SO I think I want a Droid MAXX.. BUT

[-=Jeff=-]

I have been able to upgrade since May, I have been holding out for a bit as I knew the Moto stuff was coming. I currently have a RAZR MAXX (not HD) and it is working fine but seems like the battery is showing its age. I really like the features of the MAXX but there are some things I need to have:

• Root, I use root for ARLiberator app and my AppRadio2, granted it is in my fun car, but still I use Slacker quite a bit on it..
• HDMI Wired connection ( also for AppRadio 2) I think I could use wireless with an all share port but I have heard it is not the best ( phone would have, BT an Wireless video/audio running as well as data)

Those are my biggest concerns, if the MAXX never gets root then it would not work for me.. that and the Wireless HDMI/video..

My other options are a Galaxy S4, if I can get root and put Google Edition ROM on it.. that has a MHL connection for HDMI and I believe I can root, my concern is the radio.

Last option would be Nexus 7 LTE, but then I could not place calls in the car with the handsfree set-up which may not be too big an issue as I could use a BT headset .

What would you do?

 

[Thom]

If I had your constraints I would wait and see what developed.

Since I didn't I got the Maxx the day it was released and am extremely happy with it.

... Thom

 

[Old Member]

If you have to have root, do not buy the Maxx. It seems IF (and that's a VERY BIG IF) the Maxx EVER gets root, it will not be anywhere in the near future.

It's my experience that developer interest in phones wanes quickly as time goes by, so if it's not rooted in 3-4 months, I'd say it will never be rooted.

I'd almost say that if it's not rooted in 6 weeks it won't be rooted.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

I plan on upgrading to the Nexus 7 LTE whenever it releases.. doing a tether from an older device for the radio is not really an option as I think about it.

If I never bought the app radio it would not be an issue, but I do like the fact I can stream int he car and have controls on the dash

 

[scupking]

I just picked up the maxx today going for the original razr maxx. The funny thing is the size of the phone is not much bigger at all. Its all screen. I bought the phone at full price and traded in my maxx for $62 since I wanted to keep my unlimited plan. So far I like it. I always want the most battery out of my phones and I could still get about a day and a half out of my maxx so this one should give me 3 days of use!!! I can tell you that I wouldn't want a phone with a screen any bigger then this new maxx. The ok Google now thing is cool and works very well. Also the speaker is amazing for a phone.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

scupking,

thanks for that.. it does not help.. LOL I want the MAXX but the wireless HDMI and no root and keeping me from it. Granted I CAN use the app radio without the phone, but it would be nice at some point for it to work if I upgrade.

I really want the new Nexus 7 LTE..

 

[dylo22]

I think Droid Ultra/Maxx will get rooted. They pretty much share the same internals as the Motorola X, which have a much broader community support. So when the X gets root, I can see the Ultra and Maxx getting it soon after.

Unlocking the Bootloader is another story. That may not happen at all

 

[Somniferum]

I have been able to upgrade since May, I have been holding out for a bit as I knew the Moto stuff was coming. I currently have a RAZR MAXX (not HD) and it is working fine but seems like the battery is showing its age. I really like the features of the MAXX but there are some things I need to have:

• Root, I use root for ARLiberator app and my AppRadio2, granted it is in my fun car, but still I use Slacker quite a bit on it..
• HDMI Wired connection ( also for AppRadio 2) I think I could use wireless with an all share port but I have heard it is not the best ( phone would have, BT an Wireless video/audio running as well as data)

Those are my biggest concerns, if the MAXX never gets root then it would not work for me.. that and the Wireless HDMI/video..

My other options are a Galaxy S4, if I can get root and put Google Edition ROM on it.. that has a MHL connection for HDMI and I believe I can root, my concern is the radio.

Last option would be Nexus 7 LTE, but then I could not place calls in the car with the handsfree set-up which may not be too big an issue as I could use a BT headset .

What would you do?

Depending on how you use HDMI, one solution could be to just get a Chromecast. I currently have a Bionic and am thinking of getting the Maxx and doing just that. If you use HDMI mainly to mirror your screen though, Chromecast won't be much help.

Granted, not having root access is a tougher one, but personally I mainly use root to freeze bloatware. And bloatware is not as big a problem as it used to be, what with Moto moving closer to stock since the Google acquisition, plus the ability to disable most apps that was introduced in ICS. I will miss Titanium Backup though.

Honestly the only thing stopping me from getting a Maxx is my unlimited data plan. Still not sure what to do about that conundrum.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Thom]

... and if you get Nova Prime launcher ($4) you can gain some great customizations without root-ing. You can also hide the pre-installed software you don't like in the app drawer and never have to look at it.

... Thom

 

[scupking]

scupking,

thanks for that.. it does not help.. LOL I want the MAXX but the wireless HDMI and no root and keeping me from it. Granted I CAN use the app radio without the phone, but it would be nice at some point for it to work if I upgrade.

I really want the new Nexus 7 LTE..

Lol I know it didn't answer your question but for how I use the phone I think its a great upgrade from the first maxx!! Great screen, fast, almost the same size as the original but its all screen now and double the battery life!!

 

[Sportster]

So the Maxx does NOT have MHL HDMI out on the USB port?!? I need HDMI out mirroring. I use the Dish Everywhere app and put it on the TV via HDMI out. Does this have that ability???

 

[Somniferum]

So the Maxx does NOT have MHL HDMI out on the USB port?!? I need HDMI out mirroring. I use the Dish Everywhere app and put it on the TV via HDMI out. Does this have that ability???

As far as I can tell, none of the new Moto phones have MHL support. You might be able to get that app working with Chromecast, but it would have to be via third-party hacks at this point, which Google apparently has just blocked with the latest update, so don't count on it. The app might eventually support it natively, if Chromecast continues to sell like it appears to be selling (I still haven't been able to get my hands on one).

Or you could do what I do, and use an older Android phone with HDMI-out for all your television needs. If you can use that app over Wi-Fi you won't need a VZW connection at all. Then use your new phone for other things while watching TV on the old phone.

 

[speede541]

Miracast wouldn't work for this? I'm not familiar with it in actual usage, but from what I've read it sounds like a wireless version of an MHL port.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Miracast wouldn't work for this? I'm not familiar with it in actual usage, but from what I've read it sounds like a wireless version of an MHL port.

It might. Does anyone know of a good dongle that will support Miracast? Hopefully with just USB and HDMI. There is potential for me that it could work, but I think there maybe too much interference in an automotive environment.

I am still hopeful for the nexus 7 with LTE,bthen I can use that when in the car and keep the phone separate

 

[iamsupreme]

It might. Does anyone know of a good dongle that will support Miracast? Hopefully with just USB and HDMI. There is potential for me that it could work, but I think there maybe too much interference in an automotive environment.

I am still hopeful for the nexus 7 with LTE,bthen I can use that when in the car and keep the phone separate

This one seems pretty sweet and it's only $80.

Rocketfish Miracast Video Receiver RF-WFD301 - Best Buy

 

[-=Jeff=-]

This one seems pretty sweet and it's only $80.

Rocketfish Miracast Video Receiver RF-WFD301 - Best Buy

that one might work

 

[Spg210]

You've already answered your own question. The Maxx isn't going anywhere. You listed your criteria for a device. Stand by it.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

You've already answered your own question. The Maxx isn't going anywhere. You listed your criteria for a device. Stand by it.

Yeah.. I checked out the Maxx and the S4 Friday night..both are nice but honestly with the exception of an awesome battery the S4 seems to meet everything else.. Not sure I like the touchwiz though it is like a different phone

 

[Highland Ranger]

Grooveip in conjunction with Google voice should allow you to use the n7 as a phone in the care with Bluetooth.

If the LTE version ever gets here that is . . . .

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Grooveip in conjunction with Google voice should allow you to use the n7 as a phone in the care with Bluetooth.

If the LTE version ever gets here that is . . . .

Yeah I am leaning this way too..just wish the N7 LTE would get here

 

[Highland Ranger]

This one seems pretty sweet and it's only $80.

Rocketfish Miracast Video Receiver RF-WFD301 - Best Buy

Got some pretty bad reviews though . . . seems like this space is still shaking out.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Got some pretty bad reviews though . . . seems like this space is still shaking out.

Yeah this is why I patiently wait even though my RAZR MAXX is starting to show other issues and I have only had it since July is 2012

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Still torn

I bought a android mini PC in hopes to have it working with my appradio.. If it works then I can hotspot whatever I get when in that car for access to Pandora.

I also have a new Nexus 7 with LTE so if I root it it will work with my app radio or should with the slimport adapter.

Now to decide if the Maxx will actually last 2 years my RAZR maxx is showing battery wear after 1year

 

[bigb14479]

is anybody using a Droid 4 with app radio? I just bought a Pioneer AVH-5600BHS and it has app radio mode, but says it needs a $100 adapter to do so. I am not sure if there is an easier way to connect.