25
Sep
xoom2-siblings-hed

When we first reported on Motorola's alleged Xoom 2, very few - if any - details were certain. An anonymous tipster has been piling on the information since then, however, providing photos, (some) specs, and perhaps the most interesting detail of all - a second, smaller version of the Xoom 2, expected to be billed as an "e-reader replacement."

xoom2-siblings-hed

The Xoom 2's smaller relative appears to have the same rear buttons (power and volume rocker) as its larger counterpart, and a generally similar form factor, if not yet completely polished.

Obviously a full list of specs has not been confirmed, but here's what we think we know so far about the Xoom 2, thanks to the tipster:

  • Sleek 9mm thickness
  • 1.2GHz Processor (of unknown origin, possibly an OMAP 4)
  • 1GB RAM
  • 1080p video recording with a 5MP rear shooter
  • LTE Compatibility

The smaller tablet, suspected to be a "media version," supposedly shares the same specs as its larger relative, but is rumored to add an onboard IR remote and subwoofer, as well as an 8.2" HD IPS display.

24
Sep
41j876ey4DL._AA280_

Let's not beat around the bush here: the DROID X2 is hardly the star of Motorola and Verizon's DROID production, what with its PenTile display and CDMA-only radio. But then again, it's not a complete train wreck; and besides, who doesn't love a free phone? Oops, did I say free? I meant you actually get $50 back in the form of a gift card due to a promotion Amazon is currently running. Not bad, huh?

droid x2 deal 1 droid x2 deal 2 droid x2 deal 3

As you can see, that's precisely (or at least almost precisely) what Amazon's mobile division, Amazon Wireless, is doing: it's now selling the DROID X2 for just one cent with a new two-year VZW contract.

24
Sep
spyder-2lead1
Last Updated: October 18th, 2011

Remember that sleek 4.5-inch Motorola looker we encountered last month? It's back, but no longer will it be known as the DROID HD or the DROID Spyder; according to the latest rumor (courtesy of This is my Next), the device is none other than the DROID RAZR. Yes, that's the name of the phone that in 2004 saved Motorola from bankruptcy (before it plunged into the profitless dregs of mobile society a second time, that is).

The name change is accompanied by a full list of specs, but first let's take a look at the handset itself and see what the hype is all about:

spyder-1 spyder-2lead1 spyder-3

And now for the spec sheet - in a word, it's drool-worthy:

  • 4.3-inch 960x540 Super AMOLED display (no PenTile!!!
23
Sep
motorola-xoom2-600x388

The Motorola XOOM was a truly unique device: it marked the beginning of the Android tablet era, stole a portion (admittedly a very small one) of the iPad 2's pre-announcement hype, and... weighed about as much as a tank driven by Chris Christie.

Well now its successor, the XOOM 2, has begun to hit the rumor mill - just a few minutes ago, Droid Life leaked two pictures of the slate:

motorola-xoom2-600x388 motorola-xoom2-2-600x445

We don't have a ton of information on the device as of yet, but DL's "sources" say that its weight is similar to that of the XOOM (!), and it has "big physical flush" buttons on its back, HDMI and microUSB ports on its bottom, and a SIM card slot.

23
Sep
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Last Updated: September 24th, 2011

Amazon has reduced the price of the Motorola DROID BIONC for new Verizon subscribers to just $150 - and you'll get a free $50 Amazon Gift Card to boot, which would probably wisely be spent on a spare battery and charger.

Verizon's first dual-core phone to feature LTE and a qHD display (with somewhat yucky PenTile subpixel rendering), the BIONIC is definitely Verizon's current powerhouse handset.

bionicprice

For current Verizon customers, the price remains unchanged: $250 with a renewal of your 2-year agreement. You can check out our review of the DROID BIONIC (which I think is a pretty good phone) here.

22
Sep
moto-edison-preview-01

A new Motorola phone, codenamed "Edison" and headed for AT&T, has been in the rumor mill for a while now, but today it got in front of the camera when This Is My Next published a hands-on preview of the device.

moto-edison-preview-50-sm moto-edison-preview-08

TIMN speculates that this phone may be destined to replace the Motorola Atrix in AT&T's lineup, and its design hints at similar webtop capabilities confirmed by special webtop options found in the device's settings.

The Edison seems to be closely related to the Droid Bionic, set to bring many of the Bionic's best features to AT&T. Speaking of features, the Edison is no lightweight in the specs department.

22
Sep
Evil

When I switched from AT&T from Verizon and swapped my aging, battered, and bruised Nexus One for a DROID BIONIC, the possibility of buyer’s remorse was not on my mind. I was coming from AT&T - America’s single least reliable network in terms of dropped calls. So, I thought the last thing I’d end up doing was wishing I was back there. And now, at least part of me does.

If you own a Verizon 4G LTE handset, you’ve probably experienced an issue exactly or approximately like this one: You put your phone in your pocket or let it sit overnight, take it out some time later or the next morning, and there’s no data connection.

20
Sep
Defender vs Commuter
Last Updated: October 13th, 2011

I am a fan of cases. In fact, right when I buy a phone, I always order a case to go with it. When I got my Evo 4G from Sprint last year, I went through a couple of different cases before settling with one for any reasonable amount of time. While I ended up using a Bodyglove case for quite a while, my mind was almost immediately changed when a friend of mine gave me an Otterbox Commuter case. I was in love. Never before had I seen a case this sturdy and light. Actually, I'm still using the case - no cracks or damage to be found.

16
Sep
0WB0Jl_thumb

WARNING: We are not responsible for any destruction of data, phones, or small animals resulting from your use of these instructions. Utilize them at your own risk. If you brick your BIONIC, head to this link.

OK, DROID BIONIC owners - I think it's finally safe-ish (well, as safe as it can be for the moment) to start tinkering with your phone a little. There's enough information out there now to reliably root, backup, and de-bloat your phone - with the ability to unbrick if you screw something up. So, let's get this party started. Also, these instructions are for Windows only.

15
Sep
cyanogenmodlogo-300x300

The Android dev community has a well-deserved reputation for releasing new versions of ROMs at breakneck speeds, and they're not slowing down with the newest kid on the block, the Motorola DROID BIONIC. In fact, @cvpcs has already ported CyanogenMod 7 to the device, and though he isn't ready to release it just yet, he has put out a video to whet our appetites:

Of course, since this is the very first time the BIONIC has successfully booted into CM7, there are plenty of bugs, including:

  • No radio connectivity
  • No charging
  • Issues with battery reporting
  • No audio
  • No camera

Regardless, this is certainly a viable first chapter in the BIONIC's ROM development, and we look forward to the continuation of the saga.