Lenovo K800, First Android From Intel

Following its entry into the smartphone business Intel Android, Intel is working with Lenovo has just introduced the Lenovo K800 as the first Android with Intel Inside.

Lenovo K800 dibeali with cutting edge specifications include:

• 4.5''screen 1280 x 720 pixels
• Processor 1.6 GHz Intel Medfield
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 8 megapixel camera with ISO up to 3200
• 4G LTE network, WiFi Bluetooth v3.0, GPS

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BlackBerry Curve 9360

The good : The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 is slim and compact with a tactile physical keyboard. It supports NFC and the BlackBerry 7 OS, and can make calls over Wi-Fi.

The bad : The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360's side buttons are a little too skinny for us, there's no HD video capture, and it doesn't support T-Mobile's high-speed HSPA+ network.

The bottom line : The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 makes a great entry-level offering for those already in the BlackBerry camp.

RIM launched its next-generation BlackBerry 7 OS with a refreshed Bold 9900/9930, the Torch 9810, and the Torch 9850/9860. Conspicuously absent was the Curve, RIM's entry-level brand. That has changed, however, with the release of the RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 (the Curve 9350 is the CDMA version). It doesn't have a touch screen or the sleek industrial design of a BlackBerry Bold, but it does offer a number of improvements under the hood like the introduction of NFC support. Furthermore, the Curve 9360 for T-Mobile offers UMA-based Wi-Fi calling, a feature that even the higher-end Bolds lack. At only $79.99 with a two-year contract, the Curve 9360 is a great buy for BlackBerry enthusiasts who want to save some money.

Design

At first glance, the Curve 9360 doesn't look dramatically different from its predecessor, the Curve 3G 9300. They are similar in shape and size, with curved corners and a compact design. If you take a closer look, however, the Curve 9360 is a little sleeker. The glossy black front surface now flows from the top all the way to the bottom, giving the Curve 9360 a much more streamlined appearance. At 4.3 inches long by 2.4 inches wide by 0.4 inch thick, the Curve 9360 is also noticeably slimmer and lighter. A minor complaint is that the smooth plastic feel goes all the way to the back as well, which makes it feel a little slipperier in the hand.

The BlackBerry Curve 9360 has a sharper 

display and more streamlined design than its predecessor.

Another change from the old Curve is that the Curve 9360 has a 2.5-inch, 480x360-pixel-resolution display. It's not the gorgeous VGA touch screen on the Bold 9900, but it's certainly better than the Curve 9300's 320x240-pixel display. BlackBerry 7 OS brings Liquid Graphics technology to the Curve 9360 as well, which boosts the vibrancy and responsiveness of the display. Indeed, graphics and text proved to be colorful, vibrant, and sharp. We did think the font size on the home screen was a little on the small side, which might not be great for those with poor eyesight. As for the Curve's lack of a touch screen, we're not disappointed by that. The display is small enough that it might have been frustrating to use, and we're fine with just using the optical touch pad for navigation.

The Curve 9360 has the same flat navigation array we saw on the previous Curve. It consists of the Send, Menu, Back, and End/Power keys with the aforementioned optical touch pad in the middle. The keys are not touch-sensitive, and they do require a bit of pressure to push them. The optical touch pad is the same as on the other QWERTY BlackBerrys--we found it easy to use, and we managed to navigate and select items with precision.

Beneath the array is the famous Curve keyboard, but slightly tweaked. The keys are a hair bigger and rounder than on previous models, but the overall keyboard is still quite small compared with the one on the Bold. Yet, because the keys are separated and raised, we had no problem typing out messages.

On the left spine is the Micro-USB port, while the right spine is home to a very skinny volume rocker along with a similarly slim customizable shortcut key. In fact, we think the right spine buttons are a little too skinny. Gone are the media keys at the top--now there are a 3.5mm headset jack and a screen lock key, which is very similar to the Bold. The camera lens and LED flash are on the back.

Features

A lot of what sets the Curve 9360 apart from its predecessors is BlackBerry 7 OS. The user interface hasn't changed much from BlackBerry 6 OS, with its directory-based home screens and collapsible notification trays. What has really improved are the graphics processor, a full Web browser with a just-in-time JavaScript compiler and full HTML 5 support, augmented-reality application support, and voice-activated universal search.

Another nice feature addition courtesy of BlackBerry 7 OS is that NFC (near-field communication) is now supported on the Curve. Theoretically, NFC allows you to purchase goods or services by swiping your phone over a compatible payment system, or to transfer files by touching phones thanks to apps like BlackBerry Tag. We weren't able to fully test NFC with our Curve, but we're happy to see RIM embrace newer technology like this. For more about BlackBerry 7 OS, read our review of the BlackBerry Torch 9810.

A key feature that sets the Curve 9360 apart from the recent BlackBerry releases is its support for T-Mobile's UMA-based Wi-Fi calling. Just hook up your phone to the local wireless network, and you can make and answer calls without them being deducted from your plan's monthly allotment of minutes. We were surprised at how well it worked--we were able to hand off calls between Wi-Fi and regular cellular airwaves seamlessly. The Curve 9360 also supports GPS and Bluetooth.

BlackBerry continues to beat the corporate e-mail drum with support for all sorts of systems and services, including BlackBerry Enterprise Server, Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino, and Novell GroupWise. You can also use a free but limited version of BES with which you can sync your Exchange calendar, contacts, and tasks. For consumers not tied to the corporate network, you can sync up to 10 different POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail accounts via BlackBerry Internet Service. Popular Web services like Gmail and Yahoo should already have those settings preloaded. However, the default setting for Gmail and Yahoo is not IMAP, so deleted e-mails are not synced, and you'll have to do it manually.

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HTC Evo Design 4G (Sprint)

HTC Evo Design 4G (Sprint) | Android Best Phone

The good : The HTC Evo Design 4G has an understated black-on-black design, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, two cameras, and is a world phone. It comes with 8GB of memory preinstalled.

The bad : The stubborn back cover is hard to remove and the speakerphone could be better. A dedicated hardware shutter button wouldn't go amiss.

The bottom line : The HTC Evo Design 4G gives you a lot of smartphone for an excellent value--fast 4G speeds, a good camera, a strong processor, and a sophisticated design. It's an excellent choice for Sprint customers, except those who are specifically looking for a dual-core phone.

The fifth to join the Evo family, the HTC Evo Design 4G is a slightly smaller, more budget-conscious version of the classic Evo 4G and more recent Evo 3D, complete with the family's typical Sprint WiMax 4G speeds. It also has the distinction of being the first globe-trotting Evo, with a GSM-friendly SIM card slot hidden beneath the battery cover (and yes, it will only work overseas.)

HTC might have scaled back with the Design 4G, but that doesn't make it a mediocre phone by any means. The Android 2.3 Gingerbread device has a 1.2GHz processor, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and comes with an 8GB microSD card right out of the box. It also has HTC's usual premium finishes and a price point that's hard to beat for all the goodies--just $99.99 with a two-year contract, after a $50 mail-in rebate. Yep, HTC's runtiest Evo is also its best value.

Design

HTC has an eye for design, and from the boxy to the curved, this cell phone maker knows how to make a pretty phone. The answer is yes, the Design 4G has earned its name. The Evo Design 4G pays homage to a lot of other HTC phones, with its boxy edges and wide metallic band across the back. There's also a soft-touch material above and below the band to create a black-on-black tuxedoed look. In fact, it's much more sharp and stylish than the Evo 3D. The Design 4G measures 4.8 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide by 0.47-inch thick and weighs 5.2 ounces (in contrast, the slightly larger Evo 3D stands 5 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide by 0.48-inch thick and weighs 6 ounces.) The size is very manageable and it feels great in the hand and fine on the ear.

The HTC Evo Design 4G is a smidge smaller than 

other members of the Evo family, but don't mistake it for a runt.

With the smaller stature comes a smaller screen, a 4-inch rather than a 4.3-inch display. It has a WVGA (960x540-pixel) touch-screen resolution, which isn't the most glorious out there, but it isn't at all bad either. In fact, it looks bright, sharp, and colorful--as it should with support for 16 million hues.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread is running the show backstage on the Evo Design 4G, but HTC's Sense 3.0 is all you see up front. I personally think HTC hit a home run with Sense, everything from its lush graphics to its carousel animation that quickly spins when you swipe your finger fast across the seven customizable home screens. 

On to the externals! Below the display are four touch-sensitive navigation buttons to go home, pull up the menu, go back, and search. Above the screen is the 1.3 megapixel camera lens. The right spine is bare; too bad, this would be a great spot for a physical camera shutter button. On the left you'll find the volume rocker and Micro-USB charging port. Up top are the 3.5 millimeter headset jack and the power button. On the back you get the 5-megapixel camera lens and the LED flash.

If you can pry off the back cover, you'll find a microSD card 

slot and the GSM SIM slot. Even the internals look chic.

One of the phone's most interesting hardware embellishments is beneath the battery cover, which was tough to wrench off. HTC has even managed to make the guts of the Design 4G look stylish, thanks to a partially transparent hinged ledge that snaps into place below the battery (it's also a structural element that keeps the battery in place. Flip it open, though, and you'll see the SIM slot where you can slide in a GSM SIM card if you take the phone overseas. It bears repeating that the Evo Design 4G will not work with a U.S. GSM SIM.

The microSD card slot is also here below the cover. The phone comes with an 8GB card pre-installed.

Features

Since phones are first and foremost about communications, let's start there. Android on the back end means that the Evo Design 4G lets you access your Google accounts; HTC also hooks in to Facebook contacts if you'd like. The phone supports groups and a host of details per contact. Plus, your available memory is the only limit to the breadth of contacts you can have.

Some extra finishing touches make the square, 

black Evo Design 4G more than just a black box.

It's a smartphone, so there's texting, multimedia messaging, e-mail, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS on board. HTC Sense lets you access your contact list and messages directly from the lock screen. The Swype virtual keyboard is available, but not by default.

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Motorola Electrify (U.S. Cellular)

The good : The Motorola Electrify boasts a dual-core processor, a 4.3-inch qHD display, and world-roaming capabilities. The Android Gingerbread handset also has an 8-megapixel camera, HDMI port, and built-in kickstand.

The bad : Motorola's custom user interface isn't for everyone. The handset is on the larger side. Camera quality wasn't that great.

The bottom line : The Motorola Electrify is a great Android device for U.S. Cellular customers seeking power and the latest and greatest in smartphone technology.

Editors' note: In this review, we'll focus more on the Motorola Electrify's different features and performance. For more information on the smartphone, including design and user interface details, please read our review of the Motorola Photon 4G.

In early June, U.S. Cellular laid out its plan to release at least eight smartphones by the end of the year, and the carrier is living up to its end of the deal. The latest handset to join its Android stable is the Motorola Electrify. Available now for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate, the Electrify is similar to the Motorola Photon 4G for Sprint and boasts a dual-core processor, a 4.3-inch qHD display, and an 8-megapixel camera, among other things. Its laundry list of features coupled with solid performance and compatibility with a number of accessories makes it U.S. Cellular's best smartphone yet, particularly for those who want a powerful device with the latest technology.

Features

The Motorola Electrify is a dual-mode GSM/CDMA phone, so it offers world-roaming capabilities. The smartphone works on U.S. Cellular's CDMA network here in the U.S., and features an unlocked SIM, so once you travel abroad, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card to make voice calls and receive data. Other voice features include a speakerphone, conference calling, voice dialing, and text and multimedia messaging. The Electrify is 3G capable and can be used as a mobile hot spot for up to eight devices. Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), and aGPS are also all part of the package.

The Motorola Electrify is similar to the Photon 4G 

and features a built-in kickstand.

The Electrify runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and integrates Google's apps and services, including Gmail, Google Maps with Navigation, Voice Search, Google Talk, Latitude, YouTube, and Places. The handset also comes preloaded with a number of useful apps, such as the Quickoffice suite, a task manager, and the Webtop Connector app, which can be used with the optional laptop dock. U.S. Cellular also loads it up with a number of other extras, including Zappos, IMDb, and Daily Perks, but the good news is that you can uninstall most of the bloatware.

The smartphone features an 8-megapixel camera with a dual-LED flash. The camera app offers a number of tools and settings, including exposure controls, different scene modes, effects, geotagging, and more. However, though it can play back 1080p HD video but at this time it can only record 720p HD video.

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Samsung Epic 4G Touch

Samsung Epic 4G Touch

By. Android Best Phone

The good : The Samsung Epic 4G Touch boasts a large and bright 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. With a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, the Android smartphone is fast and 4G-capable. Camera quality is also excellent.

The bad : Call quality could be better. The phone is large and has a plastic build.

The bottom line : The Samsung Epic 4G Touch offers speedy performance, a beautiful screen, and a great multimedia experience to make it one of Sprint's top Android phones, but its large size won't be for everyone.

Editors' note: Portions of this review were taken from our evaluation of the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S II.

While the rest of the world has been enjoying the Samsung Galaxy S II for some time now, the U.S. has had to sit by and wait for its turn. Fortunately, the time has finally come and the Android superphone will be available through multiple carriers this fall. Sprint is first out of the gate, launching the Samsung Epic 4G Touch on September 16 for $199.99 with a two-year contract. As the successor to the popular Samsung Epic 4G, the smartphone loses its slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but gains a faster dual-core processor, larger and sharper Super AMOLED Plus touch screen, better cameras, and much more. The phone is on the large side, which will keep some at bay, but for those who can handle the size, the Epic 4G Touch will not disappoint.

Design

At 5.1 inches tall by 2.7 inches wide, the Samsung Epic 4G Touch is a large device. The width makes it harder to grip the phone, especially if you have smaller hands, and it's not a handset that easily fits into a pants pocket. It's not going to be for everyone. That said, like the Samsung Infuse 4G, it's also quite thin and light at just 0.38 inch thick and 4.5 ounces, so the smartphone is easier to manage than one would think.

The Samsung Epic 4G Touch is a big phone, 

but its slim profile and light weight help make it manageable.

Plus, you might be willing to deal with the phone's larger size when you get a glimpse of the 4.52-inch, WVGA (800x480) Super AMOLED Plus touch screen. The spacious display and the vibrant colors make it great for viewing Web pages and multimedia. There are slightly sharper screens out there, such as the qHD (960x540 pixels) display on the Motorola Photon 4G, so images and text aren't quite as smooth, but we still found the Epic 4G Touch's screen easy to read.

The touch screen is responsive. The smartphone offers both Swype and Samsung's virtual keyboards. It registered all our taps, and we were able to easily navigate through the menus. In addition to using the standard touch interface, you can also use motion gestures on the Epic 4G Touch. With the settings turned on, you can flip the phone to mute it. With two fingers on the screen, you can tilt to zoom in and out in the Gallery and browser. Flicking your wrist left or right (panning) can move a home screen icon when you're holding it. Double-tapping the top of the phone prepares the Vlingo-powered Voice Talk app for voice commands while you're driving. However, panning and zooming weren't as responsive as we'd like. While most of the motion controls may not figure into your daily use, this type of gesture functionality adds welcome options in general.

Below the display, you'll find touch-sensitive buttons for the menu, home, back, and search functions. The left side features a volume rocker, while the right spine has a power/lock button. There's a 3.5mm headphone jack on top of the device and a Micro-USB port on the bottom. In the right-hand corner just above the display, there's an LED indicator light and in the left-hand corner is a 2-megapixel camera for video calls. The back of the phone features an 8-megapixel camera and an LED flash.

The back of the phone has a textured surface, 

but the smartphone still feels plasticky.

There is a microSD expansion slot behind the battery door. The latter has a textured surface, so the phone doesn't feel so slick, but like many Samsung smartphones before it, the Epic 4G Touch has a plastic build. Some metal accents or parts would go a long way in making it feel like a more premium handset.

Sprint packages the Samsung Epic 4G Touch with just the basic accessories, which include an AC adapter, a USB cable, and reference material.

User interface

The Samsung Epic 4G Touch runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread along with Samsung's latest TouchWiz 4.0 user interface. We're often less enthusiastic about custom interfaces--they sometimes add unwanted complexity and unremovable apps, and are usually slower to update to new OS versions. However, TouchWiz 4.0 has a few things going for it, some carryovers from previous versions of TouchWiz. There are seven home screens, for example, and the notification pull-down menu has icons for easily turning on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 4G, and sound profiles.

Customizing the home screens is made easier, with a carousel-like setup that lets you move through the various panels to add and remove shortcuts and widgets at the same time. Previously, you had to do a long-press on one screen to change it and then repeat the process if you wanted to change another page. You can also now resize Samsung Live Panel widgets and there's a more fluid motion when scrolling through widgets lists and home pages.

Some of the changes are purely cosmetic, but they certainly add some polish to the UI. There are also some useful additions as well, such as an integrated task manager that displays all your active applications, downloaded apps with the option to uninstall, RAM status, and system storage. Also great: the ability to now capture screenshots by simply pressing the power button and home key simultaneously.

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LG Enlighten (Verizon Wireless)

LG Enlighten (Verizon Wireless)
by. Android Best phone

The good : The LG Enlighten has a great keyboard, ships with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and has plenty of features like a 3.2-megapixel camera, 3G with EV-DO Rev. A, Wi-Fi, 3G Mobile Hotspot capability, and more. It's also very affordable.

The bad : The LG Enlighten is bulky and can be a bit sluggish.

The bottom line : The LG Enlighten is a great beginner smartphone for Verizon Wireless customers who want a physical keyboard.

We can hardly believe that almost a year has passed since the first U.S. LG Android phone, the LG Ally, hit our shores. LG has advanced considerably in the U.S. market since then, with the release of several great Android phones like the high-end T-Mobile G2X, the entry-level Optimus handsets for every major carrier, and the recently launched midrange LG Marquee.

Now LG has introduced a successor to the Ally with the LG Enlighten for Verizon Wireless. In the tradition of LG's entry-level offerings, the Enlighten is surprisingly feature-packed for its category--it ships with Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, 3G, Wi-Fi, along with 3G Mobile Hotspot capability for up to five devices. Seeing as the Enlighten is free with a two-year contract, that's not a bad deal at all if you're just looking for a basic Android phone.

Design 

The LG Enlighten looks more like the Optimus line of phones than the Ally. At 4.5 inches long by 2.3 inches wide by 0.58 inch thick, the Enlighten has a blocky rectangular design that is softened slightly by curved sides and rounded corners, and is not nearly as curvaceous and angled as the Ally. The Enlighten is not as heavy at 5.54 ounces, but it'll still put a dent in your pocket. The phone has a soft touch matte finish on the back that gives it a nice comfortable feel in the hand.

The LG Enlighten is a new entry-level phone for Verizon Wireless. 

It has a 3.2-inch HVGA display.

On the front of the Enlighten is a bright and colorful 3.2-inch HVGA display. We're a little disappointed that LG downgraded the resolution from 480x800 pixels to 320x480 pixels, but for an entry-level phone, we think it still does the job. It looks great under bright sunlight as well. The capacitive display is responsive enough, and you have the option of adding haptic feedback if you desire. You also get an accelerometer and a proximity sensor.

Interestingly, LG opted for its own custom interface instead of the standard Android user interface. The menu is divided into application categories--Communications, News & Search, Media, Tools, Applications, and Downloads--and the bottom row houses the phone dialer, the contacts list, the messaging menu, and Home/Menu shortcuts. You can also customize up to seven home screens. Android purists might not like it, but the user interface does serve to make Android a bit more palatable to smartphone newbies. You get the default Android virtual keyboard as well.

If you're not happy with the virtual keyboard, you can slide the phone open to reveal a physical QWERTY keyboard. As with the Ally, we really like the keyboard here. The four-row keyboard is roomy, with plenty of spacing in between each key. The keys are all raised above the surface as well, which results in a satisfying click when pressed. We like the large Space bar along with the physical navigation controls on the right, just in case you're tired of using the touch screen to scroll around.

Underneath the display are the usual Android shortcut keys for the Menu, Home, Back, and Search functions. The volume rocker and Micro-USB port is on the left spine, while the camera button is on the right. On the top is a screen lock/power key along with a 3.5mm headset jack. A 3.2-megapixel camera sits on the back.

Features 

We're very impressed that the LG Enlighten has Android 2.3.4, considering it's an entry-level phone. This gives it an improved user interface along with a better power management, downloads management, control over apps, and more. It even has Adobe Flash Player 10 in the browser, along with GPS, 3G with EV-DO Rev. A, and Wi-Fi. It has tethering and 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities too--you can share data with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

As with all Android phones, the Enlighten is compatible with Google's array of apps and services that include Gmail, Google Search with Voice, Maps with Navigation, Google Talk, Latitude, Places, and YouTube. If you decide not to use Gmail, you can use your own e-mail login information and enter in your POP3 or IMAP server addresses if you like. LG and Verizon have included a few of their own apps on here as well, and they include Backup Assistant, Guided Tours, My Verizon Mobile, and Polaris Viewer. The Verizon apps like Backup Assistant are not removable.

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Motorola Atrix 2 (AT&T)

Motorola Atrix 2 (AT&T)

By. Android Best Phone

The good : The Motorola Atrix 2 has a sharp and colorful 4.3-inch qHD display, a dual-core 1GHz processor, HSPA+ support, an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture, a front-facing camera, Webtop functionality, and it ships with Android 2.3.

The bad : The Motorola Atrix 2 no longer has the fingerprint sensor, and there is a slight shutter lag that will not please camera enthusiasts.

The bottom line : For the price, the Motorola Atrix 2 is an amazingly feature-packed high-performance Android phone for AT&T customers.

The Motorola Atrix 4G wowed us at CES 2011, with not only a dual-core processor, but also support for AT&T's 4G/HSPA+ network, a front-facing camera, and an optional laptop dock accessory that allowed you to have a portable PC experience using Motorola's Webtop software. It was a groundbreaking product in many ways, and it's no wonder we awarded it the Best of CES Award in the cell phone and smartphones category at the time.

However, it was not a perfect phone. We later discovered that the Atrix was plagued by poor upload speeds (though an update did fix that eventually), and the overall feel of the handset was not quite as premium as other Motorola smartphones. It also did not have 1080p HD recording capabilities at the time of its launch. While we thought the laptop dock accessory was cool, it was only compatible with the Atrix and no other phone, which made its high price rather hard to swallow.

Motorola must have realized these missteps, as the recently launched Atrix 2 has fixed many of these issues and more. It has a bigger and better-looking display, an upgraded camera, and it ships with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Even the new laptop dock accessory is improved; it's sleeker, lighter, and Motorola has ensured its compatibility with other Motorola handsets. Still, these changes are somewhat incremental, as the processor speed hasn't changed and it still only supports HSPA+ and not AT&T's nascent LTE network.

But perhaps the most exciting thing about the Atrix 2 is that it's surprisingly affordable at only $99.99 after a two-year agreement; that's a $100 drop from the original Atrix. Even though the improvements are incremental, the price drop makes the Atrix 2 a very attractive option for AT&T customers.

Design

When we first laid eyes on the Motorola Atrix 2, we couldn't quite tell the difference between it and its predecessor. The overall shapes of the phones are similar, with the usual slab design and rounded corners. Yet, there are subtle differences that help elevate the Atrix 2. It has a shiny gunmetal gray bezel around the front and a rubberized textured back that gives the phone a more luxurious feel in the hand despite its plastic construction. It's also taller and larger at 4.95 inches long by 2.59 inches wide by 0.41 inch deep.

The Motorola Atrix 2 has a larger and sharper 4.3-inch qHD display.

The reason for the size increase is because of a slightly larger display. While the Atrix 4G had a 4-inch qHD display, the Atrix 2 has a 4.3-inch qHD display. Moreover, the Atrix 2 does not have the Pentile display that resulted in poorer pixel density in the original Atrix. Graphics look crisp and vibrant, and text is smooth and legible as well.

The Atrix 2 has a dual-core 1GHz TI OMAP4 processor instead of the Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset on the Atrix, but that didn't appear to diminish its performance. The capacitive touch screen felt very responsive to our taps and swipes, and navigation felt snappy. There did appear to be a slight flicker when transitioning between menus, but it wasn't too distracting.

Beneath the display are the standard Android shortcut touch keys for the menu, home, back, and search functions. On the left spine are the Micro-HDMI and Micro-USB ports; the right is home to the volume rocker and a dedicated camera button, which was not on the original Atrix. On the top are the 3.5mm headset jack and the power/screen lock key. Sitting above the display is a front-facing VGA camera for video chats, and the 8-megapixel camera is on the back together with an LED flash. Unfortunately, Motorola decided to do away with the fingerprint scanner with the Atrix 2.

AT&T packages the Motorola Atrix 2 with an AC adapter, a USB cable, and reference material. There's also a plethora of optional accessories for the Atrix 2 that include the new laptop dock called the Motorola Lapdock 100, an extra capacity battery, a vehicle navigation dock, an HD station, a portable universal charger, a wireless keyboard, and more.

User interface

The Motorola Atrix 2 runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread with a refined MotoBlur interface. It's remarkably different from the one we saw on the original Atrix, and more closely resembles recent Motorola handsets like the Droid Bionic and the Photon 4G. It's certainly not as intrusive as previous versions of MotoBlur, where you had to sign up for an account just to use the device.

You get five customizable home screens that you can personalize with various widgets and shortcuts. You can also press the Home button to see a zoomed-out view of all the home screens. This way you can select a specific home screen directly. On the bottom row of each home screen are four shortcut icons that correspond to the phone dialer, e-mail, the browser, and the main menu. As for the main menu, you swipe from side to side to navigate instead of the vertical scrolling on the default Android interface. For text input, you have the choice of either the multitouch Android keyboard or Swype.

Features

The Atrix 2 offers many of the same features as the Atrix and comparable Android handsets. Android 2.3 Gingerbread gives it a much improved interface along with a more intuitive virtual keyboard. You can also now use the front-facing camera for taking self-portraits if you'd like. It handles Adobe Flash content in the Webkit browser quite well.

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