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Multi Info
Features
With a 1GHz dual-core processor, this smartphone runs on Android’s 2.2 operating system with Motoblur’s interface and applications. It can download data faster on AT&T’s HSPA+ 4G broadband network, where available. It comes with 16 GB of memory, but can hold a 32 GB memory card. Perks include Adobe Flash Player, the ability to use it as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 other devices, and it connects to HDMI port with included cable. Has a 5-megapixel camera on the back that captures high definition video at 720p. There’s also a lower-quality front-facing camera designed for video chatting on apps like Qik. To unlock the phone, instead of typing in a password, there’s an optional fingerprint reader on the back to swipe for access. The most noteworthy features, however, are actually the accessories (sold separately):
Laptop Dock
The Atrix connects to a specially-made laptop dock, which is pretty much a laptop without the brains it’s simply a screen, keyboard and mousepad that doesn’t do anything until you connect the Atrix to the back. Once plugged in, the smartphone’s features are transformed into a laptop like experience on a “webtop” application. It has a fully-functional Firefox browser, making it easier to multitask and work on the go. It has two USB ports and comes with a wall charger.
Multimedia Dock
This is a charging station that connects to a television screen or monitor, and comes with a remote and wall-charger. It has three USB ports in the back, and is designed for showcasing the phone’s music, photos and videos on a big screen, or can also surf the Web and do work in the same mode as the laptop dock. The phone’s touchscreen becomes a mousepad and keyboard, or users can buy a separate keyboard and mouse.
Price
The Atrix is $199.99 with two-year contract. The multimedia docking station with remote has a list price of $99.99. The Atrix smartphone bundled with the Laptop Dock is $499.99 after rebate, and requires both a $25 data plan and a $20 tethering plan with purchase.
Ups
It’s incredibly simple to understand and use when connected to the docking station browse any site without restrictions even those with Java or Flash giving much the same experience as on a desktop computer. Using the phone’s document reader easily opens up a Microsoft Office file, make edits, and then save it on either phone or another USB connect. The dual-core processor means this phone can load things faster, which is a plus when boosted with AT&T’s 4G Internet speeds. But it doesn’t drain the battery any faster and if it’s running low, it can be recharged with the laptop dock’s internal battery.
Downs
The camera isn’t as high of a quality as some other smartphone cameras. And across small annoyances in the camera interface when texting photos: vertical photos show up horizontally, and during the trial, some photo messages wouldn’t send until restarted the phone. The dual-core processor with 4G connection does speed things up, but not enough for watching streaming video off AT&T’s U-Verse service, Hulu or other sites for stations including ABC, Fox and TBS. Videos can be viewed, but it’s a very choppy experience. And the connected laptop dock or multimedia dock often lagged in response time to clicks. Also found hiccups when the phone was in Entertainment Center mode; when trying to fast forward a video and side-loaded into the phone’s memory, it froze up if skipped forward.
Bottom Line
If the Atrix were fast enough to flawlessly stream video, this would be a gushing review. But between the choppy video and the way-too-expensive laptop dock (you can get a fully-functioning laptop and smartphone for the same $500 price tag, albeit this laptop dock is lighter to carry), this phone falls just short of laudatory. Still, it represents a revolution in computing, and it’s a very cool tool for business travelers. The Atrix is a solid phone, and the first step to a new world where one smartphone is the only computer you’ll need.
With a 1GHz dual-core processor, this smartphone runs on Android’s 2.2 operating system with Motoblur’s interface and applications. It can download data faster on AT&T’s HSPA+ 4G broadband network, where available. It comes with 16 GB of memory, but can hold a 32 GB memory card. Perks include Adobe Flash Player, the ability to use it as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 other devices, and it connects to HDMI port with included cable. Has a 5-megapixel camera on the back that captures high definition video at 720p. There’s also a lower-quality front-facing camera designed for video chatting on apps like Qik. To unlock the phone, instead of typing in a password, there’s an optional fingerprint reader on the back to swipe for access. The most noteworthy features, however, are actually the accessories (sold separately):
The Atrix connects to a specially-made laptop dock, which is pretty much a laptop without the brains it’s simply a screen, keyboard and mousepad that doesn’t do anything until you connect the Atrix to the back. Once plugged in, the smartphone’s features are transformed into a laptop like experience on a “webtop” application. It has a fully-functional Firefox browser, making it easier to multitask and work on the go. It has two USB ports and comes with a wall charger.
Multimedia Dock
This is a charging station that connects to a television screen or monitor, and comes with a remote and wall-charger. It has three USB ports in the back, and is designed for showcasing the phone’s music, photos and videos on a big screen, or can also surf the Web and do work in the same mode as the laptop dock. The phone’s touchscreen becomes a mousepad and keyboard, or users can buy a separate keyboard and mouse.
Price
The Atrix is $199.99 with two-year contract. The multimedia docking station with remote has a list price of $99.99. The Atrix smartphone bundled with the Laptop Dock is $499.99 after rebate, and requires both a $25 data plan and a $20 tethering plan with purchase.
Ups
It’s incredibly simple to understand and use when connected to the docking station browse any site without restrictions even those with Java or Flash giving much the same experience as on a desktop computer. Using the phone’s document reader easily opens up a Microsoft Office file, make edits, and then save it on either phone or another USB connect. The dual-core processor means this phone can load things faster, which is a plus when boosted with AT&T’s 4G Internet speeds. But it doesn’t drain the battery any faster and if it’s running low, it can be recharged with the laptop dock’s internal battery.
Downs
The camera isn’t as high of a quality as some other smartphone cameras. And across small annoyances in the camera interface when texting photos: vertical photos show up horizontally, and during the trial, some photo messages wouldn’t send until restarted the phone. The dual-core processor with 4G connection does speed things up, but not enough for watching streaming video off AT&T’s U-Verse service, Hulu or other sites for stations including ABC, Fox and TBS. Videos can be viewed, but it’s a very choppy experience. And the connected laptop dock or multimedia dock often lagged in response time to clicks. Also found hiccups when the phone was in Entertainment Center mode; when trying to fast forward a video and side-loaded into the phone’s memory, it froze up if skipped forward.
Bottom Line
If the Atrix were fast enough to flawlessly stream video, this would be a gushing review. But between the choppy video and the way-too-expensive laptop dock (you can get a fully-functioning laptop and smartphone for the same $500 price tag, albeit this laptop dock is lighter to carry), this phone falls just short of laudatory. Still, it represents a revolution in computing, and it’s a very cool tool for business travelers. The Atrix is a solid phone, and the first step to a new world where one smartphone is the only computer you’ll need.
Posted in: Motorola Atrix 4G
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