Motorola Droid 4 "Maserati" Pre-Release Thread

[TC_Mits]

Why would you want it fatter?

It's also heavier than the D2. But that's ok for me.

I would like the D4 to be slimmer...

I really wish it was fatter...

because I need the useful function that vzw demanded Motorola remove just to make it negligibly slimmer than the D3. You still think it's too fat anyway. But an anorexic can actually - literally - starve to death still wanting to be slimmer. It's never enough.

Well, this obsession with skinny "RAZR" phones is starving them of real functionality. I'd like the D4 to be fatter so it could have a real battery that I could replace with an extended one if I choose to -- and keep a spare in the car. I don't like the added risk of water damage because I can't swiftly cut power to the processor.

You wish it had a better screen; so do I. But engineering design is all about cost trade-offs. The more expensive polymer hybrid battery also required a more expensive keyboard designed for water damage protection and heat shielding because the new battery type gets dangerously hot when shorted. That money could have bought you a better screen -- if you could just learn to like your phone 'pleasingly plump'.

Edit: I predict that vzw will not tout its new and innovative lithium-hybrid polymer battery in its D4 advertising. ;-o


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

[WaltA]

Why would you want it fatter?

I thought he said that. He would gladly accept it being fatter, if that allowed for a replaceable battery. Me too.

[howard]

Verizon just announced the DROID 4; a LTE, QWERTY DROID phone. Check out the 5 row QWERTY keyboard.

• LTE
• dual core 1.2GHz processor
• 16GB storage
• (presumably) 1GB RAM
• Android 2.3.5
• 4" 960x540 display
• 8MP camera
• 1785mAh battery
• 69.9 x 126.7 x 12.9mm
• 179g
• 16GB built in storage + microSDHC

Verizon Wireless and Motorola Unveil Thinnest and Most Powerful 4G LTE Qwerty Smartphone: DROID 4 by Motorola

Raw power and innovative design empower customers to take care of business like never before

Jan. 09, 2012

LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Today at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) and Verizon Wireless introduced the new DROID 4 by Motorola, the thinnest and most powerful 4G LTE QWERTY smartphone offering the power and capabilities to handle even the most demanding lifestyles. 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 190 markets. The DROID 4 will be in the Verizon booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Booth #30259) as well as in the Motorola booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #8644).


DROID 4 is deceivingly slim at half an inch thin – packing not only a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM, but also a five-row QWERTY keyboard with a PC-like layout and edge-lit keys for fast, precise typing, even in the dark. It’s Business Ready with government-grade encryption to keep data secure. It features software tools such as MotoCast™ for remote access to music, pictures and videos on home or work computers, Smart Actions application to automate everyday tasks and the revolutionary webtop application for a multi-window environment with full Firefox® browser on a larger screen to boost productivity while on the road. An 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture and Mirror Mode to display images and video on an HDTV, give DROID 4 users even more flexibility while at work or for play. DROID 4 delivers expected speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas for blazing fast Web browsing, video streaming and online collaboration.


A full suite of accessory options extends the power of DROID 4 and allows consumers to work however they work best. Accessories compatible with DROID 4 include the 10.1-inch Lapdock™ 100, 14-inch Lapdock 500 Pro with built-in webcam and Ethernet connection, HD Dock, HD Station and vehicle navigation mount.


Additional features


Powered by Android™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, to be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
4.0-inch qHD display with scratch and scrape resistant glass
MotoCast for remote streaming of photos, videos, music, documents, presentations and more from home or office computers
4G LTE Mobile Hotspot supporting up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
Water-repellent nanocoating for splash resistance
16 GB on-board memory (actual formatted capacity is less); Support for up to 32 GB microSD™ card
Business Ready with government-grade encryption (FIPS 140-2) for email, calendar and contacts; preloaded with Citrix® Receiver™ for Android (available in webtop) for desktop virtualization and access

[WaltA]

Powered by Android™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, to be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

This, from the same company that promised us a 4G LTE upgrade to their Xoom ?

[dblevitan]

Wait. The D4 is not a "world phone" ???

I really doubt it is. Don't you think Verizon would at least mention in the specs that it was a global phone, given it would be the first CDMA+LTE+GSM phone?

The LG Spectrum was rumored to be global, and it turned out not to be. The HTC Fireball is also rumored to be global and qwerty, but no one knows much about it. My guess is global+LTE will have to wait until the new LTE chips come out.

[Extraordinary]

Looks good, and hopefully the battery can be removed.

[TC_Mits]

I really doubt it is. Don't you think Verizon would at least mention in the specs that it was a global phone, given it would be the first CDMA+LTE+GSM phone?

The LG Spectrum was rumored to be global, and it turned out not to be. The HTC Fireball is also rumored to be global and qwerty, but no one knows much about it. My guess is global+LTE will have to wait until the new LTE chips come out.

The D4 has the necessary hardware to be global right now. If it releases, as we now expect it will, without world phone capabilities that means vzw locked it down. So, look for a D4G in Q2. Similar to the way the D2G followed the D2.

Edit: Btw, the HTC Fireball is all smoke and mirrors so far, there's nothing to it yet but an outdated screenshot with that name - which is also probably spurious.

I really hope it pans out, but I'm not holding my breath at this point.


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

[chevyman29]

no gorilla glass ?? it said scratch and scrape resistant but not gorilla specific hmm...

[jo_Ny]

TC_Mits I understand your point. However I would not want it razr skinny. It's just 1mm slimmer than my Milestone2, which I find a bit bulky nowadays, and given the temporal distance between them I would like it to be a bit more slimmer.

Anyway, I'm sad about it not being sold internationally, about the pentile display, about the not replaceable battery, and the previous things I said. Nevertheless I hope it sells well so that slide qwertys can continue to exist.

[kbman]

I find it very interesting that Howard is doing a Motorola release thread...and I am getting this phone too for better or worse!

[FAUguy]

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Motor...nds-on_id25683

[WaltA]

no gorilla glass ?? it said scratch and scrape resistant but not gorilla specific hmm...

The Motorola D2G/D3/D4/D-RAZR comparison sheet that's been out for a while, specifically mentions Corning® Gorilla® Glass for the D4 and Droid-RAZR (but not the D3?).

[WaltA]

Droid 4 by Motorola

[jo_Ny]

249$ on a 2 year contract, according to vz map.

[reybie]

249$ on a 2 year contract, according to vz map.

No mention of it coming with SD card. I wonder if the $50 break is for us to get our own