We knew it was coming, so now it’s time to makes things official. The limited edition Star Wars branded Droid 2, dubbed Droid R2-D2 by Motorola, goes on sale this Thursday, September 30 for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract on Verizon Wireless. Besides the new exterior aesthetics, the device has the same features as the standard Droid 2. Its got the 3.7-inch multitouch display, slideout QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera, and it runs Android 2.2. So why the $50 price hike? The phone comes preinstalled with the following exclusive content: · R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones; four live wallpapers; R2-D2 clock widget; “The Best of R2-D2” video with the original Cantina music; and an exclusive binoculars app. The phone is bundled with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset inside custom packaging “resembling carbonite.” Look in the gallery below for a closer look at the phone and media dock. Full PR after the break.
In related news, VZW also announced a new Star Wars app for all Android 2.1 or higher phones. The VZW exclusive Empire Strikes Back app includes a sound and photo gallery, live wallpapers, a trivia challenge game, and widgets all related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back in celebration of the film’s 30 year anniversary. The app will be made available in the Android Marketplace for a cool $2.99.
MAY THE DROID BE WITH YOU: LIMITED EDITION DROID™ R2-D2™ BY MOTOROLA LANDS ON VERIZON WIRELESS’ NETWORK
DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Brings the Galactic Empire to Customers
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Verizon Wireless announced that the highly anticipated limited edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in select Verizon Wireless Communication stores beginning Sept. 30. With a graphic design to look like the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, the DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be packaged in a custom box resembling carbonite and come with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset. Exclusive content comes pre-loaded on the special edition smartphone, including:
· R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones
· Four live wallpapers
· R2-D2 Clock Widget
· “The Best of R2-D2” video with the original Cantina music
· Exclusive Binoculars App
Star Wars Mobile App Available for All Customers with Android 2.1 phones
To celebrate 30 years since the film hit theaters, customers with Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher will soon be able to get the Empire Strikes Back app from Android Market™. The app, only for Verizon Wireless customers, allows Jedi Masters to browse, preview and download Star Wars content related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Verizon Wireless customers can access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99.
The Star Wars mobile app will have the following features and content:
· Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
· Sound and Photo Gallery
· Live Wallpapers:
o Blast the Probe Droid
o Luke Balancing Yoda
o Navigating the Asteroid Field
o Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
· Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about The Empire Strikes Back
· Widgets
The DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
For more information on DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2.