Android Mobiles

We were pretty accurate when we said that “any day now” we’ll get something official about the Devour.  Motorola has just announced the first Verizon handset to feature MOTOBLUR  Based on Android 1.6, the Devour is expected in the first quarter of this year. 

Assuming you might be new to Android or what MOTOBLUR is, we’ll recap the features and benefits.  The custom user experience from Motorola syncs contacts from all your favorite services including Gmail,  Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Keep up to date with posts, status updates, and pictures all in one place!

MOTOBLUR also makes it possible to remotely wipe your Devour should it be stolen.  This way, your information doesn’t fall into the hands of  unsavory characters.  The built-in GPS allows for users to locate their phone on a map should they simply misplace it.

Looking through the full list of specs, they do match up to what were previously leaked.  Again, the Devour is not a powerful device worthy of Nexus One or Droid comparisons.  However, with MOTOBLUR, the touch sensitive navigation pad, and slideout QWERTY, it offers something new to Verizon customers.

The full list of specs for the Droid Devour from Motorola have unearthed and they are remarkably unremarkable.  On paper, the next Android-based handset from Verizon looks much like the Cliq and Backflip.  Don’t get us wrong; we’re not saying that’s a bad thing.  Everyone has a form factor that speaks to them and the Devour offers another ‘look’ for Verizon customers.

Most of today’s smarthphone buyers are just graduating from features phones and aren’t too concerned with the specs.  As time goes, that may change.  The bottom line is this – If you are looking for a high end device, the Devour is not it.  On the other hand, if you are new to Android and like the idea of MotoBlur on your Verizon handset… well you get the picture.

The full specs, according to a document received by Android Central:

• 3.1-inch touchscreen at 320×480.
• Dimensions: 4.55×2.4×0.61 inches
• Android 1.6 with MOTOBLUR
• Weight: 6.35 ounces
• Talk time: Up to 340 minutes
• Standby time: Up to 440 hours
• Horizontal slider keyboard.
• 3-megapixel camera.
• EVDO Rev. A., WiFi b/g, aGPS
• Bluetooth with A2DP
• 8GB MicroSD card, expandable up to 16GB.
• Speakerphone.
• VCAST music with Rhapsody.

It’s hard to believe, but back in August it actually came as a surprise to us when we heard Samsung claim there would be Android handsets under $100 in 2010.  With most phones hovering around the $180-$200 price point, it seemed like a stretch to imagine new phones coming out at lower cost.

One of AndroidAndMe’s sources passed along some information regarding Motorola’s yet-to-announced Devour (Calgary) handset.  It seems that the processor chosen for this model might help drive costs down on the handset.  As it turns out, the Qualcomm MSM7627 600MHz chip is the same one being used in the Palm Pixi.  That device goes for $99 on a two-year contract.  Factor in a 3 megapixel camera, a 3.1-inch screen, and presumably a lower end memory card, and we could be looking at $100 Android phones.

Other specs rumored for the Devour are 512 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM, an optical trackpad, and 3.5mm headphone jack, powered by MOTOBLUR on top of Android 1.6.

Granted, we already have some phones dancing at or below the $100 price, but that’s generally after someone takes a rebate off the top.  Could we see a phone like the Devour going for $50 or free at places like Walmart?