Most of us agree that's it's a cool idea, but practical? Useful? I'm not sure, here's what I would change, bullet format because I'm tired.
-I think the device is sort of ugly: Fix this.
-Stock Android: Obviously. This seems like a very enthusiast/nerdy device yet it's packed with a bloated social networking skin.
-Smaller screen: It diminishes the usefulness of the laptop attachment when the phone is already massive, it looks sort of ridiculous hanging off of the laptop and I believe people will pull out the attachment thinking "Well, I've got this laptop, I might as well use it", rather than "I'm glad I have this laptop, I could really use the extra screen real estate". I'm thinking 3.5 - 3.7".
-Better affix the phone to the laptop: I know it won't fall out, but it looks like it will, it looks silly hanging out the back while you twist the laptop around playing an accelerometer game and the extra weight on the back probably feels awkward. Either use the phone as a touch pad(plug it right into the front) or snap it right on the back, no space in between the laptop screen and the phone(potential overheating issues...maybe a bad idea). I need to be able to close the laptop and throw it and the phone in a bag without separating delicate parts
-Chrome OS: This is the PERFECT device for Chrome OS, a low power laptop with a permanent connection to 4G(ok, H+). I don't understand why Google is allowing this additional Linux skin, they already have too many OS' associated with them. It should be able to dual boot Chrome OS and straight Android(or run Android within C'OS if that's possible).
Even with my changes, I still question the usefulness of the laptop. It cannot replace a real laptop running Windows or OSX and it's simply too big(especially compared to the new airs/the newly announced samsung laptop) to just have around. No one is going to want to carry this around in addition to a real laptop. A counter point to my own argument: Everything in the above paragraph applies to tablets, though tablets are a quicker setup than a laptop, I'm not sure I have to think about that.
Discussion about
What would you change about the Atrix 4G?
I agree with you on the following points: ugly, needs stock Android, smaller screen would possibly make more sense, and should become the trackpad instead of sitting in that ghetto dock.
Unfortunately, the idea of using it as the trackpad is right out because Apple already patented that idea a few years ago. :( Moto could pay licensing fees to do it anyway, if Apple was willing to license that, but they won't. And this sucks, because it is an obvious feature that shouldn't be patentable in the first place.
I sort of agree with you on Chrome OS, but there is no need to run the full Chrome OS, just have it load the same build of Chrome that already runs on Android on the Google TV platform. I was mildly interested in this device after hearing all the buzz... until I read that it runs Firefox. I'm sure I'll incur some down-votes for saying this, but I stopped using Firefox a long time ago because I have fewer site bugs in Chrome these days for the sites I end up at and I like Chrome better in general since I am heavily invested in Google Apps.
For many years, I have wanted a small, pocketable mini-computer that would slide into a larger "computer shell" when sitting at a desk so that I could carry everything with me everywhere I go. Unfortunately, the dream has never materialized and having most of my data in the cloud has actually met that particular need better than any of the hardware attempts that have come along. I'm sure we will get there eventually, but this monstrosity will clearly not be the harbinger of that bright new future. :( [Note to Motorola: you really need to hire some people from the actual geek community to help you design your future devices because everything you do is "close but no cigar"]
Unfortunately, the idea of using it as the trackpad is right out because Apple already patented that idea a few years ago. :( Moto could pay licensing fees to do it anyway, if Apple was willing to license that, but they won't. And this sucks, because it is an obvious feature that shouldn't be patentable in the first place.
I sort of agree with you on Chrome OS, but there is no need to run the full Chrome OS, just have it load the same build of Chrome that already runs on Android on the Google TV platform. I was mildly interested in this device after hearing all the buzz... until I read that it runs Firefox. I'm sure I'll incur some down-votes for saying this, but I stopped using Firefox a long time ago because I have fewer site bugs in Chrome these days for the sites I end up at and I like Chrome better in general since I am heavily invested in Google Apps.
For many years, I have wanted a small, pocketable mini-computer that would slide into a larger "computer shell" when sitting at a desk so that I could carry everything with me everywhere I go. Unfortunately, the dream has never materialized and having most of my data in the cloud has actually met that particular need better than any of the hardware attempts that have come along. I'm sure we will get there eventually, but this monstrosity will clearly not be the harbinger of that bright new future. :( [Note to Motorola: you really need to hire some people from the actual geek community to help you design your future devices because everything you do is "close but no cigar"]
yeah it's a bit ugly and stock android would be nice. how about gingerbread? and if this had LTE it would KILL, but excluding it almost kills the deal for me because I want LTE as an option since it can be upgraded to faster stuff later without a new antenna unlike HSPA+. HSPA+ will work for a while since it and LTE are about the same speed, approximately, but what happens when LTE speeds up and I want or even need that extra speed? New phone. Lose the dock stuff *maybe*.
Have you read anything on what Tmobile is planning, They are going to take their HSPA+ up to a theoretical maximum of over 500mbps,and all without having to change to much.
yes, I have, and this will be great for everybody because it will bring much competition. The Atrix 4G is only on AT&T unfortunately.
I believe the point is that HSPA+ can continue to be cranked up even faster over time. OK, LTE would be nice, yes, but it's not as if this thing is going to be obsolete any time soon. Besides that, the kind of person that snags this device isn't going to keep the same phone for more than 2 years, max. By then LTE will be more widespread, in devices and networks.
Lack of LTE and a locked bootloader make this the ALMOST perfect phone. I'm still wishing I could go out and pick one up right now though.
Lack of LTE and a locked bootloader make this the ALMOST perfect phone. I'm still wishing I could go out and pick one up right now though.
