Camera

Most smartphones had 3.0-megapixel cameras when the original Droid came out and impressed shoppers with a 5.0-megapixel camera. Since then, other phones have kept up and more and more have a 5.0-megapixel or stronger camera. The Droid line has continued to keep up and ahead of the pack with 8.0-megapixel cameras on the Droid X and the Droid Incredible.

Before taking a photo, users have a list of settings to pick from, including resolution choices of widescreen, large, medium, small and very small. Rotate, crop and tag options are available after an image is taken, and advanced editing options include resizing, adjusting color and saturation, changing brightness, adding effects (black and white, blue, green, red, lomo, oil painting, solarize, negative, and sepia), adding text, flipping the image, and adding a stamp or frame to the image. These are all pretty standard options for a smartphone -- there's nothing unusual or groundbreaking here.

The phone's camcorder has resolution choices available in 720 by 480 pixels, 640 by 480 pixels, 352 by 288 pixels, 320 by 240 pixels and 176 by 144 pixels. Users can tag the video and, once it's shot, cut it into a shorter clip, remove audio, or add a title to the clip. These options are rare and always appreciated on a smartphone, especially when some phones don't have any video editing options and very few allow someone to extract part of a clip or shorten a video.

The Droid 2 has a good, but not exceptional, camera. The camera is weaker on this model than on other recent Droid models, and its power is comparable to many other smartphones these days. The phone's real strength is in the camcorder, which takes quality footage and has editing options not available on most phones.

Basic Features

The Droid 2, like the Droid X before it, has Google integration. That means there's a Google browser. The phone can integrate a Gmail account, along with other email accounts, into the phone. The same goes for Google and Exchange calendars, which are integrated into the phone so any items added to the calendar at another location, like on a laptop, will appear on the phone, and vice-versa.

The phone also has access to Google maps and a navigation system that offers turn-by-turn directions.

The Android 2.2 platform allows for all this integration and also allows for social networking information to appear and update instantly, and pools all contact information from social networking and email accounts into the phones contact system without the phone owner doing anything.

The 1-gigahertz processor and combined 16-gigabytes of memory available through the phone and memory card make for a speedy experience and offers lots of space for extra downloads.

The Droid 2 has some unique features, like the Kindle book reader application and a physical QWERTY keypad, which is new for the Droid line. Plus, it has VCAST Media Manager, which is a Verizon service that allows people to organize their media files from their phone or on a computer, and the phone has live video chat via Skype Mobile.

It also has what are becoming increasingly common smartphone features like a 5.0-megapixel camera and the ability to see webpages as they look on a computer. The phone's Flash capabilities ensure this is the case.

The Droid 2 has lots of memory, one of the fastest processors out there, Google integration and something new for Droids -- a keyboard. Features like Skype Mobile and Kindle may appeal to some buyers, but they'll have to be important enough to someone to offset the bulky shape of the phone, the mid-range camera, and the mid-range size of the screen.

Screen

The HTC HD2 and the Droid X are screen-driven phones. They justify their size, 4.3 inches, by offering some of the biggest screens on the market and saying they'll offer a better typing and video-streaming experience.

The screen isn't monstrous, but it is high quality. It offers 480 by 854 pixel resolution and supports up to 16 million colors, which is amazing, considering not too long ago 262,000 colors was considered mid-range.

The screen's seven main panels help organize all the services available on the phone, and navigating through screens is pretty simple. The touch screen system is also easy to figure out, but the phone isn't ultra-responsive, and sometimes it takes a few tries to get the phone to accomplish the intended task.

The Droid 2 has a visually appealing screen, but it's size, which would be appealing a year ago, is no longer a big draw. The touch screen technology is simple to figure out, but could stand to be more sensitive.

Audio

The Droid X had a slight flaw in its volume control. The phone never got too loud. But the Droid 2, some could argue, gets too loud. There are several volume options, ranging from quiet to very loud, and sound is distributed evenly thanks to a back panel speaker that is arranged in a horizontal strip across the back.

Given its placement, it's hard to cover up if the phone is held vertically, but anyone using the keypad or who has placed the phone on its back may experience some muffling.

The phone doesn't pick up audio well when recording video, unless the sound is made close to the phone. That's a common flaw in phone camcorders, but it's still annoying.

The Droid 2 is plenty loud, but can also be quiet, providing for a range of listening options. Anyone wanting to keep sound to themselves can use the 3.5 mm headset jack, but they'll have to buy the headset, because it doesn't come with the phone. Don't expect much from recorded audio, unless subjects are close to the microphone.

Messaging

The Droid 2 has plenty of integrated messaging features. Users can have emails delivered instantly to the phone from Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL, and other POP3 and IMAP4 email accounts. The phone also has QuickOffice, so users can access Microsoft Office services with ease.

Social networking is also integrated into the phone, with the power to have Twitter, Facebook and MySpace updates delivered instantly to the phone in a panel designed for social networking. The panel can get a bit crowded, so people will have to check this panel often. Users can also type updates for these sites through the same panel.

Contact information will be gleaned from social networking sites and email accounts and built into the phone's contact list.

The phone also integrates corporate and Google calendar items. The phone doesn't have instant messaging, which is becoming more and more passé anyway, so it's becoming a less prominent feature on non-BlackBerry smartphones.

The phone supports text and multimedia messaging. It's best to use the physical keypad, because novices may have a difficult time figuring out how to make the touch screen keypad appear.

None of the above features are rare for smartphones, but the Droid 2 and the Droid X are set apart by having Skype Mobile, which allows users to video chat with other Skype users. It's a handier system than the Apple-made video chat system on the iPhone4, which requires people to have an iPhone FaceTime account to use the system, while Skype users can just have a computer. Plus, users that already have a Skype account for their computer won't have to learn a new system and come up with a new account name.

The Droid 2 has all the common features plus a bonus -- Skype. It helps give the phone an edge over the iPhone 4, although video-shy Blackberry Messenger fans may not want to switch to a Droid if they're attached to instant messaging.

Entertainment

As with most phones, the Droid 2 is what people make of it when it comes to entertainment. The Android Market offers thousands of applications for sale, and the phone's sizable memory stores allow people to stack up plenty of entertaining diversions on the phone.

The market is getting better, but isn't as big as Apple's store, and the market offerings don't go through the approval process required of iPhone applications, so quality is somewhat unchecked. Still, there are plenty of good offerings, and there are a variety of applications available, from games to stock tickers.

The phone comes stocked with a demo version of Need for Speed Shift, a racing game, news and weather feeds, and places to store, sort, upload (from a computer) and download music from the Amazon MP3 store. It also has Blockbuster On Demand and a Kindle application.

The Kindle feature is unique and an interesting touch because it allows people to read books on the phone without investing in a Kindle device. The Blockbuster application is less impressive. It brings movies onto the phone, but users have to wait for them to download.

Netflix provides a similar movie service for iPhone 4, and the Netflix system allows people to stream videos so they can see them sooner. People may pick the newest iPhone for this service, whereas the Blockbuster service is available on several phones, even out of the Droid line, so it's not unique.

The Droid 2 has options for bringing more entertainment to the phone and for getting movies, but the iPhone 4 has the Droid 2 beat on delivery of both these services. Its advantage in the "unique" department is the Kindle service, which allows people to curl up with a digital novel.

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Internet

The Droid 2, like the Droid X, can act as a 3G hot spot for up to five other Wi-Fi enabled devices, including laptops. The Droid 2 can connect to the Web through a Wi-Fi connection or a 3G connection, and the 1-gigahertz processor makes for a speedy Web-surfing experience every time.

The Droid X also has a 1-gigahertz processor, same as the iPhone 4 and HTC Evo, which are all at the top end of the range of processor speeds on smartphones today.

Because of its integrated Google features, including integrated Google calendar, email, contacts and maps, it doesn't take a far leap to deduce the phone has a Google browser. This makes for a familiar browsing experience, and each Web page appears as it would on a computer, thanks to HTML and Flash support from Adobe Flash Player 10.1, which is a newer model than what most peers can boast.

Few problems have been reported about the Droid 2's internet experience. It's easy to see why. The phone has a speedy processor that sits atop the processor range, along with some other smartphones, and the Google system is easy to understand.

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Storage

The Droid 2 has 8-gigabytes of internal storage and 8-gigabytes available through the built-in microSD memory card. That's a decent chunk of space, but the microSD card built into the Droid 2 has half the capacity of the one built into the Droid X and the iPhone 4 can have 16- to 32-gigabytes of memory. To be fair, the Droid 2 can expand to 40-gigabytes of memory with a 32-gigabyte memory card, but that requires buying another card.

The Droid 2, like most heavy-duty smartphones with lots of storage space, doesn't have the best battery life. Verizon's website hasn't pinpointed battery life estimates yet, but expect to charge this phone on a daily basis, depending on use.

There's lots of room for storage on the Droid 2. But it can be too much of a good thing, and will take a toll on battery life.

Connectivity

The Droid 2 connects to computers via a microUSB cable, has a 3.5mm headset jack for private music sessions, and connects to Bluetooth devices that can push emails, control audio and video, push calendar items, access messages and a phone book, connect to internet and use devices like joysticks and keyboards remotely.

The phone is also integrated with a variety of messaging and Google services and supports GPS, integrated email, and integrated calendar sync. It also has integrated contact and calendar services that put Google and corporate calendar items on the phone and compile contact information based on what information users put in the phone as well as information from email and social network accounts.

There was quite a stink made when the iPhone 4 was found to have signal problems. Media attention may return to the topic with the Droid 2, which some users have found signal problems with the phone. Unlike the iPhone 4, which had issues when people held the phone a certain way, Droid 2 users are sometimes having signal issues without even touching the phone.

The Droid 2 helps users stay connected to the Web, other devices and other people. It offers all the essentials for Bluetooth users, and the basics expected of a smartphone for connecting to a computer. Signal problems could be an issues, but integrated calendar and contact services are appreciated.

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Conclusion

The Droid 2 has a number of strengths. It's unique in the Droid line for its physical keypad and the Kindle digital book-reader feature. It's in a small group of smartphones that has Skype Mobile, the ability to act as a 3G hotspot, Swype predictive text technology, room for up to 40-gigabytes of storage, and the power and speed of a 1-gigahertz processor.

It's not as rare, but the Droid 2 can also be commended for integrating a variety of email accounts, social networking sites and corporate and Google calendars, plus Google services and navigation help from Google Maps Navigation and VZ Navigator.

Where the Droid 2 could improve is its camera. It's colleagues the Droid X and Droid Incredible moved forward to an 8.0-megapixel camera, so why didn't the Droid 2? The phone takes quality video, but doesn't pick up audio well when recording, and the images are sharp but could look better with 8.0-megapixel strength.

Skype Mobile is a more accessible video chat system than Apple's FaceTime, but the iPhone 4 has the Droid 2 beat when it comes to delivering movies. The Netflix system and its streaming technology is better than the sit and wait for a download system offered to Droid 2 users by Blockbuster.

Motorola Droid 2

Storage is a plus for the Droid 2, but all those downloads the phone can handle will take a toll on the battery, so be prepared to plug the phone in frequently for a charge as the phone fills up. The phone is well-connected with Bluetooth support, it's internet is fast, and there are plenty of messaging options, but the screen might as well be bigger given the bulky design, and, although there are lot of entertainment options, the Android Market is still catching up to the Apple store of numerous and creative iPhone applications.

Those looking for the greatest camera, the most applications for sale, or streaming video may prefer another Droid model or the iPhone 4. But those seeking a powerful phone with speedy internet, lots of storage space, a great video chat system and a keypad to complement the phone's touch screen technology may want to take a look at the Droid 2.

Product Specifications

Technical
Network:	CDMA 800 / 1900
Form Factor:	Slide / Google Android OS v2.2
Dimensions:	116 x 61 x 14 mm
Weight:	169 g
Antenna:	Internal
Navigation:	Touch Screen (Haptic Feedback) / QWERTY Keypad
Battery Type:	1390 mAh Li-Ion
Talk Time:	9.6 hours
Standby Time:	13.1 days
Memory:	8.0 GB
Expandable Memory:	microSD / TransFlash
Safety
Radiation (SAR):	(1.49 W/kg)
Imaging
Main Screen:	TFT (Accelerometer / Proximity Sensor / Ambient Light Sensor) 16,700,000 colors (480 x 854 px)
External Screen:
Camera:	5.0 MP / Dual LED Flash / Zoom / Auto-Focus / Image Stabilization / Face Detection / Panorama Mode / Geotagging / Video Recorder
Audio
MP3 Player:	VCAST Music / Rhapsody (MP3 / AAC / AAC+ / eAAC+ / WAV)
FM Radio:
Speakerphone:	Dual Microphone (Noise Cancellation)
Push-To-Talk:
Multimedia
Wallpapers:	480 x 854 px
Screen Savers:	480 x 854 px
Ring Tones:	MP3
Themes:
Games:	Android Market
Streaming Multimedia:	VCAST Video / Blockbuster Movies (MPEG-4 / H.263 / H.264 / WMV9 / YouTube)
Messaging
SMS:
EMS:
MMS:
Email:	POP3 / IMAP4 / SMTP / Gmail
Chat:	AOL / Google / Windows Live / Yahoo
Predictive Text:	Swype / Handwriting Recognition

Camera

Where most smartphone cameras, including the one on the Kin One, stop at 5.0-megapixel, the Kin Two has an almost unheard-of 8.0-megapixel camera. Images come out crisp and clear, but not so sharp that one can make out minute details in the photo.

Also pictures can't be edited, only shared or placed somewhere on the phone, once shot and video recorded with the camcorder have no sound and can only be deleted, not edited, once captured.

Settings for the video are high or email quality resolution and auto or night mode. Videos have decent quality, but the camcorder doesn't work well in low light. The night mode function helps this situation, but images only get lighter after they've been focused on for a few seconds, so moving the phone around a lot while recording will produce a poor product at night.

The Kin Two's camera is stronger than the Kin One's and has a better chance of producing bright, colorful images. But the difference isn't that immense, and the settings and editing options, which could use an upgrade, are the same. Also the same is the fact that the camcorder doesn't record audio, which is a poor choice given the technology available on most smartphones.

Basic Features

The Kin Two is made for social networking-crazed teens. Instead of offering just one glimpse at a time of what's going on on Twitter, Facebook or MySpace, as is the case with the Palm Pixi Plus and Motorola Devour, Kin Two users can see a full stretch of updates from these networking sites. The list items are large enough to be easy to read but small enough not to clutter the main screen, where the list appears.

The Kin Loop system integrates any of the above mentioned social networking accounts into the loop, and any older posts can be seen by selecting "more" at the bottom of the list.

Any time a person wants to share a comment on a social site, they can simply type it into a status update line at the top of the main screen. For more complex sharing, there's the Kin Spot.

A person wanting to share a news feed, search result, picture, video or Web page address can simply drag that information down to the spot, which is a dot at the bottom center of the screen, and then drag into the spot the names of contacts the person wants to share that information with.

The spot can be used to send out an item via email or can be uploaded to a social networking site. It's a handy way to do something that would be a more difficult task if performed in the traditional manner on a Web site, given the size of the screen, and works quickly.

The Kin Two also has Kin Studio, which is a back-up system for any information saved on the phone. Information is backed-up in an account at Kin.com, so everything from songs to photos saved on the phone can be accessed remotely if the phone is lost, stolen or damaged.

It has email, text and multimedia messaging, social networking integration, entertainment from Zune, a browser, an 8.0-megapixel camera, an alarm, a news feed reader and settings, help and search sections. It doesn't have a calendar feature, instant messaging, can't read Flash items, and doesn't have the ability to create PDF or Microsoft Office documents.

The Kin Two has most of the basic functions a phone should have, but few extras that will really set it apart on the smartphone market. It's missing plenty of options that business people count on. But given it's demographic, that's probably okay. Social networking is the phone's claim to fame, but don't depend on it for much else.