Android is Linux. It is has all of the standard Linux libraries and systems you would expect, there are even a few apps to get a command terminal right on the phone.

The programs it runs however are not native Linux programs in the traditional sense. They are written in Java and interact with the phone through Google-created APIs that isolate the software from the actual hardware. The idea being that software doesn't need to be tailored to each individual handset, but rather the APIs handle each phone's specific features and capabilities.

I went to the Ver$zon store last Friday and I played a bit with the phone... I had like 3 sales people come up to me and ask if I needed help. I really liked it but the problem is that I just got a Blackberry since Ver$zon couldn't give me any information when they were going to release a Droid phone. I'll try to sell my Blackberry and then perhaps get the Droid.

Yeah I think that happened to a lot of people. I first heard about the Droid in June, so I had been trying to tell all my friends to hold off on upgrading their phones as long as they could so they would be eligible for the Droid.

I could have upgraded my line in August, but I kept the old phone because there was no way I was getting anything else when the Droid was so close to release.

wow yeah I know... I remember calling Verizon many times but my phone was just a piece of garbage (M$crosoft Mobile OS) that figures! lol I'll try to get rid of this BB and get a Droid...

I'm gaining much interest in making Droid my next phone. I haven't seen it 1st hand yet, but I'm planning to first chance I get. Has anyone here purchased it, and what are your objective thoughts? How does it stand up to iPhone?

I hate how they limit phones to one carrier. I have both an att iphone and tmobiles g1 i want the motorola droid but i refuse to use verizon again. I went from having no service anywhere to everywhere. So att runs new england. So im just hoping the droid gets a gsm version. With unlock for att sim and capable 3g cause im bord with my 3gs and macs patent bullsh*t were when i buy a dvd on itunes and there software fails on my phone i have to hope i made a back up of all my new music etc.

I walked into a Verizon "Go Wireless" store a week after introduction (November 13) and had no trouble getting a Droid right on the spot. It is easily the fastest phone I have ever had, but not the best with a keyboard. The touch keyboard that appears has a light touch but it is easy to type the wrong letter or number - and you have to press an ABC or 123 key to toggle between letters and numbers. The phone does come up with a larger phone keypad and that is just fine.

I've seen criticism of the phone side of things, but to me it is fine. The larger criticism is the keyboard, both the touch and the very small physical keyboard. The physical keyboard is really small, though the feel is OK. It is necessary to hold the Alt key with the physical keyboard to type numbers. Like some erratic laptop keyboards, I've had the physical keyboard abruptly jump to some other function without intentionally doing so.

Keyboards are the biggest issue. Navigation could be better; that would probably be the second criticism.

Positives: very good performance; good ability to connect to the Internet in a variety of ways. If wireless is available it can be fast, as fast as the wireless network you can find. 3G access is fine too, and so is satellite GPS access and location finding services.

Definitely the fastest phone I've had. The Blackberry 7520 had the best keyboard; the LG enV (first edition) had the most compact form factor of the phones I've owned. The Motorola Droid is slightly smaller than the Blackberry 7520, which was big, three times as thick and slightly longer and wider. The Droid is slim, easily fits in my shirt or jacket pocket, and with a plastic screen cover, it is convenient to use it from a pocket. I like this phone easily more than any other I've had and FINALLY after a DECADE of looking it is a Linux based (Google Android) phone that I can both afford and actually use.

They are all interesting.

It's true))