DROID 2

Business
October 30, 2010
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Apple files suit against Motorola for multi-touch patent infringement

By on October 30, 2010 at 12:35 PM.

Apple files suit against Motorola for multi-touch patent infringement

Apple blog Patently Apple is reporting that Cupertino’s fruit company has filed two separate lawsuits against Motorola for patent infringement, specifically around multi-touch IP. The infringing products? The Motorola DROID, DROID 2, DROID X, CLIQ, CLIQ XT, BackFlip, Devour, Devour i5, and Charm 1. That is just about every Android Motorola handset in the United States. Apple’s lawsuits cover six specific patent infringements, and we have them listed out after the break. Someone needs to tell all these tech companies to hide their kids, hide their wives, and hide they husbands, too, ‘cuz everybody gettin’ sued out here.

[Via 9to5Mac] More →

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Exclusive
October 30, 2010
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Motorola DROID 2 Global launches soon in black and white; T-Mobile Comet to cost $149.99

By on October 30, 2010 at 9:45 AM.

Motorola DROID 2 Global launches soon in black and white; T-Mobile Comet to cost $149.99

A fresh new Verizon Wireless rebate sheet emerged yesterday and brought with it some confusion. On the sheet, the upcoming Motorola DROID 2 Global had two associated SKUs. Since two separate versions of the unreleased DROID Pro were recently discovered — one with a camera and one without — it was assumed that these SKUs represented a standard DROID 2 Global and a second version sans-camera. But you know what they say about assumptions. So your pals here at BGR did some digging and we found our answer where all answers are ultimately found: Costco.

The screen shot seen above, delivered from an anonymous source, shows two versions of the Motorola DROID 2 Global within the Costco inventory system. The difference between them, as it turns out, is the color. Fans of white phones will be happy to learn that the DROID 2 Global will be released in both black and white when it finally does launch next month. Both versions will be $199.99 on contract. And while we still have no firm release date for these 1.2GHz beasts, hopefully the white DROID 2 Global doesn’t get delayed endlessly like the white iPhone 4.

Also of interest, the T-Mobile Comet — a mid-range Android phone rumored to be launching on November 3rd — will cost $149.99 when it finally sees the light of day.

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General
October 28, 2010
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Verizon rolling out DROID 2 update; improved battery life, Wi-Fi, GPS

By on October 28, 2010 at 11:42 AM.

Verizon rolling out DROID 2 update; improved battery life, Wi-Fi, GPS

Today, Verizon Wireless announced a minor update to the Motorola DROID 2 that is currently being rolled out. The update brings with it improved battery life, better proximity sensor accuracy, improved GPS tracking, faster transitions between Wi-Fi and 3G, and a handful of other small fixes. The update — version 2.3.20.A955.Verizon.en.US/BPC01.09.07P — is being pushed out as we speak. Hit the read link to see the full change log and let us know when your handset gets the new bits. More →

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General
October 28, 2010
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Motorola reports first growth quarter since 2008

By on October 28, 2010 at 8:27 AM.

Motorola reports first growth quarter since 2008

Motorola announced its Q3 results on Thursday and while the seemingly imminent arrival of the Verizon iPhone weighs heavily on investors’ minds, Motorola managed to report its best quarter in some time. Sales in the third quarter were up 13% year over year to $4.9 billion and phone revenue came in at $2 billion, up 20% from the year prior. Motorola shipped 9.1 million cell phones in Q3, 3.8 million of which were smartphones. Smartphone shipments beat the Street’s estimates, which typically fell between 3.5 and 3.6 million. Motorola also stated that its total cash on hand rose to $9 billion. Motorola’s business relies heavily on its current deal with Verizon Wireless, where its DROID-branded smartphones are a central draw that Verizon spends big marketing dollars on. Should Verizon finally manage to launch a CDMA version of the Apple iPhone next year, which is looking increasingly likely, it could spell trouble for Moto. More →

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Services
October 18, 2010
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Verizon Wireless intros Express Services for Android phones

By on October 18, 2010 at 10:01 PM.

Verizon Wireless intros Express Services for Android phones

Verizon Wireless today announced the imminent availability of a new set of account management tools for subscribers with Android handsets. The new tools, dubbed “Express Services”, give Android phone owners easy access to a variety of account-related information such as call logs, billing history and Friends & Family management. Express Services also allows users to quickly activate a new phone or even add a new line of service. John Stratton, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless, had this to say:

Now, with one click, customers can use Express Services to select the transactions they want, with time-saving account management services that are simple to use and consistent across multiple touch points, empowering them to save time and control their wireless services, whenever and wherever they want.

Express Services will be delivered this week as an OTA update available across all current Android models. Hit the jump for the full press release. More →

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Exclusive
October 15, 2010
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Motorola DROID 2 security flaw allows Voice Actions from passcode-protected state

By on October 15, 2010 at 4:01 PM.

Motorola DROID 2 security flaw allows Voice Actions from passcode-protected state

One of our astute readers let us know about a bug that appears to be present in all stock, unrooted, Motorola DROID 2s (and potentially other Android 2.2 devices with BLUR). The bug allows users to execute Google Voice Actions on their device even when the handset is locked and a passcode is activated. With your DROID 2 locked, and the passcode prompt on the screen, holding the “search” softkey or keyboard-key for four seconds will — without giving the user any feedback — still trigger Google’s Voice Actions. Speaking: “Call 555-555-1234″ or “Call Home” will actually make your DROID 2 do just that (assuming “home” is in your phonebook). We couldn’t make our Nexus One or Captivate replicate the issue, so we’re assuming it is a Motorola/BLUR specific issue. Anyone out there with a DROID X running Android 2.2 able to get their handset to do the same? We’ve reached out to Motorola for comment and will update the post as soon as we hear back. There is a short video demonstrating the issue after the break. More →

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General
September 22, 2010
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Motorola DROID 2 World Edition clocked at 1.2 GHz?

By on September 22, 2010 at 2:25 PM.

Motorola DROID 2 World Edition clocked at 1.2 GHz?

Earlier this morning, blog Droid-Life posted images of the Motorola DROID 2 World Edition. The pictures were, to be blunt, not all that interesting; the device looks nearly identical to the DROID 2 currently shipping. What is most interesting, however, is the fact that benchmarks from the DROID 2 WE indicate that the unit’s processor is clocked at 1.2 GHz. For those of you keeping score at home: that’s a full 200 megahertz higher than the model currently shipping. Pretty sultry stuff from the DROID 2. What do you think? More →

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Exclusive
September 17, 2010
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Verizon discontinuing original Motorola DROID 2, will only carry DROID 2 World Edition?

By on September 17, 2010 at 4:36 PM.

Verizon discontinuing original Motorola DROID 2, will only carry DROID 2 World Edition?

We’ve just gotten wind of a vicious little rumor that we wanted to share. We’re hearing that Verizon Wireless will be slowly discontinuing the Motorola DROID 2 that it launched last month and will soon only be carrying the yet-to-be-launched DROID 2 World Edition. While the move makes complete sense — from a manufacturing and inventory perspective — it may rub those who ran out and purchased the original DROID 2, sans world capabilities, the wrong way (especially if they price it at $199). This is just a rumor for now, but we want to know what owners of the original DROID Duece think? If this comes to fruition, are you going to be upset?

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Exclusive
September 4, 2010
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Motorola DROID 2 has lowest smartphone return rate on Verizon Wireless?

By on September 4, 2010 at 3:32 PM.

Motorola DROID 2 has lowest smartphone return rate on Verizon Wireless?

On the fence about the Motorola DROID 2? Wondering if people are happy with the device? Well, we have been told that the Motorola DROID 2, according to one of our connects, has the lowest smartphone return rate on Verizon Wireless. Not only are people apparently thrilled with the device, but that pesky fluctuation issue with the antenna doesn’t seem to be a problem either, as we have also been informed that the DROID 2 has one of the lowest dropped call rates on the carrier. Who knew.

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General
September 1, 2010
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Motorola announces MILESTONE 2 for Europe

By on September 1, 2010 at 8:02 AM.

Motorola announces MILESTONE 2 for Europe

Today, Motorola announced the MILESTONE 2 to the European, GSM-loving masses. The MILESTONE 2 is, for lack of a better description, the DROID 2… sort of. Like the D2 here in the States, the device has a 1 GHz processor, 5 megapixel shooter with 720p video recording, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G mobile hotspot capabilities, Flash 10.1, DLNA support, and Android 2.2. Unlike the DROID Deuce, the MILESTONE will have the full MOTOBLUR experience pre-loaded and a GSM radio on-board. The MILESTONE 2 will ship with an 8 GB micro-SD card and will be available begining in Q4 of 2010 across the pond. We’ve got the full press release ready for you after the bounce. More →

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Exclusive
August 27, 2010
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Samsung Fascinate launching on September 9th

By on August 27, 2010 at 6:31 PM.

Samsung Fascinate launching on September 9th

Wow, for a Friday afternoon things sure are sultry on the Verizon Wireless front. We’ve just been sent in a Verizon training document that seems to indicate that the Samsung Fascinate will launch on September 9th. The document is part of a pre-paid training series being offered to VZW retail employees. You’ll notice that to the right of the Fascinate the date 9/9/2010 is listed. So there are two stories here… the first is that all the evidence we’ve seen points to a September 9th launch for the Fascinate, the second is that Verizon Wireless will be offering the DROID 2, DROID X, DROID Incredible, and Fascinate as pre-pay devices. We’ve got the full memo after the break.

Thanks, double0kevin! More →

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General
August 26, 2010
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Motorola DROID 2 rooted

By on August 26, 2010 at 10:45 AM.

Motorola DROID 2 rooted

If you’ve got yourself a Motorola DROID 2, and are itching for some root user action, look no further. Sebastian Krahmer has come up with a method that will get you the # you desire on your shiny, new D2. The process doesn’t look like one of the easiest we’ve ever seen, but should be doable by those that are worthy of a rooted device. The full instruction set is sitting over at XDA. Hit up the read link and let us know if you have any luck. More →

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Breaking
August 16, 2010
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Motorola DROID Pro, World Edition and Tablet all found in Verizon Wireless systems

By on August 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM.

Motorola DROID Pro, World Edition and Tablet all found in Verizon Wireless systems

One of our Verizon Wireless sources has done a little digging for us, and we have turned up some awesome information. We exclusively reported that Verizon Wireless is gearing up to launch a barrage of Android handsets and devices, and we are now able to further clarify that report.

The Motorola DROID Pro, the handset with a 4″ display, 1.3GHz CPU, and global roaming capability gets the model number A957, and is set for a November launch. Motorola is also apparently working on a more business-focused version of the DROID 2 with a World Edition global roaming feature, and it looks like that device will launch relatively soon with the model number A956. If that’s not enough, it also appears that the phone will come in two color choices, black and white.

Moving on to the Motorola Android slab device — it’s listed and we’ve found the model designation — MZ600. We aren’t able to definitively confirm at this time whether this is the Motorola tablet (unlikely just yet) or just the slab form factor device we reported on (much more likely). If it’s the slab touch screen Android phone, it should launch with Android 2.2 and also be a World Edition handset. It looks like there are over 170,000 of those devices on order from what we can see.

As always, we’re working on following up on the rest of the leaked Verizon Wireless roadmap — Samsung and Motorola tablets, anyone? Couple more images after the break! More →

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