Entering the Droid Universe

They are taking over! They have captured the attention of young adults and scooted their way into the lives of the workplace folk.

Forget the “bleep” and even the little scroll ball. Watch out Blackberry – the Droid is new in town and he’s taking it by storm.

In the blink of an eye, one cell phone is in, and the other is out. Just six months ago, everyone owned a Blackberry and if you didn’t, you were out of the loop. Now, the Android cell phones are the hottest things on the market; except with these phones, you won’t be out of the loop for at least the next five years.

According to a high-tech research firm known as the Yankee Group, by next year, five billion mobile phones will be in service, out of a total world population of around seven billion. By 2013, there is an estimated 1 billion smart phones in service in the world.

It is expected that over the next decade or so, the technology that we have now will be so inexpensive that almost every cell phone on the market will be a smart phone. Then, there will be no reason for everyone not to own one.

Even Sprint’s website claims that the Android is the ‘Future of Mobile.’ And they are not lying. What else can a phone possibly do while it can take pictures, search the web, run hundreds of applications and much more?

Between the calendar, alert system, calculator, address book and camera, it’s hard to remember what life was before cell phones. Now, with the Facebook, Youtube and Twitter apps., how are the 20 something’s of this century going to live god-forbid the entire system malfunctions?

I’m not sure if any mid twenty year old would know how to function without one of these devices. It is quite rare to see a college student without a cell phone in tow. This year, it is even more likely that you will see students with a Droid.

Even Apple’s IPhone, the Droid’s biggest competitor, is diminishing in numbers. Their technology cannot compete with the growing tech-specs of the Android. The first Android technology based tablet is expected to ship later on this year, to compete with Apple’s IPad as well.

So how do the Droid’s compete on a college campus? 60% of college students agree that the Droid is a better choice of cell phones compared to the Blackberry or other leading competitors. With more room for applications, a bigger and more colorful touch screen, how could the droid NOT interest anyone?

“I can’t go anywhere without my cell phone,” says Cynthia Valasquez, teaching major. “I lost my Droid once, and my life fell apart! Who remembers cell phone numbers anymore? I had to make one of those obnoxious Facebook groups to get everyone’s number back.” Valasquez explains.

42 out of 50 Mercy students admit that if chosen to lose their wallet, keys or cell phone, their phone would be the worst.

Sadly, this is what our world has come to: Not being able to function without the use of a small electronic device that holds our entire world. So how do these new phones compare to the ever-popular Blackberry or ‘crackberry?’

Without Blackberry Messenger (BBM), some people’s world may collapse. But have no fear, Google Talk is here. A Google-based chat is available on the Droid phones and surprisingly enough, most BBM contacts have gTalk.

Even better than gTalk? The ability to purchase an application, try it out and get your money back if you don’t like it. All you have to do is uninstall it within the first 24 hours. Just keep in mind that this is only allowed once per app.

Remember T-Mobile’s Sidekick? Yeah, the phone everyone raved about five years ago? Well even T-Mobile is getting into the excitement and came up with their droid version called the Motoblur. As the saying goes, it must be cool if everyone is doing it. Even T-Mobile.

With the world in a droid-daze, the Blackberry’s will quickly be forgotten and a thing of the past. They will be gone quicker than Verizon’s Juke phone. Or, at least that is what is expected.

With the Droid’s technology at unbelievable speed, and a lot of positive feedback, Droid phones are sure to continue blowing up. Just grab a hard hat and get ready for the Droid explosion about to commence.

Published October 2010 @ Mercy College Impact
www.theimpactnews.com