• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As U.S. Treasury intervened in the bond market, the Netherlands rushed 86 tons of gold out of America because of ‘geopolitical unrest’

2

'Critical employees will begin to retire': Trump’s new pay plan will deny most federal roles a raise, and it has workers warning of a retention crunch

3

New LA Angels owner Stan Kroenke is quietly America's largest private landowner, boasting 2.7 million acres and besting Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos

1

As U.S. Treasury intervened in the bond market, the Netherlands rushed 86 tons of gold out of America because of ‘geopolitical unrest’

2

'Critical employees will begin to retire': Trump’s new pay plan will deny most federal roles a raise, and it has workers warning of a retention crunch

3

New LA Angels owner Stan Kroenke is quietly America's largest private landowner, boasting 2.7 million acres and besting Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos

Is the original Droid being put out to pasture?

By
Seth Weintraub
Seth Weintraub
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Seth Weintraub
Seth Weintraub
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 16, 2010, 1:03 AM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

According to some internal memos posted today, Motorola is ceasing production of the original Droid.

If the screenshots below turn out to be true, Motorola (MOT) will be ending the run of the most successful Android device in the platform’s short history.   Not ony did the original Droid (called A855 below) validate the Android platform by being its first best-seller, it brought Motorola back from the dead.



The Verizon (VZ) Droid was released with a series of commercials attacking the iPhone in October of 2009.  Until that point, other manufacturers and carriers had taken a passive stance on iPhone comparisons.

The strategy worked.  The original Droid was able to reach its first millionth customer quicker than even the original iPhone, according to Flurry Analytics (below) and continues to be the high-end Android device with a hardware keyboard.




All other similar smartphones (Palm Pre, Blackberry Bold, Windows Mobile/Nokia anything) had, until that time, drown in the wake left by the iPhone.   Not the Droid.  It was branded the anti-iPhone by celebrating its differences.  Verizon continues with that success with its current Droid line.  It released the Droid X yesterday and the original Droid’s successor, the Droid 2, is expected next month.  The Samsung Galaxy S (Fascinate) on Verizon is also expected to carry the Droid brand.

Even Verizon’s advertising agency seemed to take the commercials to a new level.  For old time’s sake, let’s have a look at that great original Droid marketing:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnaAQwGcBks&w=600&h=370]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w83UQkiuNZQ&w=600&h=370]

For you millions of Droid owners, don’t worry, you haven’t been forgotton.  Rumors are that the original Droids will be the next phones to get updated to Android 2.2 Froyo, allowing faster browsing, Tethering/hotspot, Flash and all of the other things those Fall Android devices will carry.

The original Droid can still be found at Verizon ($149) and Amazon for free as well.

About the Author
By Seth Weintraub
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.