I don't think that anyone can conscientiously deny that the OGD (Aka Motorola Droid A855 "slider"), didn't only "change" Android, but that it really did in fact take it from "another operating system for phones", to an entire culture shocker. The OGD was THE game-changer. I don't really believe that things could possibly have progressed anywhere near as fast as they have had it not been for the massively aggressive, powerful, and very expensive ad campaign that was to launch the DROID, utilizing the name, the concept, and the uniqueness of the Droid's styling to the MAX!!
Then using the "Razr" namesake was a BRILLIANT way to re-capitalize on a proven success story and at the same time highlight the incredible innovation of the laminated manufacturing process that bore the Droid RAZR, and shortly after the Droid RAZR MAXX. As much as HTC, Samsung, and a few other manufacturers have certainly contributed to the entire global sweep that would become the Android revolution, I don't think anyone can deny that it was the seeds planted by Motorola and Verizon and gently nursed by Google which took this market by storm.
Imagine if the "trend-setter" were another brand instead - one that wasn't as well-built, one that didn't sport the best radios, one that didn't have a full keyboard in a slider package, one that didn't have the incredibly powerful advertising campaign and the full deep-pocketed backing of Verizon to push its public awareness... Imagine if instead that "game changer" phone was a plastic'y, cheap-feeling, poorly communicating, call-dropping nightmare of a phone instead. We might not have anywhere near the level of advancements and innovation that we've seen in just these few short years.
Phones have grown from being glorified PDAs to full-power microcomputers capable of handling even some of the most graphic intensive, speed sucking, memory demanding jobs and doing it better than even desktops of only a few short years ago. Nobody can argue that the era of "take your PC with you" is here. The desktop console or floor "tower" is all but dead in comparison. What better possible scenario could there be for someone like me, who markets a portable product both while in the office, and also while out at events and socializing. Now I can take my entire business with me...and it all fits into my shirt pocket (minus the pocket protector).
I have 2 Bluetooth wireless keyboards (Microsoft 6000 Keyboard & Apple Wireless Aluminum Keyboard), Bluetooth wireless mouse (Microsoft 5000 Notebook mouse), several Bluetooth wireless headsets (Motorola Motorokr S306, Jawbone Icon Rogue, MeElectronics Air-FI AF32, Plantronics Backbeat 903), and so far the only thing lacking is the wireless connection to my monitor...but it's coming. I also have a Bluetooth Caller ID Alert watch & bracelet BW09-1, which tells me when the phone is ringing and who is calling without even pulling the phone from my pocket. I can also answer or ignore the calls and again...even communicate (with the headsets mentioned above), all without even laying a finger on my phone.
My Ford F-150 Platinum (with climate controlled bucket seats - both heating and cooling...the Super Crew cab, 6.5' bed, electrically deploying running boards, and tailgate step), allows me to stream over 3,800 CDs stored on a 2 TB NAS drive at home right through the phone into the car stereo system and I don't have to touch a thing. I put the key into the ignition and about 5 seconds later the music I was last listening to starts right back up where it last left off...all over the Cellular network. I can answer the phone from the car, it also navigates me to my destination with voice commands, speaking the street names and exit numbers, tells me when and where to turn, it tells me where the cheapest gas is to fill my truck's belly, and where I can fill my belly too.
You all know me by now to be a bit verbose...but I just can't help myself. Android has changed my life in ways I could never have even begun to imagine. And I think we're just getting started. I can't wait for the next 5 years worth of innovations...I'm just not sure I'm ready for the changes it is going to make in my life this time around. But I'm sure going to enjoy the ride.
I finally grabbed one that December and kicked myself for not listening to him and waiting! Here we are 4 years of complete phone obsession later!!