Ever since the announcement from Google about android, I've been waiting to get in on the action.  Back in 2007 (wow has it been 2 years already?) when Google displayed its initial vision on what a handset operating system could be... I was intrigued, hopeful, and geekishly delighted in yet another rabbit hole to crawl down.

Then of course, with any new platform and hardware, the reviews started coming in.  Battery life was an issue, no app support.  Terrible this, awful that...  Android it seems, like all new tech, need some time to work the kinks out.  I expected this, and I, against my "oooo, new shiny!" behavior, decided against purchasing the G1 at that time.  I was still belabored within my current carrier contract.  I mean the G2 will be better device anyway.  They'll work out the initial platform growing pains ... etc, etc.  I rationalized my way to curmudgeondom.

Unlike my credit happy compatriots, I dislike spending money.  I watched in 2008 as newer generations of Android devices came to market.  Watched as newer versions of the SDK were released: 1.0, 1.5, 1.6.  All the while I was installing and testing app ideas, and the SDK on each revision.  I mean, I didn't have a device, but that didn't mean I couldn't play in my fantasy world :)

I had always had a few ideas of what kind of hardware features I wanted in a smart phone.  My one sticky point?  Hardware keyboard.  I skipped the whole text messaging generation.  My thumbs are rather out of practice.  In my feeble mind I really believed that for me to get any true use out of the device some type of HW keyboard was a requirement.  Not just as an added bonus.  Unfortunately, most of the new handsets with Android loads, were all 100% touchscreen driven, with a few real buttons on them.  I'll just irrationally blame the iPhone for this one, as every manufacturer seemed believe that they'll be the one to topple Jobs' Kingdom.  And to do that, they had to emulate Apples consumer winning design. *end rant*

Fast forward to 2009, starting of the 4th quarter.  The announcement comes as Motorola is pushing into the smartphone era with an Android device.... on ... wait for it ... Verizon !?!?!?  Verizon, the carrier that screams, re-branding ... lock down insanity.  Trying to find any way to nickel-and-dime their customers on any feature possible.  This couldn't be possible?  I mean even if they get the device they *are* going to screw it up.

Conspiracy theorists could have thought they were intentionally going to fumble this so that when Apple and AT&T's exclusivity contract expired, they could bring the iPhone over to the big red V and give it a network that it really deserves.

But Keith, aren't you a Verizon customer?!?!

Why yes, yes I am.  A fairly happy one too.  But for me, in my slightly rural location, Verizon is the only carrier that actually has decent signal in my area.  I had always expected to switch carriers to either T-Mobile or AT&T, or some other carrier when I decided to pull the trigger on Android.  I also expected to be on Edge or worse most of the time ... but that's why I have WiFi at my residence right? or at least, that was my train of thought at the time....

Two weeks ago, the trigger was finally pulled.  I walked into my local VZW Brick and Mortar establishment and walked out with a sleek black monolith of pure win. The phone updated itself to 2.0.1 on the first activation (within the store) and I've been basking in the 854x480 goodness that is Droid'dom ever since.  By the time I hit the parking lot I had DroidLive Lite installed and was streaming PRC for the triumphant ride home.

My desktop is Linux, my laptop is Linux, my Wifi Router is Linux, and now my phone is Linux.... 2.6.29-omap1-g0dd7e0b android-build@apa26 #511, to be exact.

I wanted to let the new gadget feeling calm down a bit before posting.  Besides, I've been busy trying to get to know my new best friend.  My new digital Wife .... beep, beep .. new email.  beep beep ... new GTalk conversation .... beep beep turn left @ next intersection....

"Its aweful cold today you might consider wearing a jacket...."

Just remember, its just a swipe right to left for silent mode.