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Verizon’s Droid X Sold Out, More in a Week

William — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:30:11 +0000

Despite Verizon’s insistence that they should have plenty of phones in stock to meet demand, the Droid X has officially sold out, and users will now have to wait until July 23 if they want to get their hands on the latest Android smartphone. Verizon recently struggled to get the also-Android-based HTC Incredible into user hands due to a shortage in OLED display components.

“We have been successful at keeping up with early demand but at present inventory in some parts of the country inventory is either low or out,” acknowledges Verizon. “Since we have weekly shipments planned, customers can still order phones and can expect them to be shipped on or before July 23.”

But what about that news that the Droid X contained embedded systems that would brick the phone if it was tinkered with? Motorola responded to those concerns today:

The Droid X and a majority of Android consumer devices on the market today have a secured bootloader. In reference specifically to eFuse, the technology is not loaded with the purpose of preventing a consumer device from functioning, but rather ensuring for the user that the device only runs on updated and tested versions of software. If a device attempts to boot with unapproved software, it will go into recovery mode, and can re-boot once approved software is re-installed.

In short, the IBM-developed eFuse system will shut down a Droid X with an unapproved bootloader though it won’t actually damage the phone. Users simply need to re-install “approved software” to get the device up and running again. That’s certainly not-quite the type of openness many users would like to see, but it’s not Droid X Armageddon for modders, either.

Link to the original article…

As Expected Verizon Launches New PR Assault, New logo and New Slogan

William — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:22:02 +0000

As some insiders leaked last week, Verizon yesterday unveiled their new ad campaign from the ad agency (McGarryBowen) that’s been powering their new Droid ads. With the ad campaign comes a new Verizon logo: “Verizon, Rule The Air!” Verizon’s new rebranding comes with a new promise by Verizon that they’ll stop hammering users with bizarre fees, work tirelessly on billing their users accurately, and make it their life’s mission to bring consumers low wireless data prices in line with real-world costs.

Just kidding.

Nothing substantive (pricing, phone lineup, billing) is changing. It’s simply a new ad campaign (though a very nice, CGI heavy one) utilizing a new ad agency and a lot of new slogans (like “the real communications giant is you”). Of course the real goal is to draw attention to the arrival of some fairly sexy new Android-based phones including the Droid X and try to deflate some of the hype surrounding the iPhone 4.

Rumors of an iPhone on Verizon’s network appear to once again be fluff and nonsense, Verizon seems dedicated to the Android platform, and unlike AT&T so far isn’t crippling handsets. One issue they face is that supply constraints (of 3.7-inch AMOLED screens specifically) have resulted in users who ordered the HTC Droid Incredible facing delays in actually getting the device.

Verizon users now tell us that those who have Incredibles back-ordered are being told they can switch their order to the Motorola Droid X and likely get a Droid in their pocket sooner (July 15 for the X, vs. July 28 or later for many Incredible backorders).

Link to the original article…

AT&T Locks Down Android Tight

William — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 05:02:28 +0000

Earlier this month, AT&T launched their first Android-based smartphone the Motorola Backflip, and many were annoyed (but unsurprised) to learn of a few Ma Bell “modifications.” In addition to replacing Google with Yahoo search, the device came complete with AT&T bloatware that couldn’t be removed, and couldn’t run unsigned applications (running contrary to the whole point of the Android OS).

Now as AT&T prepares to launch the first Android-powered Dell smartphone (the Dell Aero), Phone News confirms with Dell that the Aero also won’t allow unsigned applications:

To Google’s credit, the chief developer of Android wants no part of these restrictions, and is refusing to put the “with Google” branding on Backflip or Aero. Still, legal questions loom large for device manufacturers willing to consent to these hinderances [sic]. As Android touts a gatekeeper-less universe of open application development, these changes make it questionable if users should be notified pre-purchase about said hinderances [sic].

AT&T showed off the Aero at CTIA this week but apparently wouldn’t let the press play with it for longer than a few moments, lest they notice AT&T’s special “enhancements” to the device. Of course AT&T-imposed restrictions on a platform designed to be (largely) open does nothing to stop the eventual migration to truly open mobile platforms, though it does act to undermine the AT&T brand. Of course you can now buy a Nexus One from Google for 9 (but not unsubsidized through AT&T), though that effectively creates a system where real application freedom becomes a luxury option.

Link to the original article…

S-View Launches Anti-Fingerprint Screen Protector for Smartphones

William — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:15:19 +0000

S-View [ site here ] has launched its anti-fingerprint screen protector in the Korean market, which are designed for smart phones such as Apple iPhone, Samsung Omnia 2 and Motorola MOTOROI.

The S-view anti-fingerprint screen protector improves the view of your smart phone by reducing glare caused by ambient light and reflections. It also helps mask fingerprints, so that you can effortlessly let your fingers glide across the screen without worrying about irritating smudges.

Suggested price is $11.00.

Link to the original article…

Callpod Fueltank Uno Emergency Rechargeable Battery

William — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:33:19 +0000

We’ve all been there. Out and about, nowhere near a charger or electric outlet and our beloved gadget, be it cellphone, camera, video game, mp3 player… it’ll just run out of power when you least expect it and when you’d rather it wouldn’t.

Callpod has introduced the Callpod Fueltank Uno, a small rechargeable battery that allows users to charge their devices some 3-5 times off of one Fueltank Uno Charge.

The Fueltank™ Uno can charge one small electronic device without the use of an outlet. It contains a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The Fueltank Uno has more than 4 times the capacity of a standard mobile phone. The Fueltank Uno uses device-specific adapters covering more than 3,000 different devices from all major manufacturers including: Apple, RIM/Blackberry, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Sony, Jawbone, Plantronics, Nokia and many others.

The Callpod Fueltank Uno costs $39.95 at Best Buy [ view product here ]

[ Callpod ] [ Related: iPower Apple iPhone Battery Case ]

Moto Sold About 100,000 Droids Over The Weekend

William — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:59:31 +0000

Verizon’s “iPhone killer,” the Motorola Droid, went on sale last Friday, and Motorola says they sold about 100,000 of the devices according to Bloomberg. Verizon meanwhile had about 200,000 in stock and burned through most of that, according to the company. Those numbers don’t come close to iPhone sales, “but anybody that was expecting that had their expectations too high, says one analyst, who recommends buying Motorola stock. Another analyst, who advises selling Moto shares, tells Bloomberg they have a “nagging suspicion that Android is being overestimated by technology enthusiasts.”

Link to the original article…

Verizon: Droid Tethering Will Cost $30 Extra

William — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:09 +0000

Verizon’s confirming reports from earlier this week that those who buy the new Motorola Droid this Friday will eventually have the ability to tether the phone and use it as a netbook and laptop modem. While Verizon’s still not getting specific on the launch date of the functionality (“sometime in 2010″), they are getting specific on the price. According to comments made to Network World, tethering the Droid will cost you an extra $30 on top of the users pay for broadband already. That a month will still be capped at 5GB of usage a month. As we noted yesterday, Verizon’s also boosting the early termination fee for smartphones from $175 to $350 starting November 15.

Link to the original article…

Motorola to launch its classical beauty phone MOTO Klassic

William — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:29:59 +0000

SEOUL, Korea (AVING) — Motorola launches its new 2G clamshell phone ‘MOTO Klassic’ featuring classical beauty in Korea market. Designed with stainless steel body, the MOTO Klassic is equipped with a 5M AF camera, external touch screen and espresso color keypad. It also supports phone navigation, multimedia function, electronic dictionary and more.

Funny how even “Classic” has to be misspelled by Motorola. I see what y’all did there Moto.

Link to the original article…

Motorola Endeavor HX1 Bluetooth Earpiece Now On Sale At Sprint Stores

William — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:49:09 +0000

Months after announcing that it was “coming”, Motorola finally has unleashed the Motorola Endeavor HX1 [ site here ] for sale in the US and perhaps the Aliph Jawbone Prime [ site here ] first true competition.

With features like true bone conduction via an in-ear sensor and CrystalTalk™ Noise Reduction to make your calls all nice and clear, the Motorola Endeavor HX1 almost makes it worthwhile to stick that huge earpiece in your ear. You’ll still look like a half-Borg and invariably confuse people that are on the other side of your face that won’t see the earpiece and assume you’re talking to them; but the fact that you can use both hands while in traffic or in Starbucks makes it all worth it. Right?

Talk Time: Up to 7 hours

Standby Time: Up to 10 days

Bone Conduction

CrystalTalk™ Technology

2-Microphones

Voice Prompts

Dimensions: (L) 47mm x (W) 18mm x (H) 12mm

Weight: 13 grams

Currently on sale for $129 initially as a Sprint exclusive, however you can surely pair it with any phone that supports Bluetooth 2.0 and higher.
[ Motorola Endeavor HX1 ] [ Sprint: Motorola HX1 Purchase ]

Rumor: Motorola Aura?

William — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:31:05 +0000

I normally don’t like to start rumors… but I’ve yet to see anything mentioned anywhere about the Motorola Aura. It’s going to be their upscale “answer” to the Nokia 8800 series.

It’ll come at a premium price, be made of premium materials… and yes. ~~I’ve actually seen it.~~

~~More when I can actually talk about it.~~

Motorola Adds Three ROKR Handsets to Line

William — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:11:51 +0000

This post is syndicated with permission from Gadgetoholic.com

Motorola has been unable to duplicate the success it had several years ago with its RAZR handset. Motorola is looking to regain some of its glory and its latest attempt to separate the mobile phone user from their cash is three new ROKR handsets.

The coolest one of the trio is the ROKR EM30. This phone uses Motorola’s ModeShift technology to illuminate the keyboard. When the phone is in music mode the keypad with controls for music are red. When the phone is in talk mode, the handset keys are blue. The EM30 also features a FM receiver built-in with RDS 4 technology for identifying the song and artists being played. The EM30 is also compatible with Windows Media Player 11 and has a 3.5mm headphone jack built-in.

The ROKR EM28 is a clamshell phone that has touch-sensitive music controls that appear only when in music mode. Artists and song title are displayed on the outer clamshell display so the track can be identified without opening the phone. Music can be transfer via USB with drag and drop simplicity. The EM28 also has 3D sound effect to give music surround-sound quality.

The third handset is the EM25 and it features a built-in FM tuner with RDS 4 technology. Dedicated music controls are available and the EM25 features FMShare that allows the texting of favorite radio stations to friends. SONGID technology is also featured to allow users to identify songs on the radio for purchase via download.

Via Gadgetoholic

Link to the original article…