Former iPhone Owner- Now Droid X

Question

After 3 years with the original iPhone, I was ready to move on or move up. I was tired of the small screen, dropped calls, calls going straight to voicemail, dealing with iTunes (and the CONSTANT upgrades), Steve Jobs' attitude, no flash, poor camera, Edge network being useless, non-replaceable battery and memory, etc. The phone was a revolution when it came out but had become tired and more of a chore to use. I am not really a cell phone user, I just wanted a multifunction device to eliminate the need to carry around all those bits of hardware. It worked for a while because I did not really see how awful the AT&T network was. Most people want a phone that does tricks. I wanted a reasonably speedy computing device, good GPS navigator, MP3 player, and a good camera that also was a decent part time phone.
I evaluated a friend's Evo for 4 days. Loved the kickstand, the 4G speed from Sprint, the camera, and lots of other little things. But, as a stand-alone user the monthly cost was too high and the battery life was terrible - even with everything turned off. Since we already had a Verizon account, it would cost less to get a Droid X and join that plan. Actually, upgrading to a new iPhone or going to the Evo would cost roughly double that the Droid X.
Unfortunately, I could not get an evaluation of the X, I would have to buy one. After checking it out at the Verizon store, I was sold. Great device AND 1/2 the cost of iPhone service. It was a no brainer, especially with a 30 day money back guarantee.
After 3 days I am quite pleased with the decision. The Droid X lacks the polish of the iPhone experience. But that little edge is refreshing. I have been repairing and using computers since 1984 (remember the Imsai 8080?)  so I can hack my way through anything. That may be an obstacle to a newbie. They would be safer with the iPhone (the cell phone version of the Camry). Right out of the box (after activation) it would not connect to my computer. Went to the Web to find the solution (unmount the SD card and reboot). That alone would derail a newbie. Once done it performed quite well.
The call quality and performance alone was worth the switch. I am working through the "bugs". NO DOCK CONNECTOR!!! When will the Droid community get it together and make a DOCK STANDARD!!!!???? Without it you are forced to connect to multiple ports with multiple wires and deal with multiple problems.This is a MULTIFUNCTION DEVICE folks, put in a multifuntion connector. Yes, I bought the car dock. Small problem: ignition noise. Not a problem with the iPhone because the dock connector was well designed to eliminate EXACTLY those kinds of issues. O.K. I am scrounging up a ground loop isolator that will likely solve the problem. A little edge, right? I can handle it.
Loaded my legally purchased and ripped Seinfelds and videos. Uh-oh, most don't play, even though they are all MP4 format and created with the same software. Well, it seems that these devices use a different codec. UUUGGGGHHH!!! Will they EVER get this garbage standardized????? Oh well, rerip everything in M4V and hopefully that will take care of it.
I don't think the case will go the distance. I had the iPhone for 3 years and it looks like new. This soft touch plastic on the Droid has a bad track record for wear. We will see.
Will I keep it? Definitely. Will I ever go back to the iPhone. Nope, at least not for 3-4 years until I get the value that I have already paid for out of this device.
Later,
Mike
Friends don't let friends buy iPhones...

Answer 1

Very nice review mwspera1 and glad you are enjoying your X because it is a nice device and holds its own in my opinion......  Out of curiousity what app are you using to do your videos?  Im using DVD Catalyst 3 and it does videos perfectly and all you have to do is select Motorola Droid from list and the application will do the rest, give it a look at http://www.tools4movies.com/  also you might want to look and Meridian Media Player at http://www.appbrain.com/app/meridian-player-pro-verifier/org.iii.romulus.meridian.proverifier it does nice with playing diffrent formats of audio and videos and gives you widgets as well.