Verizon offers iPhone competitor

WHAT: Motorola Droid, sold by Verizon.

FEATURES: Runs on Google's Android 2.0 mobile operating system. Has 16 gigabytes of memory, a 5-megapixel camera with flash and options for photo effects, and slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard.

PRICE: $199.99, after rebate and new 2-year contract.

New Motorola Android phone on Verizon: the Devour

Verizon Wireless has a second handset from Motorola Inc. that uses Google Inc.'s Android software: The Devour.

Much like the Motorola Droid, which debuted to much fanfare in November, the Devour has a touch screen that slides away to reveal a keyboard. The screen is slightly smaller, however. Verizon said Wednesday the phone would be on sale in March, but did not say what it would cost.

The Devour also features Motoblur, a software package from Motorola that displays e-mails and content from such sites as Twitter and Facebook on one screen. Motorola's Cliq, which launched through T-Mobile USA last year, also used Motoblur, but the Droid did not.

No Google Navigation for $99 Droid Phone

Today, Verizon released a new, affordable smartphone running Google’s Android operating system. The HTC Droid ERIS is just $99 after rebates, and it looks and works a lot like the Motorola Droid phone, which was released last week. However, the more expensive Motorola is running a slightly newer version of Android, which can use Google’s new Navigation Maps Beta application that we detailed last week ; the new $99 HTC Droid ERIS can’t run it. HTC says it will upgrade to the new system eventually via a software update. We’ll keep you posted on when the upgrade will be available because a $99 phone running a sophisticated — and free — navigation application is enticing.

Apps give simple cellphones more oomph

Given the craze around the iPhone, Motorola Droid, Palm Pre and Nexus One, it might seem that nearly everyone has a smartphone.

But most consumers use simpler, much cheaper phones.

According to data from the Nielsen Company, roughly 82 percent of cellphones in use are limited-function phones, the kind that typically sell for less than $50 or are given away with a two-year service contract.

GM Creates Volt Mobile App to Maximize Mileage

GM will use the Consumer Electronics Show to unveil a new mobile phone application that uses OnStar technology to help owners of the new Chevy Volt save even more fuel. The new app will work on touch-screen phones in addition to the iPhone, including the Motorola Droid and Blackberry Storm.