We knew it was coming as it was supposed to be launched today and Verizon itself managed to leak details a couple of hours prior to the official press release. The carrier has just announced the Motorola Droid 3, “the next Generation DROID delivering power and performance”

We’ve come a long way since the original Droid, at least in terms of specs, and the Droid 3 delivers a lot more horsepower under a relatively familiar hood. To offer all that power, there’s a dual-core 1 GHz processor for fast multi-tasking, an eight-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording capability, four-inch qHD display, a roomy 5-row QWERTY keyboard and 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities, with the ability to connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled device. Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread should offer a smooth, fluid and feature-packed experience.

Also included are HDMI-out support, global Radio capability, Citrix GoToMeeting for online meetings while on the go, “ESP smart dock technology for a tailored experience based on whether DROID 3 is docked in home, office or car settings”, and a front-facing camera for video chat.

The Motorola Droid 3 will be available in stores by July 14 (not on) for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. If you only want the Droid 3, it will cost you $459.99. Who’s grabbing one?

Source: Verizon (PR),(Product Page)