close
Find us on Google+

Does the DROID brand mean anything anymore?

Whether you’re someone who is currently on Verizon’s network, or you just watch the phone industry as a whole, then you know that the Big Red carrier is starting to get out of hand with their phone releases. That would seem like a strange thing to say, especially considering Verizon makes their money in part by releasing new phones, but if you’ve been watching, then you know what I’m talking about. Specifically, there’s no way anyone can argue that Motorola and Verizon don’t need to slow down. But, while that’s perfectly true, why isn’t Verizon asking themselves why anyone would still care about the DROID brand name?

It wasn’t all that long ago that I asked all of you if you thought the DROID brand was worth the extra money Verizon was asking you to throw down. I will admit that I was kind of shocked that many of you actually said yes, that it is worth it, and that you’d gladly pay it. But, while I may have asked that question not too long ago, there have been quite a few more additions to the party. We’ve seen the Motorola DROID Bionic launch, which was quickly followed by the DROID RAZR. Right before the launch of the Bionic we saw the launch of the DROID 3, and then before that we’ve got the DROID X2. But, we’ve already been over that.

I was really hoping that Motorola and Verizon would learn from their previous launch windows, but that’s definitely not the case. Sure, they aren’t the only manufacturer out there to launch a phone, and then launch the same phone later with a different color scheme, but it’s still a strange business practice. I’m referring to the white version of the DROID RAZR, of course. So, that means we get one more RAZR in December, okay, fine. But! Let’s not forget the launch of the DROID RAZRMAX (which is still rumored, of course, and probably won’t launch in December). Oh, and then there’s that DROID 4, which is rumored to launch in December.

Are you kidding me? Why would anyone care about the DROID name anymore? Why would anyone be excited about it? How can Verizon employees be excited about it? “Oh, yeah, the DROID 4 is the greatest DROID yet. But, we’ve got the DROID RAZRMAX coming soon, too, and you know what? That’ll be the greatest DROID yet, too.” It’s getting tiresome to keep seeing these DROID phones, especially when Motorola is literally eating up the ranks as quickly as they can. Do they think this is some kind of race? Motorola, if this is a race, and you’re competing with Samsung and HTC, let me be frank: you’ve won. Considering the higher-end HTC Rezound didn’t clinch a DROID title, I think that’s pretty obvious.

Verizon has completely washed the DROID name away. It isn’t important anymore. Not even a little bit. This is a brand name that, for all intents and purposes, changed the way people talked about Android. Seriously! You see and hear people reference Android by DROID all the time! Even if they’ve got an Android phone from Sprint, AT&T or T-Mobile (or any other carrier besides Verizon), you’ll hear folks call it a DROID. I know people don’t pay attention (or care?) all that much to branding, but that’s a big win for Verizon. People are using a brand name that you are using from Lucas Films to name every Android phone out there. And what do you do with it? Wash it away, and make it mean absolutely nothing.

The DROID name should have been Verizon’s ace-in-the-pocket. It should have been their card they pulled out when they needed another high-end, memorable phone. People remember (and still use!) the original Motorola DROID (the OG DROID). People still talk about the original Motorola DROID X. But ever since then, it’s just been a torrential downpour of new DROID devices, none of which are all that memorable, based on the competition that’s already launched, or will launch. The DROID RAZR was close, but now that the RAZRMAX is set to hit the scene with a true 720p HD display and a bigger battery, the only people who are going to care about the RAZR are the angry people who bought it.

Does Verizon even care? I’m seriously starting to wonder, ladies and gentlemen. I feel like they are seriously trying to scorn their customers, just to see how far they can take it. Poking the bear, if you will. But, will anything change? Who knows? Probably not. Verizon and Motorola seem pretty content in their ways. I guess we’ll just have to try and survive the deluge.

About the author

Evan Selleck
Evan Selleck
Contributing Editor -
Evan is a technology evangelist, and is addicted to the mobile market. He loves phones, tablets, and just about anything else he can get his hands on that makes cool noises, and does interesting things. He's a father, a writer, and a student. He's been writing about technology for four years, and hasn't looked back since. - full profile
Become a PhoneDog Fan on Facebook and don't forget to "Spin to Win!" today! Know something we don't? E-mail us or post it on our Facebook page

Related posts

Comments & discussions  

1 HTC One X

HTC One X

341 Votes Change+-0
2 Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia Lumia 900

257 Votes Change+-0
3 Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy Note

148 Votes Change+-0
4 Apple iPhone 4S

Apple iPhone 4S

99 Votes Change+-0
5 HTC One S

HTC One S

85 Votes Change+-0
1 HTC One X

HTC One X

Chosen by
43 points +1
All experts who rated this Smartphone
from ranked this as the # - see why
close
Expert ranking history for this smartphone
6 weeks on the charts
Ranked # : week of
close
2 Apple iPhone 4S

Apple iPhone 4S

Chosen by
42 points -1
All experts who rated this Smartphone
from ranked this as the # - see why
close
Expert ranking history for this smartphone
19 weeks on the charts
Ranked # : week of
close
3 HTC One S

HTC One S

Chosen by
21 points +-0
All experts who rated this Smartphone
from ranked this as the # - see why
close
Expert ranking history for this smartphone
6 weeks on the charts
Ranked # : week of
close
4 Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia Lumia 900

Chosen by
16 points +-0
All experts who rated this Smartphone
from ranked this as the # - see why
close
Expert ranking history for this smartphone
6 weeks on the charts
Ranked # : week of
close
5 Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy Note

Chosen by
11 points +1
All experts who rated this Smartphone
from ranked this as the # - see why
close
Expert ranking history for this smartphone
12 weeks on the charts
Ranked # : week of
close
Vote this week See the full list

 

109 Reactions to this post  
"Does the DROID brand mean anything anymore?"
Add Please limit your reaction to 140 characters or use comments for a longer reply :)
  • Marrion Bell Ain't shit special about droid brand android is an androidfrom 2011
  • Jamel TaylorThe DROID brand is becoming the air jordan or cell phones,releasing shitty phones every weekfrom 2011
  • Tray SloanIt means a lot actually, Cause instead of it just being another Android device its a DROID, everyone has an opinion but it wouldn't sound right if it was just the HTC incredible or the Motorola Bionic or the Samsung Charge they are so unique and have there own different way of powering on, they have individual eyes, they are Just DROIDS, but of course someone on AT&T hates them cause there the rival Consumer, IPhone users hate it cause there better, and other people just need to Stfufrom 2011
  • BrandonEGlennToo many DROID phones. Shoulda kept it to 2 or 3 models per year. Having the DROID BIONIC then RAZR: too much.from 2011
  • Art RathbunMotorola sucksfrom 2011
Latest videos

Featured stories

close
close
close