cereal killer
Android Expert
You can count on it......
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So, what do you think?
- Thread starter HanSolo
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- motorola droid razr
You can count on it......
cereal killer
Android Expert
So I am OFFICIALLY adding myself to the RAZR possibles. I like the Nexus but I'm not crazy about the design of it at all. It looks cheap. Im in quite a predicamet beacuse I REALLY REALLY want a Nexus device but this current one is somewhat of a disaapointment for me and I can't quite put my finger on it.
The RAZR on the other hand is a stellar piece of hardware and even with a locked boot loader it just may be too hard to pass up. I'm 70/30 on my decision with the highest going to the RAZR.
Love this handset and was totally caught off guard. Whether I buy it or not I am a HUGE fan of it. decisions decisions
The RAZR on the other hand is a stellar piece of hardware and even with a locked boot loader it just may be too hard to pass up. I'm 70/30 on my decision with the highest going to the RAZR.
Love this handset and was totally caught off guard. Whether I buy it or not I am a HUGE fan of it. decisions decisions
ylexot
Android Expert
Technically, ICS is available for everyone. It's up to Motorola and Verizon to package it for the RAZR...and they definitely will. Just look at the history of upgrades. Most phones are getting upgrades to newer OS versions.
rushmore
Extreme Android User
I do not want ICS on a 4.3" display or smaller. Apparently the nav bar only goes away for certain functions. I appreciate that ICS is the FUTURE, but unless a display like the Nexus, I do NOT want it. If a solution is available that does not require root to rid the nav bar when wanted- cool.
Ditto for my Flyer and that is a 7" display (test out the Acer 100, the nav bar is annoying on the small dispaly). The Flyer already smokes my Droid 3 and Thrive and they are zippy too. I am groovy with the current set-up.
Ditto for my Flyer and that is a 7" display (test out the Acer 100, the nav bar is annoying on the small dispaly). The Flyer already smokes my Droid 3 and Thrive and they are zippy too. I am groovy with the current set-up.
ylexot
Android Expert
All the current 4.3" screens have dedicated buttons. So, the nav bar won't be displayed.
If you are talking about future phones without dedicated buttons, then absolutely.
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
what, WHAT?!?! i woulda never guessed. at best i would have thought you were at 50/50. me, i'm more like 60/40 or 55/45, in favor of the GNex.
i have been following the RAZR for quite some time, as you know. locked BL was definitely a buzz kill (and this time, it wasn't because of you
). but then the GNex was debuted, and i, too, was very disappointed in the design - meh...but, then all the rumors started flying that VZW may not get the GNex (of course, they are appearing to largely be bunk). i caught myself thinking, "oh man, that sucks. i guess i might have to just make-do with the RAZR." it dawned on me how much my gut was telling me to go with the GNex - surprised myself. i guess it comes down to the fact that VZW is FINALLY getting a Nexus device, and we haven't seen anything like that on VZW since the OG. i don't know if i can pass that up, in all honesty.
like you, tho, i'm weighing my decision. probably will come down to holding each one in my hand.
Martimus
One bite at a time...
Seems like there are some concerns about the battery losing it's edge over time. What I expect will happen with this phone is about the same as what happened previously in the iPhone world. Third party's will engineer and market battery retrofit kits. While they may not have as large a potential customer base as the iPhone, all they'll need to do is to figure out how to safely open the case of the RAZR, replace the battery, and close the case. It's not rocket science... if Moto provided a means to open the case so they could perform repairs.
In terms of the firmware, I have another crazy thought. As we all know Motorola Mobility is merging with Google. While Andy Rubin likes the ability of third parties to build UI's on top of Android, Google also has a track record for selling phones with AOSP ROM's. The Google-Moto merger is expected to close sometime around the end of this year.
Next year when the ICS ROM for Razr is released, Motorola will officially be part of Team Google. So maybe there's a chance, albeit slight, that Google will start influencing design decisions at Moto and MotoBlur will find it's way into the bit bucket (or could become an optional add-on). This change would bring the RAZR ROM that much closer to an AOSP ROM.
ICS provides the ability to disable apps that you don't want running. Unless VZW and Motorola figure out a way to supersede this, then this could be used to disable any VZW bloatware which would effectively turn the RAZR into a AOSP device.
Android ICS will allow you to kill and hide bloatware - AfterDawn
In terms of the firmware, I have another crazy thought. As we all know Motorola Mobility is merging with Google. While Andy Rubin likes the ability of third parties to build UI's on top of Android, Google also has a track record for selling phones with AOSP ROM's. The Google-Moto merger is expected to close sometime around the end of this year.
Next year when the ICS ROM for Razr is released, Motorola will officially be part of Team Google. So maybe there's a chance, albeit slight, that Google will start influencing design decisions at Moto and MotoBlur will find it's way into the bit bucket (or could become an optional add-on). This change would bring the RAZR ROM that much closer to an AOSP ROM.
ICS provides the ability to disable apps that you don't want running. Unless VZW and Motorola figure out a way to supersede this, then this could be used to disable any VZW bloatware which would effectively turn the RAZR into a AOSP device.
Android ICS will allow you to kill and hide bloatware - AfterDawn
rushmore
Extreme Android User
I was 100% Razr until the 4430 was pegged. Now 70/30, with the 30 being "wait until next year or see if the Vigo pans out). Nexus would have stolen the show for more folks with an SD card.
Do folks not appreciate that cloud fed media drains a battery a lot more than local playback? I pity the 2GB cap folks that expect to use cloud storage via a cellular network.
Heck, even the Netlfix HD Moto is touting would kill the cap with one movie.
Do folks not appreciate that cloud fed media drains a battery a lot more than local playback? I pity the 2GB cap folks that expect to use cloud storage via a cellular network.
Heck, even the Netlfix HD Moto is touting would kill the cap with one movie.
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
i agree that the idea of cloud storage isn't all that appealing. that being said, i have a 32 gb sdcard in my OG now, and still have about 15 gb left (and i have over 100 apps installed, plus storing various roms and themes and BA's and music and...). i don't think i'm going to use my phone much for movies - i'm planning on getting a tablet pretty soon. so, i will be able to keep my phone mainly for music and pics and stuff.
IF i get the GNex, i probably won't use the cloud. instead, i'll probably get a flash drive and connector, and just use that as an "sdcard".
edit: no way am i getting the Vigor. for one thing, i can't even say the "R" name without gagging. more importantly, tho, is HTC's history of battery life. the Vigor will be adding LTE and an HD screen. you take an OEM with a history of batt problems, and add the 2 biggest batt-utilization features, and that just spells trouble. no thanks...
cereal killer
Android Expert
Yes sirwhat, WHAT?!?! i woulda never guessed. at best i would have thought you were at 50/50. me, i'm more like 60/40 or 55/45, in favor of the GNex.
i have been following the RAZR for quite some time, as you know. locked BL was definitely a buzz kill (and this time, it wasn't because of you
but, then all the rumors started flying that VZW may not get the GNex (of course, they are appearing to largely be bunk). i caught myself thinking, "oh man, that sucks. i guess i might have to just make-do with the RAZR." it dawned on me how much my gut was telling me to go with the GNex - surprised myself. i guess it comes down to the fact that VZW is FINALLY getting a Nexus device, and we haven't seen anything like that on VZW since the OG. i don't know if i can pass that up, in all honesty.
like you, tho, i'm weighing my decision. probably will come down to holding each one in my hand.
I'm really liking this handset. 4.0 will hit it soon enough and that will be a great step forward. My days of flashing roms have come to the point where I really don't care to do so if the software is up to par. 4.0 and Jellybean will bring that. The handset already has root so my decision won't be one of settling or regret. I'm poised and ready to pull the trigger another notch in the RAZR column 80/20
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
Yes sir
another notch in the RAZR column 80/20
yeah, root is a HUGE plus for the RAZR! but aren't you concerned with the fact that RAZR has the 4430, but ICS was designed with the 4460 in mind?? to me, that says that RAZR might have some performance issues once ICS and JB come. but, you know me and my tech-ignorance all too well - i could just be speaking out me arse.
curse you, CK!! now i'm down to 50/50...
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
does anyone know if the RAZR will have VPN capabilities?!?!
ylexot
Android Expert
Are you just saying that because that's what the GN has? Google has said that ICS should be able to run on anything that is running GB, so I wouldn't worry about it.
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
no, i'm saying it because a couple months ago, Google announced its pseudo-partnership with TI, and saying that TI 4460 was its preferred chip for ICS.
to me, "being able to run" on 4430 is different (whether slightly different or significantly different, i don't know) than being optimized/designed for the 4460. i'm sure ICS will run on the 4430, but my question was geared more toward whether the 4430 might take a hit on performance and efficiency since ICS wasn't designed with the 4430 in mind.
Martimus
One bite at a time...
It may depend on what specific VPN protocols you are looking for? IPSEC VPNs? SSL VPN?
If you are looking for Cisco IPSEC, then you may be disappointed. Cisco supposedly has an IPSEC VPN client for Android in support of their CIUS tablet. Unfortunately, however, the CIUS is still in "New Product Hold" at Cisco... and I've not yet heard when they think it'll officially release to manufacturing.
There are some third party VPN clients in the Android Market these days... so there may be options available to you.
https://market.android.com/search?q=VPN&so=1&c=apps
Update: There is a Cisco AnyConnect VPN client now listed in the Android Market. It specifically requires ROOT access.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.cisco.anyconnect.vpn.android.rooted
https://market.android.com/search?q=VPN&so=1&c=apps
cereal killer
Android Expert
Nah not a concern at all. They will tweak the software to the many different processor platforms.yeah, root is a HUGE plus for the RAZR! but aren't you concerned with the fact that RAZR has the 4430, but ICS was designed with the 4460 in mind?? to me, that says that RAZR might have some performance issues once ICS and JB come. but, you know me and my tech-ignorance all too well - i could just be speaking out me arse.
curse you, CK!! now i'm down to 50/50...
They would shoot themselves in the foot if ICS only ran well on one particular processor. That would be a good way to piss all their partners off
Sandroidfan
Android Expert
Nah not a concern at all. They will tweak the software to the many different processor platforms.
They would shoot themselves in the foot if ICS only ran well on one particular processor. That would be a good way to piss all their partners off
Agreed. My Asus Transformer with Tegra2 is said to be getting ICS soon after Nexus launch. I am pretty sure ICS will be ported to every other major android ARM processors like snapdragon, exynos, tegra2~3.
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
thanks for the info!! if i get the RAZR, i'm gonna root that beyah on day one - buhleeee dat!
huskerkate
Android Enthusiast
Nah not a concern at all. They will tweak the software to the many different processor platforms.
They would shoot themselves in the foot if ICS only ran well on one particular processor. That would be a good way to piss all their partners off
dang it!!! you just keep shooting down all my reasons for not getting the RAZR!! but, i'm sticking my fingers in my ears and closing my eyes, and holding steady at 50/50! ok, ok, maybe 45/55...
Its probably just timing when ICS will come to the RAZR or any other recent OMAP SoC'd phones/tablets. Its also been said that the Nexus S has ICS running. With both the help of Samsung and Motorola Google will probably rapidly update their requisite phones.
It is curious that the GN has an OMAP since Samsung has no other phones on the market which use this SoC where as Motorola has been using the OMAP starting with the OG Droid.
It is curious that the GN has an OMAP since Samsung has no other phones on the market which use this SoC where as Motorola has been using the OMAP starting with the OG Droid.
burntorangefan
Android Enthusiast
dang it!!! you just keep shooting down all my reasons for not getting the RAZR!! but, i'm sticking my fingers in my ears and closing my eyes, and holding steady at 50/50! ok, ok, maybe 45/55...
CK pulling one arm, burntorangefan pulling the other...Come on HK, you KNOW how much you loved flashing different ROMS and kernels on the OG. Imagine the glory days and you'll realize that the only chance to truly get those back is with the Nexus.
I'm in the 80/20 camp of Nexus, so like Dumb and Dumber "so you're sayin' there's a chance."
For me, and I told CK this earlier, I like the size and quality of the screen on the GN, the unlocked bootloader and ICS straight from Google when an update is ready. No more waiting on Moto or VZ to decide when we actually get it.
Having said all that, I also wrote earlier in the NP thread that I had a Bionic for a long weekend (Th-Sun) and really enjoyed it. I used the TBH app to remove all the bloat after I rooted it and it was a very nice experience - and that's the phone EVERYONE seems to think is a dog. If the RAZR is that much better, then I fully expect it to be a terrific experience...But as I said above, my reasons for GN are pretty locked, so unless I just die over the RAZR design in hand, that's the direction I'm going.
cereal killer
Android Expert
Would love to have you burntorange. I think you can't go wrong with either device. There are no bad decisions between the two in my honest opinion.
Build and aesthetics won me out. I figure 4.0 will be here soon enough and I will be content. Software and squeezing every ounce of performance out of lacking hardware was a NEED for me back in the day but with 4.0 and the hardware of today its no longer important or a need for me. Last year yes but dual cores and a lot of memory have given me confidence in a good otb experience.
Build and aesthetics won me out. I figure 4.0 will be here soon enough and I will be content. Software and squeezing every ounce of performance out of lacking hardware was a NEED for me back in the day but with 4.0 and the hardware of today its no longer important or a need for me. Last year yes but dual cores and a lot of memory have given me confidence in a good otb experience.