Google Android Invasion

The main thing to remember here in regard to viruses and trojans is that Android is a modified version of Linux. This makes it very different than a Windows based system. First of all an open-sourced platform will have exponentially more people looking at and working with the code. A result of this is that with more eyes on the code, they will find and fix more security holes.

Another thing to consider is that with android each app or "service" as it's known in unix will have its own user account created for it and that service will only have permissions to modify data within that user account.

Nevertheless the possibility is always still there such as an app that would steal your personal information and one company has already released anti-virus software made specifically for Android.

Check this article for some good info on it.
Android May Not Need Anti-Virus Software

I have a budy that got the Android about two months ago. He loves the thing and I messed around with it for a bit and it is really nice, user friendly, and fast.

I do hope it takes some of the iphone market. I am not opposed to the iphone but Apple needs to be put in there place.

I am looking at both of these phones, as my cell plan ends in February, to upgrade to. I am however weary about the virus attacks that the guest above spoke about. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

For those speaking of GPS IS IN THE Droid, the gps system is a condensed TomTom and is in fact better because more open source software have made is easier to communicate and talk to the Tomtom, which is a huge benefit especially when driving. There is a Motorolla Mount for the Droid that you can find here: http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile+Phone+Accessories/Chargers-and-Adapters/DROID-Phone-Holder-US-EN and the Droid automatically knows when its in car mode as soon as you insert it. It does have a few kinks as long as you don't overload it. I've found the 2 of three rule is good when using the GPS. For example, if your running the droid tomtom, streaming pandora through your car (the analog to digital conversion is amazing by the way), and then you get a phone call, it will take the phone call but then you have to press a button to restore your GPS map (but pandora will resume automatically). Other than that, and especially for your hiking purposes, the Droid should work well for you. Also, you will never have to buy a tomtom, and since tomtom is the top of the line portable GPS to add-on to cars, and is not a negligible amount of money in and of itself, the Droid will be a good investment for a permanent GPS system for you, your hiking experiences and your car. I've found the the gps applications on i-phone are not as spiffy and smooth running as the tomtom that comes with gps, especially considering the i-phone does not have the actual tomtom operating system in the i-phone, and the droid does, so (as an aspring Electrical Engineer hoping to obtain my masters, software engineer, aspiring computer scientist and sometimes hacker) knowledgable in the software and hardware peices of the phone, for whatever its worth I would recommend the Droid. It is also possible to turn your droid into a wireless router if you google instructions online. But if you don't feel comfortable configuring the phone yourself, its easier to set up tethering on your phone to access wireless internet. This could be a good back up in case of on emergency, depending on how far in the middle of nowhere you are hiking, accessing networks is probably unlikely but just in case, having tethering to access internet in case you may need it as a back internet source could be a good safety feature. Instructions and forums on how to do so are here: http://www.gadgetvenue.com/motorola-droid-wifi-tether-unofficially-12241219/ I would also recommend getting ghost armour. Just in case (because I didn't know what it was a year ago), it an awesome custom covers for phones (now also for the Motrolla Droid). If you google multiple youtube videos on ghost armour, you will find it is one of the best safety investment you can buy for your phone, and you will be amazed and the protective features it has and how much it protects against dropping your phone, throwing it, dropping it, or anything else that may happen during a hiking trip. To get your ghost armour look here: http://www.ghost-armor.com/motorola/motorola-droid-mobile-phone/prod_304.html and before you beleive everything the website says, I would recommend googling youtube videos of demonstrations with ghost armour so you feel comfortable with the purchase. My boyfriend just got the ghost armour and it actually is awesome. I plan on getting mine in the next month or so. It's defintiely worth the investment. You can find forums on how to do so step by step here: http://www.gadgetvenue.com/motorola-droid-wifi-tether-unofficially-12241219/