"DROID...."

"DROID..." a little sound I've grown accustomed to in the past two months as I've enjoyed reviewing Verizon's DROID X mobile phone by Motorola. Remember my post about Verizon's Hap-appy Holidays event hosted by Indy's Queen of Free? Here's what I've grown to love and love some more about this fun device. (Please know that I did not receive any money for this review, and these are my genuine thoughts on the subject...)

I wouldn't call myself a tech-savvy gal by any measure. I mentioned before that I don't even text on my personal cell phone plan...mostly to cut corners and save $. I have, however, found that it's extremely easy to become quite the "techie" in the first few minutes of hanging out with this phone. Here are some of my favorite uses...

1. I can tether my new netbook to the DROID's 3G mobile hotspot....anytime, ANYWHERE. Seriously, folks...I used this puppy all the way from Indianapolis to Raleigh, NC. I was in the hills, mountains, and valleys...with a signal :)

2. the Swype feature is seriously intuitive and much speedier for me to text and update my facebook status with just the drag of my finger on a touchscreen.

3. The Android apps are endless. A few of my favorites have been Google Sky Map, Slice It! (for those of you who wish to work your brain), any of the preschooler games from Five Pumpkins, such as their interactive alphabet flashcards, the infamous Angry Birds, and I would literally be lost without Verizon's VZ Navigator.

4. The phone's camera is 8 mega-pixels awesome. I was able to leave the Nikon at home on quick trips with the kiddos, and it was very handy to snag HD video of my boys, like when my 4 month-old rolled from back to belly and over again for the first time!

*here's a little shot of my cutie eating his first cereal, taken with the DROID X

5. Browsing stores online during Black Friday and after Christmas was much easier with Android apps. Amazon.com, American Eagle Outfitters, and Etsy are several sites who have set up their navigation to be tailored to this phone. I could even manage my etsy shop from the Etsy for Android app.

6. the DROID X comes with a charger cable that includes a USB plug within ...making it easier to keep track of only one cable to charge the phone AND upload pics to my PC.

The DROID X is definitely the networking device. While I love the ability to stay connected from virtually anywhere, I found the phone itself to be awkward. Because the DROID X has such a large touch screen (4.3 inches), it's not as comfortable to hold up to your ear for an old-fashioned phone call. The speaker phone option is very good, or if you're a blue tooth kind of talker, these are quick fixes. The large screen makes it difficult to operate the device one-handed, and a DEFINITE no-no to operate while driving (...so Oprah got one thing right...)

Overall, I would fully recommend the DROID X. I've really enjoyed using it and will have to gracefully battle withdrawl for a bit once I pack her up to ship back :) BUT, stay tuned...The Queen of Free and I are traveling to Blissdom 2011 at the end of the month, and I will have lots to report! You can now follow me on Twitter @CreativeAriel

Happy New Year!