Verizon Wireless unveiled the latest addition to its a successful line of Droid smart phones on Wednesday afternoon — preempting Apple’s eagerly anticipated iPhone 4 launch by a day.
The new Motorola (MOT, Fortune 500) Droid X, available exclusively on Verizon's network, will have a 4.3-inch display, HDMI output, and 720p high-definition video capture. Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) is also updating its popular original Droid. Both phones are scheduled for July release.
The new Droids are part of Verizon’s attempt to outflank chief rival AT&T (T, Fortune 500) — the iPhone’s exclusive carrier — by taking advantage of the surging popularity of Google’s (GOOG, Fortune 500) Android mobile operating system to create a distinctive smart phone brand within Verizon.
Android is a hot wave to ride. Phones running Google’s mobile OS outsold iPhones in the first quarter, according to research group NPD. In the first three months of the year, 28% of smart phones sales were of Android phones, compared to 21% for Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500). BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIMM) continued to hold the lead, with 36% of overall sales.
Full story: Two new Verizon Droids: Meet the anti-iPhone – Jun. 23, 2010