Several Questions about Android and Motorola Atrix

[Colmss]

Hi,
I would like to buy a new phone and since I want it to last for a while I want it to be state of the art! Since the Motorola Atrix is the only dual core phone available in the US, I have focussed on it. I read some reviews on it but unfortunately I have even more questions than before now. Hopefully you guys can help me to answer them. I know it's a lot of questions so I am happy if you comment on any of them!

1. Using the phone in Germany
Given I have the phone unlocked(also see 3,please), can I use it in Germany with my German SIM-card then? Without any drawbacks?

2. Using the phone as a Computer
I would like to hook up the phone to an external display using an HDMI cable. Then I would like to be able to do stuff like Word, browse the internet or watch movies.
I read this review and in the chapter HD/laptop dock it says I can use simply an HMDI cable to do this. But this "hack report" sounds like there's quite a couple things to do to bypass the desktop dock.
Can I simply use an HDMI cable to use the phone as a computer? And what's that whole hack about then?

3. Root/Deodex/Unlock
I am completely new to Android so I am not familiar with these terms. What do they mean and is it legal to do it?

4. Keyboard
Do I have to buy the Motorola external keyboard or can I use cheaper ones from other manufacturers?

5. Tethering
I would like to use the phone as a modem. I mean connect it to the internet and then have internet acces via WiFi with several laptops. Is that possible or are there any restrictions? I was quite confused when I read that the phone requires an AT&T tethering plan? What happens if I buy the phone without a plan?

6. Gingerbread/Updates
I read that I can update to Gingerbread via AT&T. Above I mentioned that I won't be using AT&T. How can I update to Gingerbread? And how can I generally run updates?

7. Competitors
If there are any competitors that will definitely (=announced exact release date) be available until May, please let me know about them. I'm also happy to hear why/why they are not better than the Atrix!

THANK YOU!

 

[iPhail]

1. Using the phone in Germany
Given I have the phone unlocked(also see 3,please), can I use it in Germany with my German SIM-card then? Without any drawbacks?

Yes

2. Using the phone as a Computer
I would like to hook up the phone to an external display using an HDMI cable. Then I would like to be able to do stuff like Word, browse the internet or watch movies.
I read this review and in the chapter HD/laptop dock it says I can use simply an HMDI cable to do this. But this "hack report" sounds like there's quite a couple things to do to bypass the desktop dock.
Can I simply use an HDMI cable to use the phone as a computer? And what's that whole hack about then?

You must buy the docks, HD multimedia dock is about $100

3. Root/Deodex/Unlock
I am completely new to Android so I am not familiar with these terms. What do they mean and is it legal to do it?

You can do what ever you want to your phone, its your property. Google "android root" to find out what it means or check the FAQ. Unlock is simply to use on any carrier.

4. Keyboard
Do I have to buy the Motorola external keyboard or can I use cheaper ones from other manufacturers?

Any android compatible bluetooth keyboard will work. If you have the dock you can use any usb keyboard

5. Tethering
I would like to use the phone as a modem. I mean connect it to the internet and then have internet acces via WiFi with several laptops. Is that possible or are there any restrictions? I was quite confused when I read that the phone requires an AT&T tethering plan? What happens if I buy the phone without a plan?

You cant tether if you dont have an AT&T tethering plan. If you hack your phone and root it (google it) then you can tether without a plan but they will hunt you down.

6. Gingerbread/Updates
I read that I can update to Gingerbread via AT&T. Above I mentioned that I won't be using AT&T. How can I update to Gingerbread? And how can I generally run updates?

You wait until they release the update. The atrix doesnt use 2.3 yet.

7. Competitors
If there are any competitors that will definitely (=announced exact release date) be available until May, please let me know about them. I'm also happy to hear why/why they are not better than the Atrix!

Samsung Galaxy SII, lg optimus G2x should be released this month, but its not official.

 

[=KLRS=ZERO]

^^ you do not need the docks. there is a webtop mod to do it through hdmi cable.

 

[Colmss]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colmss
5. Tethering
I would like to use the phone as a modem. I mean connect it to the internet and then have internet acces via WiFi with several laptops. Is that possible or are there any restrictions? I was quite confused when I read that the phone requires an AT&T tethering plan? What happens if I buy the phone without a plan?

You cant tether if you dont have an AT&T tethering plan. If you hack your phone and root it (google it) then you can tether without a plan but they will hunt you down.

As far as I know my German provider has no such thing as tethering plans. He even encourages to use the phone as a modem. Is there in this case any possibility to use the phone as a router or do I have to hack it just to get the software?

 

[Boomer Dog16]

Atrix has a locked bootloader. You might be better off with the Optimus g2x to be available april 15 in the usa, available in europe korea china, an many other countries now, unlocked to start with, gsm world phone just plug in a local sim an use it. Same tegra processor, better screen, camera, true 1080p record an playback an if you look at XDA developers website youll be amazed at what the developers are getting this phone to do. an yes im selling my atrix atm to get the g2x

 

[Colmss]

Hi, thanks for the information! I just checked out some specs for the G2X but to me it seems like it has the lower resolution 800 x 480 (vs. 540 x 960, Atrix), RAM 512MB (vs. 1024, Atrix) and internal memory 8GB (vs. 16, Atrix). It is also a little larger than the Atrix. Did you mean something different when you said better screen? And where did you read that?
Anyways, you are right about the camera, the G2X IS better here!
A question about the locked bootloader though: If I buy a rooted Atrix at ebay or root it myself the phone has no more disadvantages to the G2X or has it?

Edit: And has the G2X something like the Webtop Mode?

 

[Boomer Dog16]

Hi, Atrix has a pentile matrix display which to some people is no problem, but to others its like looking thru a screen door at the display, G2x uses a different display technique, (sorry i forget the name atm) the atrix needs the extra 512 ram to cover the overhead of the web top aplications, I found the laptopdock an its aplication far to weak an slow for for my real computing needs plus the extra $20 per/mth for the added teather, a real laptop connected thru any phone is imo much better, Atrix does have larger (16gb vs 8gb) internal mem, but each can use the same Sd card 32gb, the Bootloader locked blocks kernal access, again i would refer you to Xda or Paul Obrien (Modaco.com) to see what is possible with a phone that is totally unlocked bootlocker too. (G2x is currently running a Quarant score of over 4.2k !) Atrix has the best reception of any phone I've used, good battery life, An i liked it but didnt love it. deal breaker for me was for the forseeable future its data speeds are throttled down to 1.5mb dl an 400 Kb upload. There are other selling points like wifi calling true display mirroring, gestures, gyroscope, no bloatware that the G2x has an T mobiles currently faster network, an $80/mth 1500minute unlimited text +data plan that convinced me to sell my Atrix. (I am a selfemployed Excavation business person, in no way connected with any company other than my own! LOL) GL Happy researching!

 

[iPhail]

^^ you do not need the docks. there is a webtop mod to do it through hdmi cable.

I know that... except you cant get a mouse input. Read his post he is NEW TO ANDROID... its not a simple thing to get working so thats why i said get the dock...

 

[Colmss]

data speeds are throttled down to 1.5mb dl an 400 Kb upload

Is this an issue of the phone itself or AT&T?

 

[iPhail]

is this an issue of the phone itself or at&t?

at&t

 

[Colmss]

One more question about unlocking:
I read that somebody unlocked his phone in Europe and switched to US-band which made it impossible for him to switch back to Europe's band. Just to double-check: This is NOT something that can happen during the process of Unlocking, correct? Will the phone automatically adapt when I go back to Germany?
Does it make a difference if I use a German or US SIM card while unlocking?
Thank you so much!

 

[Boomer Dog16]

Once your phone is unlocked its always unlocked. As far as i know it can not be relocked. You'll need a sim from a different carrier than what your phone is set up to use, insert it an the phone will as for a code, be very sure you type in code correctly the first time, if it doesnt work DONT KEEP TRYING IT! Get another code, i have heard the atrix can try codes up to 5 time an i have heard 10 time, im not sure true number. I used cellunlock.net use the buyers code of android50 an get it for half price. they sent 2 codes in about 36 hours first code worked first try when in germany or where ever just plug in a local companies sim an use your atrix like normal
GL

 

[Colmss]

Thank you for the code! Worked great and they provided an excellent service to my question!

 

[HankAtrix]

Hi,
I would like to buy a new phone and since I want it to last for a while I want it to be state of the art! Since the Motorola Atrix is the only dual core phone available in the US, I have focussed on it. I read some reviews on it but unfortunately I have even more questions than before now. Hopefully you guys can help me to answer them. I know it's a lot of questions so I am happy if you comment on any of them!

1. Using the phone in Germany
Given I have the phone unlocked(also see 3,please), can I use it in Germany with my German SIM-card then? Without any drawbacks?

2. Using the phone as a Computer
I would like to hook up the phone to an external display using an HDMI cable. Then I would like to be able to do stuff like Word, browse the internet or watch movies.
I read this review and in the chapter HD/laptop dock it says I can use simply an HMDI cable to do this. But this "hack report" sounds like there's quite a couple things to do to bypass the desktop dock.
Can I simply use an HDMI cable to use the phone as a computer? And what's that whole hack about then?

3. Root/Deodex/Unlock
I am completely new to Android so I am not familiar with these terms. What do they mean and is it legal to do it?

4. Keyboard
Do I have to buy the Motorola external keyboard or can I use cheaper ones from other manufacturers?

5. Tethering
I would like to use the phone as a modem. I mean connect it to the internet and then have internet acces via WiFi with several laptops. Is that possible or are there any restrictions? I was quite confused when I read that the phone requires an AT&T tethering plan? What happens if I buy the phone without a plan?

6. Gingerbread/Updates
I read that I can update to Gingerbread via AT&T. Above I mentioned that I won't be using AT&T. How can I update to Gingerbread? And how can I generally run updates?

7. Competitors
If there are any competitors that will definitely (=announced exact release date) be available until May, please let me know about them. I'm also happy to hear why/why they are not better than the Atrix!

THANK YOU!

I love the Atrix and purchased it about 3 months ago. It is a great phone and can do the things you desire.

 

[ultradroid]

Atrix has a locked bootloader. You might be better off with the Optimus g2x to be available april 15 in the usa, available in europe korea china, an many other countries now, unlocked to start with, gsm world phone just plug in a local sim an use it. Same tegra processor, better screen, camera, true 1080p record an playback an if you look at XDA developers website youll be amazed at what the developers are getting this phone to do. an yes im selling my atrix atm to get the g2x

It wasn't clear (to me, anyway) if the OP was talking about unlocking the phone, so you can use multiple sim cards for different European countries, or unlocking the bootloader. The latter permits quite a bit of freedom as to what can be done with the phone, and they're two separate processes.

If the OP is interested in unlocking the bootloader, he should check out this - How To: Unlock the Atrix 4G Bootloader - BriefMobile - and familiarize himself with the relatively easy procedure involved with doing so.

-Mike

 

[mzungu.andrew]

Hey, there is a way to enable tethering on the Atrix now without rooting, but if AT&T finds out they will automatically bill you for the 4GB data tethering plan. You can probably argue it, but that's just a disclaimer. Here's the link I found from this forum: (I did it, it worked)

Enable Free Wireless Data Tethering on AT&T Motorola Atrix 4G

 

[Colmss]

Hi,

I was talking about unlocking for different SIM Cards, thanks. Regarding the bootloader I read it'' be unlocked with Gingerbread in July!