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Droid 3 slider phone sports dual-core CPU
2011-07-07 Article Rating:  / 0
Verizon Wireless announced online availability of Motorola Mobility's new Droid 3, claimed to be the world's thinnest QWERTY slider phone. Running Android 2.3 on a dual-core, 1GHz processor, the $200 global CDMA/GSM phone offers 16GB flash, a four-inch qHD display, and both an eight-megapixel camera with 1080p video capture and a front-facing videocam, says Verizon.
As with most major smartphone releases these days, much is already known about the Droid 3, with the first substantial details emerging back in May. The phone updates last August's Droid 2 slider phone, which itself was an update to the original Droid, Android's first smash hit.  Motorola Droid 3 (Click to enlarge) At least, this is what we heard in leaked reports back in May, and what we're hearing again from other sources, including AnandTech. Verizon itself merely fesses up to "a dual-core 1GHz processor." AnandTech points to a GLBenchmark 2.0 page that shows a phone that is almost certainly the Droid 3 coming in a close second on the "Egypt" test out of more than 20 high-end smartphones. It directly followed the similarly OMAP4430-bearing LG Optimus 3G, according to the benchmarks. Motorola's latest was said to come in fifth on the "PRO" test, where it trailed the Optimus 3D, as well as two phones running the new dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon (the HTC Sensation and HTC Evo 3D). The Droid 3 also trailed the world's first Tegra 2-based smartphone -- the LG Optimus 2X -- but it's way ahead of other heavy hitters like the Atrix 4G, the Nexus S, the iPhone 3GS, and the HTC Thunderbolt.   Droid 3, front and back (Click on either to enlarge) No RAM was listed, but the phone ships with 16GB of flash memory. It's unclear whether that's internal or sits in the available SD slot. The 4.9 x 2.5 x 0.5 inch phone is billed as the world's thinnest full QWERTY phone. That may well be true, but it's only .04 inches thinner than the Droid 2. Weight is listed as 5.9 ounces. T Equipped with both CDMA and GSM 3G cellular service, the phone is touted for being a global phone. There's no 4G, but that also keeps the price at $200 plus contract instead of the $300 for the LTE-ready Samsung Droid Charge. It also helps the 1540mAh battery achieve a claimed 9.16 hours (550 minutes) of usage compared to the roughly four hours our friends at eWEEK encountered with the Droid Charge using 4G. The Droid 3 offers the usual N-flavored Wi-Fi, plus Bluetooth 2.1, and aGPS wireless services, says Verizon. The carrier also provides its 3G Mobile Hotspot option for connecting up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. An HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack are available, but there's no word on sensors. In this day and age, however, accelerometers are probably a given on a $200 Android phone. Android 2.3 is provided without MotoBlur, but simply the "Motorola Application Platform." Google apps are said to include Google Maps with Street View, GTalk with Presence, Gmail, Google Books, Google Places, and Android Market, among others. Also featured is DLNA wireless sharing functionality, Skype Mobile, and Verizon's V CAST Media Store, says the carrier. Visual voice mail is said to be available, along with Citrix GoToMeeting for Android and Citrix Receiver for Android. Other enterprise-friendly features are said to include advanced security policies, device and SD card encryption, complex password support, and remote data wipe of device and SD card. Document and presentation viewing and editing is available with Quickoffice, says Verizon. Features and specifications listed for the Droid 3 include:
The Droid 3 by Motorola is now available online for $200 plus two year contract, and will be available in Verizon Wireless Communication Stores by July 14. Requirements include a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package, with the latter starting at $30 for 2GB of data. Current Verizon Wireless smartphone customers who are upgrading can keep their current data plan. The phone is also available without contract for $460. More information may be found at Verizon's Droid 3 page. Related Stories:
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he four-inch display moves up to 960 x 540 (qHD) resolution, and the slider keyboard offers a "roomy" five-row QWERTY layout, says Verizon. 
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