Bionic's still coming, is defintely new hardware - XT875

[Cruiserdude]

Good stuff, finally we hear something, thanks Oxn. I was about to wonder if this was some massive social experiment from Moto to see how much hype they could generate over something they never planned on releasing.

So those do sound like pretty great specs, though I wonder if the screen is the same pentile qHD as other new Motos, cuz it really doesn't compare to the beautiful S-AMOLED+ on the Charge. And with a mid-August release date confirmed, I'm definitely glad I bit on the Charge when I got it for $149.

These Bionic specs sound great, and I hope those still waiting are very happy. However, mid-August is still a long way off. My Charge now runs everything out there just fine, and performance will continue to improve with custom kernels and ROM's from all the devs, so it will keep up for some time. My guess is that by the time the Charge starts to feel outdated, I'll be able to buy something that blows the Bionic out of the water, at the rate current technology is moving.

For now though, I just couldn't wait any longer, and say what you will, but I was NOT gonna wait and miss out on unlimited data.

 

[Drosul]

Good stuff, finally we hear something, thanks Oxn. I was about to wonder if this was some massive social experiment from Moto to see how much hype they could generate over something they never planned on releasing.

So those do sound like pretty great specs, though I wonder if the screen is the same pentile qHD as other new Motos, cuz it really doesn't compare to the beautiful S-AMOLED+ on the Charge. And with a mid-August release date confirmed, I'm definitely glad I bit on the Charge when I got it for $149.

These Bionic specs sound great, and I hope those still waiting are very happy. However, mid-August is still a long way off. My Charge now runs everything out there just fine, and performance will continue to improve with custom kernels and ROM's from all the devs, so it will keep up for some time. My guess is that by the time the Charge starts to feel outdated, I'll be able to buy something that blows the Bionic out of the water, at the rate current technology is moving.

For now though, I just couldn't wait any longer, and say what you will, but I was NOT gonna wait and miss out on unlimited data.

Yeah, I was actually getting set to pull the trigger on a charge, but the new Bionic specs definitely have my interests perked even with the qHD screen.... If Samsung pushed a 4g GalaxySII out as late as October, I'd consider jumping on it over the Bionic.... As it stands, I wonder if going Charge now, and hoping for the GSIII w/ a 2nd gen LTE modem early-mid next year is still a better option.... That said Sammy phones have their own issues, in that they feel like as durable as the ticket turn in door prizes at an arcade.

If Moto took the Super Amoled +, and stuck it on the current info specced bionic... and didn't waste OS/Resources on the stupid webtop that I'm never buying ...

I'd have the perfect phone, and nothing to debate about...

 

[TC_Mits]

Why are bootloader comments always ignored?

It seems to me the HTC announcement makes the possibility of unlocked bootloaders on any new phone at the very least a valid question. If HTC is doing unlocked bootloaders across the board (and having been hacked, the Tbolt bootloader is also in effect unlocked -- was it leaked?) then some of the other manufacturers may very well feel constrained to follow suit. I know the carriers are, shall we say, less than enthusiastic about this. How, or even IF, it will be worked out between vzw and HTC should make for an excellent soap opera of speculation, for example. But why does any such question just fall through the cracks here?

And don't say, 'it's moot, because any phone can be rooted even if the bl is locked.' The process is cleaner and quicker, if the bl is unlocked and there are things, like start-up for example that it's still dicey to modify with locked bootloaders. (I confess to being a root noob, but I'm reading daily to remedy that...)

Is everybody carrying this thread along with such alacrity a carrier shill? Letting off steam like it was a convention? Seems doubtful, but if there's something that should be obvious, and that those posing the bootloader question seem unaware of, why not clarify it for us?

I don't get it.

 

[DolfanCole]

TI OMAP 4440 is pretty awesome for the peeps waiting for this. It's been fun ladies and gents. For those of you waiting on this handset try and enjoy the wait otherwise you will drive yourself crazy

I'll still hang around talking about the phone but it's officially off my list

I suddenly feel like I broke up with a cool chick..........

I think I know what's still on your list ...

And speaking of which ... with the Bionic slated for mid-August release, does that make the possibility of a July release of the GSII greater? Not that there's been really any logic in all of this, but it would seem to make sense to release the GSII before the Bionic to have somewhat of a natural progression. They have very similar specs, but the biggest discriminator is LTE. So, I'm hoping that Verizon gets the GSII and decides to release it before the Bionic, and then market the Bionic as the next "step up" with the addition of LTE.

I personally still like the GSII better, but from a general standpoint, this would seem to make sense. The issues obviously are that there are still only rumors that the GSII will even be coming to Verizon (although it only makes sense that it would). And that there's been no leak of any Verizon test devices, etc., that would indicate a release as soon as July.

 

[DolfanCole]

It seems to me the HTC announcement makes the possibility of unlocked bootloaders on any new phone at the very least a valid question. If HTC is doing unlocked bootloaders across the board (and having been hacked, the Tbolt bootloader is also in effect unlocked -- was it leaked?) then some of the other manufacturers may very well feel constrained to follow suit. I know the carriers are, shall we say, less than enthusiastic about this. How, or even IF, it will be worked out between vzw and HTC should make for an excellent soap opera of speculation, for example. But why does any such question just fall through the cracks here?

And don't say, 'it's moot, because any phone can be rooted even if the bl is locked.' The process is cleaner and quicker, if the bl is unlocked and there are things, like start-up for example that it's still dicey to modify with locked bootloaders. (I confess to being a root noob, but I'm reading daily to remedy that...)

Is everybody carrying this thread along with such alacrity a carrier shill? Letting off steam like it was a convention? Seems doubtful, but if there's something that should be obvious, and that those posing the bootloader question seem unaware of, why not clarify it for us?

I don't get it.

Motorola issued a statement prior to HTC's indicating that they would unlock their phones as well. But, any manufacturer whether it be Motorola, HTC, Samsung, LG, etc., would all still be subject to whatever the carrier demands. So, if Verizon requires a locked bootloader, it'll be locked regardless of the manufacturer's statements.

 

[TC_Mits]

So the ball's in play...

Motorola issued a statement prior to HTC's indicating that they would unlock their phones as well. But, any manufacturer whether it be Motorola, HTC, Samsung, LG, etc., would all still be subject to whatever the carrier demands. So, if Verizon requires a locked bootloader, it'll be locked regardless of the manufacturer's statements.

Thanks for the explanation. That's pretty much how I understood it. Although, I was unaware of the prior Moto announcement. Do you (does anybody?) have a date or reference or link for that? I'd very much like to see it.

This is about market pressures, then. Vzw, like any carrier, will watch the forums. Why would we lay down and play dead, just when a fight, loud and boisterous, might possibly have a beneficial effect? Now, we might scream and rant and rave out of our minds, and vzw might act like it's deaf. BUT, if we act like we don't care, it's a done deal vzw will hear that!

The HTC CEO couched his announcement in terms of consumer demand; obviously HTC believes that a lot of people do care. I believe he used the word 'overwhelming'. So, is there anybody out there who is being paid to try to keep those who do care quiet? I don't know.

But, I still don't get it.

 

[DolfanCole]

Thanks for the explanation. That's pretty much how I understood it. Although, I was unaware of the prior Moto announcement. Do you (does anybody?) have a date or reference or link for that? I'd very much like to see it.

This is about market pressures, then. Vzw, like any carrier, will watch the forums. Why would we lay down and play dead, just when a fight, loud and boisterous, might possibly have a beneficial effect? Now, we might scream and rant and rave out of our minds, and vzw might act like it's deaf. BUT, if we act like we don't care, it's a done deal vzw will hear that!

The HTC CEO couched his announcement in terms of consumer demand; obviously HTC believes that a lot of people do care. I believe he used the word 'overwhelming'. So, is there anybody out there who is being paid to try to keep those who do care quiet? I don't know.

But, I still don't get it.

Here's a link to the AndroidCentral article.

http://www.androidcentral.com/motorola-have-new-bootloader-policy-come-late-2011

I believe there's also some discussion on it in the Bionic forum. I just didn't do the search for it.

 

[Jasper]

Oxn, I am curious to know if you are making any headway on the Picture front???

People at HOFO are speculating the leaked rendering does show the Bionic, but not the phone we originally thought was the Bionic. Any insight?


Motorola's new Droid Bionic (Targa) pre-release thread - Page 40

 

[pwninobrlan]

I understand that the actual webtop accessory is pricey and the feature alone utilizes resources, even when its not being used, but does the fact that the bionic has webtop capabilities mean I am going to pay more per month or something? Sorry, its a noob question thats been plaguing me.

 

[Stang68]

Mid-August, eh? I bought a Charge on May 22nd with the plan to exchange it in 90 days for the Bionic. Cutting it close in mid-August! Then again, if Verizon comes out with a 4G GSII before then, I am jumping on that ASAP.

 

[EaglesFANdroidPHAN]

This phone is getting closer and closer ....plus it might just be the first handset with LTE voice capability:wink:

 

[mbaran]

Mid-August, eh? I bought a Charge on May 22nd with the plan to exchange it in 90 days for the Bionic. Cutting it close in mid-August! Then again, if Verizon comes out with a 4G GSII before then, I am jumping on that ASAP.

Costco?

How does this work with their 90 day replacement? Will you be eligible for new customer pricing if you return the handset?

Costco.com only sells cellular phones to customers who sign a new activation agreement, or who qualify for an upgrade and sign a qualified contract extension with their respective carrier. Costco is unable to exchange or sell a replacement phone after the Carrier Trial Period ends.

 

[Stang68]

Costco?

How does this work with their 90 day replacement? Will you be eligible for new customer pricing if you return the handset?

If the Bionic comes out within my 90-day window, I can walk in and trade in my Charge for the Bionic. If I see my window is closing and there is still no Bionic, then I will have to return the charge, get my $250 back and then probably buy the Bionic outright for $550 or so. I am pretty sure I do not get my upgrade back if I return the Charge after my first 14 days are up.

 

[mbaran]

If the Bionic comes out within my 90-day window, I can walk in and trade in my Charge for the Bionic. If I see my window is closing and there is still no Bionic, then I will have to return the charge, get my $250 back and then probably buy the Bionic outright for $550 or so. I am pretty sure I do not get my upgrade back if I return the Charge after my first 14 days are up.

I see, so within the 90 days they'll do a straight swap in the store. Interesting. I might have to go look at a Charge today, try to lock in the unlimited data.

 

[shobuddy]

How much are they charging for the Charge at Costco?

 

[mbaran]

$249, but you also get a free car charger, waived activation, and a bluetooth headset.. FWIW

 

[shobuddy]

$249

Is that w/the contract renewal discount?

 

[corymcnutt]

I see, so within the 90 days they'll do a straight swap in the store. Interesting. I might have to go look at a Charge today, try to lock in the unlimited data.

What do they do with all of those returned phones??? Resell as new?

 

[orchidsbloom]

I think I know what's still on your list ...

And speaking of which ... with the Bionic slated for mid-August release, does that make the possibility of a July release of the GSII greater? Not that there's been really any logic in all of this, but it would seem to make sense to release the GSII before the Bionic to have somewhat of a natural progression. They have very similar specs, but the biggest discriminator is LTE. So, I'm hoping that Verizon gets the GSII and decides to release it before the Bionic, and then market the Bionic as the next "step up" with the addition of LTE.

I personally still like the GSII better, but from a general standpoint, this would seem to make sense. The issues obviously are that there are still only rumors that the GSII will even be coming to Verizon (although it only makes sense that it would). And that there's been no leak of any Verizon test devices, etc., that would indicate a release as soon as July.

I found this in another area and figured you ( and others) might be interested:

AndroidSPIN AS Exlusive: Sprint Source Confirms Late July Release for the Samsung Within (Galaxy S 2)


WOOOHOOO!!!!!!!!

I dont have Sprint, or plan on getting it. But I am guessing that Verizon will follow shortly afterwards. I can't upgrade til August anyways, so I can be patient.

 

[Oxn]

Is that w/the contract renewal discount?

Droid Charge is 200 on Amazon right now for renew. No activation fee.

Im going to take the rest of the day to think it over, along with all my options.