KOLIO

I thought I would eventually give a QWERTY slider a shot if a decent one came to SPRINT.
However, after handling a SAMSUNG TRANSFORM ULTRA yesterday,I couldn't bring myself to use it & proceeded to use the on-screen keyboard to set-up a co-worker's WI-FI.

If MOTOROLA released a vertical slider, akin to the AT&T version of the BlackBerry Torch, I might consider it.
But otherwise,no way, the experience of using a horizontal QWERTY slider was akin to putting the training wheels back on a bicycle long after the need is gone.

drexappeal

Well, with the most recent leak about the Sprint version only having 16gb internal...it kinda takes away one of the intriguing aspects of that phone, for me...unless, of course, they do offer the higher internal storage versions w/ a microsd slot.

Nontheless, I'm banking on the end of this month for more "leaks" to come out.

Last year, earliest leak was end of March (rumored that the Atrix or X2 and Xoom would be heading to Sprint also...which ended up being half correct):
Rumor: Motorola Atrix and Xoom headed to Sprint 4G next month | Android and Me

Then it was talk of a "tegra 2" device (without a name), at the end of May (that's a 2 month gap):
Rumor: Sprint is finally getting a Tegra 2 Android phone next month | Android and Me

Next day, Photon name was leaked:
Rumor: Sprint’s Motorola Phone to be Called the Motorola Photon 4G, Early Details Inside

So, even though there haven't been any "early" leaks (except for the end of April), I'd expect to hear more at the end of this month...and more definitive information/rumors than the little tidbit we've heard so far.

__________________
For those that don't have the SGS3, but want pop-up video
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gpc.myweb.hinet.net.PopupVideo#?t=W251b GwsMSwxLDIxMiwiZ3BjLm15d2ViLmhpbmV0Lm5ldC5Qb3B1cFZ pZGVvIl0

busted bones

Seems weird to not have the slide out part be the same width as the rest of the phone.

__________________
Never forget before buying a phone Motorola breaks their promise of updates.

simcha

I think I'm with you on this one. I don't think I could ever go back to a slider now that I've mastered my touch screen. Sliders seem so clunky by comparison now.

And, I have to say this, I wouldn't want another slider due to my terrible experience with Samsung's Epic. That keyboard started falling apart on me and that was the final straw that made me go out and get my Photon.

__________________
Happy LTEvo owner. When do I get to play music with everyone?

drexappeal

That's the thing. The Motorola Droid 4 is actually the same level of thickness as the Photon, by comparison. Of course, the level of thickness is always measured from the thickest part of the phone (so the overall thickness is still more on the Droid 4). I'm not saying that I'd get a qwerty phone anymore (after transitioning over to the EVO and swype, I can never see myself going back), but I do no people on my plan and others that would like superphone with a qwerty slider offering from Sprint.

We'll just have to see what happens. My guess is that the Q stands for Qualcomm, not qwerty or quad-core.

mak916

My sister in law really wants a qwerty slider phone from Sprint. My wife would prefer one too. So if Motorola would make a good one for Sprint, it might be a good thing.

Gogators1974

If you think that a keyboard would be put on the next photon ur nuts.. Nobody uses keyboards or landscape.. More ppl use portrait mode

drexappeal

Exactly. With the new screens, nails make it difficult for females. There are other family members that just don't like the concept of having a virtual keyboard over a physical keyboard. Nontheless, even though HTC is moving away from that, doesn't mean Motorola shouldn't expand the providers that carry the Droid! That, by far, is the thinnest form factor I've seen on any slideout qwerty. Unbelievable how they accomplished that.

I know the "droid" monicur (sp?) is a verizon exclusive, but I can't see any reason they couldn't just re-brand it...unless verizon has exclusivity to the design also.

mak916

I don't think they would put a keyboard on a Photon. But I do think it would be a good idea for Motorola to continue to make phones with keyboards. If you look around you will notice more women with the Samsung Epic than men. And the reason "nobody uses keyboards" is because they are not as available anymore. Make them more available and you will see more people with them. By the way, I typed this in landscape mode. Lol.

mak916

Which Droid has the slide out keyboard? There are so many Droids, its always hard for me to keep up with them all.

KOLIO

MOTOROLA has 4 in the line-up. DROID, D2, D3, & D4.

Last edited by KOLIO; May 9th, 2012 at 10:16 PM.

mak916

Thanks, I'm going to check them out on YouTube.

drexappeal

Yeah, it basically took what the g2 had and made it better. When the original Droid was released on verizon, I was hoping sprint would come out with one with the same format also, but they never did. After that, I decided to go with the evo and I've not wanted to go back to a slideout qwerty phone ever since.

Nontheless, that phone also played a factor in my not wanting to consider a qwerty, unless it was just as thin, regardless of manufacturer.

drexappeal

There's still a demand for it. Just not as much as historically in the past.

drexappeal

If only this was done, prior to the MoPhoQ supposedly being in the works:

Motorola files patent application for anti-smear display tech -- Engadget

That would be pretty darn cool.

mak916

I wonder if this can be applied to screen protectors.

JinCA

I would really love a higher spec version of the droid razr maxx that is a world phone for the next photon. I love the fact that the razr maxx is actually durable and splash resistant and it seems to be a great phone. I have and evo 3d and had the OG evo as well. I like the evo 4g lte but I think I'm going to wait on my final upgrade and see what motorola offers for their next phone instead of going straight to another evo again. With all the upgrades in cameras from HTC and Samsung I hope Motorola does the same and really ups the quality for the next photon's camera as well.

I'm kind of a stickler for good voice quality on a cell phone and from what I hear nobody matches motorola in that regard.

drexappeal

Before the mopho, I had only HTC. The mopho radios are awesome, much better than htc, and I had no complaints about htc radios.

drexappeal

If ATT is getting the Motorola Asanti, I'm thinking that maybe there are some legs to the Photon Q being a Qwerty phone...but, I'd bet that it isn't the "successor" to the Photon:

Motorola XT898 to be GSM version of DROID 4

I'm banking on Sprint expanding their Moto lineup to offering a Qwerty Photon and non-Qwerty Photon (e.g. Photon 2). That would be absolutely ideal, since I'll be upgrading one of my current lines with a Qwerty Android from Sprint (and am only going top tier).

I've really enjoyed my Photon up until this point and as much as I like the LTEvo, if Motorola offers a "true" successor to the Photon (something that is just as good spec-wise, with possibly a bigger battery (but slim form factor), I'll be extremely happy.

EngineofRuin

Leak Reveals Motorola Smartphones for Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T Networks

drexappeal

Seems like they're just re-iterating rumors and putting the "new" spin that the Qwerty is going to be a canybar, front facing keyboard. I don't really like the sound of that. And that's not likely to be the qwerty form factor that the person on my secondary line would want.

As long as they come out with a candybar (touch only) that's similar in size and specs as the RAZR HD and a "true" successor to the MoPho, I'll be fine. Otherwise, LTEvo might be my upgrade choice.

EngineofRuin

Same here, whenever the EVO LTE actually gets to the stores. MoPho was my first android/smartphone for a very short time and I just need another good device ASAP.

drexappeal

I'm fine with waiting until August or September. By then, all of the potential choices should be announced and/or released.

drexappeal

Ugh, if the PocketNow "insiders" are correct...LTEvo is looking better and better:

Motorola Roadmap Leaks Out: AT&T, Sprint and Verizon to Get New Phones*-*Eastern Morning Herald

I sure hope they're wrong about Sprint going with a completely different form factor in a front facing Qwerty on the follow-up. That would be the most disappointing thing to hear ever. I think the only way I'd actually consider that is, if it was as thin as the Droid 4 (currently listed with the same thickness as the Photon), w/ a 4.3 inch screen and the front facing qwerty was a slider like the Palm Pre! Now that is something I might not mind at all, especially if it's no thicker than the current Photon (or possibly even thinner).

I thought we'd have more leaks by now, but the more time goes on, the more I feel like Sprint is dropping the ball on pushing for better Motorola superphones.

EngineofRuin

Have no interest in a slider or keyboard. Don't understand that at all if true, Photon had rough edges but was a really nice device, especially when rooted. I actually liked the design, it was different. Moto has/had a real sleeper in some ways with the Photon, an upgrade and some better marketing from both companies might see it as a real competitor. This is just an immense stepback otherwise, don't understand the thinking unless it will be offered in two versions. One without a keyboard.

ljbad4life

I really just want an upgraded Photon, maybe a little slimmer. I have shed a need for a physical keyboard and, I'm not going back. I could do a slider, but not a candybar with a keyboard.. Sadly not one of Sprint's LTE capable phones are world phones, so I'm jammed in a corner. I'm tired of not getting 4g in most buildings (but have good 4g reception in my home where I have wifi). I have and do travel overseas, so it's a necessity for me to have world phone capabilities.

I chose the photon because it was the perfect balance of work and play. That I can use it for my business and then turn around and watch a move or play a game.

rant/ I want a tegra 3 chipset. Yes I know that snapdragon is slightly faster at most tasks, but I actually play games on my phone to pass the time (on trains, planes and boats even!) I'm not impressed that not one of the new uberphones is powerful enough to emulate ps2. I might just skip this round of phones until quad core is jumping.

drexappeal

Not likely to see a tegra 3 device anytime soon due to the issue with lte compatibility.

drexappeal

I just hope for the Photon successor to be like the Atrix 2 Successor (aka Dinara):
AT&T Motorola Dinara (Atrix 3) gets pictured for the first time, may launch in July » Unwired View

drexappeal

I'd be even more happy if the Photon Successor is like the RAZR HD!
Motorola Droid RAZR HD Blurrycam Images Leak, Doesn't Really Show Anything New

Ugh, but still no news on Sprint's offering from Motorola yet. I hope no news will be great surprising news that shocks all of us into putting in pre-orders. Otherwise, I'll be going over to LTEvo or SGS III (as of right now).

drexappeal

Maybe a bigger version of this, is a more realistic assumption:

Motorola unveils dual-core XT760 for China - GSMArena.com news

simcha

Geez, I've been gone a while and it's like nothing but tumble weeds have been passing through.

Yeah, if Sprint and Motorola are going to release a front facing candybar QWERTY as the Photon's successor, I'm out. There's no chance I would ever consider another QWERTY phone. I would definitely lean heavily toward HTC. The LTEvo is looking better and better.

I'm loathe to leave Motorola because I sincerely believe that Motorola, once completely brought under the direction of Google, will have the best pure Android experience.

But, it looks like Sprint and Motorola might be splitsville. Verizon and AT&T are getting all of the cool Motorola phones. We're stuck with Samsung (utter and complete crap), the rotten fruit, and HTC. At least we have one quality manufacturer in the Sprint line-up, HTC.

I just get the feeling that Sprint may not want Motorola phones for some reason. I just don't understand their cozy relationship with Samsung. Motorola has a proven track record. Samsung's track record is, well, crap. Maybe Samsung is improving with their GS2 and the GS3. For me it doesn't matter. If it's made by Samsung, it won't be coming home with me. And that goes double for the rotten fruit that features components made by Samsung.

I guess I'm left with HTC on Sprint.

ljbad4life

That's a misnomer that needs to be put to bed. Tegra 3 IS compatible with LTE in the same way Tegra 2 is compatible with Wimax. Both do not have the 4g chip onboard/intergated into the SOC. That just means that a manufacterer would have to added a seperate module for LTE the same way motorola added a separate module for the Photon (which everyone said was incompatible too). iT actually seems like more of a spat between nvidia and qualcomm.

Read the rest Here

Having the 4g module onboard saves a ton on space and "power consumption". Power savings is greatly overhyped because all of the 4g lte phones sprint offers (particularly the LTEvo) have the snapdragon SOC with the onboard 4g module and people are getting the SAME battery life as I am(the most power savings would come from a low power consumption screen more than an integrated 4g chip IMHO).

drexappeal

Yeah, I read that article. I understand, but timing is no good for phones coming out within the next couple months. 3q was projected date that they would figure it out completely, but it's not likely that'll be enough time to integrate in phones releasing 3q. 4q phones are more realistic.

ljbad4life

After thinking about it, I have a sneaking suspicion that qualcomm is back to its old tricks. samsung's Exynos quad core chips are in the same boat. I think the royalty on Qualcomm's separate LTE module is priced outrageous. So it's cheaper just to go with qualcomm's snapdragon until they can produce their own LTE on SOC. Qualcomm is trying to keep the other chip makers out of the LTE game as long as possible through anti competitive measures.

djw39

Not sure what you are comparing- the power savings is that when you're on LTE it should be more efficient than say the Thunderbolt was on Verizon.
Now, what I've read is that Motorola has some superior CDMA radios. I think Sprint devices all are struggling now because they are trying to hold a weak/slow 3g signal. Once network upgrades are complete everyone's battery life should improve. But I am also waiting to see what Moto brings because they have in general good radios and big batteries.

drexappeal

I've had htc, samsung, and lg phones. Motorola has definitely had best radios of all the phones.

Orion

I'm guessing there will be more news once the GS3 drops. I was going to buy the EVO LTE this weekend but something told me not to go for it. Don't get me wrong...its a great phone but I just can't see myself adding another two years with it for some reason. I'm not interested in the GS3 though I will play with it when it comes out. At this point I'm willing to give any company a try. I been eligible for an upgrade since Feb and my two year contract is already done. I'm still using my 2 year old OG EVO and I'm thirsting for some new tech lol. I hope Sprint and Motorola hits a homerun with the sequel to the Photon. If the specs are better or on par with the competition, I'll definitely get it. If not, I'll just wait for the rumored Nexus phones in fall. At this point I'm a like a free agent testing the waters. It's frustrating and fun at the same time.

djw39

From what I can tell Motorola will stick pretty close to stock with their ICS skin. Coming from a Nexus this is very appealing to me. In the past their screen quality has been a step behind though. Hoping we will see a substantial step forward with the next generation phones.

Orion

That's what I'm hoping too. Motorola needs to compete with HTC and Samsung as far as screens go. If they can and add to the fact they have the stock ICS look....they will definitely be one of my choices to upgrade.

drexappeal

While I'd love to say that they'll announce something once the SGS 3 is released next week, but my gut says that even the LG superphone will be announced prior to Motorola's follow-up to the Photon. Only reason I speculate that is based on all of the leaks for the LG superphone, as well as the mid-level qwerty phone.

My best guess right now would be Motorola releasing their follow-up to the MoPho in August at the earliest (although I hope I'm wrong).

I think they will. Especially now that they're an official Google owned company and led by a former Google exec, I can't imagine future Motorola devices having a bloated UI. I also can see them unlocking the bootloader from the start.

Motorola is in a better position, now that it's owned by Google. The trick now is how Google is able to have Motorola run and increase sales, while also not pissing off their other "big" partners (e.g. HTC, Samsung, and LG).

Gogators1974

If you think the next photon or whatever devise it is will be released by Sept ur nutts.. Three months before the july 20 release of the photon specs and pics were already released. And already on sprint forums its very likely that moto and sprint possibly are splits ville. Just look on moto forums. Supposedly the radios on the ssg3 are quite a bit better. That's what makes the world of cell phones go round an round. If ya got crappy radios the phone is crappy. And naturally moto has the best radios

Gogators1974

And its simple rules of sales and marketing. If something isn't marketed in won't sale. If something isnt sold then it will not be marketed.

drexappeal

Just to clear up some details. The original Photon was released on July 31, not July 20.

On top of that, sales and marketing for a product don't always determine initial sales of a product. The original EVO was not marketed all that well, prior to its release, but the numbers were way beyond what Sprint expected and launched the entire industry into a frenzy of trying to "1 up" one another.

Now, if we're talking about what's going to happen with a follow-up for the Photon, unless somebody can confirm that they work with Motorola directly, anything that's mentioned in this thread has to be taken with a grain of salt. There's absolutely no way to predict what will happen.

The original Photon did leak at the end of April, with more specs than we've been given for a follow-up phone. Obviously, right now, the only leak for a follow-up Photon is the MoPhoQ that was rumored last month and no definitive specs mentioned, just guesses. That said, the timeframe of release for each superphone has been slightly different.

LTEvo's official launch last weekend (June 2 or 3, can't remember which day) was delayed from the original release, even though Best Buy orders did come around a couple weeks after the original release was planned.

The SGS 3 is set to release next week, which is early compared to the Epic, 2 years ago (August release), and the Epic touch last year (Sept. release).

Since the SGS 3 release is significantly earlier, and there have been good leaks for the LG phones coming out, I'd venture to guess that LG is up next, for release of their products in July.

The only major player remaining is Motorola. I'm still keeping my eyes out for news every day, but again...all of this is just hypothtetical guessing, with exception to "official" news that has been announced with LTEvo and the SGS 3. I'm not exactly sure why people get so bent out of shape because anybody that puts out information on the blogs...they're just making as educated of guesses as they possibly can, as well.

simcha

Drex,

I hear you. And I think we're all just whistling in the dark. But then again, some great tunes come out of that...

I'm still wondering what the future is going to bring for Motorola with Sprint. Sprint bought Nextel which used to offer many Motorola phones. Back in the day Sprint offered several Motorola phones.

Today?

Sprint offers 0 Motorola phones.

AT&T and Verizon seem to get all of the newest and greatest Motorola products. Sprint got a great one in the MoPho, but really, it's a slightly different Atrix...

The silence is deafening to me. It appears that Sprint has very cozy relationships with Samsung especially and HTC secondary. LG is probably third. Where does that leave Motorola in Sprint's line-up?

I don't know. All I can say is that it's not looking very good right now and I don't understand why.

KOLIO

Now would be the time for MOTOROLA to make their move w/a powerhouse phone on the NOW NETWORK, especially as VZW is certainly alienating some MOTOROLA owners/fans w/their moves to push users off of unlimited data plans, & give new subscribers an alternative to BIG RED.

FWIW, the PHOTON is still available brand new via MOTOROLA, but, that option isn't going to appeal to the masses @ full retail pricing in the neighborhood of $550

drexappeal

I hear ya. And I do agree that the silence is scary, especially considering the relationship Sprint has developed with Samsung, HTC, and now Apple. That said, the glimmer of hope that I have about it is the fact that Motorola is now officially a Google company. Like Kolio said in the quote below, now is actually the perfect timing for Googorola to make their move with a powerhouse superphone on the Now Network! Google's business model is built around providing as much content to the users as possible without needing to charge them (ala Apple and Microsoft). That concept falls perfectly in line with Sprint's business model, so it's a 'bit puzzling to me that Motorola hasn't stepped up their efforts in increasing their visability with Sprint. The huge disadvantage Sprint has is not being able to pay for the multitude of offerings that Verizon or ATT have for Android phones. They have to be a 'bit more selective. What we can only hope for is that all the "silence" is just the "calm before the storm." There's no doubt in my mind that I'd choose a Motorola phone over HTC and Samsung, if Sprint offered a superphone that had the same (if not better) specs than the LTEvo and SGS 3 combined...but to expect that would be the worse thing one could do for themselves. As of right now, I'd be able to justify an upgrade to the LTEvo, SGS 3, or LG Eclipse without having problems with it, but at the same time...a Motorola superphone on Sprint would just put me over the top. At this point, because of all the silence, I'm just hoping that it's the "glass half full" theory in that it's the "calm before the storm." If not, then all we can do is hope that Googorola figures out the advantages they'd have in selling Sprint on increasing their lineup offerings for their phones. Only thing I can see preventing that is if Verizon has an "exclusive" with Motorola. Afterall, the Razr Maxx is outselling the iPhone on that network, so it's possible that Motorola gets more money from Verizon (than any of the other networks) for distribution on Motorola superphones.

Here's another thing to consider, as well. Sprint is going through the Network Vision plan and already laid out a roadmap for completion by the end of 2014 (that's for the LTE rollouts, as well as the shutting down of iDen networks and conversion to 800mhz spectrum for "added" 3g coverage). Maybe Google is waiting it out until Sprint has completed the Network Vision upgrades, so that they have a "bigger" selling point. With Motorola's reputation of having the best radios of all the cell manufacturers, just think how much easier it would be for Google to sell to Sprint when Sprint is finally competing with Verizon on coverage? And at that point, Google doesn't have to drop their costs for Sprint purchasing rights to sell more variations of Google's superphones, including Nexus phones. It'll be very interesting to see how things change within the next couple years. If all goes well with Network Vision, I could easily see a change in the industry where people start clamoring to change their provider to Sprint...that's assuming, all goes as planned (which is not something that can really be predicted).

simcha

Yeah, I think there are so many variables these days with Sprint. We don't really know how Network Vision will turn out. The promises sound great. Then again, the promises for WIMAX were great too.

I agree that Googorola would do well to pair up with Sprint because they seem to have similar business models.

If Sprint delivers on Network Vision, I believe that it will be a game changer. If they can keep unlimited data and Network Vision is everything that they promised it to be, then Sprint should blow Verizon and AT&T out of the water. Of course, marketing will have to be on par with Verizon and AT&T to inform potential customers. Who knows what financial shape Sprint will be in once (if) it delivers on Network Vision.

I just hope that we do see something come out of Sprint/Motorola this year. I'm definitely upgrading by the end of the year and I'd like to continue with Motorola because I know they have the best radios and I believe in the future of Googorola.

But again, we're all just whistling in the dark. LOL...

drexappeal

Marketing is a big dilemma Sprint faces now and I'd imagine they'll still have the same dilemma once Network Vision has been completely finished. Sprint doesn't have the budget that Verizon and ATT have, due to their lagging behind in profit margin and having been unable to really "compete" with the top 2. That said, "word of mouth" is an extermely powerful tool. That's how the original EVO got to be so popular to the "general" consumers. The marketing leading up to that release wasn't that "great," but as soon as people started to talk about it after the release, Sprint couldn't even keep up with the demands. It was a game changer. I'm sure they're hoping that the Network Vision plans will be a game changer as well...we'll just have to be patient to see if it lives up to the expectations. If not, Sprint will be in a much worse position than they currently are in.

drexappeal

Google I/O is in 2 weeks.

https://developers.google.com/events/io/

Cross your fingers that the Googorola superphones will at least be talked about or we hear more info on whether Sprint will have a good offering this year or not.

Citizen Coyote

As disappointing as it is, I would not be surprised if Sprint's new Photon has a front-facing qwerty keyboard. Remember that the Photon was supposed to be as much a business phone as a consumer phone, and what brand is/was most associated with business phones? RIM/Blackberry, and their famous front keyboards. Sigh.

I'm not holding out a ton of hope for the Photon's successor at this point. Both the LTEvo and the GS3 look pretty nifty, and they'll both have the kinks worked out (hopefully!) by the time my upgrade rolls around in August (and by the time a new Photon might be released). Unless the MoPho2 is a turbocharged torpedo, it will have a hard time competing against those two. Sprint must know this, so a "different" phone (aka one with a physical keyboard) may be what they feel is needed to stand out.

But time will tell, and I hope Moto has something special to show us soon.