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Verizon Wireless and Motorola Mobility announced the availability of the Droid 3 by Motorola, which sports a dual-core 1GHz processor, full QWERTY keyboard and Google’s Android 2.3 “Gingerbread” operating system. The handsets will be available online and through Verizon Wireless Communication Stores by July 14 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
The Droid 3 also features an 8-megapixel camera capable of recording in 1080p HD video, a 4-inch HD display and 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities, with the ability to connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices. In addition, mirror mode allows users to view and share photos, videos and movies on a larger TV via HDMI output (an HDMI cable is required).
Also included with the Droid 3 are advanced security policies, device and SD card encryption, complex password support, remote data wipe of device and SD cards, and document and presentation viewing and editing with Quickoffice.
In addition, Citrix GoToMeeting for Android gives users the ability to attend online meetings while on the go, and Citrix Receiver for Android, a universal software client, allows companies to deliver corporate apps, desktops and data to any corporate- or employee-owned device. Rounding out the package is Adobe Flash Player 10 capability, a front-facing camera for still shots and video chat, and ESP smart dock technology.
Customers who purchase a Droid 3 will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package, according to Verizon. New Verizon customers will have the option of smartphone plans starting at $30 for 2GB of data, and current Verizon smartphone customers who are upgrading their smartphone can keep their current data plan.
Starting this week, Verizon smartphone users will begin to receive free text message alerts when their data usage crosses thresholds of 50 percent, 75 percent, 90 percent, 100 percent and 110 percent of their data plans’ monthly allowances. Customers who are registered with My Verizon, the online account management tool, may also request email alerts and can add up to three additional email addresses to receive the notifications. Plus, My Verizon users have the option of suppressing the 50 percent and 75 percent alerts. Email alerts for the same threshold levels are already available to tablet, netbook, PC card and Mobile Broadband device customers on usage-based plans.
Customers can check data usage by dialing #DATA and pressing “Send” from Verizon Wireless phones to receive a free text message with the information, monitor data usage directly from their handsets via My Verizon Mobile or online through My Verizon, learn about common features and activities that utilize data, and determine estimated total monthly data usage using the Data Usage Calculator.
Customers with data plans can download a Data Usage Widget to most Android smartphones, BlackBerry devices and tablets. The widget tracks usage with a glance at the phone screen and with one click connects to the customer’s My Verizon Mobile account. Verizon has also developed a series of video guides that offer tips for customers on how to manage their wireless lives.