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Tag: Droid RAZR

  • Verizon Droid Razr M Gets Android Jelly Bean Upgrade

    Verizon today announced that its customers using Motorola’s Droid Razr M smartphone will soon be getting an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The upgrade will be pushed out to customers today, and those who would prefer a manual download of the software will be able to access it through “the settings menu” within a week. The upgrade makes the Droid Razr M the next Isis-ready smartphone.

    Android smartphone users have waited over four months now since the release of Jelly Bean, and only a few smartphones have been upgraded. Still, today’s announcement is better than the wait Droid Razr and Razr Maxx customers had for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. That upgrade only just took place back in June – a full eight months after Ice Cream Sandwich was released.

    I’t easy to see why Google is now pushing its Nexus lineup of products, featuring Jelly Bean and fast upgrades whenever a new Android OS is released. For years now, the developers of Android have been upgrading the mobile OS with features and capabilities, only to see manufacturers and carriers themselves take months to heavily modify the OS to suit them. These modifications often take out features (such as Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering) and arrive just when new versions of the OS have made them dated.

    The latest Android distribution numbers from Google show that Android 2.3 Gingerbread is still on over 50% of Android devices. Jelly Bean, since its release at the beginning of July to the beginning of October, only managed to get onto 1.8% of Android devices. That’s less than the percentage of devices (1.9%) that the number show are running a version of Honeycomb, the now-defunct Android version for tablets.

  • These Phones Are Thinner Than The iPhone 5

    These Phones Are Thinner Than The iPhone 5

    Apple’s Phil Schiller proudly boasted today that the iPhone 5 is the world’s thinnest smartphone. At 7.6 millimeters thin, the iPhone 5 is quite thin. Is it the thinnest in the world though? That claim may be harder to back up.

    Released in November 2011, the Motorola DROID RAZR has a thickness of 7.1 mm. It doesn’t beat the iPhone 5 by much, but it’s still thinner. There are other Android phones out there that are even smaller.

    Chinese company Huawei claimed the thinnest smartphone title earlier this year at CES with Ascend P1s. Their Android-powered smartphone is measured at a ridiculously tiny 6.7mm thickness. The ZTE Athena came out swinging in May to claim the world’s thinnest smartphone title with a device that’s only 6.2mm thick.

    To give Apple credit, the iPhone 5 is the world’s thinnest iPhone. All the marketing on Apple’s site reflects that instead of Schiller’s possibly mispoken statement. It’s also the world’s thinnest 4G LTE phone. The iPhone 5 is really thin and Apple’s engineers deserve a hearty slap on the back for their work. It’s just not the thinnest in the world just yet. We’ll probably have to wait for the iPhone 6 for Apple to reclaim the world’s thinnest smartphone title.

    [h/t: Droid Life]

  • Motorola Announces Three New Razrs For Verizon

    They haven’t met with the same success as Samsung, but Motorola has created some of the best Android phones on the market. They’re poised to take on the market in an entirely new way thanks to their new owners at Google. The new product announcements today seem to just confirm that Google is taking its entrance into the hardware market very seriously.

    Motorola announced today that three new Razr models will be hitting Verizon – the Droid Razr HD, Droid Razr Maxx HD and the Droid Razr M. All three phones will be equipped with 4G LTE and Ice Cream Sandwich. All three phones will receive Jelly Bean by the end of the year.

    Available for pre-order today, the Droid Razr M will be the first phone available out of the gate. It features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen. Motorola has taken to calling it the “The Full-Screen Phone” as it is shorter and narrower than the original Droid Razr while retaining the same screen real estate.

    Coming later in the year are the two HD handsets. The Razr HD and Razr Maxx HD both feature a larger 4.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. The Razr Maxx is outfitted with a better battery that boasts 32 hours of normal use. They claim that the battery can also power up to 13 hours of straight video playback on a single charge.

    All three phones will have the following features:

  • 4G LTE – customers can expect fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G LTE coverage areas.
  • Interactive Circles Widget allows quick access to notifications, weather, time and more
  • Quick Settings can be accessed directly from the home screen so customers can easily manage their volume profile, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and more
  • Enhanced Help Guides provide interactive tutorials, help topics and tips to become a DROID RAZR expert
  • Global Ready so customers can have voice and data service in more than 205 countries
  • Business ready with enterprise grade security and data encryption, remote wipe, complex password support, IPsec multi-headed VPN client and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support
  • 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB RAM
  • Mobile Hotspot – Share a 4G LTE connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
  • 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and 1080p HD recording
  • Front-facing camera for video chatting
  • NFC-enabled so customers can send contacts, links, maps and more directly to compatible phones with Android Beam
  • Corning Gorilla Glass display, DuPont KEVLAR fiber and water-repellent nanocoating
  • microSD card slot with support for up to 32 GB

    • The Razr M will be available for pre-order today from Verizon’s Web site. It will become available on September 13. The phone will only be $99 (after rebate) with a two-year contact. There’s no word yet on pricing for the two HD models. The current Razr Maxx goes for $245 with a two-year contract so here’s hoping the low price of the Razr M carries over to the other models.

  • Ice Cream Sandwich Brings Sweet Delight To Droid RAZRs Everywhere

    It’s the beginning of summer and all anybody wants is some cool, refreshing ice cream. While it’s not exactly the same thing, Android phones want some relief from the stale Gingerbread they have been eating all year. The Droid RAZR is the latest Android device to move from Christmas treats to cool sweets with Ice Cream Sandwich.

    It was announced last week that Verizon would be pushing an ICS update to Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX phones soon. Soon apparently means today as Verizon has announced that ICS will start going out to owners of the aforementioned Android devices over the next few days.

    Here’s the specific ICS features you can expect from your Droid RAZR/RAZR MAXX:

    Ice Cream Sandwich features upgraded functionality and new features, such as Face Unlock. By looking directly at the screen, the smartphone recognizes its owner and automatically unlocks the device. It also includes Direct Access Lock Screen, which allows you to easily open camera, text messages, and dialer from the lock screen.

    Customers can use the front camera to video chat with friends and family to share summer stories or even just to wave hello. The new Video Calling icon makes it easy to access video chatting apps like ooVoo and Tango.

    The upgrade also enhances the voice input technology, typing your words as you speak emails or texts. Speak continuously for paragraphs at a time, add punctuation and even edit mistakes with voice input.

    The update to ICS also makes the Droid RAZR a global ready device. What does that mean? You can now use the Droid RAZR to make calls and browse the Internet while abroad in more than 220 countries. Of course, you will have to get an international plan, but it’s better than having to rent a phone for the month you’re in a foreign country.

    The update should be pushed out to Droid RAZR/RAZR MAXX users over the next few days. Here’s hoping it goes better than AT&T’s premature launch of ICS to Galaxy S II users.

  • Motorola Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX Getting Ice Cream Sandwich Soon

    As I sit here in my dark corner of the fragmented Android empire, I weep over my lack of Android 4.0. My agony is made even worse by the fact that the HTC Inspire will never get ICS. I used to have the Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX as companions, but that will soon change.

    Pardon the self-pity as Droid RAZR owners have reason to celebrate. According to Phandroid, Motorola has begun sending out texts to owners of the two smartphones that alert them to an incoming ICS upgrade. It’s about time too since Motorola announced the upgrade back in October of last year. Of course, implementing ICS can take time so maybe we can forgive them this time.

    So, did the text say anything about the upgrade beyond its impending arrival? Not that Phandroid is aware of. All they know is that users will have to delete the My Verizon app once it hits. They will then have to download the updated ICS version of the app from Google Play.

    The two RAZR models are just the latest to get ICS support as many smartphone manufacturers have begun upgrading phones running on 2.3 to 4.0. It’s been smooth sailing as far as upgrades go except for a small scandal instigated by Sony. It was found that the Xperia Play would not be getting an upgrade to 4.0 even after Sony had released a 4.0 ROM beta for users to try out.

    Google’s recent acquisition of Motorola does have me questioning the manufacturer’s future plans with Android 4.0 and future versions. Will Jelly Bean debut on Motorola hardware? Recent rumors suggest that it will be made by Asus, but a Motorola Jelly Bean tablet is definitely a possibility now.

  • Motorola DROID RAZR HD Pictures Leaked

    Now that Google owns Motorola, we can expect the next line of Android phones to be some of the best on the market. The latest leak seems to confirm those expectations in terms of aesthetics.

    Droid Life scored some images of Motorola’s new DROID RAZR HD. Unfortunately, the only images that we get to see are the backplate and the side of the phone. Even then, the images that we do have show us that this phone is going to have some serious chops.

    First things first, the backplate is now full kevlar. The camera is positioned at the top middle with the flash on on side and the speaker on the other. The backplate also confirms that this phone will be coming to Verizon and will be on their 4G LTE network.

    Motorola DROID RAZR HD Pictures Leaked

    Unfortunately, the images do not show us the screen. Droid Life’s sources claim that the screen is “amazing” though. Considering that Motorola has consistently put out some of the most aesthetically pleasing Android phones, I have little doubt in their claim. The screen will also apparently take up much more space on the front of the phone by moving the navigation buttons onto the screen itself.

    As for the specs, sources suggest that it will have a 13MP camera and a Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU. It also has a micro-HDMI and USB port on the side of the phone. The specs are decent, but it’s somewhat disappointing that the latest DROID RAZR doesn’t have at least a quad-core processor. Of course, that’s most likely due to the fact that the band that 4G LTE runs on in the U.S. forces us to use inferior processors.

    So when will you be able to get your hands on this magical device? Sources peg the DROID RAZR HD as having a release later this summer. It would possibly allow Google and Motorola to take some steam out of the rumored iPhone 5 announcement that will be coming today.

    We’ll keep you up to date on any further developments. It will be interesting to see the form that Motorola phones take now that Google owns them. I expect them to fully take advantage of the latest and greatest features coming to Android before any other manufacturer, but we’ll have to wait and see.

  • Verizon Makes the RAZR More Attractive

    Verizon Makes the RAZR More Attractive

    New Verizon customers will get a $100 price break on the current Droid RAZR by Motorola when they sign a two-year contract. The model features an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD, an HD video camera, 16GB built-in memory, 4G hotspot capability, and your choice of white or purple.

    What will be missing from the RAZR at this new price of $199.99 will be the previously included 32 GB memory card. The phone will still feature support for the card, but consumers will have to buy the card separately.

    This drop will make the upgrade to a smart phone more accessible to some customers and we’re sure that for the $100 price break, most of us can either live without the extra memory or can manage to find an SD card with the extra cash we save.

    For those who can wait, The new Droid RAZR Maxx is on the way. Slated to be released on January 26th, the device will feature over 20 hours of talk time and 32GB of built-in memory storage.

    [Source: Verizon Wireless]

  • Droid RAZR Pre-Orders Available Today

    The Motorola Droid RAZR became available for pre-order this morning at 8AM for Verizon Wireless customers. It costs $299.99 with a new two-year contract and data plan.

    Here’s an early look at the device:

    Verizon talks it up:

    The DROID RAZR not only shreds through the Web at blazing 4G LTE speeds, it does it in style with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced display and measuring 7.1 mm thin. DROID RAZR is also packed with brains and security giving customers apps like MotoCast and features like remote wipe, pin lock and government-grade encryption for email, calendar and contacts.

    DROID RAZR customers can take advantage of the Super AMOLED Advanced display and 4G LTE speeds to stream videos with NFL Mobile, only from Verizon. Fans can stay up to date on news, schedules and scores from their favorite teams. NFL Mobile is included at no additional charge for 4G LTE customers for the remainder of the 2011 season. DROID RAZR customers will have access to Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network that now covers more than 186 million Americans coast to coast with additional markets planned before year end.

    The device can be ordered here, in stores, or by calling 1-800-2JOININ.

    The device will ship buy November 10.

  • Ice Cream Sandwich Coming To Droid RAZR In Early 2012

    Two big Android-related launches happened on Tuesday: First, Motorola unveiled the Droid RAZR, and second, Samsung and Google unveiled the Galaxy Nexus alongside their brand new Android OS, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.

    The Droid RAZR has impressed many first-lookers with its sleek design and beefed up durability measures. At 7.1 mm thick, it is the world’s thinnest LTE smartphone. And it is made out of KEVLAR fiber and scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass for maximum protection. It also sports water-repellant nanocoating to help with accidental splashes and spills.

    But many made a point out of the fact that it will run Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread OS). And now that Google has just unveiled the impressive new Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, the Droid RAZR suffers from its outdated operating system.

    However, there is some good news on the horizon for Android lovers who plan on purchasing the Droid RAZR.

    Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Motorola Mobility’s SVP of Product Management Alain Mutricy said that RAZR owners won’t have to wait too long for Ice Cream Sandwich.

    He said that they should expect the update sometime in Q1 2012, and that Motorola is Google+Reader”>currently in the process of making sure the Droid RAZR’s many new features are compatible with the new OS.

    Ice Cream Sandwich was just launched in Hong Kong, and hands-on reports seem to fall towards impressed. The new OS improves the keyboard, notifications, widgets, and integrated Google+ into the contacts function. It also supports “Face Unlock,” a function that allows users to unlock their phone through facial recognition. For more on ICS and the Galaxy Nexus, check here.

    If you want to see the new Droid RAZR in action, check out this hands-on from the launch event, courtesy of Phandroid –

  • Droid RAZR Release Date Early November, World’s Thinnest LTE Smartphone

    It’s a good time for people needing a new smartphone, as a couple of high-profile devices are dropping around the same timeframe. Last week, the new iPhone 4S went on sale and current projections show that it has done pretty well.

    If you’re looking to go the Android route, Samsung is about to unveil the next Google phone, the Galaxy Nexus, at an event taking place October 19th in Hong Kong (this evening for us in the West). And today, Motorola just unveiled their new Android device – the Droid RAZR.

    And this is not your older brother’s RAZR.

    The most talked-about spec of the new device is its size. The RAZR is only 7.1 mm thick (a little larger at the top), making it the thinnest device of its kind.

    It will be launching on Verizon’s 4G LTE network and contain a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, making it no slouch in the speed department either. Furthermore, in the aesthetics department, it sports a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display.

    Motorola has also beefed up the durability by building the Droid RAZR out of KEVLAR fiber and Gorilla glass for scratch resistance. It also has water-repellant nanocoating to protect the phone from damage from spills and splashes.

    “DROID RAZR by Motorola is a testament to the innovation and design possibilities that stem from a strong partnership between Motorola Mobility and Verizon Wireless,” said Sanjay Jha, Chairman and CEO, Motorola Mobility. “We set out to design the best smartphone on the planet and delivered DROID RAZR which is thinner, smarter, stronger than any device on the market.”

    Additionally, its sports 1GB RAM and an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capabilities, similar to what is available on the new iPhone 4S.

    Pre-orders begin on October 27th and it will run you $299.99 with a contract. They have given a non-specific “early November” release date for the device.

    At first glance, it appears to be a solid entry in the ongoing battle for device supremacy. What do you think? Are you excited about the Droid RAZR? More excited about the Nexus Prime? Let us know in the comments.