"Missing Droid X Real-World Give-Away" Contest (1st Post:Updated)

[pantsman]

Are they going to label it and make it even more specific? Like: "it is on NOW ON the counter at the Verizon store next to a woman with a white shirt and afro? FINAL CLUEEEEE"?

Thanks. With all the pissing an moaning this actually made me laugh out loud.

People, take a deep breath. Most of the tweets have hinted that you will know it when you see it, which I would assume will go for the "final clue" as well. They won't WANT to give it to some random person. They'll want to give it to somebody that has an interesting story about following the hunt. Footage of a random person receiving it and not having a clue what it is won't help their advertising. And let's be clear, advertising is the whole point of this game.

I'm excited for the Droid X too, but to quote the (not so) all-mighty Jobs... "It's just a phone."

 

[NiceShotMan]

Wow, this seems to be real easy now. Ya, it sucks that we looked at it so hard, but now I'm just gonna chill and wait for the GPS coordinates. I'm too far to get one but I got some connections... hope I'm allowed to have someone else get it for me. Like a NON-geek friend for sure

 

[NiceShotMan]

Props!

"Open to legal residents of the 48 Contiguous United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years of age and older as of July 7, 2010."
That statement pretty much eliminates Hawaii from that earlier clue.

So much for my sarcasm theory

They might as well slap us in the face still.

We are going to find the cert and it will say, IOU "we are currently out of stock, here is a $25 gift certificate for your troubles"

 

[CNYClutch]

Just have the tweets texted to your phone. I get mine 30 seconds after it's posted.

Im doing that, but there are some problems. One there were some tweets that i didn't get via Texting and just today i notice a delay of tweet post and when i actually got the text. 2 times today i got a tweet text before it was posted on twitter.

 

[woop]

Hey, let's stop arguing/complaining. It is what it is! (I hate that term) So, either you are still in this, or you're not. When they post the coordiantes, or GPS locations, or whatever the hell it is gonna be, the ones who are up for it, go get it!!! I would, but I can guarantee, by the time I get there, since I am at least 45 minutes away from San Francisco, I am not getting one based on just a few folks here, and several on twitter that are in SF proper. I just want someone like WOOP to get it cuz he's our fellow hunter. Capiche?!?!?

Haha thanks. I'm on the same boat as you unfortunately. I'm about 20 mins out from San Francisco, so whoever is in SF will get there before I even reach the bay bridge.

BTW, I was in your neighborhood again today lol. Had to swing by the Superior Court House before heading to work.

 

[krichek]

Some people really make me question the human race. I can't believe that people are upset about how this thing has been run. Its a marketing campaign people The sole objective of this whole thing is to raise the profile of the Droid X and increase awareness. How many times have they repeated the specs. I bet everyone here has them memorized by now. I'd say its been very successful. Are there any other people in here that have taken a marketing class? Its marketing 101.

And can't you people that are complaining and talking about protesting and other garbage just appreciate the fact that they are giving out 21 free phones? Or are you too self centered that because you might not get one you don't like the contest?

Some people on this board will end up with free droid x's so lets just help where we can and be happy for them when they get them.

What I'm wondering is how you don't understand why some folks are upset.



They started this whole thing stating:

REPORT: Surveillance confirms all Droid X have dispersed. Each one is in a separate site.

Here’s how it goes. You find a Droid X out there. You pick it up. You turn it on. And everything changes.

The missing Droid X phones aren’t going anywhere else. Unless someone finds them before you.




Those clues indicate that if you are willing to make the drive and are smart enough to figure it out you have just as good a shot as the next guy. In reality that is not the case.

Here's a good analogy. You're playing Jeopardy, based on your intelligence you have just as good a shot at winning as the other 2 guys. If you lose it's on you! Now imagine Jeopardy suddenly changed the rules on you while you were playing. Now instead of being in a studio together you are at 3 different locations, you must make your way to the studio as quickly as possible to buzz in when the clue is given to win. The catch is you only know the general area of where the studio is AND you won't be told when the clue is coming, could be an hour, could be a week.

Do you see how something that was fair to a LOT of people initially, suddenly becomes much less fair? It is no longer a game about wits or puzzle solving like everyone was lead to believe. It is now about being lucky enough to live/work/etc close to where the final location is then anything else.

Verizon is free to run their ads anyway they see fit, I congratulate those that win, but also do not begrudge anyone who is pissed off. As it stands now this was a poorly implemented "contest".

 

[CNYClutch]

Ok so out of the 13,941 follower how many have read the rules. Unless they are in this or howards forums maybe a 1/3?

 

[XEscapeTheLiesX]

So uh, lots have happened since I went to run errands. Sounds like I'm out of the running for a free Droid X, since it's apparently going to be based on GPS locations, and my GPS was stolen a month or so ago when my wife's car was broken into. Ah well. I'll get one the old fashioned way in a week: cold hard cash.

you dont need a GPS device to find the locations. You can type GPS coordinates into google maps and it will give you a location.

 

[wag1987]

Ok so out of the 13,941 follower how many have read the rules. Unless they are in this or howards forums maybe a 1/3?

I'm hoping it stays that way.

 

[jamesstone]

How about this?

" Prizes unclaimed within 4 hours from the time of the posting of the final clue will be randomly awarded (in Sponsor representative

 

[CNYClutch]

Guys, how did you get tweets send on your phone via sms?

Log on to twitter. go to settings. click on mobile. type in your phone number. make sure device update are on. Then go to https://twitter.com/DroidLanding
next to "following" there should be a little phone. click on it and you should be all set.

 

[krichek]

Log on to twitter. go to settings. click on mobile. type in your phone number. make sure device update are on. Then go to https://twitter.com/DroidLanding
next to "following" there should be a little phone. click on it and you should be all set.

And if by chance like me you aren't signed up or have an exisiting Twtter account you can text Follow DroidLanding to 40404 and then follow the setup instructions from your phone.

 

[Tabe]

Ok so out of the 13,941 follower how many have read the rules. Unless they are in this or howards forums maybe a 1/3?

Dunno... The rules have now been posted on several tech sites as well as tweeted and retweeted multiple times now. Probably more people than you think know about the rules.

 

[woop]

How about this?

" Prizes unclaimed within 4 hours from the time of the posting of the final clue will be randomly awarded (in Sponsor representative

 

[eeyore777]

I still think we have the heads up.... we are following each clue and have an idea what we are looking for.... We know the areas and we know it will be a certificate and most likely a person showing the phone off ("Hey look at that"). I mean how many people saw the clues? I looked for the rules on the first day... I tweeted about it a little while ago to droidlanging asking for the official rules... IT WAS NOT THERE a few hours ago!

Don't give up, I truly believe we are ahead of the "Average Joe"!

I live 2 hours from Atlanta so I will not even try... Unless I get lucky and it is in my city If I can help any of you find the phone I will... I want it to be one of us, how exciting would that be?

And now the clue "The enhanced vision of Droid X would be the perfect tool to help you find one. Ironic." This is for GPS navigation...you don't have to have a droid but it would help (any navigation will work).

 

[Beasnizzle99]

what if your in there searching and dont find it then they give it to somone not searching?

 

[damstr]

What I think is really dumb is someone who doesn't even know about this scavenge hunt is walking around and finds this certificate. Some sort of code should be in the last tweet for that Droid so people actually following the Twitter posts gets it not some douche bag that got lucky.

 

[Helicrewchief]

is anyone following any of the other forums on the topic, like android central and what not? i've seen some of android centrals, but there aren't as many posts

I was following AC but its dead compared to this one.

Uh.. was this covered already?

Verizon Wireless Droid Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt Rules?

Sorry for double post if it was.

You are the man! and I hate you at the same time. This just pretty much confirmed that I am out of the running Oh well I had fun while it lasted and found a new hobby!

Please let #21 be in North Carolina.

Yeah I've been geocaching recently I will take you ON!

Not to say I told you so, but, I pretty much called it. I knew they wouldn't leave a DX in a random location for anyone to find. I also knew a Verizon representative would be in the vicinity to validate the finder. Sucks it's just going to be GPS coordinates, as whoever is closest will obviously be there first. Takes any kind of skill out of the "contest". I'm surprised there are only 21 of them.

Very surprised there are only 21 of them. They don't even seem to be spread out evenly across America. At least I don't live in Alaska or Hawaii.

Wow, this seems to be real easy now. Ya, it sucks that we looked at it so hard, but now I'm just gonna chill and wait for the GPS coordinates. I'm too far to get one but I got some connections... hope I'm allowed to have someone else get it for me. Like a NON-geek friend for sure

I disagree. Go geocaching for a "micro" or "nano" THEY ARE HARD! You could be looking for something as small as this...Google Image Result for http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_opxaptTsaNA/SRjK1Muc0YI/AAAAAAAABjU/h4gbOUouF7I/s400/Nano+geocache.JPG the "certificate" just has to fit in the container.

Now yeah you will get the coordinates not sure about your GPS but mine will only get me within 3 meters, roughly 10 feet. So if they get really really clever in hiding these it can be very tough. The more eyes the better!

Seriously it has been fun and for the people who went searching and liked it try Geocaching.

 

[morbid_realities]

My major complaint is that VZW should have posted the rules on the first tweet, period. A lot of people wasted time and money for naught. I'm pissed because I wasted both and others wasted more.

 

[Curt941]

Well if it really is just GPS coordinates and a mad dash to that location, who is liable for the fights that break out? haha, because i'll punch one of you guys in the face for a Droid X!

 

[morbid_realities]

Well if it really is just GPS coordinates and a mad dash to that location, who is liable for the fights that break out? haha, because i'll punch one of you guys in the face for a Droid X!

While I'm sure youre joking...I'd be more liable to punch the rep.

 

[Helicrewchief]

My major complaint is that VZW should have posted the rules on the first tweet, period. A lot of people wasted time and money for naught. I'm pissed because I wasted both and others wasted more.

Agreed.

 

[Gamble]

Seriously it has been fun and for the people who went searching and liked it try Geocaching.

Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

 

[eeyore777]

Guys we have the lead on them.... We know what we are looking for.... If someone walks up to the average Joe and says "Hey look at this" then shows them the Droid X they might say cool....when can I order....what is so special about it.
IF we see someone that says "hey look at this" we are going to knock them over for the certificate. WE HAVE THIS!!!!

BTW - Verizon called me today on my home phone. Odd I know... before I answered it I looked at my husband and said did I just win a free phone. He laughed. Well my contract is up and being with Verizon so long they wanted me to sign my 2 year contract with them... I told him no that I was going to next week unless I could order the Droid X today. The guy said he would give me a month for free ($90 value) and it will not affect the price of the phone. I can still get it for the $199 with rebate. With my 2 year $100 credit and $90 credit the phone will be $9. Sweet! My husband will pay $199. He said more like each phone cost us $104.... I don't care how he looks at it... We basically got a phone for free. THANK YOU VERIZON WIRELESS!
So we all know....if it sounds too good to be true it must be a scam right? I called Verizon from my wireless phone and asked about the call. Guys it was real. I was on my account and she read it back and assured me I would get both phones for the contract price not full retail.

I am glad to help anyone else find their Droid X. I just know someone on here will win the phone.

 

[tmellen]

I totally feel you man. Read my last post or two. Its driving me crazy that people are complaining. Its like since they might not get one they think this is dumb now. Like those spoiled kids you played with when you were little that said they were taking their toys and going home because they didn't like what you said or something. Some people just don't have the ability to be happy for others.

Some people are complaining because there was a tweet that said the droids were ALREADY in place, and based off of that, they were spending time and money looking for them.

I took the afternoon off for one, spent hours downtown St. Louis looking at sports centers (Statues of great athletes), in the arch, the museum at the arch (has a 4 story tall movie screen -- Droid showing the showme state it's video, etc).

Two nights ago I spent the midnight hour searching Verizon Ampitheatre's red tables that look like droid eyes from Satellite View on google maps. Monday day was spent looking in casinos and parks...

All because we were told that they were already in place. THAT is why some people (me) are pissed.

It has nothing to do with someone else getting to a GPS location before me. It has everything to do with them telling us they are already out there waiting unless someone else finds it first. I have a network of a couple of hundred police offices I can radio in St. Louis County, and as the saying goes, you might be able to outrun a police car, but you can't outrun it's radio. Is that unfair? Probably. Does it mean I can lock down the location faster than anyone else? Probably. Does it mean I'm happy to have spent 6-10 hours in the past few days looking for something that isn't there? Hell no I'm not.

Color me pissed.