should I be getting the Atrix?

[antioch216]

first all, I'm new. And new to Android. I'm using an Iphone 3G I got when they're prices dropped. I'm ready to switch to Android now, and the Atrix is looking like my next phone (I upgrade on the 10th). I grandfathered into Unlimited, and from my understanding, as long as I never dock it, I'll keep unlimited as well as still receive "4G". I've never been interested in either docks, so that whole fiasco doesn't really concern me. I'm more buying the phone for the specs and overall awesomeness.

But before I do switch over, I have a couple questions:

I know nobody knows how locked the bootloader is, but what are the chances of it being unlocked and stuff? And what all would I miss out on if it never gets unlocked?

Is it foolish to get this even without any of the docks, being that they seem to be part of the whole package? I mean, just getting the phone by itself and looking at it like that...just another smartphone without the webtop.

And lastly, is there anything to be aware of about the Atrix that maybe I haven't noticed that might be bad about it? (besides the docks and plans)

 

[mthguy]

you wqould only keep the unlimited if you purchased the phone outright, with out contract subsidy. meaning like 499. itf you got it for 199, they will make you sign a new contract and pick from the current options when you do. I am in the same boat, and am going to try adnd tell ATT that I am going to go to verizon for unlimited since they won't let me keep my unlimited from my iphone.

also they laptop docking / data plan garbage seems to indicate that they count the laptop dock as tethering. and as such, you would need to sign up for the data pro plan to get subsidy on it (an extra 15 a month and you get an extra 2GB for a total of 4GB/month) a bunch of garbage really.

All you miss out on with a locked bootloader is custom ROMs not based on motorola's kernel. which means no cyangenmod.

 

[knappkd]

you wqould only keep the unlimited if you purchased the phone outright, with out contract subsidy. meaning like 499. itf you got it for 199, they will make you sign a new contract and pick from the current options when you do.

Completely untrue. Only way you have to give up grandfathered plan is if you buy the laptop dock as part of the bundle. Or if you start using the firefox browser in the webtop application and AT&T is able to track, which I am sure they will since it will be downloading data from the full websites not mobile sites. Simply buying the phone on subsidy will not cost you the data plan.

 

[Devinclfalcons]

you wqould only keep the unlimited if you purchased the phone outright, with out contract subsidy. meaning like 499. itf you got it for 199, they will make you sign a new contract and pick from the current options when you do. I am in the same boat, and am going to try adnd tell ATT that I am going to go to verizon for unlimited since they won't let me keep my unlimited from my iphone.

also they laptop docking / data plan garbage seems to indicate that they count the laptop dock as tethering. and as such, you would need to sign up for the data pro plan to get subsidy on it (an extra 15 a month and you get an extra 2GB for a total of 4GB/month) a bunch of garbage really.

All you miss out on with a locked bootloader is custom ROMs not based on motorola's kernel. which means no cyangenmod.

I thought if you had unlimited they let you keep it even when upgrading??

 

[AndreaCristiano]

Also the bootloader will be completely locked.down ..

 

[s.m.knipe]

I thought if you had unlimited they let you keep it even when upgrading??

This was my understanding after talking with their sales associates as well...

 

[s.m.knipe]

Also the bootloader will be completely locked.down ..

That can be gotten around by those who want to, just as the Desire HD's (and highly probably the Inspire's as well) eMMC chip (the HTC version of E Fuze) has been by Paul at MoDoCo. This seems to be the way that manufacturers are trying to protect their devices, I just wonder what the next generation will be...

 

[antioch216]

well, I jailbroke mt iPhone within the first 4 months, so I kind of have a general idea of "hacking" (though JBing was literally 3 clicks)

I'm not sure I'd want to root right away, or whenever it comes out, so I'm not too concerned. To be honest, I'm kind of just wanting emulators and Roms, so do I need to root for any of that? Andddd I'm used to using Installous to get apps for my iPhone...at a discount...if you know what I mean...do Android phones have anything like that?

 

[sean76]

Like Andrea said...That bootloader is Locked up! Meaning Hog Tied down...Moto hates the hack community, as does at&t!

 

[mthguy]

My understanding is that, If you want Contract pricing, they will require a contract (hence the name) and they will not give you a contract to sign that has an outdated plan on it. they have you by the balls, are you really going to buy the phone full price (probably like 600 or 650) or are you going to take a slight reduction in total bill (30 to 25) and have a 2GB limit. they have no reason to alllow you to continue with your unlimited plan.

Also, they did not allow upgrading iphone 3G users to maintain their unlimited plans when upgrading to Iphone 4's, as such, I don't see them letting you do so via android.

 

[MosIncredible]

I'm in the same boat as you and I'm 90% sure I want this phone. As soon as I'm able to clarify that I can keep my unlimited data, that will move to 100%. I was able to keep my unlimited plan when I upgraded to the Torch (returned in a hurry) from a Bold 9000. They just extended my contract 2 years. I've got 9 years with AT&T so I'm sure I have some above average bargaining power if they try to force the 2GB plan on me.

 

[lsutigers03]

My understanding is that, If you want Contract pricing, they will require a contract (hence the name) and they will not give you a contract to sign that has an outdated plan on it. they have you by the balls, are you really going to buy the phone full price (probably like 600 or 650) or are you going to take a slight reduction in total bill (30 to 25) and have a 2GB limit. they have no reason to alllow you to continue with your unlimited plan.

Also, they did not allow upgrading iphone 3G users to maintain their unlimited plans when upgrading to Iphone 4's, as such, I don't see them letting you do so via android.

This is wrong. You can buy a phone at the subsidized price and keep your unlimited plan. I've done it since AT&T took away unlimited data and I've done it with talk plans.

 

[mthguy]

This is wrong. You can buy a phone at the subsidized price and keep your unlimited plan. I've done it since AT&T took away unlimited data and I've done it with talk plans.

I have always been told otherwise by store reps. If this is true what do I need to say to get my plan to stay unlimited?

 

[lsutigers03]

I have always been told otherwise by store reps. If this is true what do I need to say to get my plan to stay unlimited?

Simply tell them you want to keep it. They can't take away grandfathered plans regardless of what they say. The only way you'll lose it is if you change to a tiered plan. If they won't let you then go somewhere else because you can keep it.

 

[Willy Willy]

My understanding is that, If you want Contract pricing, they will require a contract (hence the name) and they will not give you a contract to sign that has an outdated plan on it. they have you by the balls, are you really going to buy the phone full price (probably like 600 or 650) or are you going to take a slight reduction in total bill (30 to 25) and have a 2GB limit. they have no reason to alllow you to continue with your unlimited plan.

Also, they did not allow upgrading iphone 3G users to maintain their unlimited plans when upgrading to Iphone 4's, as such, I don't see them letting you do so via android.

Your nuts!!!!!
I will ask you a dumb question so u can realize how dumb you sound.... If I was on an old 700 min for $29 with nights at 7pm and I sin a new contract I keep that plan I am just locked in for 2 more years.... If I EVER change that I CAN NOT go back.... This is the same with the data
I use between 1.3 - 1.9 gb a month but I pay for unlimited because I WILL NOT loose it and i know in te future I will need it.

I think you guys are wrong about the hd doc and webtop... I don't think you need to tether for the HD doc webtop which means I won't loose my unlimited.

 

[lsutigers03]

Your nuts!!!!!
I will ask you a dumb question so u can realize how dumb you sound.... If I was on an old 700 min for $29 with nights at 7pm and I sin a new contract I keep that plan I am just locked in for 2 more years.... If I EVER change that I CAN NOT go back.... This is the same with the data
I use between 1.3 - 1.9 gb a month but I pay for unlimited because I WILL NOT loose it and i know in te future I will need it.

I think you guys are wrong about the hd doc and webtop... I don't think you need to tether for the HD doc webtop which means I won't loose my unlimited.

No need to insult the guy. He was simply told incorrect information by AT&T reps. Also there's been a topic already about the HD dock. You can keep unlimited data.

 

[barry99705]

Also, they did not allow upgrading iphone 3G users to maintain their unlimited plans when upgrading to Iphone 4's, as such, I don't see them letting you do so via android.

Yes they do. My wife went from the 3Gs to the 4. She still has unlimited data.

 

[DT]

This is wrong. You can buy a phone at the subsidized price and keep your unlimited plan. I've done it since AT&T took away unlimited data and I've done it with talk plans.

I migrated my now unavailable-to-new-contracts unlimited plan as well (during my upgrade to my Captivate, sub'ed at $200 with a 2 year contract extension).

I will say that you'll likely need to do a walk in to a corporate store - AT&T online or any of the non-AT&T retailers (Best Buy, Radio Shack, etc.) can only offer current plans. That's one reason I paid a little more vs. buying online.

Your nuts!!!!!
I will ask you a dumb question so u can realize how dumb you sound.... If I was on an old 700 min for $29 with nights at 7pm and I sin a new contract I keep that plan I am just locked in for 2 more years.... If I EVER change that I CAN NOT go back.... This is the same with the data
I use between 1.3 - 1.9 gb a month but I pay for unlimited because I WILL NOT loose it and i know in te future I will need it.

I think you guys are wrong about the hd doc and webtop... I don't think you need to tether for the HD doc webtop which means I won't loose my unlimited.

The irony is so painful I almost had a seizure.

 

[scrounger]

A) If you have an unlimited data plan, you will be able to keep it unless you would like to add tethering since that is only available with DataPro (2gb) plan.
B) If you had an unlimited plan, then you upgraded your phone (iPhone) and it was taken off, then you should call AT&T and request it back. It has been reported that it is being done.

The contract is that you will use AT&T service for two years. The plan is independent and could be changed at any time.

 

[knappkd]

My understanding is that, If you want Contract pricing, they will require a contract (hence the name) and they will not give you a contract to sign that has an outdated plan on it. they have you by the balls, are you really going to buy the phone full price (probably like 600 or 650) or are you going to take a slight reduction in total bill (30 to 25) and have a 2GB limit. they have no reason to alllow you to continue with your unlimited plan.

Also, they did not allow upgrading iphone 3G users to maintain their unlimited plans when upgrading to Iphone 4's, as such, I don't see them letting you do so via android.

Ummmm. Yes they did. I had a 3g, 3gs, and now I4 and was able to keep my data plan when upgrading each time.

 

[Loriolus]

well, I jailbroke mt iPhone within the first 4 months, so I kind of have a general idea of "hacking" (though JBing was literally 3 clicks)

I'm not sure I'd want to root right away, or whenever it comes out, so I'm not too concerned. To be honest, I'm kind of just wanting emulators and Roms, so do I need to root for any of that? Andddd I'm used to using Installous to get apps for my iPhone...at a discount...if you know what I mean...do Android phones have anything like that?

"at a discount" lol....yeah....I used to have moto milestone before I switched to iphone 4, and I used 4shared to get my apps at a "discount". There are other ways too but as far as I remember there's no installous type of program. However, unless you hack the phone you won't be able to use sites like 4shared of course. About the atrix, I wish moto kept the metallic body they used on so many other android devices. Atrix doesn't look like a flagship device with its plasticy built but the internals are a different story.

 

[antioch216]

"at a discount" lol....yeah....I used to have moto milestone before I switched to iphone 4, and I used 4shared to get my apps at a "discount". There are other ways too but as far as I remember there's no installous type of program. However, unless you hack the phone you won't be able to use sites like 4shared of course. About the atrix, I wish moto kept the metallic body they used on so many other android devices. Atrix doesn't look like a flagship device with its plasticy built but the internals are a different story.

ah, ok. That's good to know. BTW, does anyone know if the Atrix has a message LED indicator? I know when it's docked, it has a green LED light up, just wondering if anyone knows if it also doubles as a MI...

 

[DT]

I hope you guys aren't pilfering $2 and $3 apps. Those developers work for that extra tiny bit of revenue.

 

[s.m.knipe]

I hope you guys aren't pilfering $2 and $3 apps. Those developers work for that extra tiny bit of revenue.

Ditto, piracy only kills incentive to develop for a platform and/or drives the price up for those that still are developed for the platform.

 

[lsutigers03]

ah, ok. That's good to know. BTW, does anyone know if the Atrix has a message LED indicator? I know when it's docked, it has a green LED light up, just wondering if anyone knows if it also doubles as a MI...

It does and it's multi colored.