The Bionic/VZW FAQ, Full Spec sheet and **Manual added 9/1**

[trailblazen]

As a good suggestion I figured I would start a FAQ for Bionic and VZW questions that have been popping up in the Bionic Threads. We can add to it with new information so that folks can have a centralized place to look for information.


Question 1: Did we loose 2 year pricing?

Answer: NE2 has been nixed after this last one that was offered. The 2 year pricing remains on phones.

Question 2: Am I grandfathered into Unlimited data??

Answer: If you were a current subscriber to Unlimited Smartphone data (Blackberry, Android, Windows) prior to 7/7/2011 you are grandfathered into unlimited data. If you were on a feature phone after this date you would be subject to tiered pricing. Uprading your phone will not change this since it is a feature, not a contract item.

Question 3: How many delays have there been for Bionic?

Answer: There has been 1 official delay for bionic. The original rendition of Bionic which was code named "Etna" was in the middle of its development cycle when it met some sort of technical issue (not fully disclosed) and the project had to be scrapped. Motorola then decided to accelerate its project code named "Targa" to fill the void that was to be the phone Bionic but in doing so delayed a pre-summer release.

Question 4: Are there any confirmed Specs/Features?

.Answer: So far as of this edit on 8/23/11, 4.3" qHD screen, 1Ghz Dual Core TI OMAP, 1GB DDR2 LP Ram, VGA Front Facing camera, 8MP Rear camera/1080P Video recording, Hdmi out, 3 microphones, 16GB internal storage, Multi-colored notification LED, MotoPrint (print to a wifi enabled Printer), Zumocast (Stream music, video, pictures, documents from your home/work PC).

Question 5: Will the full 1GB of Ram be available for use or will a portion be permanently slaved to the Webtop?

Answer: There will be a small portion alotted to the OS like all phones but the Webtop will not take away from total available RAM unless docked.

Question 6: What is the price?

Answer: Everything shown at this point is $299 for 2yr pricing. This is not to include any additional NE2 or corporate discounts you may have.

Question 7: Is the 1Ghz the total of both processors or each individually?

Answer: Each core is 1Ghz. At this time not alot of applications can utilize the dual core but once developers get more time with dual core phones you can expect alot of apps utilizing this. Dual core also makes for easier multitasking.

Question 8: Will there be a SD card included?

Answer: The latest information from the leaked Tips and Tricks pamphlet photos shows a 16GB SD Card included making it a total of 32GB. 16GB internal storage and 16GB External storage.

Question 9: Will the Pentile screen be a blessing or a curse?

Answer: Everyone's eyes are different so it is highly encouraged to see the screen for yourself. It is said to be a higher quality than the DX2 and D3 but to get an idea you should check it out if possible or wait for a display model to show up at your store of choice. Either way it is advised to make your own decision since your vision is unique to yourself and not to blindly follow someone elses opinion (no pun intended).

Question 10: Is there a link to the Bionic manual?

Answer: http://www.chevynovaln.com/Bionic/bionic_manual.pdf

Question 11: Can you use Netflix on Bionic?

Answer: Yes. The TI OMAP4 Chips are Netflix ready so the Bionic will be able to utilize this program. There are videos of it in action here in Bworleys thread for his early Bionic aquisition: http://forums.androidcentral.com/droid-bionic/115848-my-bionic.html
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Courtesy of Droid life here is the Full spec sheet to include full dimensions at the bottom.

 

[trailblazen]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Oh just as a heads, if folks find information I can edit and add to this initial list. These were just the few things I know that have been made official in one form or another.

 

[spectre1006]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

I should add the 1 gig ram question. As to If u get the whole gig to use for android

 

[trailblazen]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

I should add the 1 gig ram question. As to If u get the whole gig to use for android

Thanks, added.

 

[KillerG]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Ahh I'm happy someone finally made this thread. Now we can link all the noobs to this thread.

 

[trailblazen]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Ahh I'm happy someone finally made this thread. Now we can link all the noobs to this thread.

Your welcome lol.

 

[Pratt4321]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Nice Thread!!

Maybe include the 299 Price tag. I know that isn't entirely confirmed but its a pretty solid number

 

[ChevyNovaLN]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Oh just as a heads, if folks find information I can edit and add to this initial list. These were just the few things I know that have been made official in one form or another.

Q: Is this going to be the most awesomest hootenest hollarinest phone ever?

A: Does a bear poop in the woods?

Q: Did you answer a question with a question?

A: Did I?





(sooooooo bored right now)

 

[mripirate]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

when (& if) the droid bionic makes its presence, will it be able to run ice cream sandwich when it is released?

 

[trailblazen]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

when (& if) the droid bionic makes its presence, will it be able to run ice cream sandwich when it is released?

That is not definate but word on the street is that anything manufactured after last march should be good for ICS. But because it is up in the air I haven't added it to my official FAQ listing. I am trying to avoid putting on the list things that are still iffy.

 

[mjforte]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

when (& if) the droid bionic makes its presence, will it be able to run ice cream sandwich when it is released?

Google themselves said that if a phone can run Gingerbread, then it can most likely run ICS. I see no reason the Bionic wouldn't get ICS, just don't take my word to the bank.

 

[trailblazen]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Google themselves said that if a phone can run Gingerbread, then it can most likely run ICS. I see no reason the Bionic wouldn't get ICS, just don't take my word to the bank.

Yeah thats pretty much where I was with that but since this is an Official FAQ for the AC forums I want to make sure its right.

 

[terpitude71]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

most phones see regular updates for at least 12-18 months after release. if ICS drops before year's end (as its rumored to), account for moto/verizon to blur & approve the ICS update, and i would assume that the bionic would see it around springtime next year.

btw, take this as nothing but my $0.02. im just spitballing here, but point is, i would be very surprised if the bionic didnt get ICS at some point

 

[KillerG]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

most phones see regular updates for at least 12-18 months after release. if ICS drops before year's end (as its rumored to), account for moto/verizon to blur & approve the ICS update, and i would assume that the bionic would see it around springtime next year.

btw, take this as nothing but my $0.02. im just spitballing here, but point is, i would be very surprised if the bionic didnt get ICS at some point

I agree with you. We should see it early next year if ICS comes out this year. They have to update blur for ICS, and make a few modifications for it to work on a phone that was not made for it (obviously). Unless they're smart and get the update out faster by throwing away Blur, but we know that will never happen

 

[greydarrah]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

How about adding an explanation of the GPS used in the Bionic and how it differs from other GPS's? What are the pros and cons.

 

[huskerkate]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

here's what kbman over at HoFo had to say about the differences in GPS:

The GPS on the Droid 3 works great. although differently than other Droid devices because it uses the TI OMAP GPS receiver on the SOC instead of the Qualcomm GPS receiver on the radio chipset.
It also doesn't pass on the raw NMEA data to the Android system so you don't get readouts or displays of the satellite positions, just fix data.

It is very likely that the Bionic will employ the same GPS hardware as the D3.

i'm not sure what the pros and cons are to this, as that would take more technical knowledge than i have.

 

[SnydersWeb]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

here's what kbman over at HoFo had to say about the differences in GPS:

The GPS on the Droid 3 works great. although differently than other Droid devices because it uses the TI OMAP GPS receiver on the SOC instead of the Qualcomm GPS receiver on the radio chipset.
It also doesn't pass on the raw NMEA data to the Android system so you don't get readouts or displays of the satellite positions, just fix data.

It is very likely that the Bionic will employ the same GPS hardware as the D3.

i'm not sure what the pros and cons are to this, as that would take more technical knowledge than i have.

Just doing my own searches I've seen both Good and Bad stuff on it. It's really not enough to really say conclusive or inconclusive. Some say it locks on super-uber quick while others say it doesn't.

Seems the ONLY thing that has been consistent is that it doesn't give the NMEA data but it does have the ability to do sGPS which is new starting with the Droid 3.

Right now I don't see anything that I would consider a showstopper. Yeah, having the NMEA data is nifty but if it works it's of no real consequence.

 

[greydarrah]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

Just doing my own searches I've seen both Good and Bad stuff on it. It's really not enough to really say conclusive or inconclusive. Some say it locks on super-uber quick while others say it doesn't.

Seems the ONLY thing that has been consistent is that it doesn't give the NMEA data but it does have the ability to do sGPS which is new starting with the Droid 3.

Right now I don't see anything that I would consider a showstopper. Yeah, having the NMEA data is nifty but if it works it's of no real consequence.

In the end, I guess all that any of us care about is if I go to Places and search for Jason's Deli, find one, select navigate, it gets me there. Does not having NMEA data (whatever that is) create any problems in completing the task?

 

[KillerG]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

In the end, I guess all that any of us care about is if I go to Places and search for Jason's Deli, find one, select navigate, it gets me there. Does not having NMEA data (whatever that is) create any problems in completing the task?

Exactly, people are complaining about having something that they won't need.
According to Wikipedia (and some other sources I read), NMEA data is for "communication between marine electronic devices such as echo sounder, sonars, anemometer, gyrocompass, autopilot, GPS receivers and many other types of instruments."
NMEA 0183 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[trailblazen]

Re: The Bionic and VZW FAQ

This GPS topic probably deserves a thread of its own for further discussion/debate..............If someone wouldn't mind starting one