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Motorola outs RAZR D1, D3 in Brazil: dual-SIM support, Jelly Bean and more
Folks around the interweb are still wondering what a certain unidentified Motorola smartphone could be, but while we wait for that mystery to unfold, the company's taken the time to announce a pair of new Android handsets in Brazil. The RAZR D1 and D3 clearly nab a design cue from their M cousin, however both are packing smaller 3.5- and 4-inch displays, respectively. Screen size aside, the better-specced of the two, the D3, boasts an undisclosed 1.2GHz, dual-core CPU alongside 1GB of RAM and a 2,000mAh battery, while the entry-level D1 is loaded with a 1GHz CPU, the same amount of RAM and a slightly less powerful 1,785mAh cell -- plus, each one offers dual-SIM features and runs a rather fresh version of Google's OS, aka Jelly Bean. Per Motorola Mobility, Brazilians can now snag a D1 beginning at R$ 549 (about $280) for the dual-SIM model; the D3, on the other hand, is expected to hit shelves "in several weeks" with a starting tag of R$ 799.%Gallery-181487%
Refresh Roundup: week of August 20th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Motorola posts Android bootloader unlock page, lets just one device pass muster
Motorola drew fresh respect after it vowed that its Android device customers could unlock their bootloaders, starting with the Photon Q LTE. Nearly everything about that process was kept in the dark, but it's now been blown wide open: the company has posted a full page dedicated to the process. Getting started will demand the Android SDK, fastboot, new USB drivers and a slightly scary warranty release, but it otherwise goes through a very HTC-like process that provides an unlock key. Verizon subscribers who were hoping for a surprise Droid RAZR MAXX unlock won't be happy, mind you; the Photon Q LTE is the only device on the list so far that isn't already unchained as a matter of course. Motorola did characterize the unlock option as a forward-thinking option, which leaves us not so secretly wishing that high-profile future releases expand the list of unlockable devices a bit further.
Motorola starts Android 4.0 upgrades for international RAZR owners
Motorola may have pushed some of its earliest Android 4.0 updates to the Verizon-centric Droid RAZR, but it hasn't forgotten those who call the international, HSPA-based RAZR (the XT910) their own: the phone's first wave of over-the-air upgrades to the new OS should be rolling out now, going by GSMArena's tips. Who exactly is getting the upgrade isn't obvious, although at least one owner on Tesco's network has the visual evidence to suggest the UK is part of the first batch. We can vouch that at least a few Canadian RAZRs are still making do with Android 2.3. Never mind the unconfirmed claims of carrier-related delays for the update, though -- we're just glad that both Americans and the rest of the world will likely be on the same page before too long.
Motorola shows three all-touch Android 4.0 phones in China, we see a possible Verizon model
It turns out that Motorola didn't want to wait until the Google deal closed -- or, for that matter, an American launch -- to undertake a significant revamp of its phone line. A quiet Chinese event last week is now known to have brought us three RAZR-derived, all-touch phones for the three carriers in the Asian country: the XT885 for China Unicom (pictured at left), XT889 for China Telecom (center) and MT887 for China Mobile (right). Other than the network types and pretty bits, you're mostly looking at the same device, where the highlight is an official dip into Android 4.0 waters that drops the physical navigation in favor of more Nexusish on-screen keys. Don't expect a revolution in performance over last fall's roster given that they still have 1.2GHz dual-core processors, eight-megapixel rear cameras and 4.3-inch, 540 x 960 displays. The trio arrives in China on June 2nd; Motorola is likely more worried about popping champagne than giving out US launch details right now, but earlier leaks give us a strong hunch that the MT887 could hit Verizon as the uncannily similar (if still very unofficial) Droid Fighter before too long.
Refresh Roundup: week of April 16th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Conversion kit lets you push your RAZR to the Maxx for $110
Let's pretend you went ahead and purchased a shiny new Motorola RAZR this past November. Now, just for the sake of argument, let's say Motorola -- only months later -- released a new version of that handset with a battery that had some pundits asking, 'where has this phone been my whole life?' Yeah, that happened. But if you've managed to overlook Moto's past transgression, and are willing to sink another $110 into your handset, you too can experience the battery that just won't quit. The Cellphone Repair Shop is hawking a kit that will outfit your plain old RAZR with genuine Motorola RAZR Maxx parts -- battery included. The site recommends that you send your handset to its repair facility for "professional installation," but we're sure some of you are up to the challenge. How about it, RAZR owners, are any of you tinkerers going to try and Maxx-out your handset?
Refresh Roundup: week of March 19th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Motorola announces RAZR Developer Edition with unlocked bootloader for Europe, US variant on the way
Promises. You can either let technicalities get in your way of fulfilling them, or you can just find a way to keep them. Motorola, it seems, wants to do the latter. Sorta. In a new blog post, the outfit announced the Motorola RAZR Developer Edition, a fully unlockable version of the handset destined for European shores. The announcement didn't come with a release date, but pointed towards a (currently non-functional) pre-order page for the CM7 hungry. Don't fret, America -- Motorola's thinking of you as well, mentioning that a similar developer device will be available in the United States through MOTODEV, the firm's developer network. Ready to furiously refresh the pre-order page until it goes live? Check out the links below.[Thanks, Michael]
White Droid RAZR available now on Verizon for $299 on contract
Black is always the new black -- some things never change. But if you're in need of a handset to match-up with the oncoming winter tableau, a little Droid'll do ya. Verizon's white-framed, branding mash-up -- the Droid RAZR -- is available today in-stores and online for the same $299 on contract price as its austere sibling. So, you can fork over the cash to flash this awkwardly-angled device or, y'know, just hurry up and place an order for the Galaxy Nexus. Get'em while they're white hot!
White Droid RAZR, Xyboard 10.1 and 8.2 tablets to hit Verizon stores this month
Verizon has confirmed that it will begin selling a "flashy new white" version of the Droid RAZR just in time to make an appearance under the tree, with a pair of Xboard tablets shipping this month as well. The Xyboard (Xoom 2) will be available in five flavors -- the 10.1-incher will come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities for $530, $630 and $730, respectively, while the 8.2-inch model will ship with 16GB of storage for $430, or 32 gigs for $530. All models require a two-year customer agreement, and include a stylus in the box. And Verizon will help soften the damage if you opt for a complete Droid makeover -- customers who pick up both a $300 RAZR and one of five Honeycomb Xboards will be eligible for a $100 discount when buying the phone with a two-year contract. Thinking about picking up an ICS-ready Droid? Jump past the break for the full feature rundown from VZW.
Lapdock 500 goes through the FCC, its pre-launch gutting ritual shown off to the public
If you've loved the idea of using a lapdock but you've held off because the existing models are either too Atrix-y (proprietary) or just plain ugly (lapdock 100, we're looking at you), there's a good chance you've been closely following the developments on the lapdock 500. The Webtop-enabled device just waltzed through the FCC complete with imagery, and not just in crude drawings: we're talking outside and inside shots here. Originally shown off at Motorola's Droid RAZR reveal, the latest addition to the laptop dock family comes with the most features of them all -- it's laden with a sizable 14-inch display, ethernet and VGA sockets, SD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, front-facing camera and 6-row keyboard. Sounds great, but how's the Webtop on it? Guess we're going to find out sooner rather than later. Browse the gallery below to get your visual fix. %Gallery-139105%
Motorola RAZR open for unlocked bootloader business, if the carrier says so
Promises, promises. Motorola wasn't exactly fibbing when it said all future phones would ship with unlockable bootloaders, as it appears they will. There's just one teensy obstacle impeding the joy of ROM flashers worldwide: it's up to the carriers' discretion to keep it that way. In a chat with AusDroid, Moto's VP of Enterprise Mobile Devices, Christy Wyatt, revealed that the RAZR would indeed be the OEM's first device to ship with a software unlock. Unfortunately, as in the case of the DROID variant, operators like Verizon have chosen to put the smack down on any custom hackery, citing the typical concerns over security. But it's not all grey wireless skies, the handset's global version will ship with the code on board, so your best bet for CM7 and MIUI looks to be an off-contract option. Or, you know, there's always that Big Red Galaxy Nexus.
Motorola RAZR to get updated to Ice Cream Sandwich in early 2012
We know that Samsung has the first crack at Android 4.0 with the Galaxy Nexus, but it'll only be a matter of time before we begin seeing it show up on rival devices. HTC has already made an official statement on its plans (or lack thereof), and now it's Motorola's turn. Alain Mutricy, SVP Portfolio and Product Management, was in Germany talking up the European announcement of the RAZR, and slipped in a few details about Ice Cream Sandwich. Mutricy mentioned that while the company's new flagship device was designed for Gingerbread, plans have been set to introduce the latest version of Android in the start of 2012, with a more precise date naturally on its way. Given past experience, however, it's probable that the unbranded version of the device will get the refresh ahead of the Droid RAZR on Verizon, so US users may need to exercise a wee bit of patience here. Regardless, it's time for the competition to step up -- if the RAZR is next in line to get the OTA update, the Galaxy Nexus will have the spotlight all to itself for a fair amount of time.
Motorola locks Droid RAZR bootloader, angers ROM-happy lovers of anorexic handsets
Like the Droid 3 before it, Motorola's Droid RAZR will be shipping with a locked bootloader -- despite the company's promise to start unlocking its handsets. Sure, the Atrix is ripe for the hacking, but it seems like Verizon really doesn't want Moto encouraging its customers to start mucking around with custom ROMs. The official Motorola Mobility Twitter account says the RAZR bootload is locker per the carrier's request. It's a shame, but we're sure this will be only a temporary roadblock. If it takes more than a month to crack this bad boy we'll be shocked.
Droid RAZR vs. Droid vs. iPhone 4... fight!
Just how thin is 7.1mm? Well, we could tell you (been there, done that), or we can show you. And what better way to really drive the point home than with some head-to-head shots? We busted out our trusty iPhone 4 and the lead brick that is the first-generation Motorola Droid for good measure. And heck, we had the LG Marquee and Droid Incredible 2 floating around, so we threw those into the mix, as well. So, who's the thinnest of them all? Find out in the gallery below.%Gallery-136878% Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Motorola's Faster. Thinner. Smarter. Stronger. event liveblog!
The countdown is almost at an end. And that means it's time for some serious Daft Punk-referencing Motorola action. What can we expect today? The Spyder / Droid RAZR handset? The sequel to the Xoom? Perhaps an early taste of Ice Cream Sandwich? All of these answers and more will be revealed at 12PM ET. Psst... and toss your own time zone / day in comments below! 06:00AM - Hawaii (October 18th) 09:00AM - Pacific (October 18th) 10:00AM - Mountain (October 18th) 11:00AM - Central (October 18th) 12:00PM - Eastern (October 18th) 05:00PM - London (October 18th) 06:00PM - Paris (October 18th) 08:00PM - Moscow (October 18th) 01:00AM - Tokyo (October 19th) Photos by Zach Honig.
Screen Grabs: iPhone messaging app spotted on a RAZR in Traffic Light
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com. The iPhone was indeed the handset to supplant the well-loved RAZR as America's favorite, but we're not so sure its messaging interface ever made it onto Motorola's slim clamshell. That hasn't stopped Fox's Traffic Light from rewriting history, however, as last night's episode featured a RAZR receiving a "smiley-faced emoticon" text message encased in an all-too-familiar grey speech bubble. Catch this crazy new invention on video after the break. [Thanks, OMGitsShan]
Motorola sues Huawei and several former employees for stealing wireless trade secrets
Man, if you thought the lawsuit action in the mobile space was crazy before, well, you ain't seen nothing yet -- Motorola just sued Huawei and over a dozen former employees for conspiring to steal its wireless trade secrets and other proprietary technology over a period of years starting in 2001. Yeah, it's crazy. The lawsuit was originally filed in 2008 against four former Motorola engineers and a company called Lemko, all of whom Motorola accused of conspiring to stealing trade secrets related to wireless technology. After years of discovery in the case, it appears that Motorola realized the conspiracy went much deeper than it originally thought, leading the company to file a new complaint on July 16th, in which it named Huawei and nine additional former employees, who allegedly schemed to steal plans for a 3G base station called the SC300. According to the complaint, part of the scheme was ultimately blown up when one of the employees was arrested by Customs at O'Hare airport en route to China with $30,000 in cash and over 1,000 pages of documentation regarding Motorola's various communications networking tech, while another employee was caught buying Motorola phones in bulk and sending unlock codes and dump files to Lemko for reverse engineering purposes. Motorola also says that it doesn't yet know the exact relationship between Lemko, Huawei and some of the former employees because "file destruction software" was installed and run on computers before they were turned over as evidence, but the company claims that Huawei was aware it was receiving proprietary Motorola information the entire time it was in contact with the former employees. Yes, it's all very juicy -- we'll be watching this one closely.
Motorola RAZR3 comes back from the dead for a very special hands-on video
While you're still trying to decide whether or not we've entered the post-Moto era (maybe recent sales numbers were but a mere hiccup) might we interest you in a hands-on of Motorola's doomed RAZR3 (aka Ruby)? Featuring an improved interface, GPS, FM radio, and a touchscreen, this would have been the phone to beat -- in 2006. For a closer look at the dumphone that almost was, check out the video after the break. Update: Of course, if you're in South Korea you can buy one of these beauts -- there it is called the KLASSIC, of all things. How did we forget to mention that? Maybe because it's South Korea. Or maybe because it's a RAZR? Yeah, probably the second one. As an Engadget reader who actually worked on the phone pointed out, the handset "is a joy to use. In the end it received a 5MP autofocus camera, which takes great pictures, and the camera application has more 'knobs' and F-stop and ISO adjustments than I know what to do with. I used it quite a bit in for shooting closeup pictures of small failed components in my day-to-day business work. It is pretty neat to be able to navigate much of the phone from the outside screen." Thanks for the tip, Dan!