Further to our reports several days ago that the Motorola Milestone - formerly known as the Droid - would be arriving on 7 December, it's been confirmed that online retailer eXpansys will get an exclusive on the phone until the end of the year.

Previously, retailers Clove and Super eTrader were listing the handset as available for preorder, but Clove has now taken its page for the device offline, suggesting this represents a last-minute deal that eXpansys has made with Motorola. Super eTrader's page for the handset remains online, claiming "stock due 7 December".

eXpansys has bumped up the price for the handset - Super eTrader was offering it for ?425, and Clove had the handset for ?401, but eXpansys is charging a whopping- ?450. Delivery costs an additional ?6.61. It's being offered SIM-free and unlocked, and the exclusivity means that it won't be available bundled with a contract until early in the new year.

We've already posted a full review of the US variant of the handset, which is identical in everything but name. We rated it 9/10, praising the docking station, the ease of setup and the sheer list of tech specs. Stay tuned for more info on network deals, which we'll reveal as soon as we get them.

UPDATE: Treeman has pointed out in the comments that if you put the handset into the basket, you get the option of an 18-month ?35/m T-Mobile contract. The phone itself costs ?50 if you do things that way. We're trying to get in touch with T-Mobile to find out whether this deal will be offered on its site too.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Android Motorola Milestone Motorola Droid

Motorola Milestone exclusive to Expansys originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:23:11 +0000

The Motorola Milestone, the non-Verizon variant of the Droid by Motorola, has seen an online UK retailer put the new, high-end handset up for pre-order.

If SuperETrader is to be believed, we can expect the Milestone to touchdown in the UK on 7 December with a ?439-shaped wedge of cash required to take one home.

For that price, the site is offering the device unlocked and SIM-free, in black, with next-day delivery charged at an extra ?7.99.

We've previously asked Motorola when we might see the launch of the Android-based phone in the UK.

A Motorola spokesperson said: "We've not yet announced availability of this device in other markets, but look forward to continuing to expand our Android-based portfolio around the world".

The Motorola Milestone has launched on O2 in Germany, suggesting the operator may offer the mobile here too. We will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Clove is also offering the Milestone on pre-order for 7 December, priced at just over ?401. Thanks to Tom for the tip.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Droid Motorola Milestone Android Rumours SuperETrader Clove

Motorola Milestone up for £439 UK pre-order originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:32:08 +0000

Google has announced that all handsets running Android 1.6 will now be able to get?Google Maps Navigation?for free.

The news, which was announced on Monday, opens up the free GPS software beyond the Android 2.0 operating system and currently the only handset available, the?Droid by Motorola.

The new release, which aims to take on services from TomTom, Garmin and Navigon will, as long as you have a data connection, let you route your way around the US using the same Google Maps functionality, however, with a more traditional style GPS experience.

The release also includes the new Layers feature, which lets you overlay geographical information on the map. View My Maps, transit lines, Wikipedia articles about places, and more says Google.

If you have a phone running Android 1.6, you can download an updated version of Google Maps from Android Market to use Navigation today.

Android 1.6 phones in the US currently include the T-Mobile mytouch 3G,?the G1 and the HTC Tattoo, as well as the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. However handsets like the HTC Hero, Droid Eris, Samsung Moment and the Samsung Behold II all run Android 1.5 so won't be getting the new feature.

Google Maps Navigation is in beta and is currently available in the United States.

Some features of Android 2.0 are not available on Android 1.6, for example, the ability to use the "navigate to" voice command as shown in our demo video.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone apps Android Google Google Maps Navigation GPS Samsung HTC T-Mobile mytouch 3G T-Mobile G1 with Google mobile phone Car And GPS Sony Ericsson Motorola

Google Maps Navigation comes to Android 1.6 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:58:52 +0000

A new Motorola handset has emerged from the mists of the Internet as an as-yet-unconfirmed coming-soon Android device.

The Motorola "Motus", said to be due an official announcement in early 2010, has been spotted in this oh-so-blurry spy shot sent into an Android fan site.

Looking a little like the new DEXT, or CLIQ depending on which side of the pond you're on, the Motus is said to offer a 3.1-inch HVGA screen, a 5-megapixel camera with flash, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS and run Android 1.5 with the Motoblur interface.

Design-wise the handset gets a reverse flip keyboard and a rear directional touchpad adding serious weight to CellPassion's speculation it could launch as the "Backflip" a name recently registered in the EU by Motorola.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Android Motorola Motus Motorola Backflip Rumours

Motorola Motus emerges originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:05:01 +0000

Google has published the source code of Android 2.0 - the next version of its operating system, and the one that appears on the recently-released Motorola Droid. Until now, only Motorola and HTC had access to the source, but Google has just opened it up for everyone.

The software update features multiple email accounts, exchange support, new address book functionality, a combined inbox, better search, an improved camera, an improved keyboard, a better browser, and more useful calendar, as well as Bluetooth 2.1, better media playback, and more options for developers.

Hackers have already ported the update over to the G1, the very first Android handset to be released. The team behind the port - Cyanogen - said that the handset runs "really well, fast and smooth" with the 2.0 software. They haven't yet got audio/video playback working, but it's likely not to be far away.

For those unwilling to hack their handsets, though, you'll need to wait for a patch from your phone manufacturer. Expect one to be on the way - we'll let you know when they're released.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Google Android HTC Motorola Operating Systems G1

Android 2.0 source code appears originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:34:56 +0000

A user at gadget teardown site iFixit by the name of Dr. Wreck, has decided that what he really wants to do with his shiny new Motorola Droid smartphone is to rip it apart, exposing its silicon underbelly for the benefit of gawping tech geeks on the Web.

According to the site, the handset was "quite a handful to take apart, having a multitude of hidden screws and latches". Unfortunately there weren't any secret messages or infrared QR codes, though. Most notable was that the QWERTY is slid out by two simple rails embedded in the screen chunk of the device.

Dr Wreck's been handed $300 for his time and dedicated effort - which we suspect he'll spend on a new Droid. For more images, head over to the full teardown on iFixit.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Droid Android iFixit

Motorola Droid gets ripped apart originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:54:30 +0000

Today sees the sales kick off for the Droid by Motorola on the Verizon network in the States.?

Those that signed up for more info have received the above mailer with the somewhat quirky message as follows:

"The phone that makes you feel like a four star general with natural charisma, twelve arms and the power of mind control is here and ready to serve".

We'll keep you posted with any sales stats that are revealed and, as ever, we're on the case with news of a UK launch.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Verizon Motorola Droid

Droid by Motorola goes on sale in the States originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:40:31 +0000

We've been doing a little bit of digging to find out who, in the UK, will be offering Motorola's forthcoming Droid handset. The Android 2.0-sporting QWERTY slider scored a whopping 9/10 in its Pocket-lint review, but given that it's supposed to be due on Friday in the States, we're not seeing any sign of the handset in Britain.

We gave all the UK operators a call to find out exactly whether any of them were planning on stocking the device. O2 told us that it wasn't going to be selling the handset, despite its German wing selling it as the "Milestone". 3 said the same thing - there are no current plans to offer the handset at this time.

T3 spoke to Nicola Shenton, head of handset and device marketing at T-Mobile UK, who told the magazine that the company had tested the phone, but passed it up. We also talked to Orange and Vodafone. Orange told us that it had nothing to announce other than the fact it's selling the Motorola DEXT, and Vodafone promised to call us back and haven't.

From that, we can rule out three of the major five operators. Orange is looking likely, especially given the non-denial when other networks were happy to confirm "no". ?We'll update you as and when we hear more from Orange or Vodafone.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Droid Android Verizon O2 Orange 3 Vodafone T-Mobile

Who'll be selling the Motorola Droid in the UK? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:17:37 +0000

Verizon?has confirmed that the?Droid?name will become a family of handsets with multiple phones from different manufactures, rather than just the single offering from?Motorola.

The news, clarifies rumours on the Internet that the Verizon Motorola Droid isn’t just a single standalone product.

"We do plan to bring other handsets to the Droid brand," a spokesman for Verizon confirmed to Pocket-lint at the launch event in New York city.

The Motorola Droid will, according to one of our contacts in the company, be the flagship model with Verizon pushing hard to promote the handset for the "Holidays" in the US.

But those worried about the $200 price and suggested $80 a month price plan shouldn't be:

"They won't all offer Android 2.0", our man says.

That comment will no doubt add fuel to the rumour that a second handset will be announced in the next couple of weeks from HTC, perhaps a US version of the?HTC Tattoo?

Not as much fuel, however, as whispers at the event hinting at a 5 November event for a second as yet unannounced handset.

We will keep you posted.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola HTC Verizon Motorola Droid

Verizon: Droid becomes a family, other handsets coming originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:04:39 +0000

Further to the news we brought you of Verizon's official unveiling of the Droid by Motorola, we now have a hands-on gallery of real-life pics to share with you, straight from its New York debut.

The slim QWERTY slider will be the first Android 2.0 device to launch when it hits Verizon shop shelves on 6 November. The US operator is offering the new phone for $199 on new 2-year agreements.

While there's no news yet of a UK launch, US consumers can look forward to multi-tasking, Google Maps Navigation, 5-megapixel camera with video, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, Google Talk, as many Android Market apps as you can wiggle the accelerometer at, up to 32GB microSD memory and that glossy 3.7-inch high-res touchscreen display.

The Droid will be offered along with an optional extra multimedia dock that will transform the phone into an alarm clock, movie player or digital picture frame, a clever idea considering how many people already use their mobiles for the first function on a daily basis.

There is also a car dock as well that mounts to your windscreen with a chip in it that automatically launches a navigation menu.?

Oh and that gold colouring - it's called "Brown sugar" - sweet.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Droid Verizon Photos Android 2.0

PHOTOS: Droid by Motorola originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:54:46 +0000

...3G, QWERTY keyboard, multi-tasking abilities, a 5-megapixel camera with video, voice-activated search, 3.7-inch high res widescreen, touchscreen display, Android 2.0, Google Maps Navigation, Wi-Fi, aGPS, Android Market, customisable homescreens, accelerometer, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 3.5mm headset jack, USB 2.0, visual voicemail, expandable 16GB memory card, Flash 10 ready HTML5 browser, Gmail (plus others), Exchange support and Amazon MP3, Google Talk and YouTube preloaded...

Some might say this thing will sell itself, but just to be on the safe side Verizon is offering a 5-minute promo. Hit play now to see the Droid in real life.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Droid Verizon Video

VIDEO: Verizon intros the Motorola Droid on film originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:29 +0000

Verizon has officially announced the teased and leaked Motorola Droid - or as it's officially dubbed "Droid by Motorola" - in the US with a launch date in early November and a $200 price tag to those happy to sign away 2 years of their mobile life.

And happy they might well be as the Android 2.0 device, complete with Google's new Maps Navigation, looks like a pretty capable gadget offering 3G speeds, slide-out QWERTY keyboard yet skinny dimensions, multi-tasking abilities, a 5-megapixel camera with video, voice-activated search and a 3.7-inch high-res widescreen, capacitive touch display.

Due to be the first Android 2.0 device to hit the market, the Droid gets Wi-Fi, A-GPS, Android Market, customisable homescreens, accelerometer, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 3.5mm headset jack, USB 2.0, visual voicemail, expandable 16GB memory card, Flash 10 ready HTML5 browser, Gmail (plus others), Exchange support and Amazon MP3, Google Talk and YouTube preloaded.

Droid by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon from Friday 6 November for $199.99 with a new 2-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Motorola will also be offering a multimedia docking station to "transform" the Droid into an alarm clock, movie player or digital picture frame. An in-car mount will also be available.

Pocket-lint got in touch with Motorola in the UK to see when we can expect to be able to do the robot with this new device, but have received a statement that gives nothing away. It reads as follows:

"We've not yet announced availability of this device in other markets, but look forward to continuing to expand our Android-based portfolio around the world".

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Related links:

• Photos - Hands on gallery

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Verizon Motorola Droid Android Google Android 2.0

Verizon officially announces Motorola Droid originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:40:33 +0000

Motorola has launched a new range of digital photo frames, including dual display frames and a Wi-Fi model that allows images to be sent directly to the frame by email.

The LS1000W offers a 10.4-inch display, boasts 512 MB built-in memory, MP3 player and speakers, as well as an alarm clock and calendar function.

The ?200 frame gets Wi-Fi connectivity as well as content from the thousand FrameChannel online channels that can be viewed on the device including internet radio.

The ?80 LS420 Duo offers two 4.2-inch displays, one of which can be selected to view calendar and clock info. The LS720D offers the same theory, but larger 7-inch displays as well as MP3 playback, speakers and a remote control for ?130.

Other models include the LS700, a ?50 basic 7-incher and the LS1000 for ?150 that's basically the same as the other 10-incher but minus the Wi-Fi. The new range is available at Argos.

Tags: Cameras Digital photo frames Motorola Wi-Fi Argos

Motorola launches digi-frames with dual displays and Wi-Fi originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:23:26 +0000

It seems like the Droid isn't just a phone from Motorola - it's a label that's going to be applied to a whole army of Android-powered handsets from the American cellphone network. Engadget Mobile is reporting that many phones will get the badge, including the forthcoming Desire from HTC, which will be marketed as the Droid Eris.

That Droid Eris should be due very soon - 6 November if Engadget is correct, which means that we should hear some more about the device imminently. There's a possibility it'll show up at an event on 28 October, but we'll bring you more on that handset when we hear anything. Including any information on a launch in the UK

As for the Motorola Sholes, which has borne the Droid badge until now, it may - confusingly - still be referred to just as the Verizon Droid. So you'll be able to get a Droid, or one of several Droids, if that makes any sense.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Verizon Motorola Droid

Droid becomes product range, not just a handset originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:26:40 +0000

Motorola has just made its ?1400 Aura even more expensive with the launch of the Diamond Edition, that takes the high-end handset and adds 18 carat gold and 34 diamonds.

Plated in the gold, the handset gets 30 round-cut diamonds embedded in "sparkling arcs" above and below the circular display.

The "cafe brown" keypad meanwhile gets a solid 18 carat gold navigation key which features those additional four diamonds in a compass configuration.

If this particular combo of gilt and gems doesn't work for you, then Amosu is offering a similar take on blinging the handset up.

The Motorola Aura Diamond Edition will be available on sale from 26 October for a whopping ?3500.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Aura

Motorola Aura Diamond Edition announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:59:52 +0100

So much for a teaser campaign,?Motorola?has just gone live with full details of its yet unannounced handset the Droid thanks to a slip up from the website team.

The microsite, which has since been pulled, offered, albeit briefly, a plethora of details no doubt spoiling any build up from Motorola and Verizon in the run up to an expected unveiling on 28 October.

Details, and there are plenty, show that the new Android powered handset will sport a slide out QWERTY keyboard, CMDA connectivity (via Verizon) Android 2.0 (?clair), a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3.5mm headphone jack.

On the front it will come with a 3.7-inch screen, weigh 169 grams and offer all the swings, bells and whistles that you would expect from a high-end smartphone.

On the camera front users will be able to capture video at DVD quality up to 24fps and zoom in 4x via a digital zoom. There is a dual LED flash and it features automatic focus.

The browser is the Android standard Webkit offering, however it will feature HTML 5 and Flash 10 support when available in 2010.

Accelerometer, 550MHz processor and 16GB microSD pre-installed with support up to 32GB completes the package.

Pre-installed apps include Amazon MP3, Facebook and Google apps. The phone will also support Google Voice search.

No word on pricing or availability as yet.

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Related links:

• Via - BGR

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Droid Google Android Verizon

DROID by Motorola officially outed... originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:53:32 +0100

Motorola's leaked Droid, a new Android-based handset, is getting very close to launch as Verizon - the mobile phone operator in the States that will offer the device - has begun a teaser campaign.

"All the things your phone doesn't do, Droid Does", states Verizon, in a direct attack on Apple's popular iPhone while the ad lists all the iPhone's "iDont's".

These include digs at the iPhone's lack of ability to run simultaneous apps, that fact that phone only has a 3.2-megapixel camera, lack of "open development", and no interchangeable battery.

Hit play now to see the ad/attack - the Motorola Droid is being prepped for a November launch - we will keep you posted.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Android Verizon Advertising Video Rumours iPhone Apple

VIDEO: Verizon teases with "Droid does" anti-iPhone ad originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:03:45 +0100

After months of rumours, some specific info - and images - of the Motorola Droid have been leaked online by US blog Boy Genius Report.

The new phone, due to launch on the Verizon network in the States, appears to be Motorola's high-end attack on the Android market.

Running Android 2.0 the handset is said to be fast, and although just thicker than an iPhone,? thin for a QWERTY slider.

With a capacitive touch display, the Droid will come with a desktop cradle charger that will mean the phone can be used as a "multimedia station" displays weather, time, and the like.

"It's the Android device to beat, and easily the most impressive. From what we’ve been told, Google had a direct hand in the Motorola Droid", says BGR.

More detailed information is promised soon - we will keep you posted.

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Related links:

• VIDEO - Verizon teases with "Droid does" anti-iPhone ad

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Verizon Android Motorola Droid Rumours Google

Motorola Droid leaked in more detail originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:40:40 +0100

It seems as if Motorola is going all out with the robot theme for its new, and as-yet unannounced, Android phone the Motorola Droid.

Previously leaked under its production name of Sholes, the new gPhone is a QWERTY effort due to the Verizon Wireless network in the States.

US blog Boy Genius Report appears to have gotten hold of a handset and is merrily teasing away with a suitably skimpy clip. Hit play now - and more is promised soon.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Android Motorola Verizon Rumours Video Motorola Droid

VIDEO: HELLOMOTODROID teaser originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:13:58 +0100

US mobile phone carrier Verizon is the latest company to announce that it is hopping into bed with Google to develop a range of Android powered handsets.

The news, announced on Tuesday, comes as Microsoft launches its Windows Phone, or Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system with a range of new and updated handsets.

"The two industry leaders will create, market and distribute products and services", Verizon and Google said in a joint statement before adding, "consumers will be able to purchase products resulting from the collaboration in Verizon Wireless retail and online stores".

According to the companies, the two mobile powerhouses plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with innovative applications from both parties as well as third-party developers and be released in the coming months.

Although details of what those handsets would be and who would be making them are scarce, the two CEO's might have inadvertently leaked two possible new handsets already thanks to the photo shoot after the announcement.

Looking at the photo call pictures it clearly shows Eric Schmidt holding a currently unreleased handset - perhaps a Verizon version of the HTC Hero - while the Verizon CEO looks to be also holding an announced handset, which some have said could be an unannounced Motorola handset. The Motorola Sholes.

We will keep you posted.?

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Android HTC Motorola Verizon Google HTC Hero Motorola Sholes

Verizon to offer Android; CEOs leak new phones originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:34:23 +0100

Motorola has dropped us a line to tell us that its DEXT handset will be available on 6 October. The QWERTY slider is the company's first attempt at an Android handset, and is also the first to get the MOTOBLUR interface.

As previously reported on Pocket-lint, the DEXT will be offered free on 2-year contracts from Orange at ?35 per month, and that'll include 900 minutes, unlimited texts, a data allowance and Orange maps.

Motorola's CEO has confirmed that the DEXT won't be the only Android handset that the company will be offering. It has a range of devices that are scheduled for 2010.

The DEXT will be available from Orange retail outlets on 7 October, Phones4U shops from 8 October, and if you really want to get your hands on the device as early as possible then show up at the Orange Multimedia Store in Milton Keynes on 6 October at 3pm, when it'll premiere.

Related links:

• News - Motorola DEXT confirmed for October launch
• Photos - Motorola's DEXT Android handset
• Reviewed - Motorola DEXT mobile phone

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Motorola Motorola Dext Motorola CLIQ Orange

Motorola DEXT gets release date originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:14:09 +0100