Photon Docks (e.g. HD Station, Car, & Laptop) - Discussion Thread

[bupolo]

I'm an Evo owner looking to possible upgrade myself (and a few friends) to the Photon. I had two questions: (1) how will the camera be in comparison to the Evo 4G (not the 3vo); and (2) will it get something similar to the Atrix Laptop docking station?

Thanks guys!

-EDIT 8/10/11- Several posts have been moved to create a new "Photon Docks Discussion" thread.

 

[drexappeal]

I'm an Evo owner looking to possible upgrade myself (and a few friends) to the Photon. I had two questions: (1) how will the camera be in comparison to the Evo 4G (not the 3vo); and (2) will it get something similar to the Atrix Laptop docking station?

Thanks guys!

1) No real way to tell how the camera will be in comparison to the EVO. I'd say it'd be comparable at the least and the EVO's camera is not the greatest (although, I've never had any complaints about the rear camera).

2) From what the initial reports have said, it's supposed to get a laptop docking station, but so far I haven't seen it. It definitely has a multimedia dock, which is nice. Since it's geared towards business and personal use, I'd be surprised if they didn't make one.

 

[bupolo]

1) No real way to tell how the camera will be in comparison to the EVO. I'd say it'd be comparable at the least and the EVO's camera is not the greatest (although, I've never had any complaints about the rear camera).

2) From what the initial reports have said, it's supposed to get a laptop docking station, but so far I haven't seen it. It definitely has a multimedia dock, which is nice. Since it's geared towards business and personal use, I'd be surprised if they didn't make one.

Concerning the camera, are there no specs on the quality of the lens or light sensors being used? I think those have been two of the big things that Apple has done better than these android phones: using better tech with respect to the camera.

This would be so disappointing if they did not roll out a laptop docking station. But can they make it less than $500? $500 for a small monitor and keyboard is ridiculous.

 

[drexappeal]

Concerning the camera, are there no specs on the quality of the lens or light sensors being used? I think those have been two of the big things that Apple has done better than these android phones: using better tech with respect to the camera.

This would be so disappointing if they did not roll out a laptop docking station. But can they make it less than $500? $500 for a small monitor and keyboard is ridiculous.

Who really cares what apple does. I know I don't. As long as my camera prevents me from needing a point and shoot camera, I'm good. Apple's rear camera lens was researched to be the same lens on iphone4 as evo and one other phone I'm pretty sure...it's posted in evo forums.

As for laptop dock, I can't see it being $500. Is that how much the atrix dock is?

 

[twospirits]

once again I've been hearing that the Photon won't be coming with a keyboard dock, but honestly hope those rumors are false. Cause they really can't let AT7T be the only ones with that idea.

TS

 

[busted bones]

Who really cares what apple does. I know I don't. As long as my camera prevents me from needing a point and shoot camera, I'm good. Apple's rear camera lens was researched to be the same lens on iphone4 as evo and one other phone I'm pretty sure...it's posted in evo forums.

As for laptop dock, I can't see it being $500. Is that how much the atrix dock is?

I thought it was $500 for the phone and dock.

 

[drexappeal]

I thought it was $500 for the phone and dock.

I really don't know. That's why I was asking.

 

[horn34]

The Atrix dock is $500, phone not included.

Amazon.com: AT&T Laptop Dock for Motorola ATRIX 4G (Retail Packaging): Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[busted bones]

Damn that's way expensive. I remember a lot of place had a sale on it though right after it came out.

 

[twospirits]

i can live with that. Just may take a bit longer to get the money.

TS

 

[bupolo]

Who really cares what apple does. I know I don't. As long as my camera prevents me from needing a point and shoot camera, I'm good. Apple's rear camera lens was researched to be the same lens on iphone4 as evo and one other phone I'm pretty sure...it's posted in evo forums.

As for laptop dock, I can't see it being $500. Is that how much the atrix dock is?

I recall the Evo had a lens that was same/similar to the iphone4 but the iPhone4 is still viewed as having the superior camera because of the light sensor and some other stuff I don't understand.

I don't think the Evo has a camera that's good enough to not take another camera if you're going anywhere interesting, which I think is such a bummer. I am just hoping the Photon have a camera that's as good as can be on a cell phone (that was the only reason I am referencing Apple, I don't own apple products).

 

[busted bones]

I recall the Evo had a lens that was same/similar to the iphone4 but the iPhone4 is still viewed as having the superior camera because of the light sensor and some other stuff I don't understand.

I don't think the Evo has a camera that's good enough to not take another camera if you're going anywhere interesting, which I think is such a bummer. I am just hoping the Photon have a camera that's as good as can be on a cell phone (that was the only reason I am referencing Apple, I don't own apple products).

The auto settings on the EVo are a bit out of whack, Ive played around with the settings on my phones camera and gotten better pictures manually setting it up than relying on the auto settings. I dont know how that would compare to the iPhone 4s pictures since Ive never had one near me to compare.

 

[drexappeal]

I recall the Evo had a lens that was same/similar to the iphone4 but the iPhone4 is still viewed as having the superior camera because of the light sensor and some other stuff I don't understand.

I don't think the Evo has a camera that's good enough to not take another camera if you're going anywhere interesting, which I think is such a bummer. I am just hoping the Photon have a camera that's as good as can be on a cell phone (that was the only reason I am referencing Apple, I don't own apple products).

I have been completely happy with the evo camera, so as long as the photon is as good or better, I'll be happy.

And yes, you're right about I phone camera based on light sensor, but I didn't really think the I phone camera was stop dramatically better as reviews said.

 

[bupolo]

Thanks Guys!

 

[mkvoran]

Does anyone know if the camera on this phone is 'dual stage'? I just found out (of course) that my 9630 blackberry actually has a dual stage button! All this time.... DOH.

Anyway - anyone know if it does? Shawheim?

 

[drexappeal]

Does anyone know if the camera on this phone is 'dual stage'? I just found out (of course) that my 9630 blackberry actually has a dual stage button! All this time.... DOH.

Anyway - anyone know if it does? Shawheim?

That's a good question. I'd like to know as well.

On the video that shawheim did, I was surprised at how smooth the zoom was and how clear it remained until of course it got to the end of the zoom area (which for any phone camera, gets a little blurry). Just the fact that you can zoom while in the process of recording a video is just a big plus for me.

 

[busted bones]

Dual stage camera?

 

[mkvoran]

Dual stage camera?

Sorry - I should clarify. I mean to ask if the dedicated BUTTON is dual stage. meaning, a half press focuses, and a full press shoots.

 

[ScrapMaker]

The OG Evo Camera is not really that great... especially noisy in low-light environments... Evo 3D isn't any better... those who claim that are just feeling light-headed from the dual-core awesomeness...

The specs are different for the iPhone4 camera versus Evo 4G, but are similar... not sure why they come out so much better though.... (they do)

 

[busted bones]

Sorry - I should clarify. I mean to ask if the dedicated BUTTON is dual stage. meaning, a half press focuses, and a full press shoots.

Ohhh, ok. That makes sense.

 

[EarlyMon]

The top line Motorola phones seem to always feature a superior camera. I'd be surprised if the Photon didn't far surpass the Evo in this regard, and I'm on record as an Evo camera supporter, if that means anything.

The OG Evo Camera is not really that great... especially noisy in low-light environments... Evo 3D isn't any better... those who claim that are just feeling light-headed from the dual-core awesomeness...

Please attack only issues, not people for their personal views, thanks.

 

[Bandage]

The Atrix Lapdock is $299 @ Best Buy. Still overpriced, as we can get a Honeycomb Tablet for not much more.

I fully intend to get my hands on one however, just to see if it can be modified to work with the Photon. Pretty sure it can be MacGyver'd using micro usb & hdmi extension cables...but I'd rather see a more convenient solution.

 

[drexappeal]

I may not have my phone yet, but you better believe I'm prepared for tomorrow!

Purchased from the only Sprint store in the local 15 mile radius that had both in stock, so I got my premier 25 percent off. Picked up dry install invisible shield, which didn't even have packaging yet, but probably won't use the full thing, just the screen protector until the sgp screen protector is made.

If anybody wants to buy the back and side skin off me, 10 bux shipped via paypal gets it, but if you use credit card through paypal, I'll have 2 charge extra cuz of the fee.

 

[drexappeal]

Here are some pics of what comes in the Motorola Photon specific Car Dock and HD Station boxes:

Car Dock

- Dual USB port car charger

-3.5mm adaptor

- Car Dock (w/ USB input slot)

- USB to micro USB charger

- My impression compared to the HTC EVO 4G car dock. It's better prepared overall to offer up a good experience for a phone specific car dock. I wish they designed it so that the charging port is on the base of the dock, like HTC, so that when you swivel the phone from side to side, it doesn't move the charging chord. Nontheless, it still a very nice looking phone specific dock and I personally feel like it was worth the money I spent, especially with the 25% off.

HD Station

- Wall charger

- HDMI cable

- Remote control

- Dock

- Impression: It seems pretty cool. Not sure how much I'll end up using it in th end, but glad I got it with the 25% premiere discount. The fact that it has a remote control gives it a definite 1-up on the original EVO dock.

 

[Thrasherx2k1]

Nice pics! Where can I buy the car dock? Also how do you get the 25% off? Do you have to be premier gold? Or will silver work too?