Is the Droid Eris Smartphone Really the “iPhone Killer?”

The newest smartphones are making quite a splash these days, with Verizon intoducing the Droid Eris in early November…just in time for the holiday season. It’s being marketed as a cutting-edge handset with an entry-level price tag, but can it’s claims as the “iPhone Killer” really be true?

I really can’t say…But I do know this — I have been walking around with this new droid for two weeks now, and you won’t find a better value for the money shopping for a smartphone this holiday season. Not only that, but this handset is completely loaded with innovative features and standard apps, and it’s hard to believe that HTC can make money on this device for the $99 price tag.

This means that even in a slumping economy, for under a hundred bucks you can still give a tricked-out smartphone as a gift this Christmas.

Thanks to Google and Verizon, this little droid is loaded with cutting-edge features, including:

1. With the 5- megapixel camcorder on the back of the device, you can shoot a video, send it to your friends, upload it to Youtube, and and view it on the 3.2 inch high-resolution screen in seconds.

2. HTC has done a nice job designing some custom apps that they include as standard features on the Eris droid…My favorite is the Twitter app. Of course you can visit the Android Market to further customize your new droid.

3. Google Maps turns this droid into a full-blown GPS device, complete with turn-by-turn directions and a cool “Where am I now?” function. The Bluetooth and Wifi features also come standard.

It’s amazing that HTC has found a way to include their “Multi Touch” feature with the Eris Droid, and it really underscores the value of this device at a $99 dollar price point. Multi-Touch lets you “pinch and zoom” images displayed on the touchscreen, and it’s really a seamless interface (and one that you won’t find on the new Motorola device).

In terms of battery life, the HTC Droid Eris will give you 3 1/2 hours of talk time, and 375 hours of standby time (that adds up to about half a month). Place it on the charger at the end of the day, and this droid should be good to go for a full day of yacking on the phone.

My only beef with the Droid Eris is a small one: It would be nice to have a physical keyboard on this phone, but maybe I’m old school. The virtual keyboard featured on this device is actually lively and responsive, and nicer than many other phones with “real” keyboards.

So what’s the “bottom line” on the new Droid Eris smartphone? In terms of features and interface, this droid really delivers the goods, and there is really no other deice in it’s class that can compare in terms of value. If you are looking for a can’t-miss gift for the 2009 holiday season for under $100, this might be my first choice.

Don’t make these 3 mistakes when you purchase your next android phone…Get the skinny from Dave before you buy right here.

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