Can a droid 2 function the same as an ipod touch?

[melikesports]

hi I'm new to android operating systems and I have several questions but first let me explain my situation. I was planning on buying an ipod touch when the fifth gen is released however my friend offered to sell me his old droid 2 that no longer has a contract. here are my questions

1. will the droid be able to do most of the things an ipod touch can do?
2. will it be able to connect to my home wifi network without having a data plan?
3. will I be able to use the android market without having the data plan?
4. are there any factors I may not be considering (from my lack of knowledge of androids) that would be a downside to using a droid 2 instead of an ipod?

 

[chanchan05]

1. Yes and more. Practically, there isnt anything an iPod touch can do natively thats special IMO. Its all apps. The correct question would be, are there similar apps and games for Android from iPhone/iPod. And the answer is yes.

2. Yes. You need data plan to connect to any WiFi hotspot for ANY device (whether its Android, Windows, iOS, Mac whatever).

3. Yes again, turn off packet data and use WiFi

4. Battery life. An iPod would be dedicated to apps, games and music alone. However the Droid 2 is also a phone, which will make it use more battery than an iPod where all antenna can be turned off. But it has an advantage in that you dont have to carry two devices (an iPod and a phone) anymore.

 

[MyNamesTooLong]

1. Yes and more. Practically, there isnt anything an iPod touch can do natively thats special IMO. Its all apps. The correct question would be, are there similar apps and games for Android from iPhone/iPod. And the answer is yes.

2. Yes. You need data plan to connect to any WiFi hotspot for ANY device (whether its Android, Windows, iOS, Mac whatever).

3. Yes again, turn off packet data and use WiFi

4. Battery life. An iPod would be dedicated to apps, games and music alone. However the Droid 2 is also a phone, which will make it use more battery than an iPod where all antenna can be turned off. But it has an advantage in that you dont have to carry two devices (an iPod and a phone) anymore.

thats what airplane mode on our phones does...

 

[chanchan05]

thats what airplane mode on our phones does...

But you wont be using airplane/flight mode 24/7 would you? If you would, go buy an iPod.

You'd still be using the GPRS/3g/4g antenna for at least 15hrs a day more than an iPod would.

 

[MyNamesTooLong]

But you wont be using airplane/flight mode 24/7 would you? If you would, go buy an iPod.

You'd still be using the GPRS/3g/4g antenna for at least 15hrs a day more than an iPod would.

My understanding was he wanted to buy the droid 2 and use it as an mp3 player/app system because its cheaper than a new ipod touch will be...if I am incorrect then feel free to clarify OP

 

[chanchan05]

My understanding was he wanted to buy the droid 2 and use it as an mp3 player/app system because its cheaper than a new ipod touch will be...if I am incorrect then feel free to clarify OP

He didnt specify, but would you buy a phone an turn its telephony off just to use it for media? If it were me, I'd rather ditch my old phone if the new one is better, and If my old phone is even better than a Droid 2, I wouldnt even be looking to buy an iPod at all.

 

[takeshi]

will the droid be able to do most of the things an ipod touch can do?

Yes. You might want to clarify exactly what you're expecting though.

will it be able to connect to my home wifi network without having a data plan?

Absolutely.

will I be able to use the android market without having the data plan?

Yes.

are there any factors I may not be considering (from my lack of knowledge of androids) that would be a downside to using a droid 2 instead of an ipod?

These should be obvious and may or may not matter specifically to you but since you haven't clarified your specific needs/wants:

If you have anything that has an iPod/iPhone interface that you're counting on using then obviously it wouldn't work the same way with the Droid 2. That's one reason why I don't use my Droid for music in my cars. There are certainly ways to interface Android devices in most cases though.

iTunes sync/backup isn't quite the same with the Droid 2 as with the iPod Touch.

Battery life. An iPod would be dedicated to apps, games and music alone. However the Droid 2 is also a phone, which will make it use more battery than an iPod where all antenna can be turned off. But it has an advantage in that you dont have to carry two devices (an iPod and a phone) anymore.

Can't use the Droid 2 as a phone without a data plan.

He didnt specify, but would you buy a phone an turn its telephony off just to use it for media? If it were me, I'd rather ditch my old phone if the new one is better, and If my old phone is even better than a Droid 2, I wouldnt even be looking to buy an iPod at all.

It's not you. It's the OP. Never assume that your preferences are universal. Read the OP again. Note "no data plan"?

In any case, the OP specifically states that the Droid 2 is being compared to the iPod Touch as a PMP. If the OP was looking for a phone then why is the iPod Touch in the running?

 

[melikesports]

My understanding was he wanted to buy the droid 2 and use it as an mp3 player/app system because its cheaper than a new ipod touch will be...if I am incorrect then feel free to clarify OP

yeah that's what I wanted to do sorry for not making that clear. I would just buy one and a contract with it but my parents aren't letting me buy a phone atm

 

[melikesports]

thank you chanchan0 and takeshi! I mostly plan on using the droid for apps like facebook some web browsing and a texting app (textfree that I use on my ipod touch now) that I can use while I'm somewhere with wifi.

I think that I'm going to buy the droid off of my friend.. but just wondering, for my purposes would there be a better droid for me to buy?