As the rumored DROID 2 launch date drew closer, I knew I’d eventually get the standard issue DM of “come get a phone”. Like clockwork, I received said DM yesterday morning.

I said it on twitter, and I’ll say it again; If the DROID X and the original DROID made a baby, it’s name would be DROID 2.  This is the first Android phone to be a true successor.  Sure the myTouch Slide took over QWERTY duties for the G1, but it wasn’t a direct descendant.  If you like the original DROID, you will like this phone.

The good…

The keyboard has been redesigned, in a very good way.  The keys are raised a little bit more, are now offset and wider.  They ditched the original D-pad for up/down/left/right arrows, and an OK button.

The guts have been refreshed a bit.  It rocks a 1GHz processor and 8GB of internal storage.  Like the X, the storage is only for apps and app data.  It can’t be mounted for file storage.

It comes with Android 2.2 fresh out of the box.  No upgrading.  No manual installs.  No hassle.

The Bad…

The camera is only 5MP and doesn’t record HD video.  I suppose this is to help differentiate it from the X and Incredible.  However, the price is $199.99 (new line, contracts, etc, etc).  If this is intended to be a mid-grade phone, it needs to have a mid-grade price…or…if it’s going to cost as much as the top of the line phones, it needs to include top of the line features.

Some folks are DROID diehards.  Part of the reason is that it used to run 100% stock vanillandroid.  There wasn’t an additional layer plastered on top of it.  Well, if you’re one of those folks, and were thinking the DROID 2 was going to be the same, you’re out of luck.  The deuce runs the same version of Android that the X has.  It’s very Motorola and very Verizon.  But that’s ok.  It comes with all of the same Moto widgets that the X has, which are cool, and includes the Verizon goodies like Mobile Hotspot.

The Ugly…

I’m happy to report, that I have yet to find any “ugly”.  The Market was a bit wonky, but it always is with new phones.  Someone must have flipped a switch last night, because the Market issues that I was having disappeared.

The DROID 2 is available now for $199.99 (contracts, rebates, what-not) at your local Verizon Wireless store, or your favorite electronics retailer.

Stay tuned for a more in-depth review.  If you have any specific questions, comment here or tweet at me (@breon).

With Motorola on track to deliver a bevy of Androids in 2010, it’s easy to get leaks mixed up, associating a name found here with an image found there. While Android and Me points out that the phone pictured on the front of the getting started guide below might be called Droid 2, Droid Shadow, or Droid Xtreme, most everyone is calling it the shadow.

And in a turn of events about as likely as those described in DroidDog’s Flipout leak (not very), an in-the-wild snap has turned up. Rumored specs include: 4.1″ TFT FWVGA display, 2GB -8GB internal memory, Android 2.1 or 2.2 with new MotoBlur, 8MP cam, 1080p HDMI out.

Droid Does Augmented reality!  Well, technically most Android devices can “do” augmented reality.  However, none of the other carriers and/or manufacturers are promoting the sheer amount and variety of Android apps that are available.  Even if you think the videos are too industrial or crass, you have to admit that Verizon is helping to gain visibility for our little, green buddy.

Two more for the Droid Does campaign

Congratulations to Michael M. from The Bronx for winning a brand new HTC Incredible for Verizon Wireless!

This was DroidDog’s first giveaway based on what all of you wrote. With over 500 entries, I found it difficult to narrow it down to 25. Choosing the top ten was hard. Selecting a single winner was a serious challenge. There were so many good stories, jokes, and poems that I wanted at least five of you to win. But with only one prize to give away, I’m happy to know that Michael is getting the HTC Incredible. He really deserves it and this comes at a good time for him – right after a birthday and graduation!

I have been waiting for this one for some time, and I’m very happy to say that I have an Incredible in my possession. My first impressions are developing rapidly but I want to wait for a few days before I make any jugements. For more information on this phone right now, check out Breon Nagy’s full written review.

I will be making questions and requests videos on Incredible, so please send them to me on Twitter: @PhoneDog_John. You can also send a text message (voicemails and calls will be ignored) to 503-MOB-BARK. Be sure to mention “Incredible” in your message!