Hi Norm,
I like it a lot. I really haven't done much in the way of apps, beyond the tethering thing. I use the browser for pretty much everything I do on there, and I even shy away from using mobile versions of sites because I just get the feeling that I'm missing something on those. While the full sites are very small on there, at least I still have the eyes to see most of it...
The best thing I could have done was to get the actual Motorola model. I have always had Motorola phones so that was a major factor, but the regular Droid just looked difficult to use. I believe it didn't have an actual keyboard of any kind, either. I like the Motorola's slide out keyboard, though it is just a little difficult to use. I mainly have problems with the top keys because the keys are somewhat close to the top part of the phone and sometimes my fat fingers don't fit up there too well... But I'm learning and it's getting much better now. Also, because they don't have a number pad either on top or on the side, they have done a nice job of putting all of those functions around as alternate features. There is an alternate key that I hold down to get numbers and symbols. Some of the more commonly used symbols actually have their own button, like the question mark and @ sign. The exclamation point does not, which kind of surprised me.
There are available on-screen keyboards too, both landscape and portrait depending on the way the phone is held. I rarely use that method though, besides the phone dialing keypad because it would take longer using the alternate numbers on the physical keyboard.
Battery life has been less than I thought, but not bad considering it is a mini-computer almost. If I really use it for a lot of browsing, I could drain it in a couple hours. I found this site actually drains a lot because it has to load all the old posts just to show the new one. I can be on the browser checking e-mail, Facebook, and other similar type sites and text during it all and still not use a whole lot of battery, but as soon as I come on here, I can see the battery level drop down. My old phone (Razr) would last maybe 3-4 days on a charge with a lot of use, but of course it didn't do much.
Charging is pretty easy. A car charger cord is available, but the main power cord that comes with the phone is like a modern day camera cord. It is essentially a USB cord with a plug attachment that the USB plugs into to make it charge off 120V. However, the USB could certainly be connected to a computer to charge it from there, as well as somehow transfer files (I haven't learned how to do that yet) as well as that is how the tethering is connected.
I really like the setup for texting. They have the messages show up like IM's in a conversation type format instead of individual messages, so I can see previous messages when I'm typing a new one or reading a new one. Some people probably don't like that old ones still show up if not deleted, but you wouldn't know unless a text hasn't happened with that person in a while.
The camera seems pretty good, I think it's supposed to be like 5 megapixel or somewhere around there, and the flash is a very bright white LED. I haven't used it beyond just experimenting initially because I usually carry my regular camera with me. It has a slot for a mini-SD chip, I assume which can be used to transfer files/pictures.
There is a lot of room for apps, the main screen can scroll to reveal an entire left and right screen panel beyond the home panel. So basically I can only see the center 1/3 of the screen as the home position.
It also has voice assisted turn by turn directions with Google Maps, which we used to go see Pat & Cindy almost two weeks ago. It could almost eliminate the need for a basic GPS.
Another minor complaint I have is the sound setup. I'm not much for having ringtones, I like to have it vibrate. I can get the phone to vibrate for a ring, but I can't for a text. There is a small green light on the corner of the screen that will blink when I have one though, after the screen has gone off. BTW, the stock ringtones are what I think a bit on the weird side...
I like the mobile PDF viewer as well. I opened a Sunline brochure when I first got the phone to see if it would work, and I was amazed that it opened it pretty quickly! I have had an issue when I tried to download a MS Office document one time (I think it was Word, can't remember though). I suspect I could cure that with what I'm sure is an available app somewhere.
The most difficult thing with the whole phone has been getting used to all the mobile versions of websites, which really has nothing to do with the phone itself as I'm sure the same sites are used with Blackberries and other smart phones. They are much simpler, which I like, but everything is laid out differently so it's like having to learn the sites all over again. Some sites, like Yahoo mail, is just easier to do the mobile version than to do the full site due to the possibility of clicking on ads and stuff with my fat fingers.
Jon
