Motorola has announced a new phone destined for the Taiwanese market.  Called the Motorola XT615, the handset boasts slim lines, a large screen and an affordable price.

While not quite as skinny as the Motorola RAZR, the phone still wears a notably slim shell .  Plus, the light metallic finish of the edges make it look even thinner.  Phone dimensions are 117.7 x 60.5 x 9.85 mm, with a weight of 123.6g.

Details of the Motorola XT615 include a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 854 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash), a front-facing VGA webcam, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, microSD card expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1,390 mAh battery (rated at up to 5 hours of talk time).  Muscle is provided by a modest 800MHz processor, paired with a 1GB of ROM and 512MB of RAM.

It puts Android 2.3 Gingerbread at the helm, with the new Motorola Switch UI on top.  No word on additional software included beyond the usual Google Mobile Services, but we're guessing a lot of Chinese-language stuff, since this is for the Taiwan crowd.

The Motorola XT615 will launch to Taiwan Mobile customers in the middle of December, priced at NTD$10,900 (around $360).  No word yet on whether this will be rolled out in other markets.

[Motorola]

Sprint has officially announced a new QWERTY candybar Android smartphone.  Called the Motorola Admiral, it's the carrier's first smartphone to feature Sprint Direct Connect.  Yep, it surprisingly took them this long.

To the uninitiated, Sprint Direct Connect is the name given to the company's range of push-to-talk services for enterprise and in-field users.  Aside from the obvious one-to-one PTT calling over the network, this includes call alerts via text, Group Connect (talk with up to 20 people), TeamDC (talk with up to 200 people) and NextMail (audio messages via email).

Phone details include a 3.1-inch Gorilla Glass touchscreen display (640 x 480 resolution),  a full QWERTY keyboard, 5.0 megapixel camera module (with 720p video capture and LED flash), 3G, WiFi with mobile hotspot (up to five devices), Bluetooth, 4GB internal storage and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).  Processing power is provided by a single-core 1.2GHz CPU.

Since this will be heavily used in the field, the Admiral comes with rugged construction that meets military standard 810G for  dust, shock, vibration, solar radiation, low pressure and extreme temperatures.  No waterproofing, though, so take note if that's an important feature. Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, it bundles the platform's robust enterprise messaging features, reinforced with enhanced in-phone security features and data encryption.

The Motorola Admiral sports a decidedly industrial look, which we guess is just appropriate for the likely enterprise target market. Sprint will be offering the phone online exclusively starting October 23 for $99.99 on a new two-year contract.  It will roll out to stores November 13.

[Sprint]

Motorola just announced an enhanced version of their semi-rugged Android smartphone.  Called the Motorola Defy+, this equally durable successor boasts numerous hardware improvements that make the unique offering a whole lot better.

Like the original Defy, this new model retains the sleek form factor, the scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and IP67 credentials.  While it didn't get an upgrade in shock-proofing (it's still the same slim profile), it does continue to be impenetrable to dust and resistant to submersion in water (up to 1 meter depth for 30 minutes).

Details of the Motorola Defy+ include a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 854 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash), aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, 2GB of internal storage, microSD card expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1,700 mAh battery (rated at 7.1 hours of talk time).  Muscle is provided by a 1GHz processor, paired with 512MB of RAM.

It runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread with the latest version of Motoblur and the usual Google Mobile suite of apps.  Preloaded apps include CardioTrainer and Zinio e-magazine.

No exact date has been given for the Motorola Defy+, but it will be available beginning in the fall.   Expect it to roll out in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

[via Engadget]

Motorola just announced a new affordable Android smartphone.   And for a budget-friendly handset, the Motorola XT531 doesn't look half bad.

For one, it's got the sleek appearance down pat.  With rounded edges and a youthful design, the 114 x 62 x 11.95 mm frame is actually easy on the eyes.  Plus, it's quite well-serviced in the actual hardware, too.
Details of the Motorola XT531 include a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 320), a 5.0 megapixel camera in the rear, a VGA webcam in front, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM tuner with RDS, microSD card expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1540mAh battery (rated at up to 8 hours of talk time and 28 days of standby).   A modest 800MHz processor provides the muscle, paired with 512MB of RAM.

It will come running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with Motorola's considerably scaled-down Moto Switch UI.  All the usual Google Mobile Services should be onboard, along with a copy of Qik Video Connect so you can video chat right out of the box.

The Motorola XT531 will be available in China late this month, along with the rest of Asia in the Fall (a dual SIM version will be made available).    It will be released around the same time in Europe and Latin America as  the Motorola Fire XT and the Motorola Spice XT, respectively.  Price should be around $220 off-contract.

[via Motorola]

Those looking forward to getting their hands on that decagon-shaped smartphone Motorola announced a couple weeks ago can now mark their calendars.  According to Sprint, the Motorola Photon 4G will hit their retail shelves starting July 31 for $199.99 on contract.

In case you need a refresher, the smartphone is a global-ready, 4G-armed and Tegra 2-packin' beast, making it quite the catch for the standard top-end price.  As with Sprint's later releases, this one comes with Sprint ID integrated into the Android 2.3 Gingerbread UI.

Details of the Motorola Photon 4G include a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display (960 x 540 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera in the rear (with 720p video), a VGA webcam in front, aGPS, WiFi, Mobile Hotspot (for both 3G and 4G), Bluetooth, an HDMI out, 16GB of onboard storage, microSD card expansion and a 1,700 mAh battery.   The dual-core Tegra 2 muscle is aided in its duties by a generous 1GB of RAM.

Aside from your usual Android goodies, the phone features support for critical IT device policies, making it an enticing option for business users both in private and government sectors.  They have plenty of accessories available for the phone, too, including an HD Station (a dock with remote and HDMI cable), a vehicle navigation dock and a battery-only charger (yep, the battery is removable).

While the Motorola Photon 4G  drops for everyone at the end of the month, Sprint Premier Customers can get one three days earlier.  Orders will only be taken online, though, and only while supplies last.

[Sprint]

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

SPC MSL UNLOCK CODE for SPRINT MOTOROLA PHOTON 4G MB855 US $29.99 --> Ends In 28d 2h 12m <--

Motorola PHOTON 4G 16GB Black Unlocked Smartphone US $349.99 --> Ends In 1h 9m <--

MOTOROLA PHOTON 4G 16GB Black UNLOCKED Smartphone NO RESERVE US $227.50 --> Ends In 2d 18h 10m <--

Motorola Photon 4G MB855 Black Unlocked Cell Phone US $501.95 --> Ends In 26d 12h 20m <--

Motorola Photon 4G MB855 16GB Int Black Unlock WTY US $431.95 --> Ends In 6d 2h 53m <--

Motorola PHOTON 4G 16GB Unlocked Clean ESN No Battery US $279.99 --> Ends In 5d 11h 17m <--

You're on Sprint, but fancy the Motorola Droid Pro over at Verizon.  What to do?  Get its veritable clone on your carrier's lineup: the Motorola XPRT.  Yep, it's the exact same thing on a slightly different package.

Physically, the main differences with the Droid Pro are subtle -- it's a little flatter at the top, it has a chrome border on the front trim and you have a soft-touch back surface.  Surprisingly, though, those changes actually make it look and feel like a slightly more premium phone.  Display is a 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen (320 x 480 resolution), which manages bright colors with decent sharpness, although the screen can feel a little too small to people now used to much bigger displays.  The QWERTY keyboard has been redesigned from the Droid Pro and, based on our testing, brings some improvements in overall use.

As a phone, the Motorola XPRT makes for good calls.  Voices sounded clear, although some amount of background noise does make its way through.   Those on the other end enjoyed decent reception, although they did report a lack of volume.  Speakerphone performance worked decent enough, although I'd hesitate to use it in a crowded area.  Battery is rated at 6.5 hours of talk time.

Inside, the similarities between the XPRT and the Droid Pro become even more obvious -- they're practically the same.  In fact, everything on our review of the Droid Pro (save for the carrier-bundled apps) stays the same, so you can just check that for a complete rundown of the features (which includes world-roaming capabilities and enhanced corporate security).  This runs Android 2.2, with the usual Google Mobile Services and a scaled-back Motoblur.  Sprint's bundled apps include Music Plus, TV & Movies, and Worldwide (a portal for using Sprint services when you're abroad).

We loved the Motorola Droid Pro.  As such, loving the Motorola XPRT isn't all that difficult.  Priced at $129.99 on a two-year agreement from Sprint, it's a good deal for a 1Ghz-packin', world phone for business users.

Verizon just put the official stamp on one of the heavily-leaked phones from the past couple of weeks.  That will be the Motorola Droid 3, the third iteration of Verizon's successful Droid series that really helped kick the Android floodgates for good when it first dropped.

They're billing it as "the world's thinnest full QWERTY smartphone," measuring just half an inch on its sides.   All that while sporting a five-row landscape keyboard that slides out from the side.

Details of the Motorola Droid 3 include a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display (960 x 540 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module (with autofocus and 1080p video capture), a front-facing webcam, aGPS, WiFi, 3G with Mobile Hotspot sharing, Bluetooth 2.1, DLNA, an HDMI out, 16GB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion.  Muscle is provided by a dual-core 1GHz processor, with juice provided by a 1,540 mAh battery rated at 9.1 hours of talk time.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread runs at the helm, likely with a scaled down Motoblur on top.  All the usual Android favors are onboard, along with extra security features like complex password control, advanced SD card encryption and remote wipe.  Oh yeah, it's a world phone, too, with compatible radios for up to 200 countries (and 125 for 3G data) on top of that.  It could just be the sweetest thing ever if only 4G was also in tow.

The Motorola Droid 3 will hit stores around July 14, priced at $199.99 on a new two-year agreement (which, at this point, we all know won't include unlimited data).

[Verizon]

Hey, I'm just as tired of smartphones with curved corners as the next guy.  I'm just not sure the Motorola Photon's decagon shape is what I wanted as an alternative, though.  The company, by the way, calls its form "iconic."

Announced for Sprint, this will be the first Motorola handset to feature WiMax connectivity.  Even more significant, though, it's a world phone with global 4G and 3G support, so you can get fast data connections even while you're traveling the globe.

Details of the Motorola Photon 4G include a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display (960 x 540 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera in the rear (with 720p video), a VGA webcam in front, aGPS, WiFi, Mobile Hotspot (for both 3G and 4G), Bluetooth, HDMI out, 16GB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion.   It's not just fast on the connectivity department, but on the processing, too, boasting a dual-core Tegra 2 at the helm, paired with a generous 1GB of RAM.

Phone dimensions are 2.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches, with the slim frame hiding a 1,700 mAh battery that's rated at up to 10 hours of talk time.  It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with a new version of the Motorola Blur, which features all-new enterprise functionality.  Oh yeah, they think it will make for an excellent movie viewing phone, too, so it comes with a kickstand in the back for propping up on table.

No exact date or pricing has been given for the Motorola Photon 4G. Sprint is set to start selling it this summer, though, so the wait shouldn't be long.

[Motorola]

Pay-as-you-go fans have a reason to rejoice: Virgin Mobile just got their first Motorola Android phone.  Called the Motorola Triumph, it's quite a capable device with an attractive-looking design (well, if you like straight rectangles).

Being a prepaid device, this won't be challenging any of your top-end Android performers any time soon.  Regardless, it is quite an impressive hardware for its normally value-conscious target audience.

Details of the Motorola Triumph include a 4.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display (800 x 480 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera in the rear (with 720p video), a VGA webcam in front,  aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1, 3G, WiFi, HDMI out, a 1,400 mAh battery and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).  Core hardware is a 1GHz single-core processor, paired with 512MB of RAM and a 2GB ROM.

Unlike many pay-as-you-go handsets, this one has svelte dimensions at 4.8 x 2.5 x 0.4 inches and a weight of 143 grams.  It runs Android 2.2 Froyo at the helm, with the usual preloaded suspects (including Flash 10.1 support), although it surprisingly sheds Motorola Blur (which many will say is probably a good thing).  According to the press release, it will also be the first phone to feature Virgin Mobile Live 2.0, the company's proprietary social-based music app.

No exact release dates or pricing are available for the Motorola Triumph, as of now.

[Motorola]

The Droid X2 is a slightly revamped version of the original Droid X: with a faster dual-core CPU and a higher quality display.  Beyond those two, there really isn't much that's been changed, although those two updates does make it more competitive in today's smartphone market.

Physically, it's nearly identical with its predecessor, bearing very little discernible differences.  That's all well and good, though, since the original Droid X remains one of the better-looking slate phones out there, apart from having solid construction and a premium finish.  Oh yeah, it's quite a big phone to carry, too, which feels good in hand but can be cumbersome in the pocket.  Display remains at 4.3 inches in size, but it has been upgraded to a qHD resolution (540 x 960).  It's clear and sharp, though not quite as smooth as the AMOLED panels in current high-end phones.

As a phone, the Droid X2 made for good calls.  Sound came through very clear on both ends of the line, with no background noises and interference.  Speakerphone performed similarly well, with plenty of volume for use outdoors.  Battery is rated at a generous 8 hours of talk time.

You get the usual set of smartphone functions: voice calling features, basic and advanced messaging, and the full range of wireless connectivity options (complete with mobile hotspot, but no 4G).  Rocking Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset, the handset offers an overall faster experience for users, making for a snappy time launching apps, running Flash content and playing graphics-heavy games.  We do wish they threw in a front-facing camera, though, to bring it up to speed with the current features in new devices.

The Droid X2's 8.0 megapixel camera comes with dual LED flash and a good load of editing options.  Picture quality is decent, although we've seen better, especially from phones with such high-res optics.  The 720p videos it shoots (no 1080p, sorry) is pretty good.  For media playback, it can handle full 1080p video playback, piped to an HDTV over HDMI.  Video on the phone itself looks great, too, with smooth lines and action.

It runs Android 2.2.2, with a promised upgrade to Gingerbread down the line.   Motoblur software runs on top, which comes with a lot of new enhancements from the previous version in the Droid X.  There are also a bunch of preloaded apps, including the Quickoffice suite, Skype Mobile and various Verizon services.

Overall, the Motorola Droid X2 is a great phone.   While the lack of 4G and a front-facing camera makes it lose some luster, the feature set is solid and the phone itself feels premium.  You can get it from Verizon, priced at $199.99 with a new two-year contract.