TechBytes: Verizon Unveils The Droid

Oct. 30, 2009— -- Amazon is hoping to make it easier to buy things online by launching a new payment system called Amazon PayPhrase. Instead of typing in a name, address and credit card number every time customers pay, they type in a short phrase, such as "Vinita's Stuff," and a pin number. The benefit is, all the user's personal information will already be stored with Amazon. PayPhrase works on Amazon and other websites that use Amazon's payment service.

Yesterday Verizon unveiled the Motorola Droid, it's answer to the iPhone. The phone is packed with features and runs on Google's mobile software. Sascha Segan of PCmag.com says it may not be the iPhone, but it is the future for Verizon. Segan also adds, "The Droid screen is absolutely amazing… it's easier to read text, it's easier to see photos, Web pages just look glorious." Since the Droid obviously works off of the Verizon network, Segan suggets another benefit of The Droid is its network. "Survey after survey, including our survey of thousands of readers consistently vote Verizon's network the best." Overall he thinks "this is the most exciting phone on Verizon Wireless right now." The Droid goes on sale next Friday for $200 with a two-year contract.

U2 has set a record on YouTube. Nearly 10 million people watched the band's concert live from the Rose Bowl in California on Sunday night, YouTube's largest streaming event ever. The rebroadcast has been watched by more than 1.1 million viewers and is still available on the site.

Pro basketball fans can now watch their favorite team on the go. The NBA is launching an application for smartphones that lets users watch up to 40 live games per week. NBA League Pass Mobile is available for the iPhone and Google phones with a version due out later this season for Blackberries. The application costs $40.