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Thinking about a Bionic

J

JLM

Newbie
So, I currently have a Droid Eris. I rooted it and have a working wireless tether. My question is, if I root a Bionic, is there a reliable tether app? No need to go into the shpeels about voiding warranties or TOAs; I've seen them all.

I've had a rooted Eris for two years and love the functionality of it, but it's time to move up to a faster, and I hope better, phone. But, if I can't tether it, there's point in switching.

Feedback?
 
It's def a great idea to go with a Bionic, and for a number of reasons. For one, coming from an Eris, just about any of the current VZW lineup is going to be a satisfying upgrade.

Secondly, it's a very potent superphone. There are phones that are clocked higher, but the processor is very capable and more than adequate. Actually, the RAZR has the same processor even though it's clocked higher. Since you're one of us mod'ers, you can OC it if you wish. As a matter of fact, since you'll likely to root it, just about all of the gripes that most have with the Bionic completely disappear.

Last but not least, the price is right. The RAZR, GNex, and Rezound are all still $300 at VZW. The Bionic is a cool $200. And while just my opinion, none of those phones are $100 better. And if you can shop at Costco, right now the Bionic is $170 and is still being offered with the accessory bundle (standard dock, navigation dock, extra battery, and battery charger). Considering you get a leather carrying case, car charger, and screen protectors with that, you're getting $200 worth of accessories.

I love my Bionic and there's not a phone out there right now that I can think of that I would buy right now over that, especially considering the price and accessories.
 
JLM said:
My question is, if I root a Bionic, is there a reliable tether app? No need to go into the shpeels about voiding warranties or TOAs; I've seen them all.
Click to expand...

While you may not want to hear it, be advised that it is currently against site policy to instruct or post links to instructions or apps in the open forums that facilitate a user violating their TOS agreements, and this includes tethering without a plan, if the carrier requires it. Whether you agree philosophically or not, it is the site owners mandate and therefore not up for discussion.

Thank you for understanding.
 
JLM said:
So, I currently have a Droid Eris. I rooted it and have a working wireless tether. My question is, if I root a Bionic, is there a reliable tether app? No need to go into the shpeels about voiding warranties or TOAs; I've seen them all.

I've had a rooted Eris for two years and love the functionality of it, but it's time to move up to a faster, and I hope better, phone. But, if I can't tether it, there's point in switching.

Feedback?
Click to expand...

Feedback :): As one of the Mods pointed out, AF has a policy of complying with carrier Terms of Service agreements, in this case Verizon's, posted here:

http://androidforums.com/verizon/455585-verizons-official-tethering-policy.html

Tethering via USB cable is ok, but wireless requires a data plan that allows that kind of tethering/mobile hot spot.

It's a pita, and it's always changing. We're trying to keep up with the changes and we apologize if it seems inconsistent and/or confusing at times as members look around the forums and see discussion about it in some device areas but not others (different carriers/different, changing policies :rolleyes:).

Hang in there with us. :D
 
Why would you get a Bionic? Motorola released and then abandoned the device, instead favoring the RAZR. The bionic was dead-on-arrival, and the few people who bought it are feeling really stupid right now.
 
Raftysworld said:
Why would you get a Bionic? Motorola released and then abandoned the device, instead favoring the RAZR. The bionic was dead-on-arrival, and the few people who bought it are feeling really stupid right now.
Click to expand...
Please don't listen to this guy, he obviously came into this thread with an agenda. With the exception of one BSOD and some lock screen lag that is no longer an issue, my phone has performed 100% flawlessly. It will perform as well as the Razr and it has a removable battery cover. Unless you really want a small phone, there is no reason to get the razr over bionic. The nexus has a better display and has a head start as far as ICS but other than that has no real edge. Almost every complaint this guy refers to can be attributed to a) faulty devices that can be replaced in 10 min at your vzw store or b) 4g kinks that need to be worked out on EVERY 4g device.
 
Raftysworld said:
Why would you get a Bionic? Motorola released and then abandoned the device, instead favoring the RAZR. The bionic was dead-on-arrival, and the few people who bought it are feeling really stupid right now.
Click to expand...


this. i bought the bionic on the day of release, and now have it up on ebay for sale. tried three of them, and had nothing but probs. i would avoid this phone like the black death.
 
I also bought it on release day and it is the best phone I've ever owned.zero problems.and yes I did know the other phones were about to be released and this is the phone I wanted. If I had to start all over today, I'd still get the bionic.
 
Bought on release day. Wireless tether works fine. If you're into a bunch of modding, the development on the Bionic is next to nothing. The Nexus has been out for only a few weeks and I can't count the amount of ROMs and Kernels available. Yes, the Bionic has dropped a bunch in price, but this is a 2 year investment you're looking at. Head into a VZW store and play with all the new phones (incl. the Razr and Rezound) and see which one you like the best.
 
Raftysworld said:
Why would you get a Bionic? Motorola released and then abandoned the device, instead favoring the RAZR. The bionic was dead-on-arrival, and the few people who bought it are feeling really stupid right now.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree ;). I understand people were upset that Motorola released a second phone two months after they purchased theirs, but to say that they will not support a phone they spent almost a year developing would require some facts to support the statement. Google now owns Motorola Mobility, we've been promised ICS, and every time you see a Verizon commercial, note what phone the person in the add is using.

BubbaNexus said:
this. i bought the bionic on the day of release, and now have it up on ebay for sale. tried three of them, and had nothing but probs. i would avoid this phone like the black death.
Click to expand...

Lots of phones have this issue. There are phones out there that are duds. Prob is, when you do a warranty replacement, you get another warranty replacement. And then another. And then another. I have found that many of the phones that have issues is because the software doesn't speak well to the hardware. And as they're not going to put diff software on a phone, those refurbs will never truly be fixed. The only real solution is to root those phones and put custom software on it.

dreadnatty08 said:
Bought on release day. Wireless tether works fine. If you're into a bunch of modding, the development on the Bionic is next to nothing. The Nexus has been out for only a few weeks and I can't count the amount of ROMs and Kernels available. Yes, the Bionic has dropped a bunch in price, but this is a 2 year investment you're looking at. Head into a VZW store and play with all the new phones (incl. the Razr and Rezound) and see which one you like the best.
Click to expand...
 
YankeeDudeL said:
See, folks, this is how you take the other side of a discussion.
Click to expand...

... or perhaps this is how ...

Recognizing that everyone has the right to rant and rave for whatever reason they seem fit ...

How about a sub forum in Every forum like "Bionic - Rants" where people can stop by and vent their spleen. Other people then get forewarned and don't have to read the muck if they are trying to actually do something constructive and share ideas with others.

We went through this a few months ago when the Razr-herd had to tell us all how they had been abused and they dumped the Bionic and move over (yes over not up) to the Razr.

... Thom
 
YankeeDudeL said:
Google now owns Motorola Mobility...
Click to expand...

Just a gentle correction: Google is in the process of purchasing Motorola Mobility, but the deal has not closed, and the EU has put their approval of the deal on hold while they wait for more documents related to the deal. It's likely that the deal will go through, but it has not yet.
 
Raftysworld said:
Getting a Bionic would be like getting an iPhone4 when the 4S is the same price. But to each their own.
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Wouldn't that be going from the Bionic to the Razr? Eris to Bionic is like going to an iphone 3g to an iphone 4(s). Everyone is entitled to their opinion but it seems like you're lurking on this thread for a reason.

Whenever someone asks about what phone they should get I always point out the cons and pros of all VZW phones that I know about. I let them be there own judge of the devices.

You said your piece why keep pushing the issue?
 
Raftysworld said:
Getting a Bionic would be like getting an iPhone4 when the 4S is the same price. But to each their own.
Click to expand...
im assuming the comparison you're making is that having ICS a few months sooner is as trivial as siri....but you can get the bionic for $80, so.....what phone is better for $80?

Thom Little said:
... or perhaps this is how ...

Recognizing that everyone has the right to rant and rave for whatever reason they seem fit ...

How about a sub forum in Every forum like "Bionic - Rants" where people can stop by and vent their spleen. Other people then get forewarned and don't have to read the muck if they are trying to actually do something constructive and share ideas with others.

... Thom
Click to expand...
so like a troll subforum?
 
amazinz5 said:
so like a troll subforum?
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Probably wouldn't work cause they would have no one to troll on.

I just wish people would put some thought into the rants they post. Be constructive about what you say and don't just bash at the device. The problems they have may not exist in everyone else's phone. The data problems have been addressed by Motorola and yes some problems have not been fixed but it's also pointed out that it could be an issue with the way VZW's authentication servers are handling connections. And that seems to be the major problem everyone points out. The screen rant I don't ever hear about anymore. I am sure later down the road the data drops will become non-existant and people won't have nothing bad to say about it. Some people are looking for something in the phone and can't find it. Well that probably means it wasn't the phone for them. Just move on and find that phone. No need to discourage others from buying a phone that may just be what they want at a lower price. The Bionic is not dead!
 
Thanks to all of you for your input...and even the not so helpful inputs :D

I bought my Bionic a couple days ago. Got a good deal on an extended battery, too (half off). I'm glad I didn't get the Razr, as it's battery isn't removable and thus not upgradable.

I've rooted, removed bloat, and am enjoying the Bionic so far. It's certainly a vast upgrade from the Eris (which will always be my first smartphone love).

We'll see what the crop is in another two years, when I'm eligible to upgrade once more.
 
JLM said:
Thanks to all of you for your input...and even the not so helpful inputs :D

I bought my Bionic a couple days ago. Got a good deal on an extended battery, too (half off). I'm glad I didn't get the Razr, as it's battery isn't removable and thus not upgradable.

I've rooted, removed bloat, and am enjoying the Bionic so far. It's certainly a vast upgrade from the Eris (which will always be my first smartphone love).

We'll see what the crop is in another two years, when I'm eligible to upgrade once more.
Click to expand...
Congratulations! I know you're having fun.
 
JLM said:
Thanks to all of you for your input...and even the not so helpful inputs :D

I bought my Bionic a couple days ago. Got a good deal on an extended battery, too (half off). I'm glad I didn't get the Razr, as it's battery isn't removable and thus not upgradable.

I've rooted, removed bloat, and am enjoying the Bionic so far. It's certainly a vast upgrade from the Eris (which will always be my first smartphone love).

We'll see what the crop is in another two years, when I'm eligible to upgrade once more.
Click to expand...

Glad you're loving your purchase! :)
I went from an OG Droid to a Bionic and it was a HUGE upgrade. From the Eris, I imagine it's at least as much. It's certainly a fine phone for the next two years. Just try not to get that "always have to upgrade" itch ;)
 
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