DROID BIONIC Jelly Bean Update

[gwhizkids]

Boy, this can't be good news (first and foremost for those affected. JB is irrelevant next to that)

RT @TelegraphTech: #google to cut 1,200 more jobs at Motorola Mobility https://t.co/P2ZuPgRrKc

 

[Bill Garrett]

Boy, this can't be good news (first and foremost for those affected. JB is irrelevant next to that)

RT @TelegraphTech: #google to cut 1,200 more jobs at Motorola Mobility Google to cut 1,200 more jobs at Motorola Mobility - Telegraph

This would be inline with the Moto/Google statement recently about "clearing out the pipeline". Motorola was arguable cannibalizing itself with the number of phones it has been releasing in rapid succession, and with Google, they're going to want to slow it down significantly, which is unfortunately going to mean less staff for fewer projects.

 

[anicholas7]

I have to say that I am very happy with my Bionic. I know people have had their problems but I do think that this is a great phone. I have some minor issues but seems all phones have their quirks. My problem with phones is I always want something different as do most people. So an update to Jelly Bean would be nice to quench my thirst for something new. I will however be looking very closely at the SG4 when it comes out. While I thought a while back a 4" screen was optimal for me when I had the HTC Incredible I found I needed a bigger screen so I went to the Bionic. Now I think I need a bigger screen. When will this end.

 

[zachthebomb13]

I hope we will start getting periodic "leaks" on the Xphone. My basis for this is they want to keep excitement on their phones. HTC, LG, and soon Samsung will have their new thing out, so Moto/Google will need to keep people from buying those products somehow. We'll see.

 

[SamuriHL]

I can tell you a little about the so called "X phone". Internally it's called Ghost. They're testing 4.2.1 on VZW, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. There is now an international version being tested for Brasil, as well. That's all I can really say for now. I personally may not wait for it. If Samsung's S IV looks attractive, and we'll find out next week, I may go for it. I may even switch carriers to do so.

 

[804hokie]

I'm mostly satisfied with the Bionic, now that it's on ICS. However, I think the .232 version (thanks, Samuri) performed better than .246. Hope to see JB soon, but not holding my breath. My upgrade will come May 15th, but if my Bionic is on JB (and running well) by then, I may wait for something truly revolutionary to arrive before making the switch.

 

[zachthebomb13]

I can tell you a little about the so called "X phone". Internally it's called Ghost. They're testing 4.2.1 on VZW, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. There is now an international version being tested for Brasil, as well. That's all I can really say for now. I personally may not wait for it. If Samsung's S IV looks attractive, and we'll find out next week, I may go for it. I may even switch carriers to do so.

So is the .1 Key Lime Pie, or does it look like it will be on Jelly Bean? Also, from what you may or may not know, does this look like the amazing device we all thought it would be, or will it under deliver, thus making you decide to go to the S IV? Just curious.

I think I've decided to not purchase phones on day 1 anymore. Maybe wait 30 days or so. That way I can see what real world use and reviews are from the wonderful people in these forums.

 

[SamuriHL]

I'm told it'll ship with KLP but since that build isn't ready they're testing it on 4.2.1 which is obviously JB. Not even the latest JB. It very well may be an awesome phone. I do know the current specs they're targeting but I'm not allowed to post them here. They look decent enough. I'm going to wait until after Google I/O before I make a decision either way, but, honestly, I'm not convinced the X phone will be a super star. I think it'll be a good, decent phone. But revolutionary? Unlikely. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised when Google unveils the thing.

 

[zachthebomb13]

I'm told it'll ship with KLP but since that build isn't ready they're testing it on 4.2.1 which is obviously JB. Not even the latest JB. It very well may be an awesome phone. I do know the current specs they're targeting but I'm not allowed to post them here. They look decent enough. I'm going to wait until after Google I/O before I make a decision either way, but, honestly, I'm not convinced the X phone will be a super star. I think it'll be a good, decent phone. But revolutionary? Unlikely. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised when Google unveils the thing.

Waiting until after Google I/O is probably a safe bet. Personally, I think specs are going to become less of an issue soon. Just like specs on a computer are still important, the real thing that makes or breaks it is now the software, and how smooth it runs with the hardware. Sure, screen clarity is important, processor and memory is important, but not super important. I'm sure the killer part of the xphone will be KLP, and the new features it brings with it. As long as the camera is decent and par with the course, processor isn't a generation behind, battery lasts the whole day, the phone generally runs well, the screen doesn't suck, and KLP is really sweet, this will probably be an awesome phone.

 

[SamuriHL]

Here's the thing. The Bionic was the first dual core phone with LTE. At the time, dual core "wasn't needed". But would any of you REALLY be happy with a single core phone 18 months later? I see people making the same arguments that "we don't NEED 2 gigs of ram, a quad core cpu"....etc. Sure, TODAY you don't. 18 months from now? You'd be smart to consider how far the phone will take you before you wanna throw it against a wall for being too slow with the latest and greatest. What I'm saying is, specs matter. A lot more than people think. Software can be changed...look at the Xoom. Hardware, otoh, can't.

 

[roadpizza73]

http://m.washingtonpost.com/busines...2-a80b-3edc779b676f_story.html?wpisrc=nl_tech

Nibble by byte, weaning from google

 

[roadpizza73]

Oops, reported a link story prior posted, sorry.

Nibble by byte, weaning from google

 

[zachthebomb13]

Here's the thing. The Bionic was the first dual core phone with LTE. At the time, dual core "wasn't needed". But would any of you REALLY be happy with a single core phone 18 months later? I see people making the same arguments that "we don't NEED 2 gigs of ram, a quad core cpu"....etc. Sure, TODAY you don't. 18 months from now? You'd be smart to consider how far the phone will take you before you wanna throw it against a wall for being too slow with the latest and greatest. What I'm saying is, specs matter. A lot more than people think. Software can be changed...look at the Xoom. Hardware, otoh, can't.

That's true. What I'd really like to see is being able to use stuff on my phone without killing it. For example, using GPS without the battery getting sucked dry. Or keeping the screen and GPS on without the battery getting super hot. I'd like to see those get better.

 

[gwhizkids]

That's true. What I'd really like to see is being able to use stuff on my phone without killing it. For example, using GPS without the battery getting sucked dry. Or keeping the screen and GPS on without the battery getting super hot. I'd like to see those get better.

That's my dilemma: will JB and Project Butter put less of a load on so the battery lasts a bit longer (esp in an LTE environment) and the phone not get so hot. If I leave the map or the camera running in background, the phone heats up to >120 degrees. Its actually painful to hold. If JB will solve or ameliorate those issues on the Bionic, I'll hang in there. If not, then I'm going to make a call to VZW customer service and try to get the other phone available to me, the Razr M.

 

[SamuriHL]

The RAZR HD Maxx can do that. So they've solved that issue by cramming giant batteries in there. That does, however, increase heat as noted. But hey, you can't have it all. Not yet.

 

[zachthebomb13]

That's my dilemma: will JB and Project Butter put less of a load on so the battery lasts a bit longer (esp in an LTE environment) and the phone not get so hot. If I leave the map or the camera running in background, the phone heats up to >120 degrees. Its actually painful to hold. If JB will solve or ameliorate those issues on the Bionic, I'll hang in there. If not, then I'm going to make a call to VZW customer service and try to get the other phone available to me, the Razr M.

I've actually gotten the phone above 140. Then I had to buy a new battery. Point is, a bigger battery doesn't really fix the problem. I'd like more efficient systems.

 

[gwhizkids]

I've actually gotten the phone above 140. Then I had to buy a new battery. Point is, a bigger battery doesn't really fix the problem. I'd like more efficient systems.

Our descendants 100 years from now using superconducting or photonic communicators will look back and laugh at our tech...

 

[zachthebomb13]

Our descendants 100 years from now using superconducting or photonic communicators will look back and laugh at our tech...

Heck, my 8 Month old son will look back at our tech when he gets his first phone and laugh...

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[zachthebomb13]

That's my dilemma: will JB and Project Butter put less of a load on so the battery lasts a bit longer (esp in an LTE environment) and the phone not get so hot. If I leave the map or the camera running in background, the phone heats up to >120 degrees. Its actually painful to hold. If JB will solve or ameliorate those issues on the Bionic, I'll hang in there. If not, then I'm going to make a call to VZW customer service and try to get the other phone available to me, the Razr M.

Here's another solution. Usually when I'm driving and using my gps my phone is plugged in. It would be cool if when the phone was plugged in if it could bypass the battery and supply power through the outlet. That would keep the battery from working hard, probably make it all more efficient somehow too, and not get nearly as hot.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[drstrangelove5]

I think we have digressed a bit, but that's OK. I think what the engineers/innovators are slowly realizing is the phones are more than capable of most tasks available today. The real innovation is creating innovative uses, which I believe we are beginning to see with Google now and some of the new Samsung tools. We are on the verge of smart phones transitioning from nifty toys to essential personal assistants. Bigger and faster is good, but more efficient and more useful is better.

Example : wireless charging as it exists today is utterly pointless. However the idea of it and where it will lead to is truly innovative.
Google glass is prolly pretty clumsy right now, but the idea behind it is genius.

Fortunately I was able to interpret these feelings correctly: loss of essence.