Droid X vs. iPhone 4: Spec Smackdown

On Wednesday, Motorola introduced the Droid X -- the company's response to the Apple iPhone 4. On Thursday, the iPhone 4 goes on sale. As a result, the digital world has a smartphone smackdown rivaling a wrestling match promoter Vince McMahon might emcee. What follows is a specification comparison between the hardware and software of the Droid X and the iPhone 4. Stay tuned for hands-on testing comparing the two models.

Like the iPhone 4, the Droid X is not a big surprise, as "leaked" images and specifications of the device surfaced on the Web weeks ago.

Image courtesy of WWEBut it's official now: Verizon, Motorola, and Google have launched their latest competitor to the iPhone 4, which created mayhem at pre-ordering stage, with over 600,000 advance sales recorded.

So how does the Motorola Droid X stack up against the Apple iPhone? Ultimately, this is a battle royale between two very different platforms: the iOS from Apple, a walled garden that sees no stopping in growth, and the Android platform, which is quickly catching up by adding powerful devices and galloping software updates.

We will look at some of the key software and hardware features of the iPhone 4 and Droid X, comparing and discussing. Note that, until the Droid X arrives on July 15 (with a price of $199 after a $100 rebate with a two-year contract), we won't be able to do a hands-on comparison, so this a comparison based on listed specifications.

Before we start, you can also have a look at our comparison chart.

Processing Power
Tie

Like most modern smartphones, the Droid X runs on a 1GHz processor. The iPhone 4 runs on the same A4 chip you'll find in the iPad, though the clock speed has not been disclosed. (In the iPad, it's 1GHz.) Both Motorola and Apple have not specified the amount of RAM memory in their devices, but we know so far from a recent teardown of the iPhone 4 that the device features 512MB of RAM, a figure that you can expect from the Droid X as well.

When both phones become available, a proper speed comparison will be in order.
 
Display & Resolution

Winner: iPhone 4

The Motorola Droid X features a 4.3-inch screen, a whole 1.2 inches larger than the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch display. Both devices' displays are multitouch. But the winner in this category has to be the iPhone 4 because it packs more pixels per inch in its 'Retina display' than the Droid X.

The screen on the Droid X might be better for watching videos due to its larger size, but in terms of picture quality, the iPhone 4's higher resolution and IPS screen technology packs the final punch.

Screen size, of course, can be a matter of preference, but most consumers probably won't need the extra screen space on the Droid X, especially when it's at the detriment of image quality. Also, the extra screen estate on the Droid X makes the phone wider, taller, and heavier than the iPhone 4.
 
Storage

Winner: Droid X

The iPhone 4 does not come in a 64GB version, like the iPod touch, but only in 16GB and 32GB models like the previous 3GS generation. The Droid X however, comes with 8GB of storage built-in, as well as with a 16GB microSD card included.

Because the Droid X supports microSD cards up to 32GB, you can extend its storage up to 40GB. The iPhone 4 does not have extendable storage.

Overall, for the $199 base model price, the Droid X comes with 8GB more storage than the iPhone 4 carrying

the same price (the 16GB model).
 
Camera & Multimedia

Draw

We have already seen photo samples taken with the iPhone 4's 5MP camera, and they look great. It has an LED flash for taking pictures in low-light conditions, and it can record 720p HD video. But the Droid X comes with an 8MP camera and a dual LED flash, and it can also record 720p video.

Add to that the HDMI-out port on the Droid X, and Motorola's device wins hands down. The iPhone 4 however, has a couple more tricks up its sleeve here. Apple's device has a front-facing video camera for video calls (a feature missing on the Droid X), and you can purchase, for $4.99, iMovie for iPhone, simply the best mobile video editor seen so far (and exclusive to the iPhone 4).

We'll conduct side-by-side tests of the cameras on these phones in the near future. Until that time, based on the specs alone, we'll call it a draw.
 
Connectivity

Winner: Droid X

In the connectivity department, the Droid X and the iPhone 4 reach a draw -- to a point. Both phones come with Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth, and both devices can be used as a modem (tethering) for $20 extra per month. What the Droid X can do and the iPhone 4 can't is to act like a mobile hotspot. For those extra $20 per month, the Droid X allows you to connect up to five compatible Wi-Fi devices to Verizon's network, such as your laptop, your iPad, or other gadgets.
 
iOS vs. Android

Draw (So Far)

The Droid X might have the edge over the iPhone 4 in terms of hardware overall, but lately consumers are focused on how easy and rich the OS on a smartphone is. In this department, Android is making huge leaps lately, but still has some catching up to do.

Usability aside, the problem with the Droid X is that it won't ship with the latest version of Android (2.2) on July 15, but only with the current Android 2.1. This means that only in sometime "late summer," when the Droid X goes Android 2.2, will the phone have full Adobe Flash support (something you won't find on an iPhone any time soon).

Multitasking arrived in iOS 4 as well, so Android doesn't have that advantage over the iPhone anymore, either. Same goes for applications, as Apple's App Store reigns supreme with over 225,000 apps, while Motorola says Android Market has over 65,000.

A cool trick the Droid X will have, one not yet available on iOS, is Swype, a system that allows you to enter data on the software keyboard without lifting your finger off the screen. Swype is the default data-entry mode, but you can also use a regular multitouch software keyboard on the Droid X.
Other Things to Keep in Mind

A notable feature now present on the Droid X is noise cancellation technology, which is supposed to improve call quality by blocking other sounds around you except your voice. The iPhone 4 has two microphones, one of which is used for noise cancellation, while the Droid X boasts three. How these features will behave in real-life tests has yet to be seen.

And of course, last but not least, the iPhone 4 vs. Droid X battle is not only a challenge between Apple, Motorola, and Google. It is also a competition between the country's two largest wireless carriers, Verizon and AT&T. The latter is well known for dropped calls and poor reception in some areas, while Verizon mocks AT&T over its lesser 3G coverage and overall mediocre network stability.

Note that both the iPhone 4 and Droid X feature revamped internals and antennae structures to tackle reception issues, but AT&T still remains with a bruised eye in comparison to overseas iPhone users, who don't experience network problems like their U.S. counterparts.


SOURCE:pcworld.com

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Motorola to Launch Three New Phones

Motorla’s new phones – MOTOROKR E8, PEBL U9 and MOTORIZR Z10 – are seemingly headed towards popularity even before their official launch.

The ROKR E8, part of Motorola’s ROKR music phone clan, is designed with a touch-sensitive keypad and has a navigation scroll wheel. It has a 2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and sports 256k colors. It supports external memory with microSD cards and comes with 2GB of internal memory.

Connectivity is handled by EDGE, USB v2.0 and Bluetooth with A2DP compatibility. The E8 also has an integrated Stereo FM radio, a 2 megapixel camera and, of course, a music player that supports MP3 and AAC playback. It has a 3.5mm earphone socket.


What really makes this phone unique is that in standby mode the keypad is virtually invisible, and when in music mode select keys that highlight music navigation are lit up. The keypad is quoted to support Haptic feedback, allowing users to actually feel every keypress. The expected release date is sometime in November and the price would be in the region of Rs. 15,700 (280 Euro).

The ROKR PEBL U9 is a clamshell phone with a reflective (fingerprint magnet!) surface. It has a 1.4 inch, 65K, OLED display with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels on the outer surface and a 1.8 inch QVGA, TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and 256K colors. The keypad is touch-sensitive.

For connectivity it’s equipped with EDGE, Bluetooth with A2DP compatibility and USB v2.0. The U9 has a 2 megapixel camera, an MP3 player, and supports external memory using microSD cards. Pricing and availability have not yet been disclosed.


Motorola’s RIZR Z10 is a rather well-equipped mobile device with HSDPA, 3G and of course EDGE connectivity. It too supports Bluetooth with A2DP and USB v2.0 (mini). The 2.2 inch TFT display supports a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with 256k colors and has a scratch-resistant surface. The 90MB of internal memory can be extended using microSD cards.

The RIZR Z10 is equipped with a TI 2420 multimedia processor, a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, and a secondary VGA camera in the front for video calling. There appears to be some confusion as to whether the Z10 will have a Xenon or LED flash. The specs aren't too clear.


This phone also has a 3.5 mm earphone socket and a music player that supports MP3 and AAC+ playback. Motorola has decided to go with a Symbian UIQ 3.1 OS in the Z10. It’s expected to be out in December for approximately Rs. 22,430 (400 Euro).


SOURCE:tech2.com

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Motorola ROKR E8, a Mobile Phone with a truly Unique Keypad leaked

Details of an unannounced Motorola phone have been leaked by a Chinese site. Apparently the device is called ROKR E8.

Rokr E2

So what’s so special about this phone that we actually took the pain of reporting about it, instead of winding up from work on this lovely Saturday night? Well, here’s something that we wanted to share with our readers, before we sign off for the weekend.

Interestingly, the ROKR E8 doesn’t sport a full-sized keypad. Instead it carries small contact points with labels that are triggered by background lightings.


When the user dials numbers on this Motorola phone, all the keys will light up. But when the user is listening to music, the number keys will be dimmed and the music controls will brighten up. In standby mode there are standard navigation keys and numeric buttons with backlight off.

The other features of the Motorola’s ROKR E8 are:

In-built 2GB memory, with an option to increase the same, thanks to microSD slot
3.5mm headphone jack
Micro USB to sideload the music
2MP camera
Linux-based MOTOMAGX interface
Stereo Bluetooth audio

The earliest that we get to see it is by around 2007-end or perhaps the beginning of 2008. Let’s hope more official announcement for the ROKR E8 mobile phone are made soon from Motorola’s headquarters.



SOURCE:tech2.com

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Motorola Launches RAZR2 V8 In India

Motorola latest addition to the Indian market is the upgrade to their popular RAZR range of mobiles the RAZR2 V8. This clamshell phone made its debut internationally in May and has finally made it here. It’s also 2 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor.

“With the modern style and powerful performance of RAZR2, Motorola is once again redefining the cell phone,” said Ray Roman, Motorola’s Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Mobile Devices. “This device takes the world’s best-selling feature phone to the next level. Combining groundbreaking new features and an even slimmer exterior than the original icon, the RAZR2 is capable of giving Indian consumers the ultimate mobile experience.”


A quick run down on the new RAZR2 V8 shows it’s equipped 2 inch external display (scratch resistant) and a 2.2 inch internal screen sporting pixel resolutions of 240 x 320 pixels each, up to 2GB of internal memory. It ahs a new ARM 11 processor, USB 2.0 connectivity, Bluetooth with A2DP compatibility, Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 compatibility, a full HTML browser and a 2.0 megapixel camera.

The RAZR V8 will be available at all Indian MOTOSTOREs and participating retailers. The RAZR V8 512 MB deluxe pack is available at a best buy price of Rs. 18,999 (MRP Rs. 20,428) and the premium pack with in-box Bluetooth S705 headset is available for Rs 19,999 (MRP: Rs 21,549).



SOURCE:tech2.com

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Verizon Launches New Q Smartphone

Verizon Wireless launched a new version of its popular Motorola Q smartphone today. The Motorola Q9m adds Windows Mobile 6 and an updated look with a new keyboard and music-centric interface.

The Q9m is about the same size as the Q, though its body is red and black as opposed to the Q's silver. The Q9m's keys are square and domed to the Q's oval, separated keys. A cursor pad and thumb wheel lets users navigate through many options. By pressing a button on the keyboard, users kick the Q9m into a new UI with album art and music controls. The Q9m can play music and video synced with Windows Media Player or downloaded directly on to the phone with Verizon's V CAST Music service.


Like the Q, the Q9m works as a modem, e-mail device, and Web browser on Verizon's EVDO Rev 0 network. The Q9m also shares its 312Mhz processor, 320-by-240-resolution screen, and 1.3-megapixel camera.


The Q9m announcement comes immediately after Verizon's partnership with MTV and Real to create a new music service for PCs and phones that will combine elements of Real's Rhapsody, MTV's Urge and Verizon's V CAST Music under both the Rhapsody and V CAST brands. Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeff Nelson couldn't provide specific details about the service, but did say that the new service would most likely work on devices like the Q9m--given that Rhapsody, Urge and V CAST all work with the Motorola Q9 now.


Verizon is selling the Q9m online for $349.99 with a two year contract, with discounts and rebates bringing the price down to $199.99. Service plans start at $79.99 per month for 450 minutes and with unlimited data.


Sprint will get a slightly different Q9m later this year, according to the carrier at a press event last week. The Sprint Q9m is yellow and black, rather than red and black, and will work with Sprint's music store.


PC Magazine will have a full review of the Q9m later in the week.



SOURCE:pcmag.com

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Motorola, Carriers Announce MOTORAZR2 Plans

Prompted by Verizon, Motorola officially took the wraps off of its next-generation MOTORAZR2 mobile phone platform on Friday.

Three phones -- the V9, a 3G HSDPA phone; the V9m, featuring 3G EVDO CDMA; and the V8, a GSM phone -- are all part of the new family, Motorola said. They will be offered by a host of providers, including Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless.
Motorola launched the RAZR2 platform in May, revealing many of the phone's features. Motorola said then that the three phones would be released in August.

According to sources, Verizon prompted the early confirmation of the new phones by announcing its support of the V9m early on Friday. The carrier will offer the phone for $299.99 upon the purchase of a two-year agreement, plus a $50 mail-in rebate. The exact date of the phone's availability was not disclosed.

That will be cheaper than AT&T, which said it would offer the phone at $299.99 for a two-year commitment "in early September,", but without the rebate. AT&T will use it as a platform for AT&T Mobile Music, which allows customers to sideload music from eMusic, the MusicID song recognition service, XM Radio Mobile, The Buzz music news portal, Music Videos and others. The handset is also MobiTV-capable.

Sprint, meanwhile, said it would offer the phone at $249.99 on Aug. 22 for the same two-year contract, without the need for a rebate. It will support features like its own OnDemand services with customizable up-to-date sports, weather and news information, Sprint PCS Picture Mail for sharing and printing digital pictures and Wireless Backup to restore lost contact information.

The phones are two millimeters thinner than the older, first-generation RAZR and, doing away with the familiar antenna "hump" at the bottom of the phone. The outside of the metallic flip phone is marked by a huge, 2-inch color LCD screen with touch-sensitive buttons that make the phone vibrate when pressed. The phone also has a 2-megapixel camera and plays AAC, MP3, and WMA music files.

In addition, the phones ship with the ability to raise and lower the volume depending on surrounding noise, a feature Motorola calls CrystalTalk. The higher-speed models, the HSDPA V9 and the EVDO V9m, will run Motorola's older Synergy operating system. All will have a redesigned user interface, Motorola has said.


source:pcmag.com
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Motorola Makes iTunes Standard Music App

Motorola is in the news today and how. With gadgets and announcements being made they’re cranking up their status in the market to make absolutely sure they aren’t left behind in the mobiles race.
From signing up with Microvison to develop a mobile phone projector to today’s announcement that Motorola and Apple have a little thing going. Motorola’s next generation of phones the ‘Always with you’ handsets will feature Apple’s iTunes mobile music player so transferring and managing your music from your Mac or PC through iTunes will be a breeze. Connections will be through USB or Bluetooth of course and the new player is to become a standard music application in the new Motorola music handsets that should be out sometime in the first half of 2008.

“We can't think of a more natural partnership than this one with Apple, the brand synonymous with easy-to-use, legal music downloading, and Motorola, the innovator in mobile technology,” said Ed Zander, chairman and CEO, Motorola. “Being able to transfer songs you’ve purchased from iTunes to Motorola mobile handsets expands the market reach for both of us and drives new revenue for customers, delivering an amazing music experience to millions of wireless users.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Motorola to enable millions of music lovers to transfer any of their favorite songs from iTunes on their PC or Mac to Motorola’s next-generation mobile phones," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. “The mobile phone market - with 1.5 billion subscribers expected worldwide by the end of 2004 - is a phenomenal opportunity to get iTunes in the hands of even more music lovers around the world and we think Motorola is the ideal partner to kick this off."


source:tech2.com
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Motorola Announces Reorganization

Hit hard by slowing cell-phone sales, Motorola names a new mobile chief, splits into three divisions.
Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service

A troubled Motorola Inc. has realigned itself as its critical cell-phone business slows down.

The company sketched out the reorganization in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing Tuesday, two days before it is set to announce its second-quarter financial results. Last week, Motorola slashed its earlier revenue forecast for the quarter and predicted a larger loss, blaming lower phone sales. It also named a new chief of its mobile unit, Stu Reed. Other recent changes in the executive ranks have also rocked the company.

Motorola is now split into three divisions: Mobile Devices, Home and Networks Mobility and Enterprise Mobility Solutions.

The company is moving its Good Technology mobile e-mail software business from the Mobile Devices division into Enterprise Mobility Solutions. Its carrier equipment business has been combined with home broadband products in the Home and Networks Mobility segment, with the new enterprise unit focusing on private network products.

The Home and Networks Mobility group is responsible for set-top boxes and digital video systems for carriers, home DSL (digital subscriber line) and cable modems, and wired and wireless broadband network gear.

The Enterprise group encompasses analog and digital two-way radio and other voice and data communications systems for government, businesses and Motorola's large public safety customer base. Good Technology, which Motorola acquired in a deal completed in February, is a mobile messaging platform with enterprise features such as centralized lockdown of unwanted applications on the phone. It competes against Research in Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry system and Nokia Corp.'s Intellisync technology.

After the rousing success of the slim Razr handset, which started out as a premium-priced bauble and quickly became a mass-market commodity, Motorola has had trouble coming out with an encore. A Razr 2 is expected later this year. New handsets from Nokia, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Inc. had stolen the spotlight even before Apple Inc.'s iPhone, which debuted June 29, became the talk of the industry. Meanwhile, sales for all makers have stagnated in higher-priced markets such as North America and Europe while rising in lower-priced India and China, according to industry analysts.

Last Wednesday, Motorola said it expected to report 35 million to 36 million handset sales in the second quarter, down from 45.5 million in the previous quarter. Its revenue forecast dropped from US$9.4 billion to between $8.6 billion and $8.7 billion. The company now expects to lose between $0.02 and $0.04 in the quarter.

source:pcworld.com
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