Verizon's Attack of the 'Droids

NEW YORK -- Verizon Wireless showed off its first two phones using the Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android operating system at a device event today here at the W Hotel in Times Square.

The massive CDMA operator will release the first of what Keith Lampron, who works in Verizon's wireless data devices strategy and planning unit, described as "a family of devices," on Friday.

Coming first is the "flagship," the Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) Droid, a large $200 smartphone, that runs the Android 2.0 operating system. Lighter on the scales and the wallet is the High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) (Taiwan: 2498) Eris, a $100 phone that runs a version of Android 1.5.

Both devices run on Verizon's 3G EV-DO Rev A network and sport touch-screens and QWERTY keyboards. To view more gizmos, click the picture below:

The Droid Flagship

Moto's first Android phone for Verizon

Verizon's Lampron wouldn't directly address questions about a third Android device coming soon on the Verizon network. There are, however, plenty of rumors about one or more gadgets in the works. (See Verizon to Have 3 Android Devices by Early 2010.)

The Verizon event also highlighted the operator's three-strong lineup of netbooks and rugged push-to-talk phones, as well as a new version of the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Korea: SEC) "Chocolate" MP3 phone and a full line of Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; Toronto: RIM) phones.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung