Following in Nokia’s footsteps, on Wednesday Motorola announced three new additions to its Droid RAZR smartphone lineup. Let’s start with the most basic of the bunch denoted M and work our way to the long-lasting beast of a phone known as MAXX.

The Motorola RAZR M features an edge-to-edge 4.3-inch qHD (960 x 540) Super AMOLED Advanced display, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera that can record 1080p video, a 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera, and an NFC chip. The compact, Kelvar strong 4G LTE phone is available September 12 for an affordable $99 after a $50 rebate and signing a new two-year contract with Verizon Wireless. It’s up for preorder today.

The RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD boast a larger 4.7-inch 720p Super AMOLED HD display, the same 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 8 megapixel shooter, front-facing camera, NFC chip, 4G LTE, and Gorilla Glass and Kelvar protection. The main difference between these two siblings is battery life. While the HD packs a decently sized 2,500mAh battery, the MAXX HD runs off a massive 3,300mAh battery that promises 32 hours of standard usability (13 hours of straight video playback, 21 hours of continuous talk time, 8 hours of web browsing over 4G LTE). Exact pricing and availability have not been shared at this time, but Moto says customers can expect the HD and MAXX HD to release “before the holidays” with VZW.

In addition, Motorola has specified that all three smartphones will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on board and they will be upgradeable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean by the end of the year. Pics in the galleries below (in the order M, HD, MAX HD), and there’s video and PR after the break.

Update (10/14): Verizon has specified that the Droid RAZR HD & RAZR MAXX HD will go on sale October 18.

[Via Motorola; Engadget 1, 2, 3] (Click here for more…)

In January at CES Motorola unveiled two new Droid-branded handsets: the Droid RAZR MAXX and the Droid 4. Shortly after slapping the former phone with a January 26 release date and a $299.99 price tag, Moto finally let slip the same information regarding the QWERTY keyboard wielding Droid 4. On February 10 the Droid 4 hit Verizon Wireless and can be bought for $199.99 with a new two-year contract. The 4G LTE capable phone packs a 4.0-inch qHD display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, an eight megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture and a front-facing cam for video chat. It ships with Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, with a promise to upgrade to 4.o Ice Cream Sandwich at some undisclosed point in the future. Want yours? Click here. PR after the break.

[Via VZW] (Click here for more…)

Earlier this month at CES Motorola announced the successor to the RAZR-thin Droid dubbed the RAZR MAXX. What makes the MAXX better than its predecessor is its superb battery life (it can last up to 21 hours on a single charge) and beefier interal storage (32GB). As of January 26 the slightly thicker RAZR (at 8.99 mm) is available at Verizon Wireless for $299.99 with a new two-year contract. Pick up the latest 4G LTE Droid today. But don’t forget–if you’re in the market for a smartphone packing a physical QWERTY keyboard, Moto also has the Droid 4 coming out of the pipeline soon. (Click here for more…)

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Motorola announced two new Droid-branded smartphones: the Droid 4 (see above) and a newcomer to the RAZR line called the Droid RAZR MAXX (see in the gallery below). Let’s start by looking at the former’s specs. The Droid 4 packs a 4-inch qHD display with scratch and scrape resistant glass, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, an eight megapixel shooter with 1080p HD video capture and Mirror Mode to display images and video on an HDTV, 16GB of onboard memory, and it also features the Droid’s signature five-row QWERTY keyboard. All of this and it’s only it’s only half an inch thick. It will come preloaded with Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread and Moto says it will be upgradable to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in time. The Droid 4 will take advantage 4G LTE speeds when it releases on Verizon Wireless “in the coming weeks.” No price announcement just yet.

The Droid RAZR MAXX, the successor to the reboot RAZR, doesn’t deviate too much from its relative. The big difference between the two is battery life. The “MAXX” refers to the smartphone’s giant 3,300 mAh battery pack which Moto promises can deliver a whopping 21 hours of battery life on a single charge. The larger battery makes the new RAZR slightly thicker measuring at 8.99 mm. Another upgrade: the MAXX comes with more internal storage, 32GB to be exact. Like the Droid 4, the MAXX will be 4G LTE super-charged on VZW’s network and pricing and availability is TBA. PR and a Droid 4 promo clip sit after the break.

[Via Engadget 1, 2] (Click here for more…)

In early November Motorola unveiled the successor to the very first Honeycomb tablet, the Xoom 2. More recently plans were made to ship the curvaceous device stateside. US customers will see the Droid brand crossover from smartphones to tablets when the Droid Xyboard (Xoom 2 internationally) releases December 12 on Verizon Wireless. The device will come in five distinct variants. The Droid Xyboard 10.1 (boasting a 10.1 inch screen) comes in three models: 16GB for $529.99, 32GB for $629.99, and 64GB for $729.99. The Droid Xyboard 8.1 comes in two models: 16GB for $429.99 and 32GB for $529.99. All of these tablets are 4G LTE-ready and the prices are set at these marks so long as you agree to a 2-year contract with Big Red. And don’t forget–although this dual-core tablet will ship with Honeycomb 3.2, Motorola promises the Xyboard will support Ice Cream Sandwich when Google eventually releases it. Head over to VZW to browse and shop for the Droid Xyboard today. Peep the gallery below to eye the Xyboard from various angles. PR after the break.

In related news, the Droid RAZR is getting a new coat of paint. See it in white below.

[Via Motorola] (Click here for more…)

The latest edition to the Droid smartphone family is officially available for purchase. Verizon launched the super slim and sleek Droid RAZR on November 11, 2011 at precisely 11:11 AM. If you’re ready to sign a new two-year contract with Verizon Wireless, the modern RAZR can be yours for $299.99. The 4G LTE handset can be purchased at Verzion stores and online. If you feel like brushing up on the phone’s specs, flash back to the mid-October introduction.

Today Motorola announced the successor to its Android tablet the Xoom. Expectantly the new tablet is called the Xoom 2. It features the same 10.1-inch widescreen display as its predecessor, runs Android Honeycomb 3.2, and is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor. 16GB of storage is on board, as is 1GB of RAM. A five megapixel shooter sits on the back, and around the front you’ll spot a 1.3 megapixel camera for video chat. Ports include HDMI, microUSB, and 3.5mm headphone jack. And to highlight a few more key differences from the original Xoom: the Xoom 2 weighs approximately 100 grams lighter than the first Moto tablet, it is also much thinner measuring at 0.35 inches thick, the display is brighter and more vibrant than before, it features new splash-guard coating for protection against spilled liquid, Gorilla Glass protection will help deter scratches, it is compatabile with a separately sold Motorola Stylus for note-taking, and an enhanced battery will support more than 10 hours of video playback. Additionally, the body sports an elegant design with angular cut-away corners that takes cues from the recently announced Motorola smartphone the Droid RAZR; Moto promises better ergonomics because of this.

And then there’s the Xoom 2 Media Edition. It’s essentially a Xoom 2 with a smaller 8.2-inch display. A few other things distinguish the Media Edition from its larger brother: it features a wide 178 degree viewing angle, it has a 20 percent improvement in graphics performance over the original Xoom, and it weighs under a pound.

A press release, in full after the break, says that the WiFi-only versions of the Xoom 2 (£379.99) and Xoom 2 Media Edition (£329.99) tablets are headed to Ireland and the UK later this month. No word on when they will hit stateside. People who do get their hands on a new Xoom can expect a future update to Google’s upcoming OS Ice Cream Sandwich, so they are future-proof in that sense. Get a closer look at the Xooms below and jump after the break to watch a promo.

[Via Engadget] (Click here for more…)

Today Motorola introduced the newest member of the Droid smartphone family, and this one’s special because it bears the name of one of the most (if not the most) popular flip phones from the early 00′s. The Droid RAZR by Motorola measures at 7.1 mm thin making it the world’s thinnest smartphone, according to Motorola. The iPhone 4S, by comparison, is a beefier 9.3mm thin. In addition to being so slim, the Droid RAZR is extremely durable; the large 4.3-inch (960×540) qHD Super AMOLED display is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass for scratch resistance and the device is wrapped in Kevlar fiber for strength. Inside it’s powered by a speedy dual-core 1.2GHz processor and 1GB RAM and runs Android Gingerbread (version 2.3.5). The 4G LTE handset also packs an 8 megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD video capture and image stabilization technology, a front-facing HD camera for video chat, 32GB of memory (16GB on board storage and a 16GB microSD card pre-installed), mobile hotspot capability, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI and Micro USB ports, and a 1780 mAh battery. On the software side, the Droid RAZR comes loaded with MotoCast and Smart Actions applications. The first serves as a cloud app allowing users to wirelessly stream content (music, photos, etc.) from PCs to the phone, and the second allows users to automate tasks and optimize battery efficiency. Additionally, this device will be the first smartphone capable of streaming Netflix content in HD. When the Droid RAZR goes on sale next month, many accessories will ship alongside it and they include updated versions of Motorola’s Lapdock, charging cradles for desks and cars, a wireless keyboard, a portable power pack, and Bluetooth headsets.

The Droid RAZR goes on sale in “early November” for $299.99 with a new two-year contract with Verizon Wireless. Will this Droid live up to the iconic status that lives inside the RAZR brand? Only time, my friends, can tell. Get a closer look at the device in the gallery below and peek after the break for the full PR.

In addition to announcing a new Droid, Motorola also intro’d Motoactv, “the ultimate fusion of music and fitness.” The diminutive MP3 player looks like the iPod nano and aims to be a Nike+ killer. The hardware piece comes built into a lightweight, wearable band that can be worn around your wrist or arm and it can also be clipped to your shirt or a bike. The device itself sports a 1.6″ full-color touch-screen display that is sweat-proof, rain-resistant and scratch-resistant that auto-adjusts for indoor or outdoor lighting, it supports Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ wireless connectivity, packs a 600MHz processor, and it runs a customized version of Android. Though Motoactv is an MP3 player at its core, Motorola is billing it as a device aimed toward those wanting to keep in shape. The devices uses Moto’s own “AccuSense technology” and GPS to accurately measure time, distance, speed, heart rate, and calories burned during a workout session. You can then upload your workout to Motoactv.com to analyze the performance data tracked by the device to see how you’re doing. The built-in music player is “smart” in that it will “learn what tracks motivate you most by measuring your performance against your music and then uses those songs to create your personal high-performance playlist.” Pretty slick, huh? FM radio is on board, too. Motorola also aims to replace chest straps with advanced headphones that come preinstalled with heart rate monitors. The headphone will come in wireless and wired versions and it’ll provide real-time audible readouts of your heart rate during workout sessions. Additionally, the headphones will stay connected to your Android-powered smartphone via Bluetooth allowing you to make and receive calls on the run if so you choose.

Motoactv is now available for preorder and it goes on sale November 6. The 8GB model will go for $249 and $299 will get you 16GB. The Motorola SF700 (wireless) and Motorola SF500 (wired) sports headphones will be sold separately for $149 and $99, respectively. Again, pictures below and PR after the break.

[Via Engadget 1, 2] (Click here for more…)

To say the launch of the Bionic has been a long time coming is quite the understatement. Motorola’s latest Droid handset was announced way back in January, and now–eight months later–it’s finally being sold at Verizon Wireless outlets everywhere. So the question on your mind right now should be: was it worth the wait? Check out these specs… The Droid Bionic is Verizon’s first dual-core and LTE-capable smartphone. It packs a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, 4.3-inch qHD screen featuring scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass, an 8MP camera with AF, flash, and 1080p video capture, a front-facing cam for video chatting, 16GB on board memory and 16GB microSD card pre-installed, and HDMI out. It can serve as a Mobile Hotspot with up to five WiFi-enabled devices. This beast runs the latest version of Android–2.3.4 Gingerbread, that is. And it’s all jammed inside a slim 2.6(w) x 5.0(h) x0.4(d) shell weighing 5.6oz. Ah, what a mouthful. In short, if you’re a VZW customer and on the market for the latest and greatest and the best of both worlds (dual-core power and 4G LTE blazing speeds), the Bionic is a clear choice. How long it will remain on top is yet to be seen; I hear the iPhone 5 (4S?) is just around the corner.

Right–pricing. The Bionic runs a Benjamin higher than most smartphones. Order one today from VZW for $299.99 on a new two-year contract. Full PR sits after the break.

[Via VerizonWireless] (Click here for more…)

In an interesting move, superpower Google bought the consumer-oriented arm of Motorola known as Motorola Mobility for a cool $12.5 billion (at a price of $40 per share) on Monday. In a press release the pending acquisition is explained:

The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Google CEO Larry Page says, ”Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”

This is a huge move made by Google. Like Microsoft and Nokia, Google and Motorola are going to take advantage of their partnership by harnessing the power of Android software and the might of Moto’s hardware to create amazing products for consumers. Keep in mind that the Mobility division goes beyond smartphones and also includes other consumer devices like set top boxes; no doubt Google will work with Motorola to ensure the growth of products like Google TV. And on the business end of things, the acquisition ”will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies,” says Page.

As the acquisition takes hold, a few questions remain. What will happen to Moto’s custom Android skin called MotoBlur? Will all future handsets built by Moto come loaded with the latest version of plain vanilla Android? Will the next Nexus phone come from Goog’s new partner? Time will tell.

One thing’s for certain: even though Google and Moto are tied to one another, the Android platform remains open for all hardware manufacturers to utilize; healthy competition is here to stay. Full PR after the break.

[Via GoogleBlog] (Click here for more…)

This summer Verizon and Motorola decided to put another notch in Droid’s ever-expanding belt by introducing the latest and greatest Droid 3. The specifications go like this: dual-core 1GHz processor, 4-inch qHD display, 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture, front-facing cam for still shots and video chat, 5-row QWERTY keyboard, 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities (can connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices), HDMI output (mirror mode beams photos, videos, and movies onto an HDTV), global ready, runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. If you’re hunting for a new smartphone that sports a roomy physical keyboard, the Droid 3 is arguably VZW’s best smartphone choice at the moment. The Droid 3 is worth $199.99 and a new 2-year contract. Images below, full PR after the break.

If you’re a new Verizon Wireless customer itching to get your paws on the Droid 3 or any VZW smartphone for that matter, know that the company’s data plans have become tiered. This means, simply, that you must pay for every byte you use whilst scouring the Internet on your device. Gone is the worry-free $30 unlimited data plan, in are the following: $30 for 2GB of data per month, $50 for 5GB, and $80 for 10GB. Big Red will charge $10 per GB of data if you exceed the monthly allotment you choose. The new plans went into effect July 7. A few stipulations: if you were already a VZW customers before the 7th and had the unlimited data plan you have been grandfathered and remain safe; but be warned–if you ever decide to change to a new data plan you will lose the unlimited offer and never get it back. Sad times, indeed.

[Via Engadget; BGR] (Click here for more…)

The month of May is a big one for Big Red. Shortly after introducing the 4G-powered Droid Charge in late April, Verizon Wireless is adding three more intriguing smartphones to its arsenal. First up is the long-awaited successor to the Droid X, the appropriately titled Droid X2. This Droid packs a giant 4.3-inch scratch-resistant and anti-reflective qHD display and a speedy dual-core 1GHz processor–this is the first VZW phone to carry such a chip. Other specs include an eight megapixel camera with autofocus and HD video capture (a front-facing cam is noticeably absent here), HDMI output, and mobile hotspot capabilities with up to five WiFi-enabled devices. The X2 will come preloaded with Android 2.2, and the carrier promises an upgrade to 2.3 is coming soon. It lands on Verizon this Thursday the 26th of May at the usual $199.99 price point under a new two-year contract.

Let’s breeze through handset #2. We already know all about the Xperia Play, aka the “PlayStation Phone.” The phone released earlier this spring internationally, and come May 26 the PlayStation Certified Android 2.3-powered device will be available for US consumers for $199.99. It will come preloaded with seven game titles including Madden NFL 11, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, The Sims 3, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot, and Tetris. Available for preorder today. Read all about Sony Ericsson’s gaming-oriented phone right here.

So many firsts for Verizon, let’s recap: The Charge became the inaugural device to bring 4G speeds to the Droid brand, the Droid X2 is the carrier’s first dual-core phone, and Verizon is the first US carrier to offer the Xperia Play. And now there’s this: later this month HTC’s Trophy drops on Big Red to become the first Windows Phone 7 device to run on the nation’s largest network. Want specs? Got ‘em. The ruggedly designed Trophy features a 3.8-inch screen, 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, five megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash that captures 720p HD video, 16 GB onboard storage, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, and SRS WOW HD surround sound built in. The world phone’s loaded with Microsoft’s Metro-infused OS and HTC’s customizable Hub. On sale May 26 for $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and if you climb aboard Verizon’s ‘waves for 2 years, of course.

[Via Engadget 1, 2, 3]

The post title says it all, really. Come Sunday, March 27 you’ll be able to buy a 3G/4G-less Motorola Xoom that solely relies on a nearby WiFi signal to connect to the Internet. Everything else remains the same: 10.1-inch display, 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of memory, Honeycomb, etc. The MSRP is set at $599 and it’ll be available for purchase at the following stores: Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, RadioShack, Sam’s Club, Staples, and Walmart. Full PR after the break.

[Via Engadget] (Click here for more…)

The wait for a worthy iPad contender has been tiring. Samsung’s Android 2.2-powered Galaxy Tab couldn’t compete with Apple’s iOS offerings (its successor, on the other hand, is anticipated). Android is finally ready to make the move to tablets, and Honeycomb looks scrumptious. The first Android 3.0-powered tablet out of the gate will be Motorola’s 10.1-inch Xoom, detailed here. Tomorrow, February 24 the Xoom will be made available on Verizon’s 3G network with promise of upgraded 4G LTE capabilities (at no additional charge) later this year (Q2 2011, somewhat more specifically). Here’s the pricing options you’ve got at launch. You can purchase the Xoom for $599.99 if you sign a new two-year contract with VZW; 3G data pricing starts at $20 for 1GB of monthly access. Or if you don’t feel like tying yourself to a carrier you can simply drop two additional Benjamins and rely on Internet access via WiFi hotspots. The pricer Xoom is currently listed on Best Buy, but it’s slapped with an in-store only pickup option. Verizon is also teasing it on its website, and their press release ambiguously says it’ll be available through them as well (online/in-store purchasing is not specified, unfortunately).

Update: We’re past midnight and tomorrow is now today. Verizon’s teaser site has transformed into an order page so there you go. Just to make things clear, Motorola is selling two SKUs: the $600 3G (upgradeable to 4G) model and the $800 non-3G (but still upgradeable to 4G) model. Apparently a cheaper WiFi-only version is in the works, but neither Moto nor Verizon have specified its arrival date.

Oh and there’s this. The Xoom will not ship with Flash support at launch. Crazy, right? At least the wait isn’t that long, and we know it is coming. According to Adobe, the makers of the ubiquitous video standard, “Flash Player 10.2 [will be] pre-installed on some tablets and [arrive] as an OTA download on others within a few weeks of Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) devices becoming available, the first of which is expected to be the Motorola Xoom.” A few weeks time, you can handle it.

Jump after the break to find the aforementioned PR and a super cool Xoom teaser produced by the carrier.

[Via Engadget 1, 2, 3] (Click here for more…)

This shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but #BrandBowl was trending right next to #SuperBowl in the Twittersphere during the big game today.  While the sports-loving percentage of the country kept their minds focused on the Packers and Steelers, the rest of us admittedly didn’t care so much for the game and instead invested our time in watching the commercials placed neatly between timeouts and end of quarters.  As you know, companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second spot during the most watched (sporting) event on TV.  So how did they fare this year?  All in all they were alright; nothing wildly spectacular caught my attention but they were definitely some stand outs worth mentioning and watching again.  From beer to cars to Doritos, tech, and movie trailers–it’s all after the break for you to peruse. (Click here for more…)

Here’s a sneak peek at Motorola’s flashy Super Bowl ad.  The Motorola Xoom tablet was teased last month and detailed at CES, so now it’s time to build hype before its mid-February release.  The Honeycomb packin’, dual-core processin’, 4G capable tablet is nearly ready to take on Apple’s iPad.  More than that, Moto is going so far to spit on Apple’s “1984″ ways (“One authority. One design. One way to work.”) and replace it with ideals including “choice,” “exploration,”and “freedom.”  Gone is a world dominated by Apple and their pesky white iPod buds and ready to take over is a red gaseous planet with a giant M emblazoned on it.  Tablet competition is about to get fierce.

[Via Engadget]

The Droid Bionic from Motorola is one helluva smartphone.  It’s super fast, both in processing and network speeds.  It’s one of the first mobile phones to pack a dual-core processor, with each core running at 1GHz, delivering up to 2GHz of processing power, and it’s Moto’s very first 4G LTE enabled phone.  More specs: 4.3-inch qHD display, 512 MB of RAM, rear-facing 8-megapixel camera, front-facing VGA camera, HDMI out.  It will ship with Android 2.2 (Froyo) on board.  Moto’s also pushing Mirror Mode, a function that enables simultaneous streaming of video to the TV and on the device.  All in all, this is a pretty solid device.  2011 is going to see a big push towards faster phones with larger, higher quality displays and right now the Bionic is the clear leader of the pack.  Precise price point and release date have not been specified yet, but you can expect it the Bionic to land on Verizon Wireless in Q2 2011.

At CES 2011 Verizon kept reiterating the blazing speeds of 4G LTE.  They claim the next-gen cell service is up to 10 times faster than current 3G speeds and they used a fun example on stage at their press event to show how these incredible speeds can be utilized.  They invited Electronic Arts to show off Rock Band Mobile‘s multiplayer capabilities.  Owners of select 4G LTE devices will be able to “jam together” with up to four friends over the network.  Verizon is hopeful Android apps will take advantage of 4G LTE’s fast speeds with wireless connectivity functionality as featured in the upcoming Rock Band game.  Look after the break for the PR which lists the 20 songs in the game; there you’ll also find a video demonstration.  If you didn’t know, Verizon plans to expand its 4G network to blanket its entire 3G coverage area within the next three years.

[Via Engadget, here & here]

(Click here for more…)

Motorola and T-Mobile were downright giddy to announce their upcoming tablet devices at CES 2011.  That’s because they are excited to bring Honeycomb, Google’s latest iteration of Android built entirely for tablets, to salivating consumers.  Since I already detailed Honeycomb, I think it’d be best to simply jump into specs talk.  Let’s start with the Motorola Xoom since there’s far more information about this product out there.  The Xoom features a 10.1 inch (1280×800) screen and packs NVIDIA’s latest Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM.  There’s a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with dual LED flash and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera; support for 720p video recording and 1080p video playback; 32GB of onboard storage that’s expandable with SD card support; 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth; and ports include HDMI out, micro USB 2.0, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.  There’s also a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting.  It will ship with 3G support and eventually gain 4G LTE support on Verizon’s network.  As far as battery life is concerned, Moto’s only saying that it supports up to 10 hours of video playback.  Note that the Xoom does not pack physical buttons.  With Honeycomb, Google no longer requires hardware manufacturers to include buttons along the rim of their devices.  What used to be buttons are now illuminated icons that can be made visible on the device in landscape or portrait modes.  Motorola says they’ll ship the sexy Xoom tablet as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in Q1 2011 (we’re in that quarter now, so soon!) and they promise these devices will be upgradeable 4G LTE in Q2.  Also in Q2 Moto will introduce an all-out 4G LTE/Wi-Fi- enabled Xoom.  According to recent reports, a strictly WiFi-enabled version will also debut in the Spring.  The Xoom looks like it’s going to be a hot item when it ships; a speedy Tegra 2 processor and the tablet-optimized Honeycomb OS marriage will surely make for an enjoyable mobile experience.

An honorable mention goes to the T-Mobile G-Slate because it is just one of the few tablets announced at CES 2011 that promises to run Honeycomb when it releases.  T-Mobile has partnered with LG to make the hardware. Aside for it being the “first 4G Android 3.0 powered tablet” from T-Mobile, we know nothing else about it really.  At the press event T-Mobile and LG execs held up the mystery tablet, and it look like standard fare–a black slate.  We’ll have to wait for a more detailed announcement in the coming weeks.

Look in the gallery below for close-ups of the Motorola Xoom, and hop after the break to read some PR and watch a couple introductory product videos.

[Via Engadget, here & here]

(Click here for more…)

Check out this slick animated teaser from Motorola.  In it the tech company takes us on a journey through the evolution of tablets, from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic tablets to the modern ones like the iPad.  Speaking of the iPad, Motorola made it their mission to slam the Apple tablet in the video: “It’s like a giant iPhone… but it’s like a giant iPhone.”  Burn!  And if you’re of the speculating kind, let’s dig deeper into the teaser.  Though Moto does not unveil the final product, their shiny new red Motorola logo attracts a buzzing bee at the end of the clip.  A bee, hm?  That matches up quite nicely with the name of Android’s next mobile OS: Honeycomb.  Google’s Andy Rubin recently previewed a Motorola tablet running a new version of Android and he boasted that Honeycomb will include features made from the ground up specifically for the touchy tablet form factor.  One more thing: Verizon teased via Twitter that they plan on showing off  a whole bunch of LTE Android-based devices at CES in January; and this lines up perfectly with the CES 2011 tease at the end of this clip.  Will we see a Motorola tablet running Android’s next-gen Honeycomb OS with Verizon LTE support next month?  Only time will tell, but I’d put money on it.

[Via Engadget, here & here]

We knew it was coming, so now it’s time to makes things official.  The limited edition Star Wars branded Droid 2, dubbed Droid R2-D2 by Motorola, goes on sale this Thursday, September 30 for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract on Verizon Wireless.  Besides the new exterior aesthetics, the device has the same features as the standard Droid 2.  Its got the 3.7-inch multitouch display, slideout QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera, and it runs Android 2.2.  So why the $50 price hike?  The phone comes preinstalled with the following exclusive content: · R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones; four live wallpapers; R2-D2 clock widget; “The Best of R2-D2″ video with the original Cantina music; and an exclusive binoculars app.  The phone is bundled with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset inside custom packaging “resembling carbonite.”  Look in the gallery below for a closer look at the phone and media dock.  Full PR after the break.

In related news, VZW also announced a new Star Wars app for all Android 2.1 or higher phones.  The VZW exclusive Empire Strikes Back app includes a sound and photo gallery, live wallpapers, a trivia challenge game, and widgets all related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back in celebration of the film’s 30 year anniversary.  The app will be made available in the Android Marketplace for a cool $2.99.

[Via Engadget; DroidR2D2]