0 operating system or that other Droid’s high-resolution display, you get the intuitive Sense user interface and very good Facebook and Twitter integration. Add in a rock solid industrial design and a first-class Web browser (complete with multitouch support), and you have one of the best smart phones under $100. However, the Eris is not necessarily a better deal than its $179 cousin on Sprint.

Verdict:

The HTC Droid Eris has a lot going for it. We love its Sense user interface and slick design. Assuming you don’t need a hardware keyboard, the Eris is a better choice than the Motorola Droid for those who want to travel light. If you’re already on Verizon, the Eris is the carrier’s best smart phone under $100. However, if your contract is up (or almost up) the HTC Hero on Sprint is an even better deal.

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.

[source: Cnet]

There’s no doubt about it, the HTC Droid Eris is one of the best smartphones we’ve used. Like the nearly identical Sprint HTC Hero, it represents a serious step forward in smartphone design, and if you’re a smartphone user looking to step up to something better, the HTC Droid Eris does a great job at nearly everything it can do. Ironically, comparisons to the Apple iPhone 3GS don’t quite pan out, because everything Apple’s phone does well, the Droid Eris doesn’t, and vice versa. From advanced calling features to deep social networking integration to wide customization options with active, useful widgets on the desktop, the HTC Droid Eris on Verizon Wireless bests Apple’s device, and even comes in ahead of the slightly faster, much larger Motorola Droid. But where the Apple iPhone 3GS excels, in ease of use, multimedia features and the deep App Store library, loaded with high-end games and apps, the HTC Droid Eris, like all Android phones, falls flat. We’d also like to see a much better camera tacked on this phone, and Verizon would be wise to patch up some holes in the feature set with VZ Navigator and tethered modem support. Still, the Droid Eris isn’t just effective, it’s delightful, and though new smartphone buyers might be intimidated by the complex system, time spent learning the ins and outs of the device will be rewarded handsomely. Release: November 2009. Price: $100.

Pros: Best interface on a mobile device. Social networks integrate neatly with online contacts and calendars. Detailed and useful information presented during calls.

Cons: Interface may be too complicated for new users. Lacks GPS turn-by-turn navigation. Camera is horrible.

Score – 81% Very Good

Read the full review in Info Sync World

It comes as little surprise given we’ve already seen it unboxed and know the pricing, but Verizon Wireless have officially announced that, as of tomorrow, they’ll be offering the DROID Eris by HTC. Basically another version of the HTC Hero, the HTC DROID Eris packs a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel autofocus camera, EVDO Rev.A and the HTC Sense UI.

There’s also a microSD slot – Verizon are popping in an 8GB card as standard – and both GPS and a digital compass. The browser gets Flash Lite for in-page video streaming and there’s all the usual Gmail, Google Maps and other standard Android applications. No Google Maps Navigation, however, as the DROID Eris – unlike the Motorola DROID – doesn’t come with Android 2.0.

As we’ve already heard, it’s the pricing that makes the HTC DROID Eris something of a bargain. Verizon have priced at it at $99.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) and presuming a new, two-year agreement.

[source: Slash Gear]

Manufactured by HTC (and also known as the HTC Desire), the HTC Droid Eris is widely tipped to be the second Android phone to launch on the Verizon Wireless network.

Apparently planned for a November 6th launch alongside the Verizon Motorola Droid, the Droid Eris has somewhat underwhelming specs in comparison to the Moto Droid.

Whilst the exact specs of the Droid Eris are still unknown, the latest batch of leaks reveals that the handset will run Android 1.6 and will feature 528MHz Qualcomm CPU. The Droid Eris also includes a 5 mega-pixel camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Latest reports also suggest that the handset will be priced at just $99, which when compared with the HTC Hero ($180 on Sprint for 2-year contract) seems like a good deal.

The HTC Droid Eris does ofcourse feature the HTC Sense custom Android interface.

[source: Talk Android]