atrix

How does the Motorola Atrix 4G Lapdock compare with a laptop?

One of the most eye-opening, attention-grabbing pieces of future tech to hit CES 2011 was the Motorola Atrix 4G--not so much because of the phone itself, but because of its bold laptop dock, which promises a seamless transformation of smartphone into Netbook. Who needs a laptop, after all, when your phone can be both? Well, you've read Bonnie Cha's review of the phone. I'm interested, as a laptop reviewer, in how the Atrix functions as...well, a laptop.

The idea remains bold, and to Motorola's credit, the experiment has resulted in a product a mere month after CES. This laptop dock isn't vaporware. On the other hand, it isn't exactly a laptop, either.

A laptop, without the laptop What the laptop dock--or, Lapdock--is, in effect, is an extremely well-constructed dock for the Atrix phone, adding a long-life battery, a keyboard, a large touch pad, two USB ports, and a pair of stereo speakers. It looks like the Cr-48 Chrome OS laptop, and or even a sleek thin-and-light. At 2.4 pounds it's easy to tote, and has a sturdy feel when the lid is closed.

But it's not a standalone machine: The Atrix needs to be plugged in for the laptop dock to work. The good news is that the transformation is seamless and hot-swappable: Plug it in and the dock boots up. Unplug and the phone's back in your hand, ready to go. … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1401: Fail! Fail! Fail! (podcast)

On today's show, I tee off a little bit on Internet haters who just can't let it go ... in a way that might seem to suggest I can't let it go. Hm. Anyway, in tech news proper, Apple shareholders demand a succession plan, Verizon users demand their iPhone 4s, and AT&T demands $499 and a two-year contract for people who want an Atrix 4G with the laptop dock. Plus: Computer Love! Aloha, everyone! --Molly

AT&T reveals pricing, release date for Motorola Atrix 4G

Not to be outdone by Verizon iPhone, AT&T unveiled some juicy details about the Motorola Atrix 4G today.

The dual-core Android 2.2 smartphone will be available for preorder starting February 13 for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and an expected ship date of March 6 or earlier.

In addition, for those wanting the Motorola Laptop Dock, AT&T will offer a bundled package (phone and dock) for $499.99 with a two-year contract and Data Pro data plan and tethering add-on and after a $100 mail-in rebate. If you choose to buy the dock … Read more

Two years later, AT&T realizes Android's potential

After two years of lightly treading in the Android waters, AT&T is finally ready to start swimming for the deep end of the pool. And almost as if it were pure coincidence, the carrier's broader ambitions come into light as it prepares to lose exclusivity of the iPhone.

Looking ahead, AT&T has plenty of Android on the roadmap for 2011, confirmed by a recently leaked internal document. The details uncovered by Phandroid indicate that the carrier plans to offer at least 12 new devices in the coming year, including a pair of exclusive smartphones.

Looking at AT&T's current lineup of Android phones, it's hard to get very excited. Sure, the Captivate is a great device, but it doesn't stand out from the other Galaxy S models of its time. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is fantastic hardware, but it's hindered by the outdated software. The rest of the roster is a lesson in smartphone mediocrity with assorted handsets from HTC and Motorola.

The near future looks to take sharp turn for the positive, however, with three new phones deserving of your attention.… Read more

Moto Atrix 4G and Xoom due next month, Droid Bionic to follow in Q2

If you read CNET's coverage of CES, you'd know I'm pretty excited for the company's new Atrix 4G and Droid Bionic. So I was even more interested today when Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha announced potential release dates for the dual-core Android handsets.

Jha dropped the news during the Q&A session that followed the company's fourth-quarter 2010 earnings call this afternoon. During the session, Jha said that Motorola expects to ship the Atrix 4G and Xoom tablet next month, with the Droid Bionic and LTE Xoom tablet following in the second quarter of … Read more

The tax app

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Verizon is going to sell the iPhone with a $30 per month unlimited data plan

Barnes & Noble may be discontinuing the 3G Nook

Facebook mandates that all games use Facebook Credits

Mobile Gmail users can now print from their mobile devices

The IRS launches an app that lets you track your tax refund, get daily tax tips, and follow the IRS on Twitter

A new site challenges you to do nothing for two minutes.

Moto is back (and that's a good thing)

Though it battled a crowded field, Motorola emerged from CES 2011 as the clear winner in wireless. Its Xoom tablet won CNET's Best of CES award; it introduced the dual-core Droid Bionic and Atrix 4G; and its laptop dock was the most innovative smartphone accessory we've seen in a long time. You had only to visit the company's massive booth on the show floor to feel the buzz that Moto created. I tried stopping by a couple of times, but I could barely get past the crowds straining for a glimpse of the new devices.

Call me a fanboy if you must, but Moto deserved that attention. When you see as many cell phones as I do over the course of a year, only a handful really stand out from the crowd. The remaining models aren't necessarily bad, but they can be so much alike that they just start to blend together. Moto, however, offered features and power in Las Vegas that I hadn't seen before. And that's always a welcome thing for a gadget reviewer.

It's complicated Ever since I started at CNET in 2003, I've regarded the company the way a parent might look upon a bright, hard-working, but sometimes wayward child. Like a long-suffering father, I've beamed with pride as the company succeeded, shook my head in dismay as it grew complacent (remember how long it pushed the Razr?), and tore my hair out in frustration as it made terrible mistakes. And like clockwork, Moto always redeemed itself just as I was about to kick the delinquent kid out of the house. … Read more

FCC approves Motorola Atrix 4G, Samsung Vibrant 4G, more

Mere weeks after the Consumer Electronics Show, it appears that the Motorola Atrix 4G has finally earned its seal of approval from the FCC. The model number is MB860 and yes, it does support UMTS 1900Mhz, which AT&T is calling "4G." Another 4G phone to get stamped by the FCC could be the Samsung Vibrant 4G. The Vibrant's model number is the SGH-T959, while the phone seen here has a very similar model number of SGH-T959V. On a non-4G note, it appears Huawei has also let slip its Ideos X6 on the FCC recently. Looks … Read more

Kama Sutra causes viruses

Links from Friday's episode of Loaded:

Google purchases a company called eBook Technologies

However, Google's planned acquisition of ITA Software is under scrutiny from federal antitrust officials

AT&T will allow tethering on two upcoming 4G phones and may allow it on the iPhone as well

Fujitsu is set to launch the first glasses-free 3D desktop PC

News Corp.'s iPad magazine, The Daily, has been delayed

Google Translate for Android can help you have a bilingual conversation in real time

A new spyware program is parading as a Kama Sutra how-to guide

A man is suing … Read more

Android in 2011: Bigger, faster, thinner, lighter

After taking a few days to decompress and wrap my head around the Android news from CES 2011, I started to notice a couple of trends with the new devices. Not only are these phones getting substantially faster with bigger screens, but they are growing thinner and lighter at the same time.

As expected, the next Android phones are going to be much faster than today's handsets. We have dual-core smartphones like LG's Optimus 2X and the Motorola Atrix 4G on the horizon, and companies such as Samsung are pushing out single-core processor handsets with impressive 1.2GHz speeds.

And when you factor in 1GB memory capacities, you have two ingredients for 2011's "superphone." Well, at least for the first half of the year. At the rate things are moving, it's pretty difficult to forecast beyond six months.

Displays With screen size, big is in. What started with HTC's Evo 4G continues this year in force. In fact, it appears that the minimum display size for touch-screen phones now hovers around 4 inches or higher. Not only does a quick look show that some of the key handsets announced at CES have screens of 4.3 inches or larger, but Samsung's Infuse 4G is headed for AT&T with a 4.5-inch screen. Anything larger and we'll be into Dell Streak and tablet territory.

It's really funny considering that last summer, plenty of people balked at the Evo because it was considered too big. Was the success of the Sprint phone a driving factor in the new designs, or are handset makers simply moving the needle whether we like it or not? … Read more