Motorola's Android-based Droid X smartphone was unveiled today during a joint press briefing with Verizon. The device, which ships with Android 2.1, will be available to Verizon customers in mid-July.

The Droid X has a huge 4.3-inch WVGA screen, a 1GHz TI OMAP3 processor, 8GB internal storage capacity, and an 8MP camera with support for capturing high-definition video. The device is arguably Verizon's answer to the HTC Evo 4G, an Android-based smartphone with similar hardware specs that recently launched on Sprint's network. These devices, which emphasize social networking connectivity and streaming video, represent a new category of large form-factor touchscreen phones.

"Motorola designed DROID X to push the extreme limits of Android innovation, and enable you to do even more with your mobile device," said Motorola mobile device executive Sanjay Jha in a statement. "We are breaking down barriers so that you can experience the Web the way it was meant to be and create, share and view content like never before, either in your hand or in your home."

Although the Droid X will ship with Android 2.1 at launch, Verizon and Motorola plan to deploy version 2.2—codenamed Froyo—in an over-the-air update later this summer. Adobe Flash 10.1 is scheduled to be rolled out to Droid X devices at the same time.

Google finally published the Froyo source code today through the public Android open source project. Google doesn't do Android development in the open and typically waits for its partners to launch products with the new version of the platform before releasing the source code. Today's release of the Froyo code alongside the Droid X launch announcement is consistent with that approach, in the sense that Motorola is a Froyo launch partner.

Like the Evo, the Droid X supports WiFi tethering. The service will be available for $20 a month on top of the regular data fees, but will be limited to 2GB. The device itself will be available for $199.99 after rebate with a two-year contract. Verizon is offering early smartphone upgrades to all customers who have a contract expiring this year.

Verizon's original Droid handset is thought to be the best-selling Android-based smartphone. The popularity of Sprint's Evo 4G suggests that Verizon will likely see similar success with the Droid X when it becomes available in July. The company is also expected to launch the Droid 2 (a successor to the original Droid) in August.