Previewed a Droid X today at Verizon in northern Cincinnati

[steevereeno]

Northern Cincinnati folks, if you want to check out a Droid X before the release next Thursday, the Princeton Pike store has a working unit. I was just at that store this morning and was fooling around with it for about 20 minutes. I'm a current Blackberry Curve user and never owned a touchscreen phone before or an Android device. I was blown away by this sweet piece of technology. It's much bigger (but not thicker) than my Curve but that's a GOOD thing. The screen is gorgeous. The weight and balance of the phone is just right. It feels extremely sturdy and durable and you can tell it's made out of quality products and was constucted well by Moto. The camera hump at the top is barely noticeable and to me, it gives the phone an aesthetic appeal compared to the standard slabs out there. Some people have commented that the phone lags a bit between screen transitions. I noticed no lag at all. It's FAST...fast between screens, fast between menu selections, and the browser is lightning quick. I've also read that some people have said the pinch-to-zoom feature is a bit choppy compared to the Incredible. Again, I didn't see this at all. I wished I could have dumped my Crapberry on the spot and walked out with that phone! I'm SOLD on Android and SOLD on touchscreens! Is it the 15th yet???

The other thing worth mentioning is that the agent took down my name and number and put me on a reservation list for next Thursday. He assured me that he will call me on Wednesday to confirm that I'll be coming in on Thursday to buy the phone. He promised me that one will be held for me until the close of business on Thursday. He said that only 12 or 13 people so far have put their name on a list for the DX. He didn't mention how many phones were ordered for this particular store, but he said it's doubtful that they would run out. They also won't be opening early on launch day (9AM as usual).

Attached are some pics I took of the X. Sorry for the poor quality (blame it on my Curve) and the glare. I was sitting right in front of the store window when I shot them.

 

[Cory Streater]

It's awesome that you got to play with one and were able to get your name on a list, but it's reports like this that make me irrate at my local Verizon store. Was this an authorized reseller or a corporate run store? Regardless, thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[steevereeno]

This is a premium corporate store. I doubt I'll ever deal with a reseller. The agent I talked to was very knowledgeable and talked intelligently with me about the X and all its features. Apparently these particular employees have been trained very well on the phone and all it has to offer. The funny thing is that he followed me around like a hawk while I was playing around with it. Maybe he was worried I'd run off with it if he took his eye off me! Ha!

 

[MattyK#AC]

Last week I had the chance to play with the X also. All I can say is SWEET!!!!!. I am currently using the storm 2 and its ok. But compared to the X it is a piece of crap. Unfortunately i am not due for an early upgrade until November. I called Verizon and spoke to a rep tried everything to get discount price no dice. But she did say to call back when it is released and mabey the will dosomething then. Probably hoping that i will pay full price but mabey, just mabey I can swing something.

 

[dgolom]

Why would this make you irate? Verizon is very strict about showing phones before their release date. The rep who showed the phone is putting his job on the line. The OP isn't doing him any favors by posting the store location online.

 

[steevereeno]

Why would this make you irate? Verizon is very strict about showing phones before their release date. The rep who showed the phone is putting his job on the line. The OP isn't doing him any favors by posting the store location online.

It's not like I revealed the guy's name, and what's the big deal about showing a phone a few days before the release date? Besides, the phone was sitting on a counter in plain view of any customers walking around the store. If they were trying to keep it hidden or secret, they didn't do a good job of that.

 

[MattyK#AC]

Gotta agree with steevereeno I asked and the rep came out with it. Answered all my questions and let me sit at the counter for at least 20 mins. He kept showing me stuff that they had found that they liked and such. It never seemed like it was on the dl

 

[dgolom]

I am not saying I agree with VZWs policies. I am just saying that is what their policy is. I think they should show the phone off. It builds the hype before they are officially available for sale.

If the store had the phone on display, then it is the store manager putting his neck on the line. Regardless, my point was that Cory shouldn't be irate with his local store just because they follow the policies put in place by Verizon.

 

[Cory Streater]

Why would this make you irate? Verizon is very strict about showing phones before their release date. The rep who showed the phone is putting his job on the line. The OP isn't doing him any favors by posting the store location online.

You ask a legitimate question, and I explained it better and in more detail in this post. My response was more in regard to how the manager I spoke to presented himself more than his answers. He could have been much nicer about it. For example, he could have said, "I'm sorry, but we didn't get any demos in". He didnt have to add the part about "even if we had one we wouldn't show it to you". It's kind of hard to convey someones personality/demeanor in written form, but trust me when I say, this guy was not friendly whatsoever. Not to mention he was very adamant that no Verizon stores would do such a thing, when clearly there are reports of plenty of stores doing just that.

 

[steevereeno]

This is totally off topic, and maybe I should have done better research before asking, but does anyone know if the X will be 802.11n capable? I currently don't have a WiFi network set up at home but plan on adding one after I get the X to enjoy (hopefully) faster internet speeds compared to 3G. I don't want to spend more on an N router if the X will only be compatible with G.

 

[Cory Streater]

According to Motorola's website it will. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't show up until Froyo though, based on some other phones that support N, not officially having it until Froyo.

 

[katrina2475]

I'm so jealous of everyone that has been able to see one. I went to my local store the otyher day and it was a 40 minute wait just to talk to someone.

 

[GTvert90]

I'm so jealous of everyone that has been able to see one. I went to my local store the otyher day and it was a 40 minute wait just to talk to someone.

I'm gonna go check one out today. My local store said they won't have one till the 15th the store in the town over said they had one.

 

[dgolom]

Cory, I read the post that you referred to. I see where you are coming from. Sounds like that guy doesn't want to work there and someone should put him out of his misery (fire him). I don't understand why he wouldn't want to schedule an appointment for launch day, though. He must not want to sell phones. Even if you are not eligible for renewal for a year, I would spend 30 minutes with you hoping that you would tell all your friends and family about what a great phone it is and send them to me.

 

[largeselection]

Cory I agree. I went to my local corpo store and asked and they were at least very polite. No demo unit to show me, but no bad taste in my mouth after I left. I asked about quantity and they said I should have no trouble getting it on Thursday.

 

[heraldo]

That's awesome! I was in Tri-county today too! Ugh!

 

[Cory Streater]

Cory, I read the post that you referred to. I see where you are coming from. Sounds like that guy doesn't want to work there and someone should put him out of his misery (fire him). I don't understand why he wouldn't want to schedule an appointment for launch day, though. He must not want to sell phones. Even if you are not eligible for renewal for a year, I would spend 30 minutes with you hoping that you would tell all your friends and family about what a great phone it is and send them to me.

Cory I agree. I went to my local corpo store and asked and they were at least very polite. No demo unit to show me, but no bad taste in my mouth after I left. I asked about quantity and they said I should have no trouble getting it on Thursday.

Thanks guys. As Jeremy (the other admin here) told me last night, "relax dude, it's one guy at one store, don't let him ruin your day or your excitement for the X" haha... but yeah dgolom, that's pretty much what I would expect from any customer facing employee, it's to at least be polite & welcome.

 

[GTvert90]

I just got back from Verizon. He said he had 2 or 3 X's in the store but none on display but he would go grab me one. He was the store manager and said he was the busiest store in the mid west IIRC

He did say they don't have any in stock yet. But should soon. And that the store opens at regular time but they will be in the parking lot handing out vouchers an hour before the store opens. If you want 3 phones you get 3 vouchers.