Motorola DROID, the second mobile phone the handset maker delivers to the market with Google's Android operating system on board, and also the first Android device launched by Verizon Wireless, seems to have managed to get people line up in front of Verizon's store in Manhattan at midnight. The handset went on sale today, and the carrier's Manhattan store was opened from midnight to 2am to offer enthusiasts the possibility to get their DROID faster than others.

According to a recent article on Cnet, around 100 people lined up in front of the store on West 34th Street in New York City to get a piece of the DROID. A number of 13 sales representatives and four or five device specialists were in the store, showcasing the capabilities of the handheld and helping customers. Users were also helped to move their contacts to the new phone.

Verizon Wireless spokesman David Samberg has reportedly stated that the wireless carrier is confident it will manage to meet demand for the new device in Big Apple. It seems that the store in question alone had a number of around 500 Motorola DROID units available, as well as some HTC DROID ERIS handsets. According to Samberg, those willing to get the handset in New York today should be able to do so.

Big Red has high hopes for the newly launched Android 2.0-based mobile phone. The device should spur replacements among existing customers, but it is also expected to attract new subscribers to the carrier. “I use Gmail and all kinds of Google services, so it's nice to be able to have all that on my phone,” said Geoffrey Aravallis, who has been with Verizon for nine years, as Cnet indicates. “And the Droid is much more open than the iPhone.”

Even if the Motorola DROID is compared to the iPhone most of the time, it seems that it might affect the sales of BlackBerry handsets, of which Verizon has a wide range available in its offering. At the same time, the handheld is also expected to help Android gain more market share from rivals like Windows Mobile and Symbian.