In the world of Android, it seems a new phone is being released almost every week. Between the various companies, we’re always seeing new models that provide new and interesting innovations. Motorola didn’t let up with the release of the Motorola Atrix 2, its latest offering in the realm of smartphones, available since late October. But how does it compare with its predecessors and the other Android offerings out there? Here’s a quick review of what the Atrix 2 is like, what it offers, and the best features this phone has.

The Motorola Atrix 2 is the follow up to the Atrix, a model that was released not that long ago, but is already obsolete with this new version. The Atrix 2 provides a 4.3 inches screen, which is slightly bigger than the previous model, it has 1GB of memory, just like the Atrix did, and the screen uses qHD technology at 960×540 pixel resolution. This handset however changes which chips Motorola uses. Instead of a Tegra 2 processor, here the company went with a TI OMAP dual-core CPU. And for graphics, instead of a GeForce chip, it uses a PowerVR SGX. Also, the camera is improved from 5MP to 8MP. All of this means that the new Atrix 2 is slightly faster and can provide crisper, more realistic graphics. Indeed, the first thing you notice when using this phone is how fast it is. The interface is MotoBlur on top of Android Gingerbread, which is the company’s customize Android version, and provides a very intuitive and fast experience. Scrolling through the pages doesn’t produce any lag, which isn’t the case with a lot of older models.

When it comes to the build itself, the Motorola Atrix 2 is a solid device, made of hard plastic, with a dedicated shutter button, a volume rocker, headphone jack, and a mini-USB and HDMI port to provide mirror capabilities on a large screen. The 8MP camera provides very clear and crisp images, and will satisfy most photography needs, while the front of the phone also features a VGA camera for video conferencing. This phone can take full HD videos, and the included 8GB SD card can be upgraded to store longer videos. Motorola also included a lot of its own software on top of the operating system, including some that businesses will like, including desktop sharing and media transfer options. Interestingly, this phone has less clutter than some previous models by the same company, with most of its added apps being uninstallable, and completely optional.

Overall, this smartphone is a great addition to the Android family, and a proper upgrade over the previous model. With the large 4.3″ screen, crisp display, and fast response, it’s everything a phone user would need, and with the high end camera, you couldn’t ask for much more from a modern phone. This device is available now on AT&T through a contract, and can be found in most stores.

Check out the leaked photos of the Palm Treo 850. This blog is all about saving money and I believe smart phones achieve this objective. Smart Phones like the Palm Treo 850 make you more productive out of the office. Do not, I repeat do not buy a Smart Phone if you will not make up the extra $50 per month a data package cell phone plan will cost you. They’re hot right now, but don’t jump on the bandwagon and pick up something that you don’t need. Take the extra $600 a year you’ll save and invest it or something.

Palm Treo 850 Features:

- Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
- 3G/3.6 HSDPA (2100/1900/850 MHz)
- 320×320 pixel display (flush fitting)
- QWERTY keyboard
- 1500mAh battery
- 2 megapixel camera
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 2.0
- 400 MHz CPU
- 100 MB of RAM.
- Expected release date July 2008

I am tired of paying to text message my friends. Does it make any sense for phone companies to charge extra to send tiny text files? Doesn’t make sense to me! I found the solution… The site is called TextForFree.net You just enter the subject line of the text, subject, and phone number of the cell phone you’re trying to text. Once you click submit it only took about 1 second to reach my cell phone. The only downside it at the bottom of the text message it has an ad for TextForFree.net.

The BlackBerry Bold is not only a gorgeous phone it’s also functional. More functional than the iPhone I would suggest, especially for business use. The BlackBerry bold is designed to take away market share from Apple’s iPhone. “The BlackBerry held a 41% market share for smartphones in the US last year, but iPhone went from zero to hold 28% (Guardian.co.uk).” So lets see the features:

Screen Resolution

The BlackBerry has Half-VGA (480×320 pixel resolution) and a 65,000-color display. One word, amazing! Some are saying they have never seen such a sharp display on a smart phone.

Dimensions

The BlackBerry Bold measures 4.5 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide by half an inch deep, and it weighs 4.7 ounces.

Wireless Options

“Quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) BlackBerry Bold, but the most appetizing and notable item is the HSDPA/UMTS (850/1900/2100) support. You also get integrated Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), Bluetooth 2.0 with full A2DP support, and built-in GPS (enhanced and assisted) (News.com).”

Processor

The BlackBerry contains a 624MHz Intel PXA270 processor.

Cool Features

Phone has a built in 2.0 megapixel camera with video-recording capabilities and up to 5x zoom.

Carrier

Carrier will be AT&T. “The BlackBerry Bold 9000, due exclusively in the United States through AT&T, will be the first BlackBerry sold by a U.S. carrier to operate globally in 3G (third-generation) wireless networks (Twice.com).”

Price

Estimated price is $300-$400

Availability

Summer 2008