Verizon Wireless today officially announced what some Android users have been anticipating for quite some time: the R2-D2 edition of the Droid 2. Bowing September 30, the highly customized Droid 2 is sure to delight “Star Wars” fans.
Unlike other special smartphone versions, the handset has more than just a white battery cover painted to look like Artoo Detoo. Verizon and Motorola definitely have spent some time customizing the phone with subtle touches.
The Star Wars experience starts immediately with a box that resembles carbonite, the substance in which Han Solo was encased. The hardware is identical to the standard Droid 2: a 1GHz processor, Android 2.1, a 3.7-inch display, a 5-megapixel camera, and 8GB preinstalled memory card. In the box there’s also a wired stereo headset and a Star-Wars-themed media dock.
Yet, it’s the software and content that really make this model special. There are R2-D2 notifications and ringtones, live wallpaper, a clock widget, and a few other goodies, all in the name of Star Wars. Verizon also is making exclusive Star Wars content available to other Android users with a handset running Android 2.1 or later. Available for a one-time $2.99 fee, the special “The Empire Strikes Back” app features live wallpaper, a trivia game, widgets, and sound and photo galleries.
The R2-D2 Droid 2 will be available for $249 with a two-sear service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. (the standard Droid 2 is $199 with service). As trite as it sounds, I am going to ask anyway. Is this the Droid you’re looking for?