Verizon Wireless Starts Mystery Campaign For The ‘Droid’ That Does

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Verizon Wireless Starts Mystery Campaign For The ‘Droid’ That Does

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Over the weekend, Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) launched its second TV ad campaign that attacked the iPhone. This time, instead of comparing its 3G network with AT&T’s, it focused on the actual phone itself, which is widely assumed to be Verizon’s first Android device, the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Droid. In the ad, it lists a series of negative statements:

—iDon’t have a real keyboard.
—iDon’t run simultaneous apps.
—iDon’t take 5-megapixel pictures.
—iDon’t customize.
—iDon’t run widgets.
—iDon’t allow open development.
—iDon’t take pictures in the dark.
—iDon’t have interchangeable batteries.

The next statement is: “Everything i’Don’t…Droid Does,” and then redirects users to DroidDoes.com, reports the WSJ. On the web site, you see the same series of statements, and then implies a November is the launch date. People can sign up to be alerted to when the device launches.

Verizon Wireless and Google (NSDQ: GOOG) announced that they had formed a strategic partnership on Oct. 6, and promised the agreement would come to fruition as soon as the next few weeks as Verizon Wireless introduced two Android-based handsets. Verizon Wireless’ CEO Lowell McAdam said during the call: “I don’t want to leave the impression that you have to wait until next year or the launch of 4G. Over the next several weeks we’ll begin to launch the initial Android devices from a family of devices.”

Boy Genius claims to have already had a hands-on with the device, and unlike its clunky cousin, the Motorola CLIQ, they are saying it’s really, really thin. In fact, it’s just slightly thicker than an iPhone 3GS and “the thinnest Qwerty slider we’ve ever seen.” Although it’s thin, it’s not small—“Easily the best screen we’ve ever seen on an Android handset, and an amazing screen overall,” they write. More screenshots here.

Perhaps this really could be a game changer. To be sure, the first Motorola Android device - the CLIQ - is clunky and is more about great software than anything sexy. What Android is really needing, however, is kick-ass hardware, too—something that rivals the iPhone in that department, like the Razr of the Android world. Maybe Motorola can deliver.

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