The is a cousin of and the , also on Verizon, but Incredible compares best to the HTC-built Nexus One, originally only sold via Google online and with service from T-Mobile USA, but coming soon to .
Incredible runs Android 2.1 with the newest version of HTC's Sense user interface, which offers users a seven-panel homescreen, meaning they can quickly navigate to any one of seven open applications or close one through a pinch called "Leap" on the homescreen.
Nexus One also runs Android 2.1, but has a 5-megapixel camera, compared with Incredible's 8-megapixel camera. Both have similar touchscreen displays, of 3.7 inches, WVGA AMOLED and 800x480 pixels.
Droid Incredible uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz processor, a first for a Verizon phone, but also the same as the Nexus One.
In sum, Droid Incredible has a better camera, and a quicker-to-use interface than Nexus One, but also offers Verizon as the carrier. Those factors could matter to users weighing the next version of top-selling iPhone on OS 4.0, and whether the AT&T iPhone exclusive continues -- all unknowns.
Best Buy is reported to be planning to sell the phone pre-sale on April 18 for $200 without a need for a rebate.
Verizon requires a two year commitment to a Nationwide Talk plan at a minimum of $40 a month, plus a commitment to an e-mail and internet plan, for another minimum of $30.
Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld . Follow Matt on Twitter at @matthamblen or subscribe to Matt's RSS feed . His e-mail address is mhamblen@computerworld.com .
in Computerworld's Smartphones Knowledge Center.