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Motorola Droid 4 Review

Julie from The Gadgeteer shares an in depth review of the Droid 4 by Motorola.

If I were to ask a group of our readers to name an Android smartphone with a built in keyboard, I would expect the majority of them to say a Motorola Droid. This wouldn’t be a surprise given the fact that the original Motorola Droid remains a popular phone to this day over 2yrs after it was first released. Motorola’s latest update to this popular keyboard slider is the Droid 4 for Verizon Wireless. Does the addition of a 4G radio and a faster 1.2Ghz processor make the Droid 4 a worthy successor to the Droid 3? Let’s take a look.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

Before I begin, I will mention that I do not live in or very close to an area with 4G LTE coverage. I was only able to test the phone with a 3G connection.

Visit The Gadgeteer’s site for the rest of the review and several pics of the device.

For more Verizon Wireless news and reviews out of Indiana, subscribe via RSS to news by state.

Official: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Available At Verizon Wireless March 1

GottaBeMobile shares the news about the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and a video they shot with the tablet at CES.

Samsung’s other, other 7-inch Honeycomb tablet, the Galaxy Tab 7.7, will be available through Verizon Wireless starting later this week on March 1. The slim 7-incher will cost $499 with a two year contract (yes, with) for Verizon’s 4G LTE service.

Before you plotz from sticker shock, keep in mind that the Tab 7.7 is pretty tricked out for a small tablet. It boasts a Super AMOLED Plus display, a 1280 x 800 resolution, 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a USB Host port that supports HDMI out.

Still, $499 on contract is a pretty hefty price. Could this be why Samsung isn’t doing so well in the tablet market? (Personally, I think the fact that they keep releasing 7-inch tablets within weeks of each other is kind of a problem.)

It’s not because their tablets aren’t good. When we did a hands-on with the 7.7 at CES we liked what we saw.

Watch the video and read the rest on GottaBeMobile’s site.

For more Verizon Wireless news and reviews out of Ohio, subscribe via RSS to news by state.

Third Graders Debate over Cell Phones in School

By Michelle Gilbert

While recently volunteering in my third grader’s class, I had the pleasure of leading a discussion with the students on whether they thought cell phones should be allowed in school. I was amazed by their varying and well-thought-out rationale for basing their opinions (keep in mind these are eight and nine-year-old kids).

The class was almost equally divided between “Yes, students should be allowed to carry cell phones to school” and “No, they should not.” My favorite argument in favor of cell phones in school was that if there’s a fire, everybody will want to call their moms and dads to let them know, and the office phone would be very busy. If kids had cell phones, they wouldn’t have to wait in line in the office. It makes sense as long as the fire starts far away from the office, I suppose!

Another student who was not in favor of cell phones in school explained to the group that kids wouldn’t play with their friends at recess because they’d be too busy playing with their phones.

Other children believed that cell phones should be allowed, but turned off or silenced so they wouldn’t be disruptive.

Personally, I’m in favor of kids carrying cell phones to school for emergency purposes only. I know that’s hard to control. However, as a parent—and not as a representative of Verizon Wireless—I want the assurance that my child can reach me in an emergency.

By the way, my daughter does not carry a cell phone yet because she’s not responsible enough to do so. But, when my husband and I feel she’s ready for her own phone, I hope that her school’s administration allows her to carry it.

What do you think? Send me a tweet with your thoughts - @VZWmichelle.

Michelle Gilbert handles public relations for Verizon Wireless’ Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region. 

For more Verizon Wireless news and reviews out of the Verizon Midwest Area, subscribe via RSS to news by state.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 arriving exclusively on Verizon Wireless on March 1st

phonearena:

Verizon Wireless has just announced that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will land exclusively on the carrier…

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 arriving exclusively on Verizon Wireless on March 1st  

VERIZON MIDWEST HIGHLIGHTS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 20

Each week, we share a collection of Verizon news and stories from your neighborhood that you may have missed in the past week. Here’s what’s new with Verizon in the Midwest from the week of February 20.

GREAT PLAINS REGION

Tracking software helps to foil phone thieves - WDAY-TV - Underwood, MN (February 20, 2012)

Better technology for your phone means convenience and personal information at your fingertips, but crooks know this too. An Underwood, Minnesota woman knows this after two people stole her purse from a grocery store parking lot in Battle Lake. But the suspects were caught. The reason? A phone app. … Verizon’s Barry Stall says he sees people daily who have lost their phone or know it was stolen. The answer? An app - often free - that tracks the location of a phone, at any time.

Good Question: Can We Make Cell Batteries Last Longer? - WCCO-TV - Minneapolis, MN (February 20, 2012)

With 100 million Americans using smart phones, more and more of us are struggling with cell phones that don’t last through the day. Are there tricks that can make our cell phone battery last longer? “With the right settings, a phone, even a top-of-the-line phone with all the apps, can last a full day,” said Mark Koopman, manager of the downtown Minneapolis Verizon Wireless store.

MICHIGAN / INDIANA / KENTUCKY REGION

Motorola Xyboard: Less is sometimes more - TechRepublic - Kentucky (February 20, 2012)

In the race to grow the biggest tablet on the market, I’m reminded of an old SNL skit where one character bragged about how small his cell phone was. Eventually, his phone was the size of a grain of rice. There was some truth to that skit. At that time, the handset market was determined to create the smallest possible device, even at the cost of usability. … In fact, in some cases, smaller is better. For example, the Verizon-branded Motorola Xyboard tablet come in two sizes — 8.2″ and 10.1″. The numbers may seem insignificant, but holding an 8″ tablet feels significantly different than holding a 10″ tablet. So, in a world where larger is better, why go with something smaller? Let’s take a look.

Verizon Breaks Record for Wireless Usage - Hendricks County Flyer - Avon, IN (February 21, 2012)

Verizon Wireless customers at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis were busier than ever on their wireless devices, using 2.75 times more data than last year’s Super Bowl in Dallas and 4.5 times more data than a regular season game at the stadium. In addition to the all-time high data usage for a Super Bowl game, Verizon Wireless customers were talking up a storm. Call volume soared more than 1,000 percent or more than 11 times more voice calls than during a regular season Colts game.

ILLINOIS / WISCONSIN REGION

Review: Droid Razr Maxx - Android and Me - Middleton, WI (February 17, 2012)

There’s no question that the DROID RAZR MAXX is for all intents and purposes merely a DROID RAZR with a big ‘ol battery crammed into a slightly embiggened frame. So what then is the big deal and why does it warrant its own review? … Overall I thoroughly enjoyed using the DROID RAZR MAXX and I think that for a large section of the smartphone buying population that this is the single best device available today.

Review: Motorola Droid 4 - Gadgetsteria - Mishawaka, IN (February 22, 2012)

Motorola has, since November 2009, had special place in the Android world with their highly popular, physical keyboard toting Droid series. While the latest iterations dropped the hallowed “pure” Google experience and instead adopted Motorola’s questionably useful MOTOBLUR skin, the Droid 4 is the latest phone to make us question writing off the physical QWERTY just yet. But a great keyboard alone isn’t reason enough to drop the required cash. Let’s see if the Droid 4, like its predecessors, is worthy of the hype.

KANSAS / MISSOURI REGION

Verizon Everyday Hero - KTVI-TV - St. Louis, MO (February 17, 2012)

St. Louis heroes are competing with nominees from across the country. Winners will be honored in March. To find out more about the nominees and to vote for your hero just go to www.verizoneverydayheroes.com

Mardi Gras COLT Install - KTVI-TV - St. Louis, MO (February 18, 2012)

KTVI-FOX was live on location at the Soulard neighborhood’s massive Mardi Gras celebration. Reporter Kim Hudson discussed how Verizon Wireless installed COLTs as a means to keep patrons and their mobile devices connected despite the large crowds.

OHIO / WEST VIRGINIA / PENNSYLVANIA REGION

How to Lower Your Cell Phone Bills - WCPO-TV - Cincinnati, OH (February 20, 2012)

Check your cellphone bill lately? What used to cost $50 a month went to $80 and now $100 or more for many people.  And rising data rates mean its going even higher. But there are some simply ways to save. … Verizon Wireless’s Laura Merritt says start by checking to see if you are paying for more minutes than you need.

Verizon Wireless Announces the Small Business Advisor - TechBurgh - Pittsburgh, PA (February 24, 2012)

Verizon Wireless today announced the introduction of the Small Business Advisor, a free, interactive tool that provides quick and easy recommendations for mobile solutions.  The new service is designed to help customers find small business solutions that help boost productivity, protect information and use wireless technology to grow their business. The Small Business Advisor takes on the role of an electronic consultant and saves the SMB owner or entrepreneur valuable time. There are plenty of applications across Android™, iOS, BlackBerry® and Windows platforms; this tool can point the user in the right direction, finding the apps that make the most sense to boost business efficiency in many areas including customer interaction, office administration, travel and video.

How the MotoActv Will Help You Conquer Fitness Goals & Enjoy Exercising

This is a guest post from Adam Myers, a Verizon Wireless health and wellness coordinator in Michigan.

When I first heard about the MotoActv device, I thought it was just an expensive music player. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Upon getting my first demonstration of the device, my eyes grew big, my heart raced in excitement and visions of my increased physical ability filled my head. When you take a first look at the MotoActv, it seems like it may just be a gadget that you don’t really need. The 8GB device retails for about $250, and the 16GB device is $299, but it is well worth every penny.

The MotoActv combines a smart music player, GPS and heart rate capabilities all in one small, stylish and easy to use device. I’m an avid runner, and going for a run now without my MotoActv seems as absurd as running without my shoes. When I use the MotoActv for one of my training runs, the feedback I get during and after my training is irreplaceable.

Right out of the box, the MotoActv comes with the device, headphones, charger and USB cable. All the software that is needed automatically installs when you connect it to your computer. On the back of the MotoaActv is a clip so you can attach it to your clothing.

The headphones are also great because they wrap around the ear and have a built in microphone. What do you need a built in microphone for you wonder? You can download the free MotoActv app and get texts and calls delivered right from your smartphone. I also have the Motorola Droid Razr, and it’s great when I’m out on a run and I get a phone call or a text. I can choose to answer or respond during my workout without even missing a step. How’s that for multi-tasking?

The MotoActv device also features a touch screen with a great response and a very functional user interface. With the swipe of a finger, I can check my workout stats, the time or my playlist. The MotoActv also has the ability to remember which songs you burn the most calories to, and it will create you a custom super charged playlist. It’s like bringing your own DJ with you to play all of your favorite songs while you work out. There are also many additional accessories you can purchase for your MotoActv, like a watchstrap, bike mount, heart rate monitor chest strap and armband.

As a health and wellness coordinator for Verizon Wireless, I help our employees achieve all of their fitness goals. This device is without a doubt a great tool to use if you want motivation and help to reach your goals. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that this is the only product I’ve seen that has so many different uses all wrapped into one easy-to-use product.

The MotoActv can currently track running, cycling, walking, elliptical and step machine workouts. With a soon-to-be-released March 7th free update, the MotoActv will also expand upon the current exercises with more than 40 new activities, including yoga, Pilates, dancing and martial arts.

Speaking as a health and wellness professional and not a Verizon employee, I truly believe this device will take care of all your fitness needs and make living a healthy lifestyle a fun part of your daily routine.

For more Verizon Wireless Midwest news and reviews, subscribe via RSS to news by state.