We've been hearing about a 1GHz Snapdragon-based Android handset called the
HTC Dragon ever since the
HD2 came out, but now it looks like some pieces are falling into place -- apparently
this mystery HTC set we spotted over the weekend is a CDMA version of the Dragon headed for Verizon as the HTC Passion sometime in Q4. Apparently Verizon's trying to unify the hardware UI of its Droid lineup, which is why the
Motorola Droid, the
HTC Droid Eris, and the Passion share a set of buttons along the bottom edge of the screen, and some people are also claiming that the white notification bar is further sign of similarity. As for us, well, we'll wait to hear more before we start to get too excited -- and we can't help but wonder if this thing will run Sense or stock Android 2.0 when it hits, as
HTC's big new ad push is all about personalization. Still, it's looking like a hell of a year for Android (and Verizon), no?
posted October 26th 2009 12:21PM
Am I the only one who thinks (and apparently noticed) the "Touch the android to begin." text it's WAAAY ackward ???
This is just to get us used to the idea. All Engadget readers will be touching androids in the future, trust me.
Yeah it`s just you and the 1,000 other people who already said that
what happend to tmobiles plan to remain the premier android carrier in the us!
I thought they wanted to be the first.
You know, like Keyhu up there. Only T-Mobile didn't fail...
T-mobile currently has 2 android devices. The G1 and the myTouch 3G. Now the Motorola Cliq is coming out very soon. Then they are coming out with the myTouch 3G Fender Edition adding the Samsung Galaxy variant to the end. That comes to a total of 5 Android devices. Yes the myTouch's are the same design, different fixings. So I would say T-mobile still is the premier android carrier. All these phones should come out by years end.
T Mobile may be the premier carrier, however if you've seen the Cliq its pretty cheap. The G1 isn't much better. Both have crappy processors in them and while I can't speak for the Cliq the G1's performance sucks. The phones on T Mobile all seem to feel like low end phones. Whether or not the Passion will be any better? Who knows.
However my world for an android phone with a 1Ghz snapdragon, a real keyboard, and a 3.5" or dare I think it a 4" screen.
I would equate premier with having the premier handsets. Not the most...
So is this the Passion of the Droid? It sacrificed its battery life so that you too could live with a thin form factor.
Sorry. I'm Christian but I'm also a geek. The geek won out today. :P
@PEOPLE
Stop saying that VERIZON will cripple these phones.
They haven't cripple any phones in the past year or so, for example imagio and tp2 are COMPLETELY UNCRIPPLED.
Thanks you.
It'll be running stock Android. Note the Google logo on the back. You'll notice that on the Droid, and not on the Cliq. From the nytimes article (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/google-expect-18-android-phones-by-years-end/) posted http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/google-at-least-18-android-phones-coming-this-year/ a while ago:
"These phones Google calls “The Google Experience.” They are physically distinguishable by the “Google” logo on the phone. "
Google Experience does not equal stock Android.
Sprint HTC Hero is a Google experience phone and it has Sense UI.
Agree with Alex. I still think this is a stock Android install because of the white notification bar, but there's a ton of misinformation floating around about what a "Google Experience" phone is. Google doesn't limit what you're allowed to put onto a Google Experience phone, they merely limit your ability to cripple it by locking out the Android Market.
Google Experience just means that you've shelled out some extra cash for branding and agreed that the Android Market will never be locked out. Other than that, it's the same as any other Android agreement and there's no limit on how many features you are allowed to add to it.
It's funny that a lot of people are complaining about the looks of the phone....when most will end up putting a skin or silicone case on it anyways.
Does anyone know if Verizon will force consumers to get the data plan for these "droid" devices like they do with Blackberry, or will customers be able to just use the Wi-fi?
You have to get a data plan with all smart phones or at least get the email plan.
Does anyone know if Verizon will force consumers to get the data plan for these "droid" devices like they do with Blackberry, or will customers be able to just use the Wi-fi?
It's a smartphone and Verizon (and the other 3) require data plans on all smartphones.
This actually makes me very happy. I love the iPhone, but hate AT&T so I refuse to buy one. I have tried a lot of similar smart phones and just never found one that I like enough to totally invest in. I've also been a Verizon customer for years with no plans on switching, so to see an option like the Dragon (or Passion, or whatever they end up calling it) become a possible reality is great great news!
http://www.abetterstay.com/blog/
I've spent the last couple of months researching for the perfect Android device with which to DITCH Verizon when my contract ends in Feb '10. Looks like there's a good chance I might just end up staying...
And why wouldnt you with the 2 best android devices coming out on verizon... Not to mention the call quality and reliable 3G.
Ok so Engadget didn't feel like posting my first long winded reply, so I'm going to summarize it:
Verizon charges "taxes," separate from the real government based taxes. Will bring a $40 plan with no extras (like I have) up to 65-70 each month.
However, all current carriers suck. They all currently need to step things up.
I guess that extra money is why customer service in store has so far been good, but I don't usually need to go to the store.
Sweet. Now everyone please no more comments on the HD2 posts about : "if it only had Android".
this thing over the Droid, no question. I don't need a physical keyboard. Nor do I need gold accents. Nor do I need an 8-track player... but now I've gone too far, haven't I?
Again how do you know maybe they were saying that because it was just RUMORS and now they have a solid info leak. People crack me up saying stuff like this sitting at home in front a computer like they have exclusive rights to Htc info before it gets out so if you dont why should we take your word over engadget,phonearena and the others when those sources would obviously get info before the general public.
600MHz (ARM Cortex A8) vs Snapdragon 1GHZ FIGHT!
You mean 600MHz (ARM Cortex A8) + 430 MHz GPU + Photo Processor vs Snapdragon 1GHZ FIGHT!
I just want to get rid of my vzw LG Dare.. so bad I almost switched to sprint for the Hero.. glad I waited, but I'm not going to wait much longer. While this phone would be nice, the Shoals or 'Droid', is looking mighty attractive as well.
Any word on how the screen size on this (Passion) compares to the Shoals?
I dont know much about these android phones... All I know is if Verizon doesnt get the Iphone soon.... GOOD BYE
Verizon doesn't need the iPhone with these Android phones coming out. Nor does Verizon need you to be their customer.
So it looks like................goodbye to you.
Apparently Verizon is losing a lot of business to the iPhone so I'd say they do need it, or a phone that is able compete.
iPhone was cool a year or 2 ago. Now people want android devices and multiple programs running at once. And they also want a reliable network.
Believe me I switched from verizon to AT&T a couple of years ago. It wasnt long before I abandoned that sinking ship and came back to verizon.
But ya, if you're set on an iPhone, go for it, we wont miss you much ;)
Jim, you just don't know much .
"Apparently Verizon's trying to unify the hardware UI of its Droid lineup, which is why the Motorola Droid, the HTC Droid Eris, and the Passion share a set of buttons along the bottom edge of the screen"
Not true. The Menu key on this rumored HTC Passion and on the Motorola Droid is one horizontal line with some shorter horizontal lines below. On the HTC Droid Eris it is labeled "MENU". Also, the Back key on the Motorola Droid is an arrow turning 180 degrees, while on the HTC Passion and HTC Droid Eris the arrow is turning less than 90 degrees. There is no indication that Verizon is trying to unify the hardware buttons of its Android phones. If anything, it seems like makers of Android phones are gradually settling on a unified set of labels for their buttons. Look at the Sprint HTC Hero. It has the same button labeling as the HTC Droid Eris, and except for the menu button, the same as this supposed HTC Passion.
"and some people are also claiming that the white notification bar is further sign of similarity"
You are kidding me, right? The Android notification bar IS white. What this indicates is a perhaps a lack of HTC Sense, but even that is uncertain as HTC Sense can plausibly be customized to have a white notification bar.
Dude can you read. Hardware ui , button layout is a different thing from button labeling and the sprint hero has nothing in common but the button labeling and they were just talking about the 4 buttons being under the display and since all the android phones vzw is displaying have the same pattern its safe to say they are trying to unify the hardware ui.
Do when is Verizon going to announce why the crippled all the interesting and fun features of this phone in the name of "Network Security?"
damnit engadget. I was all set on the Sholes/Droid until you post this up.
Now I'm all confused about what to get. Get Droid at the end of the month or wait for this "passion"?
I hope they get the HD2 as well...that's the one I want!
This is Q4 2010 that is being talked about, right?
WHY????
Why CDMA... I wan't GSM
I'm scared that if I touch the Android, Chris Hansen will pop up and take me away.
I hate ATT, where's our Android? Oh yeah we have the iPhone, like nobody wants anything else...nice plan ATT. Verizon is looking better all the time, good thing my contract is up with ATT
@zole2112 it seems to be a pretty good plan. they sold 7.4 million iphones last quarter
Man I would really like this over the droid but i don't know if I can wait.
I don't work for Google or anything - and I can't say I've actually used the device, but I have seen it in person. Anyone questioning how this device looks - I can assure you these pics don't really do it a lot of justice.
I will be first to say that it's not quite as "poppy" as the iPhone in terms of style, but it's a very good looking phone - the silvery parts aren't dull as they may appear in the photo, but are relatively vibrant...
That's all I can say from what I've seen.
I want it!