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Motorola phases out Webtop, points to a Lapdock-shy world
When Motorola launched its Webtop concept alongside the original Atrix 4G, it had grand visions of replacing our PCs with a smartphone, a Lapdock and some optimism for a mobile-focused future. Most of us don't appear to have shared that rose-tinted view, as Motorola has confirmed that devices from the Photon Q 4G LTE and Droid RAZR M onward don't carry Webtop and won't get it in the future. The firm is blunt in explaining the cut and says that "adoption has not been strong enough" -- we just weren't buying those desktop- and laptop-oriented docks in the large numbers Motorola would need to devote further attention. As CNET explains, the move isn't surprising in light of Google's cost cutting as well as an initial $500 Lapdock price that likely chilled any momentum, even after prices dropped to as little as $200 in the Atrix 2 era. We'd also point to a market that still favors budget laptops and tablets: when $400 will get you an entirely separate Transformer Pad TF300, albeit without a keyboard, it's hard to justify buying what amounts to an empty shell. At least we'll still have our PadFone to keep us company while you read the full statement below. Motorola's Webtop app helps users extend their smartphone experience to larger screens. While consumers around the world have adopted Webtop and the concept spurred a lot of innovation in the industry, the adoption has not been strong enough to justify continued resources being allocated to developing Webtop on future devices. We have also seen development of the Android operating system focus on the inclusion of more desktoplike features. Beginning with Photon Q and Droid Razr M/Droid Razr HD/Droid Razr Maxx HD, we will no longer be including Webtop on our products moving forward.
Fujifilm sues Motorola over broad camera and phone patents, claims RAZRs and Xyboards are at fault
Motorola won't have had much of a break following the dismissal of a key Apple lawsuit, after all. In a low-profile move, Fujifilm has sued Motorola for allegedly violating four particularly broad patents on camera and phone technologies -- we're talking basics such as transmitting data outside of a cellular network. The camera designer has supposedly been pushing for a licensing deal since April of last year without much success, and it's asserting that "at least" a wide swath of Motorola devices released both before and after that time are the key offenders, including the RAZR MAXX and Xyboard lines. The complaint is scarcely into the docket and makes it difficult to gauge just what kind of chance Fujifilm has to win in court; we just know that Motorola's (and now Google's) patent lawsuit headache is developing into more of a migraine.
Refresh Roundup: week of May 14th, 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!
Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 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 outs Android 4.0 upgrade schedule, adds Atrix 4G, Photon 4G and others to the ICS party list
Ever since the debut of Ice Cream Sandwich, the masses of Motorola owners have yearned to discover when (if?) their devices would receive Android's latest and greatest. Well, Moto's finally let the cat out of the bag, setting out domestic and global timelines for its tablets and phones to get Android 4.0. Xoom WiFi owners here in the states have been enjoying ICS for a month, and Family Edition owners can expect the same tasty treat in Q2 of this year. Folks with RAZRs (including the Chinese MT917 variant) or XT928 (the Chinese evolution of the Droid X) in areas outside the US will be getting ICS in Q2 as well. Atrix 4G, Atrix 2, and Photon 4G owners around the world will have to wait until Q3 of 2012 for theirs, as will Xoom 2 and Xyboard owners. Motorola's blog, Inside Motorola, states that the Bionic, Droid 4, RAZR Maxx, and Electrify will be getting in on the action, too, but its engineers have yet to set a date for their upgrades. Head on down to the source links below to take a gander at the good news yourself.
The original Motorola LapDock can now be yours for $50
Remember the good 'ol days (specifically, this past February) when the first Motorola LapDock cost as much as $500 up front and nearly got laughed out of AT&T stores? The sleek Webtop accessory compatible with the Motorola Atrix 4G -- and no other device whatsoever -- has come down a long way, as it's now available for a mere $50 (not counting the more expensive 4GB data plan AT&T requires you to be on when using it, of course). Indeed, it appears that a whole zero has been shaved off of the LapDock's price tag, finally making it a tempting deal for anyone still packing the Atrix around. We're thinking that AT&T's trying to clear out remaining stock prior to giving the dock a proper retirement, but does this lower cost give you pause to consider purchasing one after all this time? If so, head to the source to take another look.
How an AT&T smartphone comes to life: behind the scenes (part two)
By now, you're probably getting a pretty good idea at what goes into the development of a groundbreaking smartphone. In part one we followed the development of the Motorola Atrix 4G, discussing the process of how AT&T decided upon a design and collaborated with Moto to get the ball rolling. Now, we conclude the series by covering the intense testing process, getting the device prepared for launch and updating the phones after they're released.
How an AT&T smartphone comes to life: behind the scenes (part one)
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to get a smartphone pushed to market? If you have, congratulations on advancing to the next echelon of mobile geekhood. We've often pondered the same thing ourselves, but the industry has been historically tight-lipped about the ins and outs of designing, testing and launching a smartphone. Fortunately, our thirst for knowledge was quenched by none other than AT&T, which happily loaned us the time of two senior product managers, the folks that make the magic happen. AT&T Foundry innovation center walkthrough On the ground with AT&T's Network Disaster Recovery team Verizon Application Innovation Center walkthrough Dante and Chris (last names withheld, per request) have the ultimate geek dream job: they don't just play with the latest prototypes, they're the ones who make sure they get made. Pretty plush gig, right? They're the ringleaders -- the decision makers responsible for making AT&T's smartphone lineup come to life, and their duty is to do it in a way that keeps the carrier at the front lines of innovation. So what drives these two men? What goes into their thought process, and what exactly happens behind locked doors in order to produce a groundbreaking smartphone? Join us in this two-part series as we learn some of their secrets.
Motorola Atrix 2 review
Lapdock 100 brings a Webtop IQ boost to Moto phones on Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T Sony Music Unlimited arrives for Android tablets, bearing gifts of unlimited music Motorola Atrix 4G, HD multimedia dock, and laptop dock hands-on We've seen a lot of game-changing devices this year, haven't we? 2011 has already witnessed the first Honeycomb tablets, the influx of LTE and the introduction of a boatload of smartphones with dual-core processors. One of those groundbreaking devices was the Motorola Atrix 4G, which we called the best smartphone at CES 2011 because of its powerful Tegra 2 SoC and simply innovative Webtop operating system with an accompanying Lapdock. It was new, and it was powerful. Not even ten months after the Atrix's February 22nd launch, we're already seeing its successor, aptly named the Atrix 2. At the risk of sounding blunt, it's not a groundbreaking device -- aside from a few bumps in specs, larger display and a fresh redesign, it doesn't offer the same level of showmanship or innovation so eagerly demonstrated in the first iteration. But does the sequel compensate for the lack of sizzle? How much does this improve over the original? Does the newest version of the Lapdock satisfy? We'll answer these questions and so much more after the break. %Gallery-137617%
Motorola Lapdock 100 hits Sprint October 21st, earns employees extra scratch
Ready to play PC with your smartphone? If you aren't picking up a Lapdock 100 from AT&T on the 17th, you won't have to wait very long -- Motorola's faux-laptop phone dock has been outed for a October 21st launch date for Sprint via an employee rewards email. Passing the Lapdock 100 Sprint Rewards Me training quiz nets employees $10 in Sprint scratch and the opportunity to sell you a rig that lets a handful of devices play netbook. The laptop shell gives users a full Firefox browser, Quick Office, Google Docs, Adobe Flash, a PC-like File Manager and a luxurious 10.1-inch screen. Still no word yet on just how much this ultra-portable peripheral will set us back, but we'll keep hoping that it's cheaper than the Atrix 4G's axed lapdock. [Thanks, David]
Lapdock 100 brings a Webtop IQ boost to Moto phones on Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T
Looking to harness all the power of your smartphone PC-style? Motorola is looking to help with its Lapdock 100 for a number of devices, including the Atrix 2, Photon 4G and Droid Bionic. The laptop shell sports a 10.1-inch screen (smaller and hopefully cheaper than the Atrix 4G's axed lapdock), keyboard with dedicated Android keys, touchpad, multi-tasking and tabbed web-browsing via WiFi or your phone's data plan. You'll also be able to utilize a full Firefox browser, Adobe Flash, Quick Office, Google Docs and a PC-esque File Manager. Just in case your smartphone's SD card doesn't offer enough storage space, the dock packs two USB ports for all those extra documents you might collect. Looking to stay ultra-portable, the peripheral weighs a hair over two pounds (less than 1Kg) and touts five hours of battery life -- which can also be used to recharge that tired handset if needed. If you're looking to snatch up one of these bad boys, you'll have to wait until October 17... and even then, it'll only hit shelves at AT&T. Verizon and Sprint customers will get their chance "later this quarter" and there's no word yet on pricing. Need more info? Hit that coverage link for product page and get yourself better acquainted.
Skype 2.5 for Android brings video calls to 14 new devices, including Honeycomb tablets
...And then there were 41. Oh, sorry, we're talking about Android devices here. Specifically ones that support video calling over Skype. With the update to version 2.5, the VoIP service has tacked on another 14 Goog-powered gadgets to its list of officially supported handsets and tablets. Yes, that's right, we said tablets. In addition to bringing support to phones like the Atrix, Bionic and Nexus One, Skype is inviting the Xoom, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Acer's Iconia to the party. We've even received reports that video calls are working on other Honeycomb slates like the ASUS Transformer. You'll find the full list of officially supported devices in the PR after the break.
Motorola Droid Bionic to include Webtop accessories
Back when we first caught a glimpse of the Droid Bionic, we speculated that the post-Atrix placement of the micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports might make it compatible with the updated Photon Webtop dock and accessories. Judging by the screenshot grabbed by Droid Life, we might have a winner as the add-ons look to be interchangeable, possibly a first step towards CEO Sanjay Jha's promised improvements. The product page also says the accessories will be "affordable" for those "curious about the Webtop application" -- count us in. [Thanks, Chris]
AT&T confirms Gingerbread coming to entire 2011 Android lineup (and Samsung Captivate)
The HTC Status was the only device with Gingerbread on AT&T's lineup for a small slice of time, but that's quickly coming to an end. The carrier has confirmed that Android 2.3 will be pushed to its entire 2011 postpaid lineup, beginning with an OTA rollout of the Motorola Atrix 4G today (though and the HTC Inspire 4G "in the coming weeks." In addition to the phones released this year, Samsung Captivate users will be able to enjoy the upgrade as well. There's no hard details on the timing for everyone else, but at least anyone with a 2011 model can breath a sigh of relief. Full press release can be found after the break.
Atrix gets Gingerbread update, sideloading support, new outlook on life
Its evil cousin the Bionic may be lurking just around the bend, with its too-long sideburns and its crazy eyes, but that doesn't mean the Atrix 4G is ready to hang up its hat just yet. AT&T's wunderphone with the woven back is just now receiving a 2.3.4 update, bringing it all the sensuous flavors of Gingerbread and finally, finally, the ability to sideload apps. First, though, you'll need to download the 161MB update, which is waiting for you at the other end of the source link below. No, really, it is -- but it's getting impatient. Go on, go say hello. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Refresh Roundup: week of July 11, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. 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 from 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 [dot] com and let us know. Enjoy! HTC alerted users of the Desire Z that the handset's Gingerbread update is due in "the coming weeks." The update will likely be sent out in phases, but everyone should have it by the end of the month. [via AndroidCentral] A leaked screenshot indicates Bell may issue Gingerbread updates to several phones in its lineup this summer: Samsung Galaxy Tab and Vibrant, HTC Incredible 2 and Desire Z, and Motorola Atrix 4G. [via AndroidCommunity] A custom ROM update has become available for the original Motorola Droid, allowing users to enjoy Gingerbread. However, as this is an unofficial ROM, install at your own risk and be sure to follow all of the directions precisely. [via AndroidCommunity] File this one under unconfirmed, but the next version of CyanogenMod is rumored to offer a dual-boot setup. This would give you the option of two different operating systems when you boot up your device. [via Ultralinx] The Motorola Atrix 4G is about to undergo soak testing for its Gingerbread update, which likely means the full release is just around the corner. [via DroidMatters] Developer Coolbho3k has overclocked the HTC EVO 3D and Sensation 4G to 1.7GHz stable, without a kernel source or S-Off. [via Phandroid]
International Atrix unlocked bootloader uncovered, hackers around the globe rejoice
That Atrix unlocked bootloader that leaked last month had one nagging limitation -- it was only for the AT&T version of Motorola's dual-core device. Now, thanks to the tireless folks who haunt the XDA forums, all of our international friends rockin' the laptop-dockable handset will soon be free of Moto's chains. Project Cheesecake, as the quest was known, has dug up files from a forthcoming Orange UK firmware upgrade that can be applied to any Atrix across the globe. That means even our impatient neighbors to the north on Bell will be able to get in on the unlocking action early. If you can't wait for Motorola to officially get the update out the door, just keep an eye out at the source and more coverage links. The devs are doing some final testing to ensure it doesn't brick phones and creating localized builds, so you're just gonna have to wait a tiny bit longer. [Thanks, Guillermo]
Atrix 4G bootloader unlocked: you can hack it up today or wait for official Gingerbread update
The Atrix 4G is today an eminently more intriguing smartphone than it was yesterday. Leaked code from Motorola's upcoming Gingerbread update for the handset has made its way into the hands of the always-eager coders at xda-developers, which has resulted in two things: one, the discovery that Motorola intends to unlock the Atrix's bootloader when it upgrades it to Android 2.3, and two, downloadable files to let you do exactly that today, even if you're still stuck on Froyo. Moto users have been pleading for this change for a long time and Motorola did pledge to make it happen across its portfolio of devices, but it comes as a mild (and happy) surprise to see this change being effected retroactively. Check the links below to see how you can unchain your phone's bootloader if you can't wait for the official software to drop. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Atrix 4G available for $100 from AT&T, just 50 bucks per Tegra 2 core
We're not going to mince words, the Motorola Atrix has a number of urgent software issues that make it tough to recommend, but at least AT&T is pricing the Blur-saddled smartphone into the realm of reason. As of right now, the dual-core Tegra 2 device can be purchased for $99.99 when signing a two-year agreement with Ma Bell. Its qHD display resolution, 1GB of RAM and 14.4Mbps HSPA+ capabilities are still pretty much top notch, so if you can figure out a way to make peace with Motorola's software, now might be the time to strike. [Thanks, Logan]
Motorola's Atrix Certificate Updater remedies its mobile banking blunder
If you're an Atrix 4G user who has been reeling since your banking apps failed, go ahead and cancel that next therapist appointment -- thankfully for you, a permanent fix is now available in the Android Market. Motorola's Atrix Certificate Updater swaps the troublesome security signatures from v4.1.83 with versions that should play nicely alongside your mobile banking apps. If you're a sucker for punishment and want to restore the v4.1.83 certificates, the change can be reverted by relaunching Motorola's updater. With this misstep out of the way, you can enjoy the Memorial Day holiday and keep your financial life in order -- even while your bank's doors remain tightly locked.
