Two New Motorola Androids Hitting Verizon in July

Two new android-based devices land on Verizon in July, however it's up to the carrier to determine if they're actually Droids.

It's certainly no secret that both Motorola and Verizon plan to launch new Android-based products soon. In fact, one Verizon intern got a quick-hands on experience and was fired thereafter once his screenshots appeared online. But without revealing specific models, Motorola co-Chief Executive Sanjay Jha confirmed at an investor conference Thursday that two Android-based Motorola phones will indeed land on Verizon's turf in July.

During the conference, Jha stated that Motorola reached a deal with Verizon Wireless that ensures the two devices will be heavily promoted. Apparently Motorola is depending on the two Android phones to complete a string of "hits" and turn around its struggling handset business. Motorola is also hoping that the new devices will boost its overall sales in the first quarter. As it stands now, Motorola's cellphone division is losing around $22 for each device it ships.

Verizon is hoping for big numbers too, as the company has placed all bets on Google's Android OS and even sank large numbers into licensing the "Droid" brand from Lucasfilm Ltd. so that the devices would stand out above other non-Verizon Android phones. "Never from the beginning did we assume this would be a Motorola thing," said Lowell McAdam, chief executive of Verizon Wireless. "If [customers] think Android, that's the generic. If they think Droid, that's going to be the latest and the greatest on our network."

As for Motorola, the company may eventually leave the Android OS for something else, however that won't be anytime soon. Fact is, Motorola doesn't have the resources to move to another platform. "Right now, I get what I need from Android," Jha said. A dozen Android-devices are expected to launch this year, however because Verizon holds the reigns of the Droid label, it will be up to the carrier to determine what device will qualify.