Motorola Droid 4 "Maserati" Pre-Release Thread

[HardBall]

Yes, Walt, there is a reset button.

Problem is, according to a poster leaked earlier in this thread, you may have to hold it for as long as 15 seconds before it works. That means that it goes back through the phone's software, which makes me not trust it much. If I need to pull the battery because the software has gone haywire or quit then why should I believe I have the same level of security in a switch controlled by that same software? A minor spill, for example, could fry your phone in 15" - IF the button works at all! Moisture is a warranty exclusion. I guess it'll sell a couple more phones for that.

Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/HoFo app. )

Yeah, that honestly, is the biggest concern about that device right now.

The lack of a way to hard reset; and especially the lack of a way to quick disconnect from the battery in the event of some accident, is a bit disconcerting. More than one phone have been saved in the past by quickly popping out the battery. I'm not sure what the technical reason is for not making the button hard disconnect, but it would have been much more desired.

The large bezels (that makes it somewhat less wieldy than the D3), while annoying, is small potatoes. Most people will get over it quickly, it's just matter of getting used to a slight bit more bulk in your pants pocket / purse; not a big deal.

[AlexKidd1977]

does mean that the D4 is a global phone and as with most Verizon global phones, you can't use it with any US GSM carrier. Also, unless Verizon changes their policy, Verizon can unlock the phone so you could use a SIM from a non-US GSM carrier instead of Verizon's SIM. US carriers will still be blocked.

This is how the Droid Pro worked as well. It's a world phone with fully capable quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE radio but even when "unlocked" by Verizon it won't work with a US-based carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile. I know of one individual on HoFo who, I believe, had engineering assistance from a friend/contact at Motorola and was able to hack his device to disable the lock-out and get it working on AT&T. So it might be possible, but only if one is determined and has good contacts...

--Kidd

[ekard1]

Yes, I'm sure the large bezels have a purpose but as an end user, it's still an issue for me. So I hope future design techniques and technology will fix it since I'd rather not settle and say I'd just have to get used to it.


As for pressing the power and volume down buttons for up to 10 seconds for a hard reset, I'm going to hope it's designed similarly to the reset button on some desktop PCs where it's completely separate from the OS. For example, a simple small dedicated switch/chip on the PCB that toggles power and/or issues a global reset signal. Hopefully, Motorola's long history of hardware design helps with this.

With that said, it still won't help if you're prone to spilling liquid on your phone or want to swap the battery.

[reybie]

Another screen shot on droild-life is saying the 8th but they're not convinced it would happen since it's too close. Hurry up already!

[fone sex]

The Motorola Droid 4 is essentially the Droid 3, but with an LTE connection.
(

Could not be more wrong

[TC_Mits]

Yes, I'm sure the large bezels have a purpose but as an end user, it's still an issue for me. So I hope future design techniques and technology will fix it since I'd rather not settle and say I'd just have to get used to it.


As for pressing the power and volume down buttons for up to 10 seconds for a hard reset, I'm going to hope it's designed similarly to the reset button on some desktop PCs where it's completely separate from the OS. For example, a simple small dedicated switch/chip on the PCB that toggles power and/or issues a global reset signal. Hopefully, Motorola's long history of hardware design helps with this.

With that said, it still won't help if you're prone to spilling liquid on your phone or want to swap the battery.

Bezels are likely pre-planned to make 1 housing design accomodate several releases - including a 4.5" display.

Long hold on the leaked poster said up to 15" not 10".

Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/HoFo app. )

[fone sex]

Ostensibly it's about the value of hard keyboards. For more of the same see the "How important is a physical keyboard?" topic.

I'm wondering if it isn't in fact instigated by a shill with MPD in a very effective attempt to bury some incontestable points under an avalanche of words.

Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/HoFo app. )

Shouldn't you guys move this conversation over to that topic? People want to hear info about the D4 here, not listen to folks pontificate about their keyboard preference or touchscreen typing capabilities. I mean 4 pages of that ish? C'mon SON. Can we get back on topic??

[jo_Ny]

Could not be more wrong

Can you elaborate?

From the leaks it's an overclocked version with lte of the D3 (ok, and 1gb ram). It's not thinner or lighter, the screen appears to be the same (with overall not good feedback).

[ekard1]

Bezels are likely pre-planned to make 1 housing design accomodate several releases - including a 4.5" display.

Long hold on the leaked poster said up to 15" not 10".

Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/HoFo app. )

Unless the poster had insider info, he probably got it from here: http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content...0/droid4-2.jpg. The sticker on the screen says 10 seconds.

Where did you hear that they reuse the casing? Can you provide some references? I would like to learn more about the reasoning. Thanks.

[fone sex]

Can you elaborate?

From the leaks it's an overclocked version with lte of the D3 (ok, and 1gb ram). It's not thinner or lighter, the screen appears to be the same (with overall not good feedback).

Of course it's different. What your saying is like saying, "the 2012 Charger is the same as the 2005, just a different body, more powerful engine and more fuel efficient. Other than that it's the same".

The keyboard ALONE blows the D3 outta the water. Also,you say "(ok, and 1gb ram)" like it isn't a big deal? In terms of the screen, go see it when it comes out and you tell me if it's the same.

[akhi216]

Of course it's different. What your saying is like saying, "the 2012 Charger is the same as the 2005, just a different body, more powerful engine and more fuel efficient. Other than that it's the same".

The keyboard ALONE blows the D3 outta the water. Also,you say "(ok, and 1gb ram)" like it isn't a big deal? In terms of the screen, go see it when it comes out and you tell me if it's the same.

So the Droid 4 has a better screen than the D3?

Interesting.

Sent from my DROID3 using HowardForums

[TC_Mits]

Shouldn't you guys move this conversation over to that topic? People want to hear info about the D4 here, not listen to folks pontificate about their keyboard preference or touchscreen typing capabilities. I mean 4 pages of that ish? C'mon SON. Can we get back on topic??

Why did you quote me? Other than answering the question I stayed out of that one. To me, that horse spilled its smelly guts on the pavement a coupla weeks ago. I don't know why they keep beating it.

Btw, one of my favorite movies, one that I'd love to have on an SD card to watch on my phone is:

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW

I find the scenario entirely believable. I think the premise is absolutely TRUE!

Anybody else like it, too?



Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/HoFo app. )

[TC_Mits]

...
The keyboard ALONE blows the D3 outta the water. Also,you say "(ok, and 1gb ram)" like it isn't a big deal? In terms of the screen, go see it when it comes out and you tell me if it's the same.

You are sure sold on that keyboard!
I truly and greatly hope you are right. We'll know soon enough. But the apostrophe/quote key at the top left?!! Just that is enough to satisfy me that it's not well thought out.

Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/HoFo app. )

[reybie]

That new keyboard will sure throw me off, I couldn't even type properly on my wife's Stratosphere. My thumbs have been cramped in a small narrow keyboard for two years and I'm sure it's going to take a few days to get used to it.

[Cartman1968]

I'm getting sick of waiting. If it doesn't come out this Thursday or Friday, I may just go with teh Razr. A deal like this offering $50 towards acessories will sweeten the deal: http://www.vzbuzz.com/2011/12/verizo...lease-details/