Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:59 am
Verizon Wireless said the Motorola Droid -- its highly-anticipated answer to the iPhone -- will offer navigation software from Google and go on sale next week for $200.
The Basking Ridge, N.J.-based carrier said the Droid runs Google's Android 2.0 operating system, offering a new mapping application that has voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, satellite imagery and high-resolution photos of the streets.
The free program, called Google Maps Navigation, poses a direct challenge to GPS device makers Garmin and TomTom.
Additional features include a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, large 3.7-inch touch screen display, high-speed Internet with Flash support and a 5.0-megapixel camera with DVD-quality video recorder.
"We have to demystify the notion that iPhone's untouchable," said John Stratton, Verizon's Chief Marketing Officer. "This product can stand up and compete."
The Droid is seen as its last hope to revive Motorola. After losing ground to rivals for more than two years, the struggling company reorganized its entire mobile business around the development of Google's Android.
Verizon said the Motorola Droid will go on sale for $200 with a two-year contract beginning November 6.
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