Wireless carrier Verizon has announced officially today the launch of Motorola DROID, the first smartphone that reaches the operator's offering with Google's Android operating system on board. The new mobile phone is the first handset to come to the market with Android 2.0, the newest flavor of Google's OS, and also sports great performance levels and impressive speeds, as well as an attractive design. The handset is expected to become available for purchase on Verizon's airwaves as soon as November 6 is here, the carrier announced.

“We’re proud to work with Verizon Wireless and Google on the first smartphone to feature Android 2.0,” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices. “DROID by Motorola delivers a rich consumer experience with warp-speed Web browsing, a mammoth screen, and Motorola’s expertise in design and voice quality. Combined with Android’s open, flexible graphical user interface and the power of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, DROID is a smartphone that simply doesn’t compromise.”

The new smartphone is one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available on the market at the moment, which also sports GPS navigation capabilities, as well as over-the-air updating and multi-tasking features. The handset will deliver a 3.7” high-resolution screen, a 5-megapixel camera, multi-window HTML browser, Google Maps Navigation, included 16 GB memory card, and access to various services like YouTube, Gmail, Android Market, Amazon MP3 Store or Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail.

“This is an exciting announcement for Verizon Wireless, as the DROID by Motorola is the first device that we are bringing to market under our ground-breaking strategic partnership with Google,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “DROID by Motorola gives customers a lifestyle device with access to more than 12,000 applications that will help them stay in touch, up to date and entertained, using the best 3G network in the country.”

Verizon Wireless announced that the new Motorola DROID would become available for purchase starting with November 6, priced at $199.99 upon the signing of a two-year contract agreement with the carrier and after a $100 mail-in rebate. Users will be able to acquire it from all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on the company's website.