Verizon Wireless' New Motorola DROID Takes Manhattan

Can’t wait to get your hands on the hot new Motorola (News - Alert) DROID?

 

Tomorrow, you can grab one on the way to work, as many of Verizon’s 2,000-plus stores will open at 7 a.m. to give customers the opportunity to purchase the new Motorola DROID, powered by Google’s (News - Alert) Android 2.0 operating system.

 

To celebrate the launch, Verizon Wireless will create an interactive experience in New York City on Friday called “DROID Does Times Square.” This experience will let callers control two of Times Square’s largest digital billboards – the NASDAQ and Reuters (News - Alert) signs – using only voice commands.

 

According to Verizon Wireless, the DROID is the world’s first smartphone that runs off the much-talked-about Android 2.0 platform. This gives handset a number of advanced features and functions, such as high-speed Web browsing, voice-activated search, a customizable large screen and access to thousands of Android applications and hundreds of widgets. 

 

The digital billboards will instruct passersby to call a toll-free number (1-888-376-4336) to search locations in the Times Square area. Participants can search for everything from where to eat BBQ to the nearest guitar shop. Search results will be displayed on the digital billboards using Google Maps. This activity will take place Nov. 6 through Nov. 20, daily from 12:30 p.m. to 2:10 p.m., and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Nov. 27 through 2 a.m. on Nov. 28.

 

DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless Communications Stores and online for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.