Noted: Verizon Wireless said today it has switched on a feature that turns certain phones into TV remotes.

What you need: Verizon-serviced Motorola Droid or HTC Imagio phone and Verizon FiOS TV service. Using the new Mobile Remote function, the phones can control the FiOS set-top box. All the same functions will be available, including changing channels, pause and rewind and managing parental controls.

The new remote-control feature also allows users to transfer a photo on the phone to TV, or even beam a whole slideshow to the big screen.

And, of course, the phones still are phones. If you get a phone call, the phone mutes the TV.

If you’ve got a compatible phone — and Verizon said that more phones will be added in the future — you set up the “Mobile Remote” on the phone via an app, pair the phone with your home’s Wi-Fi network and then finish up using the Mobile Remote widget on the TV. More details are at Verizon’s site HERE, which includes a video overview.

Recent Verizon FiOS news:

After being the first in the industry to pro-rate 2-year mobile phone contracts, Verizon Wireless now plans to double that fee — BUT only in some cases.

Beginning Nov. 15, Verizon’s early-termination fees jump to $350 for higher-end devices like smartphones, netbooks and other advanced devices. The current rate is half that, at $175. The higher rate kicks in only on customers who sign a new contract.

Verizon still will prorate the contract, subtracting $10 a month (all other phones are prorated $5/month). So, by the end of 23 months, affected users will still need to cough up $120. But by then, you might as well wait a month to leave without paying a penny.

Why is Verizon changing its early termination fee? To make subsidizing these expensive devices worth it to the company.

Interestingly, the new Motorola Droid is $199.99 with a 2-year contract. But without a contract, it sells for $559.99. That means you could save $10 by buying the phone, and then canceling the 2-year contract ($200 + $350 = $550). And since the new fee doesn’t kick in until Nov. 15, that means people who buy a Droid before that date and then cancel service will get it for $375 without a contract! No wonder Verizon upped the fee.

As I’ve mentioned before, anyone can test a Verizon phone for 30 days and then cancel without having to pay any early termination fee. Read my earlier story covering testing policies, I mean, return policies by the major mobile providers: “How any consumer can ‘test’ a cell phone.”

Verizon also adds that if you bring a compatible phone to its network and sign up for service, you don’t have to commit to any long-term contract.

Earlier on cell phone policies:

I, for one, am very glad that there is more to mobile phones than the iPhone, which is a very nice phone. But if the world only wanted an iPhone, gadget geeks everywhere wouldn’t have much to look forward to. And today, we’re looking forward to the new Motorola Droid, on sale today from Verizon Wireless (There are 40 Verizon stores within 25 miles of Santa Ana. Here’s a store locator).

After a week with the Droid, I’m seriously digging its Google Android 2.0 operating system, which will pop up in more phones from Verizon Wireless and other carriers. While I wouldn’t call the Droid a game changer for the industry, it’s a game changer for Verizon Wireless because for the first time the company let outsiders help develop the phone. Even tinkerers who want to develop Android apps can  influence the Verizon phone in a way that was prohibited before.

The phone itself is an improvement over the original Google phone, the G1 (my current phone), with a sleeker shape and better internal technology. A 3.7-inch screen makes it the largest smartphone screen out there. The slide-out keyboard is a bonus. But, as with any gadget, I have an opinion. There are features I love, like and hate. Let me start with what I don’t like.

5 things I don’t like about the Droid:

1. Screen sensitivity: Nice big screen, but not as responsive and smooth as the iPhone. Not sure if it’s a glitch, but sometimes shortcuts I placed on the main screen did nothing when pressed. Other times, one touch popped up the application. Also, when scrolling on the Web, it can be jerky as images load. Reminds me of pre-broadband everywhere days.

2. Battery life: Like everyone, I want a GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth-enabled smartphone with a battery that lasts for a week. Turn all those wireless tools on, and the Droid’s battery is dead after a few hours. Motorola didn’t make any advances in this department. The big positive though: It charges up fast! Plugged into the wall, the battery was fully charged in under an hour. One other big plus over the iPhone: You can replace the battery.

3. The camera: The 5-megapixel camera is probably better than your camera phone but it’s on the slow side for me — for a camera. It won’t replace my Canon point-and-shoot camera. Yes, I have high expectations for a camera in a phone but only because the companies continue to improve the optics (this one has flash, scene modes and white balance, autofocus and image stabilization). They lead me to believe that one day, I will get a phone with a camera decent enough to haul to gadget shows to get pretty pictures for my readers. Yes, I know. It’s like comparing home broadband speeds to wireless mobile Internet. There’s no comparison. UPDATE, 11/10: Reader Jason Spielfogel, who has a background in imaging and happens to be a product manager at Sanyo, offers his take on why a camera phone just can’t be compared to a digital camera.

4. Web zoom: Because the screen is so large, the Internet browser opens a Web page at full width. Touch the screen twice to zoom in. Touch it twice again to zoom out. This I like. What was annoying was zooming in, selecting a link within the same site, and pulling up a page that zoomed out, thus defaulting to full width. I wish it would remember that I was zoomed in, at least if I’m on the same site.

5. No Bluetooth file transfer: One of the great things about Google phones is you don’t have to sync contacts, calendar or e-mail. This is done automatically when you first sign into the phone with your Google account. However, all the photos or other files you create on the phone don’t automatically transfer to a PC via the Web or vice versa. Or via Bluetooth, as I found out. Verizon and other mobile providers are notorious for blocking Bluetooth file transfer. In this case, Verizon says it’s Android’s fault. Android doesn’t support Bluetooth tethering for transferring files. Bluetooth is only good for headsets, stereo headphones and phonebook access. One other auto-syncing disappointment: Droid didn’t pull over any of my apps from my G1.

5 things I love about the Droid

1. Speakerphone & voice quality: You’d think this feature would be a given. But my current phone is just OK, verging on poor some days. The Droid kicks the G1′s butt when it comes to hands-free chatting over a speaker. First, the Droid’s speakerphone is far superior. With the phone in speaker mode and sitting on my lap while I drove, no one on the other end noticed that I wasn’t holding the phone to my mouth. When connected to my car’s Bluetooth speaker (an expensive after-market addition from the dealer that is terrible), there was some static but I could hear people clearer than on my own phone. Motorola really toned down background noise — an excellent feature for all of us hands-free drivers.

2. Google Navigation: The audible street-by-street directions can replace your in-car GPS but Google Navigation is definitely not ready for prime time. It’s the potential that I love. Verizon does offer a window mount for the Droid so it even looks like a portable car GPS. While the navigation did get me to the street I wanted to go to, it left me hanging by not saying what side of the street was my final destination. More stuff that needs work: Sending a Google Map from PC to phone, which is available for certain cars and some portable GPS brands; ability to add traffic alerts so you can avoid bad roads; more warning when an exit is nearby (seemed to tell me only when it was a quarter-mile away. And wouldn’t it be cool if Google navigation synced with your Google calendar so when heading to a meeting, navigation to the meeting immediately shows up on screen?

3. Multiple apps: Droid’s got a big one over the iPhone here. I can’t imagine living without access to multiple apps at the same time. Android allows you to switch between six at the same time.

4. Multiple sources for contacts. I loved the Palm Pre’s mashup of various social networks to create the ultimate address book, which Android didn’t offer previously. With Android 2.0, the phone pulls phone numbers from your Gmail contacts, Facebook friends and your corporate Exchange account. No updating or syncing necessary.

5. Voice search. Hands down, this is my favorite feature. I am trying to figure out how to get out of my two-year contract with T-Mobile because of this feature. Hit the “Voice Search” and just say exactly what you want. Navigate to a restaurant? Map of a store? Look up a phone number? This is like having your own personal concierge. (Added 11:56 p.m.: The G1 has Voice search too but it isn’t as robust.) On the down side, Droid doesn’t always understand your command. You have to say it clearly into the phone. However, I would guestimate that it was correct four out of five times, which was totally unexpected based on my experience with any sort of voice-activated technology. Google has a good video example of how this works.

More on Droid
On sale: Nov. 6, 2009 Price: $199.99 with 2-year contract Screen: 3.7-inch Processor: Cortex A8 Storage: 16 GB installed, slot for up to 32 GB card Wireless: 3G, Wi-Fi, EV-DO Rev.A More info: Verizon’s Droid page Motorola’s Droid page

There are other features of the phone that I don’t feel too strongly about. As mentioned, it has the largest smartphone screen out there, at 3.7 inches. But the size wasn’t noticeably different from my G1′s 3.2-inch screen (maybe because I wear glasses, so everything looks small compared to my 24-inch monitor).

The Android apps market has grown to 12,000 paid and free apps. While that pales in comparison to Apple’s iPhone apps, which is now over 100,000, 12,000 is still a lot of apps and there are new ones out every day. So, Androids apps — or small supply of them — isn’t a negative for me. At least there are 12,000 Android apps!

My conclusion: I love Android 2.0 more than I love the Droid. Yes, it’s a nice phone, but what I love is what its software can do. More Android 2.0 phones are surely on their way. However, the big benefit to Droid? It uses Verizon Wireless’ network, the company I hear the fewest complaints about. As for the iPhone vs. Droid debate? You can’t compare them. One is with AT&T, the other is Verizon. It’s not like we have a choice anyway between an iPhone and Droid. That’s the real issue.

Earlier on Droid:

• Do I have the only Motorola Droid in Orange County?
• We’ve got Verizon’s new Droid! Watch the video

Recent Gadgetress headlines:

When you get a new gadget to play with before the rest of the world, you’ll get a lot of unwanted (or is it?) attention.  When a friend of mine found out I was playing with the new Motorola Droid this week, he immediately invited himself over. Offered to bring lunch, in fact.

He’s a good friend, so I agreed. He’s such a good friend, I let him take the Droid while he went to get food. That brought even more attention. Someone in line stopped him and asked, “Is that the.. the.. Droid? I’ve been reading about it on Engadget!”

Wrong answer! My friend didn’t reveal his sources but said he would have let the dude check it out if he had mentioned The Gadgetress!

I may not be the only one in Orange County with the new Droid, which goes on sale next Friday. But I’m willing to share what I know. What else do you want to know? Comment below!

So, day three with the Droid. Three observations:

The camera. It’s a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. The flash is super bright. I actually just took a picture of myself and am still seeing spots. But it’s so slooooow (watch video on right).

Unless the area is brightly lit, you won’t be getting very clear action shots with this phone — or even clear still shots in lower light. I also had little success using on of my favorite apps, “ShopSavvy,” which uses the camera to scan in product barcodes to compare prices online. Even in brightly lit Target, the camera couldn’t get a good scan, unlike my T-Mobile G1, the original Android phone. Maybe retailers are wising up and doing something sly with their lighting? Here are some photos taken with the Droid:

Bluetooth data transfer: Verizon is famous for blocking the ability of its cell phones from sharing files with PCs over Bluetooth. Looks like this is still true with the Droid. I could be wrong – Bluetooth photo sharing is an option on Droid. But I have been unable to transfer photos and other files to a PC using Bluetooth. However, there are multiple ways to share photos built into the sharing, as mentioned above.

Screen scrolling: The iPhone is still much smoother when it comes to zooming, scrolling and gliding between screens or apps.

More Droid observations coming soon. See what I’ve written so far, and my first-look video:

Hot new phone alert: Motorola Droid from Verizon Wireless goes on sale next week on Nov. 6. But wait no further to get a closer look. Verizon and Motorola folks stopped by my office this morning to show it off. And they’ve left one for me to play with for one week.

So, to appease the 71 readers who want me to bring back gadget coverage (you, too, can sign up HERE), I’ve got photos, a video and a short review below.

I am personally excited about this phone because I have come to heavily rely on Google Android, which powers my T-Mobile G1 as well as the new Droid. Only, the Droid is the first phone to get Android 2.0, so the software is already better than existing Google phones. Still, any Android phone has the benefit of automatic syncing with your Google account — no need to tether and wait for-ever for contacts, e-mail or calendar items to sync.

Here’s the 2-minute first look at the new phone and some features, with help from videographer Rob Whitfield:

Ken Muche, from Verizon Wireless, and Paul Nicholson, Motorola’s global marketing director, boiled down their favorite features — I’ve included some of my own observations (Click all images to enlarge):

1. The screen. A gorgeous, giant 3.7-inch display with a resolution of 854 by 420. Web pages pull up full width, even though the text may be a bit hard to see.

2. Fast browser. I’m still testing this one. It’s faster than my G1 from T-Mobile, possibly thanks to Verizon’s 3G network. Bookmarks display as thumbnails or as a list. The big bummer: Google doesn’t automatically transfer over bookmarks from your Google Chrome account or, if you’re like me, another Android phone. There are apps that will import bookmarks, but none are built in.

3. Speaking of Apps… There are thousands. I’m unsure how many. Like the iPhone apps, there are free ones and paid. New to the Android Marketplace on the phone: A special tab for Verizon apps. Currently, Verizon offers just one — Visual Voicemail, which is free but the service costs $2.99 a month.

4. Voice search. Press the widget and tell the phone what to find. Say “Orange County Register” and it pulls up my newspaper in a Google search. Say “Map of Orange County Register,” and it pulls up a Google Map of the paper’s Santa Ana headquarters. Say “Call Orange County Register,” however, and it pulls up Google search again and doesn’t start dialing the phone number. Ah well. Two out of three.

5.  Google Navigation. This is currently in beta and I can’t wait to test this out. Obviously, you can use some phones as your car’s GPS. Now you can with an Android phone. Google Navigation enables the street-by-street directions. A separate car mount is available to dock the phone when you get into the car.

6. The alarm clock. It’s fun the first time you see it — a docking station turns the phone into an alarm clock or photo slide show viewer. But once docked, it goes into multimedia station setting, leaving other features of the phone inaccessible. How do you turn that off? (No, haven’t Googled it yet.)

7. The hardware: Motorola and Verizon say this is the thinnest QWERTY slide-out phone ever. I kind of believe them. But anything is slimmer than my bulky G1. Also nice: The A8 Cortex processor, a 550 MHz chip.

I’ll be playing with this for a week and will post interesting observations before the phone goes on sale Nov. 6 for $199 (with a 2-year contract). Verizon won’t say how much an unsubsidized phone is. Guess well find out when people start checking their sales receipt and realize they’re getting taxed on the unsubsidized price!

More pics, observations coming in the next week.

Miss the gadgets? If 500 people sign up, I’ll bring them back. Just click the blue image on the right to sign up. (This takes you to Feedburner, where you can subscribe by e-mail or an RSS reader. All who subscribe will be notified if regular gadget coverage returns.)