Droid Bionic heading towards Verizon

[kodiak799]

talking more about the Thunderbolt and LTE pricing is a way for VZW to, once again, take center stage.

Seems kind of redundant, though. If I wanted to maximize VZW brand exposure, next week maybe I go Thunderbolt/LTE and the following week IPhone.

Doesn't really matter to me, as the above two possibilities are both going to happen one way or another in the coming weeks. Although I do look forward to an end of all the "when is the VZW IPhone coming" speculation.

Let's get off the IPhone mania and turn the focus back to mfrs who are increasingly stringing us along with marginal upgrades.

 

[briankeith513]

yeah but VZW would never overshadow CES with an iPhone unveiling. Also, the Thunderbolt is the FIRST LTE device, its a big thing for them...er rather their marketing department. I think its the Thunderbolt + LTE pricing.

Why would VZW wait just a week after the biggest electronics event, to set up another event just to announce the THunderbolt's pricing and release date, when they had such a huge stage to do it on during CES?

Simple.

There was more than one phone manufacturer on stage with Verizon. They don't want to make them made. Corporate politics.

And HTC is making no secret of the fact that it is releasing the first 4g phone for Verizon, so a separate product launch would make sense.

Makes absolutely no sense to hold a press conference that you invited media too, and keep the reason secret....just to introduce the pricing and availability of a product that you just introduced.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[guitarchris123]

The Wall Street Journal's insider seems to think that there will be reporters who typically cover Apple news at the Tuesday event, plus that Jobs himself might be in attendance. The WSJ is usually a front-runner in Apple news. This would also coincide with the blackout for vacation days late Jan./early Feb. The strange thing to me though is that VZW is in charge of it, not Job and Apple. Doesn't he usually like to hog the main-stage for himself? I imagine that's why Apple does not go to CES, it wants all the limelight on the iphone.

But I hope that its a release of the Thunderbolt, to go on sale or pre-order the next day, or at least sometime this month. I would think that VZW wants to pimp out its first LTE phone even more. Even though VZW has announced that we could see LTE phones as early as March, the Thunderbolt appears to be polished and ready for release soon, as we have seen pictures of it around in various forms for months (and thus its likely been in the testing phase for that long), and it looks to be running quite smoothly and quickly on the videos we've seen over the past couple days. I was initially let down by the specs (compared to the Bionic, and to the rumors of what it could have been), but now I'm thinking that I don't really need dual-core quite yet, that froyo and gingerbread aren't optimized for it anyway, and neither is the software (yet), so why not go with the TB now and upgrade to a truly next-gen dual-core monster from Moto, HTC, or LG early next year when the kinks have been ironed out and the rest of the specs will be top-of-the line too. It seems like the manufacturers are holding back releasing their best phones possible, both in fear of being overshadowed by an iphone release on VZW, and in expectations that people will upgrade again once they bump up a few specs and release new versions of phones later this year.

Just my personal thoughts right now, I could easily be wrong so don't go blasting me.

 

[ipawd1]

Truth is its probably the iPhone. Android will be second priority with Verizon. Shame - Verizon/Motorola/Google combination was the best thing to ever happen. Now its all about Apple and Verizon is their little puppet from what we're already seeing.

Sent from my Droid

Sue me...but if it's an iphone announcement I'll probably get the iphone just for the hell of it. I'm a ride or die android fan however I need a phone that's going to last me an entire day without charging it three times. I'm all for multitasking with my device, the widgets, etc...But still...I need production. I've learned to care less about roms and all of that nonsense. Just like my phone to have good apps, and be functional.

Plus Verizon seems poised to cater to apple and iphone. I can see it now.

1. taking away NE2 and the annual early upgrades.
2. return policy change from 30 to 14.
3. This entire "separate" meeting on 1.1.11.

 

[Martin030908]

Truth is its probably the iPhone. Android will be second priority with Verizon. Shame - Verizon/Motorola/Google combination was the best thing to ever happen. Now its all about Apple and Verizon is their little puppet from what we're already seeing.

Sent from my Droid

Sue me...but if it's an iphone announcement I'll probably get the iphone just for the hell of it. I'm a ride or die android fan however I need a phone that's going to last me an entire day without charging it three times. I'm all for multitasking with my device, the widgets, etc...But still...I need production. I've learned to care less about roms and all of that nonsense. Just like my phone to have good apps, and be functional.

Plus Verizon seems poised to cater to apple and iphone. I can see it now.

1. 
   taking away NE2 and the annual early upgrades.
   return policy change from 30 to 14.
   This entire "separate" meeting on 1.1.11.

these do seem to be concessions being made for something....

 

[texstar420]

Truth is its probably the iPhone. Android will be second priority with Verizon. Shame - Verizon/Motorola/Google combination was the best thing to ever happen. Now its all about Apple and Verizon is their little puppet from what we're already seeing.

Sent from my Droid

Sue me...but if it's an iphone announcement I'll probably get the iphone just for the hell of it. I'm a ride or die android fan however I need a phone that's going to last me an entire day without charging it three times. I'm all for multitasking with my device, the widgets, etc...But still...I need production. I've learned to care less about roms and all of that nonsense. Just like my phone to have good apps, and be functional.

Plus Verizon seems poised to cater to apple and iphone. I can see it now.

1. taking away NE2 and the annual early upgrades.
2. return policy change from 30 to 14.
3. This entire "separate" meeting on 1.1.11.

Sorry but it doesn't seem that you are "ride or die Android fan" cause you are willing to go with the Iphone just cause you want a battery that lasts?!?!. I know you need a phone that can last but that is what extra batteries are for and chargers. Any phone that is used a lot will die.

Although I can see exactly where you are coming from about the phone not lasting the entire day. Just looking at the specs of the Droid Bionic and it having a standby time of 10.6 days or whatever it is, it looks promising. I have also been hearing that the dual core processors will help the phone not have to work as hard while being used and multitasking which should help with battery life. I hope so but if not I am still gettin it.

Many have said that the dual core is useless right now because there isn't much that can utilize it but being that VZW is changing NE2 plans and basically making you wait longer to upgrade, I want a phone that will bring me into the next gen of phones which will be most likely Terga 2, 3, and 4 phones. I think Moto did a great job with the OG droid being that it is still one of the most widely used Android phones and it looks like they are setting up the Droid Bionic to do the same thing.

But the Iphone doesn't have anything that makes me want it not even a battery that lasts. I think its purely for looks and for those who don't know much about phones. These are just my thoughts and that's all.

Go android!dancedroid

 

[Aram58]

But the Iphone doesn't have anything that makes me want it not even a battery that lasts. I think its purely for looks and for those who don't know much about phones. These are just my thoughts and that's all.

Go android!dancedroid

Mo

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

 

[mcgeeb]

I'm a ride or die android fan however I need a phone that's going to last me an entire day without charging it three times.

I don't know where this assumption that the battery life on Android Phones is so poor. I think its just users like their new Android phones so much, they use the battery faster than they realize.

iPhone 4 vs. Droid X

Talk about a tough one to call. While the Droid X boasts eight hours of talk time to Apple’s seven, the iPhone 4 also gets 300 hours of standby compared to just 220 on the Droid X. We call that a wash. If the numbers actually hold true, the Chatty Cathys among us will be better served by the Droid X, while those who use their phones less frequently should find the iPhone still alive and kicking when the Droid X has been dead for over three days.
The fact that you can remove the battery on the Droid X does give it a slight edge here, but given how many people we know who carry spare, charged batteries to actually take advantage of this hypothetical advantage (zero), we’re not tempted to give it too much weight.

Don't forget that you can actually replace the battery if it runs out on Android phones. Iphone sorry.

 

[ipawd1]

People have to really come off this "Android Vs Apple" crap. Me personally..I dont care as long as I can use my phone as a phone. Having extra perks is a great thing, dont get me wrong. But I refuse to be a "fanboy" just to be cool. I love my Android, however, if a phone I like suits my need..so be it. Just like most of us used to be on Crackberry.com, and avid blackberry nut riders..we moved to android and did the same.

The fact that you can remove a battery or not doesnt matter if the phone functions. I've given Apple their credit..but back to the main focus.. My situation with Android.. and Verizon.

Fact is this: My next phone... I have to pick wisely.

1. My next phone has to be able to be USABLE for 20 months. Meaning insurance WILL be used at least once.
2. My next phone HAS to suit me for at least 14 days. With an Android I know exactly what I'm getting. Apple...not so much. And it'll take more than two weeks to figure that out.
3. Verizon uses no lube. And have sold their souls. Fact.
4. I have a "personal" issue with going to stores, reading newspapers, etc... and seeing "App now Available in App Store" for the iphone, then look at my Droid like "you're better though.". I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Example: I'm reading the Washington Post.. It'd be nice to have an Android app. There isn't one. What am I to do? Use the browser. I'll be a dickhead and say "I want the same luxuries.". It's not enough to get me to change my device just so I can order on Chipotle....at all. However.

I hate charging my phone three times a day. When I get to the office at work, it typically is at 80% because I'll read my news, check emails, etc. CHARGE #1. Then I use it throughout my day working at the law firm, going to different places, I'll probably be at 30/40% by 4:30. Have to charge it before I leave at 7pm... CHARGE #2. Get home...tasks and whatnot, charge it when Im sleep. CHARGE #3.

I get the idea of a smartphone, and the whole "extended battery, etc etc". But fact is...My phone should at least last 8 hours. At least. My Droid X...4.6. According to the battery left. Which of course isn't accurate...but still.

End of the day...I dont want to be FORCED to use an iphone because the policies VERIZON is enforcing cater to Apple. Think about it.

• Iphones have a new model every two years. -- Verizon cancels early upgrades.
• iphones on AT&T don't have insurance. -- Verizon changes return policy to 14 days. Meaning Asurion will have a similar policy.

I just want everything my Droid X has...with a front facing camera and maybe a dual core. I want the Thunderbolt...but no dual core. Should that matter?

 

[cereal killer]

End of the day...I dont want to be FORCED to use an iphone because the policies VERIZON is enforcing cater to Apple. Think about it.

• Iphones have a new model every two years. -- Verizon cancels early upgrades.
• iphones on AT&T don't have insurance. -- Verizon changes return policy to 14 days. Meaning Asurion will have a similar policy.

Thought about it and this has absolutely NOTHING to do with the iPhone. Canceling the early upgrades is to save them $$$ on equipment. Subsidizing the equipment is not making them any money (they lose some) so they have to make it worthwhile on their end. How? Force you to keep it 2 years before you get another subsidized piece of equipment. You want to upgrade..pay full retail for it. There is a demand and if people have to wait 2 years they may just pay full retail.

2 weeks is plenty time to figure out if you want a device or not. Using it for a whole month causes a lot of wear and tear on the device. They recirculate that equipment.

 

[kodiak799]

I'll probably be at 30/40% by 4:30. Have to charge it before I leave at 7pm... CHARGE #2. Get home...tasks and whatnot, charge it when Im sleep. CHARGE #3.

I get the idea of a smartphone, and the whole "extended battery, etc etc". But fact is...My phone should at least last 8 hours. At least. My Droid X...4.6. According to the battery left. Which of course isn't accurate...but still.

Are you using your phone that much? Can't imagine you are working at a law firm. Unless you are leaving the screen on all the time, sounds to me like what is killing your battery it a weak/intermittent 3g signal. Also you could try switching to wifi if your firm has it when at the office. I realize that kind of defeats the purpose of a smartphone for when you sneak a break to read Droidforums and what not.

IPhone might work for you since I'm assuming it's all set-up a bit differently. But LTE would probably be your best bet as the signal penetration is supposed to be better.

 

[kodiak799]

Thought about it and this has absolutely NOTHING to do with the iPhone. Canceling the early upgrades is to save them $$$ on equipment. Subsidizing the equipment is not making them any money (they lose some) so they have to make it worthwhile on their end. How? Force you to keep it 2 years before you get another subsidized piece of equipment. You want to upgrade..pay full retail for it. There is a demand and if people have to wait 2 years they may just pay full retail.

2 weeks is plenty time to figure out if you want a device or not. Using it for a whole month causes a lot of wear and tear on the device. They recirculate that equipment.

I keep repeating similar. A lot of people seem to have misconceptions about VZW and how a carrier NOT in the business of selling phones (for profit) operates.

Actually, the NE2 should have been cheaper for VZW because the subsidy costs them comparably less on a per month basis. I think they are simply trying to streamline their operations/choices to provide better overall service and satisfaction. If this site is any indication, people feel left in the dust a few months after their purchase when a better phone comes out and throw a hissy fit when they can't get an early upgrade or have to wait. Not to mention, people do move or chase the latest phone and eventhough ETF's are justified (though probably exhorbitant) it's not a good way to build loyalty.

 

[beckx020]

14 days may not be enough if you don't only use it right at home or at work. If you travel or are having a problem and trying to get it resolved, 14 days sucks.

 

[Preach2k]

People have to really come off this "Android Vs Apple" crap. Me personally..I dont care as long as I can use my phone as a phone. Having extra perks is a great thing, dont get me wrong. But I refuse to be a "fanboy" just to be cool. I love my Android, however, if a phone I like suits my need..so be it. Just like most of us used to be on Crackberry.com, and avid blackberry nut riders..we moved to android and did the same.

The fact that you can remove a battery or not doesnt matter if the phone functions. I've given Apple their credit..but back to the main focus.. My situation with Android.. and Verizon.

Fact is this: My next phone... I have to pick wisely.

1. My next phone has to be able to be USABLE for 20 months. Meaning insurance WILL be used at least once.
2. My next phone HAS to suit me for at least 14 days. With an Android I know exactly what I'm getting. Apple...not so much. And it'll take more than two weeks to figure that out.
3. Verizon uses no lube. And have sold their souls. Fact.
4. I have a "personal" issue with going to stores, reading newspapers, etc... and seeing "App now Available in App Store" for the iphone, then look at my Droid like "you're better though.". I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Example: I'm reading the Washington Post.. It'd be nice to have an Android app. There isn't one. What am I to do? Use the browser. I'll be a dickhead and say "I want the same luxuries.". It's not enough to get me to change my device just so I can order on Chipotle....at all. However.

I hate charging my phone three times a day. When I get to the office at work, it typically is at 80% because I'll read my news, check emails, etc. CHARGE #1. Then I use it throughout my day working at the law firm, going to different places, I'll probably be at 30/40% by 4:30. Have to charge it before I leave at 7pm... CHARGE #2. Get home...tasks and whatnot, charge it when Im sleep. CHARGE #3.

I get the idea of a smartphone, and the whole "extended battery, etc etc". But fact is...My phone should at least last 8 hours. At least. My Droid X...4.6. According to the battery left. Which of course isn't accurate...but still.

End of the day...I dont want to be FORCED to use an iphone because the policies VERIZON is enforcing cater to Apple. Think about it.

• Iphones have a new model every two years. -- Verizon cancels early upgrades.
• iphones on AT&T don't have insurance. -- Verizon changes return policy to 14 days. Meaning Asurion will have a similar policy.

I just want everything my Droid X has...with a front facing camera and maybe a dual core. I want the Thunderbolt...but no dual core. Should that matter?

Man it has to just be your phone or a bad battery. When I had my DX I would just have to charge it overnight and even then it still had enough charge to go longer. I used the DX everyday for Meetings, talking , Txting surfing the net, and I used it for my MP3 Player. Now that my wife has it it does not get used that much and it can go 2 to 3 days with out charging.

 

[ChuckG73]

CDMA networks use more battery power the GSM networks, so people will still complain about the iPhones battery life on Verizon. If you want the best service you have to make concessions, so do not be shocked when the battery life on a CDMA network is not that of AT&T's