Verizon Wireless announced the availability of its upcoming Motorola DROID 4 smartphone earlier today.  The DROID  4is going to launch on February 10th for $199 on a two year contract, as reported by Andrew.  However, this Friday not only marks the launch of the DROID 4, but will be the date Verizon reintroduces double the data and begins its BOGO promotion on the DROID RAZR series.

In late 2011, Verizon introduced a promotion in which individuals signing a new data contract would automatically receive double the data.  Typically, customers pay $30 for 2GB of data, but during the promotion, Verizon would double it to 4GB without any extra fees.  The same promotion applies to 5GB and 10GB doubling to 10GB and 20GB, respectively.  This is a great promotion since 2GB can be reached relatively easily if you use 4G LTE for a lot of browsing and video streaming.

In addition, the Motorola DROID RAZR in white, black, and purple will be available as a BOGO offer.  The DROID RAZR MAXX will also be eligible for this promotion.  The DROID RAZR is priced at $199 on a two year contract, while the DROID RAZR MAXX sports a $299 price tag.  If you’re looking to pick up two top notch Android smartphones for the price of one, Verizon has the deal for you.

Lastly, all of their 4G LTE tablets are said to be going on sale such that if you purchase a 4G LTE tablet and smartphone, the up front cost will be slashed by $100.

Again, these promotions will not begin until Friday, February 10.  If you are looking to sign a new contract with Verizon Wireless, you may want to consider this new promotion.

[BGR]

Motorola and Verizon have confirmed the price and launch date for the Motorola Droid 4. Set to go on sale beginning Friday, February 10, the Droid 4 will cost $199 on a two-year agreement.

The Droid 4 has access to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, so its comforting to see the company offer a premium LTE phone under the $200 mark. Verizon has also dropped the price of the Lapdock 500, which is sold separately for $299. That will be a welcome change of pace for anyone who considered getting the accessory that can turn the phone into a special laptop-like mode for browsing the web and accessing apps.

There’s plenty to like with in the Droid 4. The phone continues the original Droid concept of high-powered specs mixed with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It basically looks like a Droid RAZR with a keyboard strapped on to it, and has:

• Verizon Wireless 4G LTE – Customers can expect fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas
• 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
• 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
• 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture
• Front-facing camera for video chat
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot supporting up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices

I played with the Droid 4 at CES and had a favorable first impression. The Droid 4 has a 5-row keyboard reminiscent of previous Droids, and the buttons are spaced out nicely. I did some brief testing of my favorite phrase – “Andrew Kameka is the greatest person on the face of the Earth” – and my thumbs immediately found the right key despite not having touched a QWERTY in months.

Pickings are slim for those who want a slide-out keyboard, but the Droid 4 is probably going to be at the head of the class thanks to its specs. There are some differences from the RAZR, the most noticeable being an LCD screen instead of Super AMOLED, but most of the other key specs are all present. Head to Verizon this Friday and test it for yourself to see if it’s worth upgrading.

Redbox, the DVD and Blu-Ray rental kiosk spotted outside grocers across the U.S., is launching a joint-venture with Verizon. The new partnership will give consumers the chance to rent a new release DVD or Blu-ray from a physical Redbox location or access on-demand streams and downloads from Verizon.

The Verizon-Redbox partnership, currently unnamed and light on details, appears on the surface to be a Netflix competitor. But based on the few details that are available, there’s no guarantee that Verizbox (unofficial title that I’m totally trademarking) will follow the same all-you-can-eat format of Netflix. There could be a monthly subscription fee to watch unlimited video, but there also could be a per-movie charge or a combination of the two that gives members the option of purchasing a film out right.

The Verizon-Redbox “product portfolio” will launch in the second half of 2012, so there’s plenty of time to wait and see what exactly Verizbox has up its self. There could be a natural rival to rental options based on the number of kiosks Redbox already has, and the company’s recent decision to no longer honor the lengthy wait times some movie studios want to place on rental services could lead to movies being available weeks before Netflix users ever get a chance. That could be a strong differentiator if the service is similarly-priced to Netflix.

There’s no word yet if this service will be limited to Verizon wireless customers. One would assume that Verizon might want to use the streaming service as a way to entice users to sign-up for its 4G LTE network, but the carrier may just as well want to expose this service to as many users as possible and offer streaming on computers, web connected TV’s, tablets, and maybe even phones not tied to its network. Redbox, which has a 35-percent stake in the new venture, probably falls into “as many as possible” category, so we’ll see how that affects availability later this year.

A kerfuffle erupted a short while ago when folks first noticed that the Android developer page had removed the Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE from its list of supported devices. That immediately led people to wonder if Google had just dropped the Nexus from its list of supported devices and was turning the device over to Verizon for management. Considering that testy relationship, that instantly made a lot of folks nervous. What’s the point of having a Nexus device if you’re still waiting half a year for your carrier to decide if it will deliver an update?

That’s not what’s happening here, however. Google has already clarified in separate statements. On a Google Groups page, Developer Advocate Dan Morril said that the change “simply updated the documentation to be clearer about the current extent of CDMA support.” That’s because the current crop of CDMA Nexus devices, of which the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon is a member, has issues with the way telephone function is implemented. Those issues cause custom builds from AOSP source code to be unable to make calls and access data because the “platform” key doesn’t match. Morril says that Google still delivers binaries to CDMA phones and will support the phones as much as it can, but GSM/HSPA+ models will require less work on the developer’s part. (Read the full explanation here.)

In a separate statement attributed to an unnamed Google representative, the company confirmed to The Verge that this change will have no effect on the way updates are handled. Firmware updates will still be delivered to the Galaxy Nexus by Google. So, nothing has really changed for non-developers.
Move along, folks; nothing to see here. Unless you’re a developer, of course.

via The Verge, Droid Life

At CES 2012, Verizon Wireless announced several smartphones including the LG Spectrum, DROID RAZR MAXX, DROID RAZR in purple, and the Motorola DROID 4.   The first three smartphones already launched in January, so the only 4G LTE smartphone to launch at this point is the DROID 4.

The Motorola DROID 4 is essentially a RAZR packed with a revamped Slider QWERTY keyboard, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, and Android 2.3 onboard.  Given the fact that it is a new device, it should be upgraded to Android 4.0 in the near future.  In terms of when it is going to be released, Droid-Life is citing some of their own sources that it will be released on February 9th for $199.

Verizon is moving towards the trend of pricing their high-end 4G LTE devices with only 16GB of on board storage at $199, such as the Motorola DROID RAZR.  However, the high-end devices with larger storage capacities will continue to be priced at $299.

If Verizon does indeed launch the DROID 4 on February 9th, I imagine we will have an official announcement confirming this information within the next several days.

[Droid-Life]

I’m going to skip talking about the Xyboard name for as long as I can. Ok. The name is ridiculous; I’m moving on. As Verizon’s newest tablet, the Xyboard has a lot of weight on its shoulders from the Xoom and Galaxy 10.1 debuts. Motorola has certainly impressed me recently, but can their smartphone success translate into tablet success? Is this a worthy successor to a less-than-one-year old tablet? If you’re looking for a 4G LTE tablet, absolutely, and here’s why.

Hardware

The look and feel of the Xyboard is one of Motorola’s highest efforts over the past few months. With shaved corners and a very thin exterior, the Xyboard feels almost like an 8″ tablet. Unlike the Xoom, the frame is solidly constructed throughout and it can rival the Galaxy 10.1 for thinness, though it is heavier than the Galaxy 10.1. Thanks to Motorola’s consistent foresight in adding a mini-HDMI output, you can play the Xyboard on your big screen which you can’t with the Galaxy 10.1.

The rest of the Xyboard’s exterior is minimalistic with a black/silver aluminum frame and a power and volume rocker on the back instead of the sides of the device. I do like what Motorola does with these buttons, and I definitely think this is a more natural positioning for your hand. However, the buttons are too flush with the back and don’t offer a satisfying click whenever they’re pressed so you may miss them or not press them if you’re not paying close attention.

Screen/Camera

The high-res screen is beautiful, as it should be, but I didn’t think it was anything overly spectacular. It could get very bright, but the automatic brightness wasn’t the most intelligent sensor so I was stuck with a blinding light while reading at night. Unlike the RAZR but similar to every other tablet I’ve tried, the screen can get very smudgy. I was wiping it off with a cleaner every other day just to make it look respectable. The colors and overall screen seem better than my Transformer too.

With the camera, I have been fairly impressed with Motorola’s latest offerings. You don’t expect to have the greatest camera on a tablet, but on the Xyboard it is more than serviceable.  The photos can speak for themselves:

While not the sharpest photos ever, they are some of the better I’ve taken with a tablet. I even got a little artsy with these.

Software Performance

Even coming from Ice Cream Sandwich on my phone, the Honeycomb bugs and lags are more evident than ever to me now. While these two versions of Android are very close to each other, ICS offers a host of new features that make you wonder why it wasn’t included on the Xyboard. The launch window for this tablet wasn’t rushed like the Xoom’s was, and I think Motorola could have pushed back the launch to make the Xyboard the first tablet with ICS instead of being the Xoom 2.0. All that being said, Honeycomb runs smooth on the Xyboard even with the bloatware from Motorola and Verizon.

The overall layout from Honeycomb isn’t changed by Motorola which is a blessing considering Samsung’s Touchwiz overlay, and despite the custom ROM on my Transformer and at least triple the apps, the Xyboard is faster changing through screens and doing other normal OS functions than other tablets I’ve used (Transformer, Tab, Xoom). It is a bit overclocked at 1.2Ghz, but with an OMAP processor instead of the Tegra like in the others. Still, I have to question the reasons not to add the newest Tegra 3 since they should have a good relationship with Nvidia after the Xoom opened the floodgates for multi-core processors.

App Performance

Like I mentioned, the Xyboard has a little faster processor out of the gate than my Transformer, but it by no means blew the Transformer out of the water (with a lot less installed on it too). Angry Birds and Osmos were a second or so faster than my Transformer. Games like Rock’em Sock’em Robots, Shadowgun and Osmos ran wonderfully, and I noticed very little lag when switching between all of these at the same time. I thought it was interesting that the Xyboard kept apps running in the background instead of shutting them down after a while. When I went to pull up Osmos for the second time, the Xyboard brought it straight up to the menu screen instead of starting the whole game over again. Very convenient although I don’t know if this is the Xyboard itself or my Transformer shutting down the app too quickly.

The problem with Motorola devices on Verizon, usually, is the plethora of useless bloatware because both Motorola and Verizon believe heavily in it. Motocast, V Cast, VideoSurf, Slingbox, Netflix, and Blockbuster all come pre-loaded. Will you use one of these apps? Maybe, maybe not. But you certainly won’t use two or more because they all directly compete with one another! I know each company has deals with other companies, but directly competing apps that you probably don’t want shouldn’t be on the same device.

Final Thoughts

My first thought with these devices is usually, “Who is this made for?” With the Xyboard, I really can’t decide. It’s not for early adopters because they already bought the Xoom, and it’s not for power users because the Transformer Prime has a quad-core processor. It’s a slim device but without the weightlessness of the Galaxy 10.1, and only Verizon’s LTE makes this a stand-out device. While I didn’t see many flaws with the Xyboard (great design, runs smoothly, mini-HDMI), I also don’t know what makes someone want this instead of a cheaper Xoom or even iPad from Verizon.

If the Xyboard would have been released when the Xoom was, it could have blown most of our expectations away for a first-gen Android tablet. However, it’s launch is in the middle of an Android OS upgrade and a processor power-battle. The Xyboard’s design and slimness make it a great upgrade from the Xoom, but for Motorola’s next tablet, I want them to make a device that will usher in the next generation of tablets instead of releasing the best tablet at the end of the era.

If you’re looking to start a new account with Verizon Wireless, then you will definitely want to take a close look at the promotion Amazon Wireless is currently running.  While supplies last, Amazon Wireless will sell you a Samsung Galaxy Nexus for only $99 on a new two year contract with Big Red.

Currently, Verizon is selling the Galaxy Nexus for $299, but the same Android 4.0 device can be had for just $99 if you’re looking to sign a new contract with Verizon.  As I previously mentioned, the promotion will only expire when supplies run out, so it is advised to jump on the opportunity as soon as possible — if you are interested in the 4G LTE smartphone.

As a quick recap of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus specs, it features a 4.65 inch Super AMOLED HD display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 5MP rear facing camera, 1080p video capture, 1.3MP front facing camera, Android 4.0, 4G LTE connectivity, and NFC.

The Galaxy Nexus has consistently received high praise as being of the industry-leading smartphone options.  Feel free to check out the Amazon product listing below.

[Amazon Wireless]

Over ten days ago, the official Motorola website listed the DROID RAZR MAXX as an upcoming product.  Unfortunately for Verizon, Motorola decided to go ahead and publish the official launch date as January 26, 2012.  Today, Verizon Wireless issued a press release reiterating its price point and “announcing” (but really confirming) the launch date for the RAZR MAXX as January 26th.

In two days from now, interested Verizon Wireless customers can purchase the RAZR MAXX for $299 in Verizon’s retail store locations or at its online website.  Even though it is essentially the same thing as the DROID RAZR, it is particularly attractive since it offers a giant 3,300 mAh battery boasting 21 hours of straight talk time on a single charge.  One of the major pitfalls of Android smartphones — especially the 4G LTE variety — is a lackluster battery performance.

Motorola looks to improve upon the battery life with the DROID RAZR MAXX, which really should offer superior battery life, but becomes slightly bulkier at 8.99 mm thick.  Otherwise, it retains the same 1.2GHz dual-core processor, Android 2.3, 32GB of onboard storage, 4.3 inch touch screen display, 8MP rear facing camera, and a front facing HD camera.

Again, in just two days you will be able to purchase the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX — touting a 3,300 mAh battery — for $299 on a two year contract with Verizon Wireless.

[Verizon Wireless]

Verizon Wireless posted its Q4 2011 results today, revealing that the company had a strong quarter in terms of mobile device sales. The wireless company announced that it sold 7.7 million smartphones last quarter, 2.3 million of which were 4G LTE-capable.

Combining the total sales of about 20 devices, Verizon put 4G LTE in the hands of an additional 2.3 million subscribers. That was a significant increase from the 1.4 million LTE devices sold in Q3 2011. The combined sales of the HTC Rezound, Motorola Droid RAZR, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus swelled Verizon’s the ranks of Verizon’s 4G LTE network, which now reaches 200 million POPS (population of people in areas serviced by 4G).

Verizon sold more than 5 million smartphones that were 3G only, but we can expect the share of LTE devices to grow in coming quarters. Big Red has promised that all smartphones will have LTE going forward, so one must assume that millions of people who purchase new smartphones will all enjoy the advanced speeds. That should be a lot of people because the share of smartphone sells at Verizon increased from 28 percent in Q4 2010 to 44 percent during the most recent quarter.

A webcast discussing Verizon’s announcement will begin this morning. Updates for this story will be posted shortly based on comments made.

[Verizon]

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is one of the most popular smartphones right now and is also one of the first to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. That being said, probably most of you have already purchased it and are currently playing around with it.

However, if you haven’t gotten the chance to get it, Verizon Wireless is starting a very cool giveaway today and will offer four Galaxy Nexuses (is that correct, Nexuses?) during the following four days.

The giveaway takes place on Twitter, is open only for US legal residents and will be officially kicked off today (January 24) at 10 AM ET.

The first thing you need to do in order to enter the contest is to make sure you are following @VerizonWireless on Twitter. After that, there are four different entry periods and each one will bring a brand new Galaxy Nexus to a lucky Twitter user.

Each day, from today to Friday, you will have to do different, fun things on Twitter, like tweeting a photo of your funniest face using a third-party photo tweeting service (I can’t wait for these entries!) or tweeting the name of someone special using the hashtag #GalaxyNexus4X4.

Unfortunately, you are limited to ten entries per Twitter account for each contest day and you are also forbidden to create multiple Twitter accounts to enter the giveaway. There are a couple of other rules and conditions you will have to abide as well, all of which are stated below.

Start tweeting, my friends (well, not now, but in a few hours), and get back to us once you win a Nexus to tell us all about your new shiny gadget. Also, don’t forget about the Canadian contest taking place on Facebook and offering 15 Galaxy Nexus phones if you reside there.

Eligibility: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years of age and older as of January 24, 2012, who follow @VerizonWireless on Twitter as of date of entry.

a. Users must use the hashtag #GalaxyNexus4X4 to enter the Giveaway.

b. Limit 10 entries per Twitter Account per Entry Period.

c. Subject to Twitter character limitations of 140 characters per tweet.

Entries must be in English. For any photos submitted, you, as entrant must be the only person depicted in photo. Any Tweet or portion thereof that, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, is obscene, profane, lewd or defamatory; contains any third party materials, or otherwise displays, violates or infringes (or may infringe) any copyright, trademark, logo, mark that identifies a brand (other than Sponsor) or other proprietary right of any person living or deceased (including but not limited to rights of privacy or publicity or portrayal in a false light) or entity; includes anti-social, political or religious groups, a commercial solicitation or address, phone number, or URL address; is otherwise objectionable; or does not meet the Tweet requirements outlined in these Official Rules will not be considered and may disqualify the Tweet. If you do not have a Twitter account, you may create one, by visiting www.Twitter.com. Creation of multiple Twitter accounts in order to enter the Giveaway will result in disqualification. In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address used to set up the Twitter account will be deemed to be the entrant. Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder of the email address/Twitter account associated with the entry. Entrants and winners acknowledge and agree that their Tweets become the property of the Sponsor, which thereby has the right to edit, adapt, modify, reproduce, promote and otherwise use Tweets/entries in any way it sees fit. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your Internet service provider may apply. Entries must be received by 11:59:59 pm ET each day during the Giveaway Period based upon the time Twitter displays as the time at which it received each Tweet on each day to be included in that corresponding Entry Period’s drawing. Any user who, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, posts profanity, pornography or other objectionable content on Twitter may be removed by Sponsor from being an @VerizonWireless follower and from participating in the Giveaway.

Random Drawings: Daily Prize Winners will be selected in each of four (4) separate random drawings, one for each Entry Period, from among all eligible entries received during each daily Entry Period. Entries will not be carried forward for any subsequent drawings. Drawings will take place on or about January 31, 2012. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received during each Entry Period. Drawings will be conducted by Don Jagoda Associates, Inc. an independent judging organization whose decisions will be final on all matters relating to this Giveaway.

Via VerizonWireless Twitter