Posts tagged with Motorola
Verizon Droid is Official, costs $199 with contract
Verizon’s answer to the iPhone — the Droid — will go on sale Nov. 6. The after-rebate cost is $199 with a two-year contract.
Verizon finally revealed the details on Wednesday after intensely advertising the device, with “DroidDoes” campaign . Verizon has been pointing out the features Apple’s phone lacks, such as a physical keyboard and the ability to run several applications at once.
Droid represents a massive bet for Motorola, which after losing ground to rivals for more than two years has reorganized its entire mobile business around the development of phones based on Android.
The Droid is also the first phone to come with Google Maps Navigation Beta, which offers free, spoken turn-by-turn driving directions based on the Google Maps engine.
As an Android 2.0 phone, the Droid automatically syncs with Microsoft Exchange and has an improved Web browser compared to other Android phones. The browser supports HTML5 and double-tapping to zoom.
From Press Release
HELLO HUMANS: DROID BY MOTOROLA ARRIVES NEXT WEEKVerizon Wireless DROID By Motorola: World’s First Smartphone with Android™ 2.0
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – High-speed Web browsing, voice-activated search, customizable large screen, access to thousands of Android applications and hundreds of widgets and the best 3G mobile network in the country: DROID by Motorola arrives on Nov. 6.
Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest wireless 3G broadband network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a pioneer in the mobile industry, today unveiled DROID by Motorola, the first smartphone powered by Android™ 2.0. DROID by Motorola features the brainpower and breakneck speed of a modern smartphone, designed to outperform where other smartphones fall short.
“We’re proud to work with Verizon Wireless and Google™ on the first smartphone to feature Android 2.0,” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices. “DROID by Motorola delivers a rich consumer experience with warp-speed Web browsing, a mammoth screen, and Motorola’s expertise in design and voice quality. Combined with Android’s open, flexible graphical user interface and the power of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, DROID is a smartphone that simply doesn’t compromise.”
“This is an exciting announcement for Verizon Wireless, as the DROID by Motorola is the first device that we are bringing to market under our ground-breaking strategic partnership with Google,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “DROID by Motorola gives customers a lifestyle device with access to more than 12,000 applications that will help them stay in touch, up to date and entertained, using the best 3G network in the country.”
DROID by Motorola has a solid exterior, intelligent interior and is one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available. It is a no-fuss, high-tech, location-aware, voice-recognizing, over-the-air updating, multi-tasking machine – and it is available just in time for holiday wish lists.
With DROID by Motorola, you can:
· Zip through the Web: Access the Internet at 3G speeds via the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network or from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The multi-window HTML browser with a massive processor delivers the Web the way you expect.
· See it all in cinema-style: View the Web, e-mail, Google Maps™, videos and more in widescreen on a brilliant 3.7” high-resolution screen. Boasting a width of 854 pixels to reduce the need for side-to-side panning and more than 400,000 pixels total, DROID has more than twice that of the leading competitor.
· Run multiple applications at once: Customize your DROID with thousands of applications and hundreds of widgets available on Android Market™. Toggle back and forth between up to six applications at a time to juggle the universe and your apps.
· Perform Google Search™ at the speed of sound: Simply tell DROID what you’re looking for using voice-activated search, and it will serve up Google search results based on your location. If you want more, simply type what you’re looking for into the search bar on the home screen and DROID will also search content on your phone, such as apps and contacts, and the Web.
· Capture moments: Snap digital camera-quality photos with a 5 megapixel camera loaded with the works, such as a dual-LED flash, AutoFocus and image stabilization, or capture your friend’s antics in 16 million colors with DVD-quality video capture and playback. Store it all on the included 16 GB memory card, so you always have it on hand.
· Multi-task like a master: Keep tabs on all your messages with integrated Gmail™ and Exchange e-mail pushed directly to you, but don’t let them get in your way. With the handy Android notification panel, go straight to the message or simply ignore it, and get back to the task at hand. And, a smart dictionary learns as you type and automatically includes your contacts.
· Get where you need to go with Google Maps Navigation (Beta): DROID is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It’s powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say “Navigate to [your destination],” and you’ll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.Pre-loaded Applications and Enhancements to Google Mobile Services:
· Google Maps: With layers in Google Maps, view geographic information, such as My Maps, Wikipedia, and transit lines, right on the map.
· Gmail: Multiple accounts support and undo for common operations.
· YouTube™: O
ne-touch recording and playback from homescreen widget or app, one-touch sharing with friends, and the ability to view your own uploaded videos and high-resolution videos.
· Google Talk™: Easily switch between chats, search your chat history, and preview pictures and videos sent by links.
· Android Market: Browse and download applications created by third-party developers.
· Calendar: Ability to see who has R.S.V.P.’d to your meeting invitations.
· Amazon MP3 Store: Download the latest tracks over the air.
· Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail: Delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions.Pricing and Availability:
· DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, Nov. 6, for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
· Experience the all-new DROID by Motorola at www.droiddoes.com.
· To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.
· For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
Unlocked Verizon Droid available for sale on eBay
It’s not even launched, till yesterday we were guessing the launch date. But someone is selling it on eBay that too unlocked. Bids start from $1,125, I know that is quiet few bucks but you can get it before anyone with any hassles or contract.
So those of you seriously want this iPhone killer, just jump on and place your bids.
I think this is one of the few Motorola employees who might have got hold of it during the testing period.
Moto Droid details out via Motorola Website
A couple hours ago the Droid by Motorola page went LIVE on Motorola’s site. But it went down soon after as they would be trying to save at least a LITTLE something for the 28th. But we have the details for you.
Droid is a large touchscreen phone with a sliding keyboard. It’s 2.4 x 4.6 x .5 inches in size and weighs six ounces. That’s relatively heavy, but slim. Its color will be “licorice w/brown sugar accents.”
The phone has an unusually high-resolution, 3.7″ 480×854 touch screen; the iPhone’s touch screen is only 320×480 resolution.
The Droid’s OS is Android 2.0, as Verizon previously showed on their teaser Web site for the device. It is the first Android 2.0 phone.
The Droid has a 550 Mhz processor, according to the site, which didn’t describe the processor architecture. The architecture is important because most Android phones up until now have run on 528 Mhz ARM11 processors, which some users consider sluggish in some circumstances. The recently announced Samsung Moment upped the ante to an 800 Mhz ARM11. If the Droid runs a newer form of architecture, known as Cortex-A8, it could be faster with a lower clock speed.
The Droid will come with a 16GB MicroSD card pre-installed, according to the site. It runs on Verizon Wireless’s CDMA EVDO Rev A network and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, but not GSM networks.
For multimedia, the phone will come with music and video players. It will capture 720×480 video at 24 frames per second – that’s unusually good – and will take 5-megapixel stills with image stabilization and dual-LED flash.
In terms of other software, the Droid supports Microsoft Exchange sync and comes with the QuickOffice Microsoft Office document viewer, Facebook, and lots of Google apps (including Google Search by Voice), but no IM program for non-Google protocols.
Motorola promises up to 270 hours of standby time and 6 hours, 25 minutes of talk time on the 1400 mAh battery. That’s quite good for a Verizon phone.
Verizon has made it clear that the Droid is their most anticipated launch of the year. They’ve been sending out an unusual amount of teaser information, culminating in a recent invitation to an October 28 press event.
Verizon Droid event on Oct 28; Invite image leaked
Verizon Wireless is unleashing some more promotional material with its DroidDoes campaign, and this time, it’s an invitation to a Droid event taking place on October 28th, in part with Motorola.
Motorola may dump Windows Mobile for Android
Like Sony Ericsson, who made it more or less clear that it’s no longer interested in Windows Mobile (or rather, the Windows Phone) platform, Motorola, once big time partner of Microsoft, too seems to have given up on the Mobile Operating System.
The beleaguered manufacturer, which is limping back to normalcy after a torrid year seems to be looking forward to its Android based devices to bail them out of the quagmire it was once in. While Sony Ericsson does have at least one Windows Mobile 6.5 device, the Xperia X2, in its arsenal, Motorola seems to have ditched the OS completely with no Windows Mobile 6.5 based devices in sight at least in the near future.
There is no word if this abstinence will continue once Windows Mobile 7 arrives later this year. Sony Ericsson, on the other hand, seems to have given up on Windows Mobile 7 already with the company not really interested in the platform any more.
As of now, Motorola seems to be very interested in devoting its resources to develop its MOTOBLUR based UI running atop Android on the recently released Cliq. Apart from the Cliq, Motorola is expected to announce quite a few Android based handsets very soon with the high-end Sholes being one of them.
Larva Labs developing "Intell Home Screen for Android "
HTC and Motorola might have their own “Sense” and “Motoblur” UIs but some people are not still satisfied and thats encouraging for Android. Folks over Larva Labs and Ideas on Purpose have designed a prototype of their own Android Intelligent Home Screen.
According to Larva Labs:
The main idea is to separate your personal information from things of general interest. So, emails, phone calls and things directed specifically at you go above the status bar, while feeds and public information go below. Then, depending on the situation, you can drag the status bar up or down to indicate what type of information you’re more interested in. The newest entries of each type are prioritized in the layout, so you always see the most recent items possible given the space provided.
Watch the Video of this home screen in use here.
Motorola planning to flood market with 10 Android phones?
According to report from Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry, Motorola plans to release at least 10 Android based phones in the next six to 10 months.
The phones will be sold to end users for $39 to $399, Chowdhry says, citing industry sources.
There has been no official confirmation from Motorola on this story.
Earlier this month, the company announced their first Android smartphone, the Motorola CLIQ, a QWERTY slider with a 3.1-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, 3G HSPA and a 5-megapixel camera. The phone – which will launch as the Motorola DEXT outside of the US, and is expected to hit shelves as early as the first full week of October – uses a custom UI and synchronization system the company call MOTOBLUR, which pulls together information from various social networks into a single feed of “happenings”.
via BusinessWeek
Motorola forays in Android world with Cliq
T-Mobile Motorola Cliq comes with Motoblur
On Thursday morning, Motorola finally and officially introduced its much anticipated first Google Android device: the Motorola Cliq.
The announcement was made by Motorola’s co-CEO Sanjay Jha at the ‘Gigaom Mobilize 2009 conference’ here in San Francisco, who was later joined by Cole Brodman, T-Mobile’s chief technology and information officer, to show off the Motorola Cliq.
The Cliq measures 4.49 inches tall by 2.28 inches wide by 0.62 inch thick and weighs 5.6 ounces. It features a 3.1-inch HVGA touch screen with a 320×480 pixel resolution and has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard as well as a soft keyboard. It’s also equipped with a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack.
Motorola Cliq will run Android 1.5 Cupcake and offers access to Google’s various services, including Google Maps with Street View, Google Voice Search, Picasa, and GTalk. The smartphone supports a number e-mail clients, such as Yahoo, Windows Live, and other POP3 and IMAP services, and syncs with Microsoft Exchange, including calendar. The QuickOffice Suite is also onboard for document viewing.
The quad-band Cliq is 3G-capable and offers a full HTML Google browser, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Multimedia features come in the form of a 5-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities and a built-in music and video player. The smartphone also comes preloaded with the Amazon MP3 Store, a dedicated YouTube app, Shazam, Last.fm, and Imeem. Rated talk time is 6 hours and up to 13.5 days of standby time.
EngadgetMobile came up with a really nice peice of information Motorola Cliq will come free with a 2 year contract. The info was on the main T-Mobile website and Cliq was listed at $399.99 straight up or 100% FREE on a 2-year contract.
Motorola And Google Look For Android Boost
The rubber is about to hit the road for Motorola Inc. (MOT) and Google Inc. (GOOG).
On Sept. 10, the troubled cell phone maker is expected to unveil its first smartphone running Google’s Android mobile operating system, software the Internet giant developed to stake its claim in the mobile search advertising market.
Both companies have a lot on the line. For Motorola, it’s a chance to turn around its struggling mobile devices business and recapture past glory. For Google, the phone represents the first in a wave of new Android-powered devices expected to ship by the end of the year, giving Google a chance to make a splash in a market dominated by Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) iPhone and Research in Motion Ltd.’s (RIMM) Blackberry.
“These launches are critical (for Google) because the availability (of Android) has been so constrained,” said Avi Greengart, an analyst at product research firm Current Analysis.
Over the next few months, a number of handset makers and wireless carriers are expected to embrace Google’s upstart mobile platform. The open-source software – which is free to phone makers and third-party developers – was announced in late 2007, but only four phones running the software are currently on the market.
That is expected to change soon.
Andy Rubin, the engineering vice president responsible for Android, said in May that Google expects there will be at least 18 Android devices on the market by the end of the year, suggesting an accelerated release schedule over the next four months.
Google told Dow Jones this week it continues to work closely with manufacturers and still expects handset makers to reach Rubin’s year-end target.
Motorola will almost assuredly be the first to show off its new handset. Invitations to a Sept. 10 event came emblazoned with Android’s distinctive robot logo.
Deutsche Telekom AG’s (DT) T-Mobile USA, which already carries HTC Corp.’s (2498.TW) Android-powered MyTouch 3G as its flagship device, is likely to sell the first Motorola phone. Motorola Co-CEO Sanjay Jha shares keynote speech duties with T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Cole Brodman on Sept. 10.
Both companies declined to comment.
Motorola’s ability to revive its mobile devices unit hinges on a strong initial launch so it can generate momentum for its follow-on slate of Android devices, analysts said. “The pressure is on,” said Nielsen & Co. analyst Roger Entner, referring to Motorola.
Verizon Wireless – jointly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and Vodafone Group Plc (VOD) – and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) have also said they will bring Android phones to the market by the end of the year.
Verizon Wireless is expected to carry one of Motorola’s two planned Android devices, but the carrier told Dow Jones this week it will not participate in the Sept. 10 Motorola event.
Industry observers believe Sprint will carry the Hero, which is HTC’s flagship Android device, currently available overseas. The Hero uses HTC’s own Sense user interface, which separates it from the pack.
A Sprint spokesman wasn’t available for comment.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s (SSNHY) Android-powered Galaxy handset is already available in Europe and the company is expected to reveal more details about its Android line-up next month. The company could push its products to multiple carriers given its strong relationships.
Samsung declined to comment.
AT&T Inc. (T) hasn’t committed to selling Android phones, noting only that it is open to the platform. Still, industry observers believe AT&T will quickly join the others in the next few months.
(c) Dow Jones Newswire
AT & T turned down Motorola's Android phones
AT&T Mobility decided not to carry Motorola Android phones later this year, according to MKM Partners analyst Tero Kuittinen, arguing that the devices were outdated.
According to a Barron’s report citing information from Kuittinen, the two Moto models for AT&T were code-named Sawgrass (targeted at teens) and Heron (targeted at college students and young professionals) and were prototyped using Windows Mobile. However, replacing Windows with Android took so much development time that AT&T decided the devices appeared too dated to carry.
AT&T declined to comment on the news, according to TheStreet.com, while Motorola was not immediately available for comment.
Read more: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/t-declines-motos-android-advances/2009-08-27#ixzz0PPBCtyQD
