The DROID RAZR MAXX didn’t take too long to come our after the original DROID RAZR after its début at CES 2012 and less than three months from the originals release. The missions the RAZR MAXX has is to give you a large battery but keep the same slim and thin design and close as possible. Do they succeed in this mission?

Hardware & Design

The design is nearly identical to the first DROID RAZR with a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Advance display with qHD resolution that’s protected behind Gorilla Glass and a Kevlar backing to keep your device well protected from damage. They also put a water-resistant coating on the internal electrical components so that if they get wet the water beads off. Internally you have a 1.2 GHz TI OMAP 4430 dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 16 GB of on-board storage (11.5 available to you)  with another 16 GB micro SD card included, 4G LTE data, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera and 8.0 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash plus 1080p video capture. You can see our sample video and pictures below. The camera is good but you will get some grain in the pictures if you’re not in perfect lighting conditions.

The biggest difference in the hardware is the 3300mAH battery inside that Motorola claims that you get 21.5 hours of talk time and 380 of standby time.All this while keeping a slim 8.9mm frame. Does the RAZR MAXX live up to this claim?

Software & Usability

For software the device runs Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread with Motorola’s user interface on top. Much of the software is similar to many other Motorola devices so we will get into some of those apps later. The main feature here is the battery life. In our test we setup the device as a user would normally use it.

Battery Test Setup:

• 3 Email Accounts
• Facebook & 2 Twitter Accounts
• Google Music, Google Voice
• Netflix and YouTube streaming
• Bluetooth Streaming Audio
• 10 Phone calls (Avg 10 min/Call)
• All settings set as they were “out of the box”

The phone was unplugged and off the charger Sunday 9:30 am and after 12 hours the battery was at 50%. From there we continued the test until he battery died fully Monday 9:30pm which gives you a maximum battery life of 36 hours. This is tremendous results especially for a power user. I’m sure once you start to tweak the settings with brightness, data connections and Motorola’s Smart Actions software you can get even better results. It’s also upgradeable to Android 4.0 which will improved the battery life even more.

Also included with standard Verizon apps such as VCast, VZ Navigator, Mobile Hotspot and My Verizon there are Motorola specific  apps such as MOTOACTV for fitness, MOTOPRINT for wireless print sharing and MOTOCAST which lets you stream any content from your computer anywhere over a 4G LTE connection a file manager that lets you move and manage files between the internal storage, SD card storage shared folders and  MOTOCAST connection computers and mention earlier Smart Actions which the phone will automate certain tasks based on how you set them via date, time, location, app etc.  A solid package of apps that make the DROID RAZR MAXX a well-rounded experience.

Overall

The Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX makes you wish that this device came out at the same time or in place of the original one. The beefed up battery is much appreciated and while doesn’t solve all the issues with Android and battery life it does help the power user out there have confidence that they will get through a whole day and not have to worry about running for a charger or changing they way they use the smartphone around. This is a recommended buy for anyone looking to grab an android device on Verizon even over the original Motorola DROID RAZR.

Samsung and AT&T announced today that you will be able to get your hands on (for some maybe two-hands) the Samsung Galaxy Note starting February 19th. The smartphone tablet hybrid is noted for its large 5.3 inch  HD Super AMOLED display with at 1280 x 800 resolution and comes with a S-Pen for stylus input. Other noted features is a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB storage options, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video capture, 2 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat and will ship with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread with Touch Wiz UI on top and include apps such as S-Memo which will let you capture pictures, voice recordings, typed text, handwritten notes or drawings into a memo to share or edit the way you want.  Check out our hands on video of the Samsung Galaxy Note at CES 2012.  Pre-orders start February 5th

Press Release:

create, capture and share in new ways with the samsung galaxy note, available from at&t feb. 19

AT&T’s Latest 4G LTE Device Offers Customers a New Way to

Communicate and Collaborate

 

DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2012 –

 

Key Facts

· Previously announced at AT&T’s Developer Summit leading up to the International Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy Note™ arrives in carbon blue and ceramic white at AT&T* stores beginning Feb. 19 for $299.99 with a two-year agreement.

· Customers excited to get their hands on this dream device even earlier can pre-order at http://www.att.com/galaxynote or any AT&T company-owned retail store beginning Sunday, Feb. 5 for delivery by Feb. 17.

· The Galaxy Note combines the best features of a smartphone with the larger viewing screen of a tablet and advanced technology in the S Pen™ — delivering an all-in-one device that allows users to work more efficiently and maintain productivity, while communicating in a unique, personal way.

· Galaxy Note boasts the world’s first 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED™ screen (1280×800), one of the largest screens on a smartphone, for sharp, clear colors and readability – both indoors and out.  With the expansive high-resolution screen that provides an immersive viewing experience, customers can take full advantage of the large display, to create and consume more.

·The Galaxy Note includes a highly advanced tool called the S Pen, which delivers fast, responsive and precise control to create fine lines and detail on the device display, much like an ink pen and pad of paper.  With the S Pen, users can easily sketch drawings, jot down notes, or write emails and texts quickly and easily in free-form handwriting.

· S Memo™, a multimedia application designed to capture all forms of user-created content captured by the S Pen, allows for pictures, voice recordings, typed text, handwritten notes or drawings to be combined via a single application, converted to a ‘memo’, and shared as desired.

·It also includes a smart professional planning tool that makes full use of the device’s large screen. The calendar integrates the phone’s to-do list and schedule; control and navigation is intuitive, helping customers comprehensively organize their lives.

·An easy screen-capture function also allows users to instantly save any screen, which can also be annotated with the S Pen before being saved or shared.

·Users can communicate in personal, creative ways expanding beyond traditional sharing methods with the Galaxy Note.

 

Accessories

The Galaxy Note features a unique portfolio of custom designed optional accessories including:

·Desktop Dock to get the most out of your Galaxy Note at home

·Spare Battery Charging System that allows for a convenient backup charging solution

·Protective Flip Cover Case, available in multiple colors including tan, black, pink, red, white, blue.

·Galaxy Note S Pen Holder Kit which offers a solution for users in need of a more traditional writing instrument. With a spare S Pen included, the S Pen Holder secures the navigation tool inside and offers a comfortable grip and allows for more detailed use.

 

The Galaxy Note is also compatible with the following universal accessories:  Micro USB Adapter, HDTV Smart Adapter, Car Power Charger with Detachable Data Cable (Micro USB), Micro USB Data Cable, Travel Charger (Detachable with USB to Micro USB Cable), and the premium Refined Sound wired headset.

 

Pre-Orders

Beginning Sunday, Feb. 5 customers will have the option to pre-order the Note at http://www.att.comgalaxynote or by visiting an AT&T company-owned retail store.  Pre-orders processed by Feb. 15 will arrive by Feb. 17 at customers’ homes.

 

Quote

“The Galaxy Note brings a new level of efficiency to busy customers who would normally rely on multiple devices,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.  “This new breed of smartphone helps consumers accomplish more with a single device than ever before.  The unique all-in-one experience can simplify daily life while tapping into AT&T’s4G LTE network to let customers work even faster.”

 

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets.  4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available.  Deployment ongoing.  Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.  Learn more at att.com/network.

 

Limited-time offer. Samsung Galaxy Note requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee(att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T.

 

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Nokia’s flagship smartphone for the US the Lumia 900 is set to launch exclusively for AT&T with an aggressively low price of $99 according to reports from BGR.  Announced at CES 2012 the Lumia 900 is the first top-tier Windows Phone handset from Nokia for the US that comes with a 4.3 inch AMOLED Clear Back display, 1.4 GHz Single-core processor, 8 megapixel  rear facing camera with a Carl Zeiss lens  f2.2 wide-angle lens dual LED flash, front-facing camera with a wide-angle lens to fit more people into a video chat, 4GLTE and Windows Phone 7.5. You’ll get some exclusive apps such as Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive and Nokia Music all for the low price of $99 is basically a steal. Check out our hands-on from CES 2012.

First seen at CES 2012 the Droid RAZR Maxx is set to take Android to the “Max” on January 26th. The newest addition to the RAZR branding is for the most part unchanged from the first DROID Razr. You still get a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED advanced qHD display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of dual-channel RAM, 8 megapixel rear facing camera with 1080p HD video capture, front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera that has 720p HD video capture, 4G LTE and Android 2.3.5 but the Razr MAXX includes a massive 3300 MAh battery for an estimated talk time of 21.5 hours and standby time of 380 hours.  It will go for $299 on a two-year contract. Check out our video from CES 2012 below.

Press Release:

Verizon Wireless Takes DROID RAZR™ To The MAXX™ On Jan. 26

will be available on Jan. 26 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. At just 8.99 mm, the RAZR MAXX is the longest-lasting smartphone on the block and still impossibly thin. Customers can have a smartphone with the endurance to talk on the phone for more than 21 hours straight on a single charge. Equipped with the same great features as the original DROID RAZR, customers can expect to rip through the Web at blazing speeds with a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and Verizon Wireless 4G LTE. Verizon Wireless leads the way in 4G with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in the United States, covering more than 200 million people in 195 markets.

Additional features:

• Powered by Android™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, upgradable to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• Powerful 3300 mAh battery
• 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video capture and image stabilization technology for crisp and clear videos
• Front-facing HD camera for video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or Wi-Fi
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capable – customers can share 4G LTE speed with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Remote wipe, pin lock and government-grade encryption for email, calendar and contacts, as well as voice and video chat conferencing
• 32 GB memory – 16 GB on-board memory and 16 GB microSD™ card pre-installed (actual formatted capacity is less)

Customers that purchase a DROID RAZR MAXX will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data. For more 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.

The new MiFi device from Verizon the JetPack is n update to the original MiFi hotspot. The device is made by Novatel Wireless and sports an on screen display right on the device to control your hotspot functions. You can see the reception, battery life, devices on the network, etc. The new Jetpack also supports up to 10 devices at the same time which is up 5 from the previous restrictions of only 5.  The JetPack should be on sale soon but no work on pricing or exact date of availability yet.

The ZTE Tania is a mid-range Windows Phone with at 1.0 GHz single-core processor, 4.3, inch display, 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and Windows Phone 7.5 OS. The phone is a bit on the thick side but feels light and should do well for the budget conscious consumer looking for a nice smartphone.

The HTC Titan II is an update from the very popular HTC Titan. It adds a new 16 megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD video capture and  4G LTE data. The rest of the specs are close to the same as the original with a large 4.7 inch display, 1.5 GHz single-core processor,  512MB  or RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. It’s coming to AT&T but no word on pricing and date just yet.

The Spectrum by LG is a follow-up to the LG Revolution. It comes with improves specs with a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor, 1 GB of RAM, 4.5 inch AH-IPS HD display with 1280×720 resolution, 4 GB of built-in storage plus a 16 GB micro SD card pre-installed, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 8.0 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash plus 1080p HD video capture and 4G LTE data speeds. It’s available January 19th and will ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread but the specs are good enough to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich so we hope to see an update to that in the future. It will retail for $199.99 on a two-year agreement.

The DROID RAZR MAXX is an update to the original DROID and aimed for the mobile professionally on the go. Much of the specs are the same as the DROID RAZR with a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Advanced display with qHD resolution, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of dual-channel RAM, 8 megapixel rear facing camera with 1080p HD video capture, front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera that has 720p HD video capture, 4G LTE and Android 2.3.5 but is upgradable to Android 4.0 ICS.  The biggest change is the battery as it sports a 3300 MAh battery to give you an estimated talk time of 21.5 hours and standby time of 380 hours.

The DROID that started it all for Verizon is now getting its 4th incarnation and it looks to be the best of them. The DROID 4 comes with a 4 inch qHD display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB  of RAM, 16 GB of storage, 8 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash + 1080p HD video capture. The DROID 4 is touted as the “thinnest 4G LTE slider phone” with a 5 row backlit QWERTY keyboard.  It’s going to ship with Android 2.3.5 gingerbread with Motorola’s user experiences on top of it. No word on if it will get Android 4.0 ICS down the read but we can assume it’s in the works. This is the phone the DROID 3 should have been.