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We told you last week that the HTC Dragon would land on Verizon Wireless as the HTC Passion in early 2010. Now we’ve just gotten word that a GSM version of the HTC Passion will be hitting T-mobile USA as well. This bring us to the distinct possibility that the HTC Dragon/Passion is actually the rumored ‘Google Phone’. We’ve been following this news closely and after the leaked 2010 HTC Device Roadmap yesterday we now know with relative certainty that the Google Phone will be coming in CDMA and GSM variants as the HTC Passion next year.
The fundamental principle of the Open Handset Alliance, the group responsible for Android, is improving the mobile landscape for all devices regardless of carrier technologies. In order to achieve this goal, Google must incorporate both CDMA and GSM architecture in their device, the HTC Passion/Dragon. At this point our previous specs for the HTC Passion/Dragon remain unchanged: 1GHz processor, 4.3-inch capacitive multitouch display, 512MB ROM/256MB RAM, 5-megapixel camera with flash and 3.5mm headphone jack.
At this point we can not confirm which version of Android will be running on the HTC Passion but we expect Android 2.0 or 2.1. Since the 2010 HTC Device Roadmap was discovered by references contained in the leaked Android 2.1 ROM we are really hoping the HTC Passion features 2.1.
Please keep in mind that the root of this discovery is found in the leaked Android 2.1 ROM which references the Passion and PassionC. While any or all of this information is subject to change we’ve heard internally through Verizon Wireless employees that the HTC Passion is already undergoing testing for use on VZW’s network. Several of our contacts have even mentioned that we could see the device release before the end of the year, but to us that doesn’t make much sense. Why would Verizon spend all that money to promote the Motorola Droid only to have the Google Phone release with better specs a month later?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
“Why would Verizon spend all that money to promote the Motorola Droid only to have the Google Phone release with better specs a month later?”
Verizon has been spending money promoting the “DROID” brand which applies to any Verizon phone running Android. Moto is the first and so far the only DROID phone with Navigator so it’s currently the poster child but Eris is considered a DROID device too. Verizon cares about new contracts and data plans, not which phone you buy but since they have Android and AT&T does not, they are exploiting their investment in Android with all the commercials. If a huge HTC/Google device drops soon on VZW it will only get VZW more customers. Moto might not like it but VZW doesn’t care, Moto has had their time in the sun and has profited greatly from it.
I understand that Droid is a series of devices by Verizon and the HTC Bravo (Passion/Dragon) will be the third. However, the commercials are specific to the Motorola Droid not the series of Droid devices. The only device shown in the commercials to my knowledge is the Motorola Droid while the Droid Eris by HTC appears in separate commercials.
How would you price the HTC Bravo (Droid Bravo by HTC assuming it follows the Droid Eris naming) if you have the Motorola Droid at $199 and Droid Eris by HTC at $99. The iPhone has set precedent for the $199 or less price point so I couldn’t see Verizon selling the Bravo for $299 if it really wants to compete on a wide-scale…
It still doesn’t make sense to me for Verizon to launch the HTC Bravo in December when the Motorola Droid has only been out for a month… Sure the shelf life of smartphones is decreasing at a rapid pace but I think at least 90 days is appropriate before launching a faster device. That way they can reduce the price of the Droid Eris to 49.99, the Motorola Droid to $149.99 and the HTC Bravo launches at $199.99.
Pricing wise, the iPhone 3GS 32Gb launched for $299. So, $299 for the creme of the crop is not unprecedented. I actually paid just a little less for my POS flip phone back in the day. I would price the Passion phone at around there, maybe even $199 or $249 with rebate. Keep in mind Dell sells the DROID for $119 with a new contract and Wall-mart sells the Eris for $30, so there is plenty head room for a new flagship device.
I think the commercials for the Moto DROID get new customers into the Verizon store, it’s then up to their in store sales team to direct the customer to the DROID line and have the customer select their device based on preference and price. IMO coming out with the Passion would be a good idea simply because there are lots of people waiting for it and if Verizon doesn’t release it, someone else will VZW wants to have the best coverage and best smartphones. VZW has invested in the DROID brand and it won’t be hard to flip that excitement over to any of the DROID phones once a customer is in the store. Now, if you are a phone fanatic and bought the DROID and the Passion comes out, I can sympathize.
Where are you getting your information from? Do you have a link or source?
Well this started with the Android 2.1 ROM which contained the device names: http://www.cellfanatic.com/2009/12/htc-2010-roadmap-leaked-in-android-2-1-rom/
followed by a DigiTimes piece http://www.cellfanatic.com/2009/12/htc-bravo-passiondragon-pushed-back-to-2010-release-date/
and then the full 2010 HTC roadmap with pictures http://www.cellfanatic.com/2009/12/htc-2010-windows-mobile-and-android-device-lineup/
lol, just happy t-mobile’s getting one of these thing. THEY really needed a phone to compete with AT&T. heheehehe that large display will make iphone users angrrrrrry
Well It really doesn’t matter how much VZW has spent on the Droid… Because if someone wants a Droid after all the hype, and walks into the store and wants a droid, Unless the salesperson is gonna try and up sell them, 90% of the general public won’t care, its like my father and his stupid blackberry flip phone… he is just happy he has a new phone, most people won’t care if its not the newest and if it (Dragon) drops the price on all the other phones really they are not gonna lose that much money because of the internet required plan and the lovely internet tethering addon or whatever else they can tack onto some unknowing sheeples plan… LMAO!!!!