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Topic: BlackBerry

Verizon announces Motorola Droid Pro to take on RIM BlackBerry devices

Summary: Front facing QWERTY Android devices are rare and today Verizon and Motorola announced the Droid Pro with some impressive specifications and functionality. RIM better watch their back as Android starts to target the business customer.

Matthew Miller

By for Smartphones and Cell Phones |

Verizon Wireless is doing very well with the Droid branding on their Android devices and today they announced their latest device focused on the enterprise user who cannot give up that BlackBerry front facing QWERTY keyboard. The new Droid Pro from Motorola is one of the few front facing QWERTY Android devices, T-Mobile has the recently launched Motorola Charm, and shows that Motorola is serious about using Android to take on RIM. You can check out the hands-on image gallery for a few shots of the actual device.

The Droid Pro looks to be a much better device than the rather childish T-Mobile Motorola Charm with specifications that include:

  • 1 GHZ processor
  • Android 2.2 operating system
  • 3.1 inch touchscreen display
  • 2GB internal memory and microSD card slot (2GB card included)
  • Mobile hotspot capable
  • World phone with support for SIM card usage outside the US
  • 5 megapixel camera with dual LED flash
  • DNLA support via WiFi

Software is integrated to support the business user too, including Quickoffice Mobile Suite, Exchange email, calendar, and contact support, and advanced security features.

The Droid Pro will be available in the coming weeks for an undisclosed price.

Topics: BlackBerry, Hardware, Mobility, Verizon, Wi-Fi

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Talkback

8 comments
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  • Looks nice...

    I'll definitely give this a close look when I get ready to get a droid this fall.
    Techloaded
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Verizon announces Motorola Droid Pro to take on RIM BlackBerry devices

    Other blogs show this to have 8 Gig internal flash memory with an 8 Gig SD card included. I guess we'll see when it shows.
    podstolom
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Verizon announces Motorola Droid Pro to take on RIM BlackBerry devices

    I wonder how close this thing will get to the days and days of battery life (not just the physical keyboard) that many Blackberry users love.
    allargon
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Verizon announces Motorola Droid Pro to take on RIM BlackBerry devices

      @allargon There is a reported 1,860mAh extended talk battery for that very reason. I am completely excited about this, save for that it isn't on AT&T (contracted with them). Android and the Blackberry form factor is perfection. Especially Froyo.
      AliensWanted
      Reply Vote

  • Still contains the standard adware

    VCast Backup Assistant, City ID, etc. so its a non-starter for me. Also has Moto Blur "lite" so it still isn't vanilla Android. I'm starting to wonder if we'll see a vanilla gingerbread model...
    JT82
    Reply Vote

  • Yawn

    I guess all it takes is slapping on a keyboard and it's enterprise ready.<br><br>"Advanced security features" - that is a joke, Google is supporting the basic of basic Exchange ActiveSync policy. Password Enforcement, timeout and remote wipe. WhipdeeFndee.<br><br>Until any of these "enterprise" devices, yes including iPhone have anything close to RIM's BES it's not even a discussion. We disabled EAS 2 years ago and have zero plans to ever support it again. Micosoft has done nothing to improve EAS in 4 years and unless you work at some company with little to no security or is dirt cheap about mobility this is a non factor to enterprise. <br><br>It's lone hope is they work with something like Good Technology but last I checked their cost was significant more then RIM's BES (which is actually free if you don't need uber security) so what CIO is going to approve spending MORE to support a device that gives you LESS security?<br><br>So tired of crap enterprise support from vendors. Stick to consumers and leave the FUD at the door. When you can provide true enterprise intergration and security we'll be first in line.
    MobileAdmin
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Verizon announces Motorola Droid Pro to take on RIM BlackBerry devices

      @MobileAdmin
      You said it. I use BB because the email push response time is lightening fast, compared to any competition I have yet seen. I'm a personal user - BIS in my case. Getting emails pushed in a timely manner keeps me loyal to BlackBerry. If, on the other hand, Android came up with an secure email push system that rivaled BIS for speed, I might be more inclined to shop around.
      rhuston@...
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Verizon announces Motorola Droid Pro to take on RIM BlackBerry devices

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