You can call it a Valentine’s sale or a pre-iPhone 4 blow out, but any way you slice it there’s some pretty good deals on Android phones available from Verizon right now. That includes the Samsung Fascinate and Continuum, as well as the HTC Droid Incredible and Motorola Droid R2-D2, which are all now available for just $100 on the usual two-year contract (the Fascinate deal is apparently today-only). Unfortunately, the sale doesn’t include the Droid X, Droid Pro or Droid 2 Global, but Verizon is promising some additional one-day only sales during its “ten days of sweet deals” from now until February 10th, so folks interested in one of those might not be out of luck just yet.
Something’s seriously going on over at Amazon’s Wireless store where the Droid Bionic, a Verizon sibling to AT&T’s Atrix 4G, has today been spotted listed for sale with a $149.99 price. That matches the levy Amazon asked for the Atrix last week (before promptly yanking the page) and seems to confirm that the $150 price point is receiving some sincere consideration for these 4G-equipped handsets. The Bionic’s page has now also disappeared into the ether, but the memory of its delectable promise remains.
Motorola had one of the best CES showings of any company in recent memory, and now we’ve got some rough ship dates for all that new gear: CEO Sanjay Jha just announced on the company’s earnings call that the Atrix 4G for AT&T and 3G Xoom for Verizon will arrive at “the end of February,” while the LTE-enabled Droid Bionic and LTE Xoom will arrive at “the end of the second quarter” as previously promised. That sounds good to us — and with that earlier Best Buy leak suggesting the Xoom will hit on February 17, we’re hoping that Moto’s taking a long view of when the end of February actually begins. Even better, a late February Xoom release supports those rumors that Honeycomb will be generally released in March, which is when the real Android tablet invasion will begin. It’s all happening, folks.
Update: Oh boy. Jha followed up his Xoom comments in the Q&A portion by hinting that the Xoom might slip to March, but that he’s very confident they’ll make their timeline. Fingers crossed.
First, the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation tested a Nexus One’s ability to deal with the stress of a rocket launch. Then, Google floated seven Nexi to the edge of space to see if the phones could cope with the void. Now, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is looking to launch a satellite into orbit and use a ‘droid — much smaller than the Astromech variety — to control said satellite. SSTL, who is helping build Galileo (and is acutely aware of its cost, no doubt), views smartphones as a way to democratize access to space because they are far less expensive than purpose-built control systems. The company hasn’t said which handset will be used in the satellite, but they chose Android because it allows engineers to easily modify the phone to do their bidding — from controlling pulse plasma thrusters to handling the advanced guidance and navigation systems of the foot long satellite. Additionally, the open source OS means that they “could get people to develop apps” for the satellite. We’ve seen plenty of Android apps, but we’re really hoping this venture is successful so we get to see apps… in space.
For years foreign nations have received better and faster cars than America but, finally, we thought we’d at least received smartphone parity. Not for Motorola, who is bringing its 4.3-inch Droid X slab to China with one major tweak: a processor running at 1.2GHz. That’s a 20 percent boost over its cycles in domestic form despite having the same TI ticker humming away in there. Now, that’s not to say there aren’t ways to unofficially overclock your X to 1.2GHz — and beyond — but those of us who prefer staying stock are left to wonder why, and to hope for an equivalent update on these shores. Futile hopes, these.
Motorola has just officially announced the Cliq 2. Targeting heavy media consumption and social use, the Cliq 2 will be the perfect option for any Android user.
The device sports a 3.7-inch screen and will ship with a 1GHz processor. The Cliq 2 integrates a world class Android operating system with social features as well as many business features that have been left out of feature phones.
The Cliq 2 will launch in a titanium hue with a smoke gray finish the T-Mobile network January 19th.
Press Release:
Motorola Mobility and T-Mobile Announce Motorola CLIQ 2™
With advanced corporate features for work, and social and entertainment capabilities for play, CLIQ 2 is designed to help users never miss a moment
LAS VEGAS – CES – Jan. 5, 2011 — Motorola Mobility, Inc., (NYSE: MMI), and T-Mobile USA today announced the upcoming availability of Motorola CLIQ 2™ with MOTOBLUR™, a 3.7-inch touch-screen smartphone with a slide-out keypad that allows users to play hard and work hard. CLIQ 2 is the latest example of the powerful devices you can expect from Motorola that combine Android™ software and MOTOBLUR social connectivity, with the addition of new business-ready functionality.
“Smartphone users are constantly looking for a device that suits all of their needs, whether they’re in the office or at home with their families. CLIQ 2 is what these consumers are looking for, delivering on what it means to truly stay connected on their terms,” said Alain Mutricy, senior vice president, portfolio and device product management, Motorola Mobility, Inc. “With business-ready features and robust entertainment options, CLIQ 2 users will be able to make the most of every moment.”
CLIQ 2 is a 3G smartphone that benefits from faster speeds at no additional cost on the T-Mobile 4G network.* Paired with an ultra-fast 1GHz processor, CLIQ 2 is designed to keep up with the busiest careers and social lives. An intelligently designed slide-out keypad shortens the distance between keys and increases key size for fast text entry. Wi-Fi calling capabilities enable users to make calls over work or home wireless networks. CLIQ 2 helps users stay connected to their home, work and weekend lives. In addition, it helps manage them with three sets of customizable home screens that provide access to the applications, shortcuts and widgets they want, when they need them.
“We are excited to build upon the success of the original CLIQ, bringing the powerful combination of Android and social connectivity to our customers,” said Paul Cole, vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “With the addition of new business-ready features, the Motorola CLIQ 2 offers peace of mind with the ability to balance home and work life.”
Powered by Android 2.2, users will experience rich web content with Adobe® Flash® Player. Combined with easy access to more than 100,000 applications and games from Android Market™, the latest movie hits from the pre-loaded BLOCKBUSTER® ONDEMAND application, and favorite reads via the pre-loaded Amazon Kindle application, users can turn CLIQ 2 into an entertainment hub. CLIQ 2’s high-resolution 3.7–inch touch-screen display stretches from edge-to-edge to maximize media playback and web browsing. Share media on an even larger screen, as CLIQ 2 is DLNA-enabled, allowing users to stream and share content on other DLNA-enabled devices. In addition, customers can easily frame the moments captured on CLIQ 2 with the Print to Retail feature, which allows copies to be made at a local photo retailer.
For busy professionals, CLIQ 2 offers serious business functionality. Stay on time with robust calendar capabilities, which include the ability to propose new meeting times, reply and reply-all to groups, forward meeting notices and even check meeting participant availability. Stay connected with co-workers through the corporate directory, or network after hours by importing LinkedIn connections into the contact list. Users can work remotely on CLIQ 2 using Quickoffice® to view and edit important documents right on their phones. Even connect a laptop or other device to the Internet using CLIQ 2 as a 3G mobile hotspot or through Wi-Fi Sharing. Plus, IT departments will rest easy with advanced security features like remote locate and SD card wipe. Additional security features such as device and SD card encryption are expected to be available in early 2011.
CLIQ 2 also provides a helping hand with communication overload. MOTOBLUR helps manage email and social networking services right from the home screen without separately accessing Facebook® and Twitter®, among others. And, time won’t be wasted because customizable filters allow consumers to control the types of messages and updates displayed in their home-screen widgets.
Availability
Offered in a titanium hue with a smoke gray finish, Motorola CLIQ 2 with MOTOBLUR will be available exclusively to T-Mobile USA customers on Jan. 19 at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and online at http://www.t-mobile.com/cliq2-android-phone. To view images, please visit here.
The Motorola XOOM has just been unveiled as the worlds first Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet. The device will feature a 10.1-inch screen and will indeed ship with Google’s upcoming tablet-centric operating system.
The device looks incredibly thin, and from what we saw at the event, it will be one of the most powerful tablets on the market in 2011. Featuring a dual-core 1GHz processor, the device will first launch in a 3G version with a 4G version coming later in the year. It’s worth noting that it was said the 3G version can be easily upgraded to 4G once it’s made available.
The device will not only feature impressive specs, Android 3.0 Honeycomb has been completely redesigned for the larger screens of devices. Building upon Android it will feature both widgets and multitasking and everything we have come to expect from an Android OS.
Press Release:
VERIZON WIRELESS AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY ANNOUNCE MOTOROLA XOOM™ TABLET ON NATION’S LARGEST AND MOST RELIABLE 3G NETWORK
10.1-inch HD Tablet Offers Dual-Core Processing, Google’s Honeycomb Platform, and 1080p HD Video Content Support
LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – CES – – Verizon Wireless and Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI), today unveiled the innovative new tablet Motorola XOOM™ ? the first device on Google’s new Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system designed from the ground up for tablets. The Honeycomb user experience improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization and features the latest Google Mobile innovations. Boasting a dual core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, delivering up to two GHz of processing power, and 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, Motorola XOOM gives Verizon Wireless customers a new type of mobile computing experience on a stylishly thin device that is 4G LTE upgradeable.
Motorola XOOM redefines the tablet device category by providing more ways to have fun, connect with friends and stay productive on the go. It allows consumers to experience HD content right on the device, supports 1080p HD video and HDMI output to display content on larger HD screens, and plays video and other rich web content seamlessly with Adobe® Flash® Player. Motorola XOOM features a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that captures video in 720p HD. It delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280×800 display, and features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting for new types of applications. It also features Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction and delivers access to over 3 million Google eBooks and thousands of apps from Android Market™.
For working on the go, Motorola XOOM provides constant connectivity ? including connecting to Gmail or Exchange email; opening and editing documents, spreadsheets and presentations; and viewing calendars and sending out appointments or meeting notices – with mobile broadband speeds. Its mobile hotspot capability provides an online connection for up to five other Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
“Motorola XOOM is a powerful addition to Verizon’s product lineup and builds on our combined leadership with Motorola to deliver innovative mobile devices and service on the Android platform,” said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “Motorola XOOM gives consumers complete access and control of their favorite personal content and work files whether through our nationwide 3G network, or through our lightning-fast 4G LTE network as it rolls out around the country.”
“Light, powerful and fundamentally different than anything else on the market, Motorola XOOM leverages the very best technology available today to redefine what a tablet experience can be,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer of Motorola Mobility. “The first device to feature software designed specifically for tablets, Motorola XOOM goes everywhere you do and delivers everything you need.”
The Motorola XOOM device will launch as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in Q1 2011 with an upgrade to 4G LTE in Q2. Starting in Q2 2011 the Motorola XOOM will be a 4G LTE/Wi-Fi- enabled device.
For more information about Verizon Wireless at CES please visit www.verizonwireless.com/ces or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/verizonwireless. For more information about the Motorola XOOM please visit www.verizonwireless.com/xoom.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of Motorola XOOM in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)
# # #
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.
The Motorola Atrix is proving to be an extremely impressive business device. Bridging the gap between smartphone and desktop, the device not only docks with a monitor, it can additionally dock with Motorola’s new laptop dock, ultimately making it an ultra portable powerful notebook.
The laptop dock comes in at only 13.9 mm thick and sports a full keyboard and 11.6-inch display. This dock will ship with an onboard battery that will leave your device fully charged after its use.
The dock itself has no moving parts, no hard drive and is completely ran of the Atrix itself.
There is currently no release date for the Atrix and accompanying accessories, but when it’s launched it will appear on AT&T, Bell Canada, Orange UK.
Motorola has just provided further details of their upcoming Atrix device. The phone sports a dual-core processor with a huge 1930 mAh battery and will be aimed at business users. Featuring a qHD display and fingerprint reader, the Atrix will be a very powerful device for any business user who is distancing themselves from the desktop.
It will officially be the first smartphone with that ships with real RAM making it possible to advertise as the world’s most powerful smartphone. The phone can even dock allowing it to essentially become a desktop computer. Running special Motorola WebTop when docked, the Atrix powers a full display just as a desktop would.
When docked the user is presented with options only seen on a desktop so far. Once the UI is completely changed to support the larger computer monitor, the user can utilize both the multi-touch controls as well as a mouse.
The video demo of the phone powering a full desktop display will be coming as well as the very first advertisement for the device.
Things are getting real with Motorola — it’s just announced the LTE-equipped Droid Bionic which, like the Xoom tablet introduced alongside it, will be headed to Verizon. The phone packs a dual-core processor with each core humming along at 1GHz, a 4.3-inch QHD screen, 1GB 512MB of RAM, a front-facing VGA camera, an 8-megapixel on the rear, HDMI out, and a Mirror Mode that will let you do simultaneous streaming of video to the TV and on the device. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and hit up the link below for the product page.
Update: The press release states 512MB of RAM, while Motorola’s product page lists 1GB, one of which is probably right.
