By: Nate Nelson (Contributing Editor)

Everybody is overwhelmed at CES. That is the only genuine emotion of the show.

It is true that the attendees of the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show would often display curiosity, happiness, irritation, frustration, flirtatiousness, thoughtfulness, disdain, or disgust, but those were affectations. They were simply overwhelmed, and how could they not have been? Either they were there to meet people — and there were too many to count, or they were there to see the tech products — and there were too many to count.

Me and the Amazing Brittney

CES is, in all ways, a sensory invasion. Visiting CES is a little like dropping by the Smithsonian Institution in that it is far too vast for a person to see all in a day. I spent most of my time in the Central Hall, which held most of the larger, more elaborate booths and bigger name exhibitors. Although I was a working stiff at the show, my responsibilities were such that I was able to look around and take in some of the other areas. Even so, CES is large enough that I still saw just a modest fraction of the show.

There is no dress code at CES, which is very fortunate for some people, and creates an unusual situation where businesspeople in expensive suits rub shoulders with television producers in wrinkled khaki, and shove past hipsters with ironic t-shirts and women in impossibly short skirts. My CES dress consisted of company golf shirts and slacks, which was not uncommon, although by far I saw more people in what could be termed “trade show business casual.” It was the same for men and women: slacks, loafers, a button up shirt, a sports coat, no tie for the men, no heeled shoes for the women, and both carrying a sensible bag. Black was the shade of choice. Women might substitute a t-shirt for the button up, and men might substitute expensive jeans for the slacks, but if there were 400,000 visitors to CES, at least 50,000 of them were dressed like they shopped out of the same catalog.

You stay classy, Circus Circus

It is appropriate to always hold CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is a city built around careful planning and middling execution — an apt description of every CES experience. It is not that the exhibitors at CES are looking to create a mediocre experience for their visitors (just as the city planners and casino builders are not looking to do the same), but any understanding of the nuances, any deeper look, any investigation at all reveals an unsteady organization with disinterested custodians. The gadgets are amazing, the lights are dazzling, but behind it all is a group of people just looking to get by.

There is a strange sociality that exists at CES (and likely at other trade shows, as well, although I do not know) where your status is determined by the color of your entry badge. This color determines your purpose for being there. For example, mine was gray, which meant I was an exhibitor, and the yellow badges were for buyers, and maroon for “industry affiliates,” which was a very broad category that I never quite figured out. The green badges were registered media members, which made them the titled dukes and earls of the show, of course. Purple were tech bloggers, which was a step below the media, but still exciting enough to have in your booth.

The lowest rung on the ladders were the exhibitors, which seemed unusual for a show dedicated to exhibiting technology, but we were the undesirables of CES. Nobody wanted to pitch products or give away their promotional material and corporate literature to another worker drone like themselves. I asked a particular exhibitor for one of her cloth bags, which she was handing out to literally everyone who walked past, and she took one look at my gray tag and tried to disintegrate me with her laser eyes. She didn’t say anything, and she did give me a bag, but slowly, like a gunfighter edging toward a Colt Peacemaker. It must have been the most reluctant bag she gave out all day, because otherwise, that particular person has a near-superhuman repertoire of glares and disdainful glances, and could teach classes on the subject.

Three major attractions at CES: Cameras, Reporters, and the Restrooms

Attending CES sounds like it will be entertaining; it is the largest consumer electronics show in the world, and many major tech companies reserve that time for their most dazzling developments. I heard it described as Disneyland for nerds and geeks, and that is apt. But it also suffers from a severe lack of fun, because the vast majority of the attendees are not there on an actual vacation. This is a reasonable misunderstanding. After all, you are in a popular vacation destination, there are a lot of amazing things to see, you can find bright lights, loud music, and shockingly overpriced food. There are whispers of celebrities walking around: 50 Cent and Britney Spears were rumored; Lady Gaga walked right past a friend; I personally saw Bill Walton, Crystal Bowersox, and Rick Fox.

But the big difference is that nearly all of the people there are working. It would be like Disneyland for nerds and geeks if, when you walked through the gates of Disneyland, they gave you a plunger and a wrench and sent you to fix the toilets. Everybody spends the entire show on their feet, talking to people, pumping out information, and with the low-level headache that comes from not eating or using the bathroom for unnaturally long stretches. By the end of the day everyone is glowering at each other like malcontents at an armistice, and the only people who are still happy at that point are paid to be so.

The booth babes all seemed so plastic...

As for the people who are paid to be happy, the discussion is not limited to just the hired models – the so-called “booth babes,” who are, for the most part, professional spokesmodels and do their jobs well. But also to the smiling media talent, the PR people, and the enthusiastic sales managers, almost all of whom I had direct contact with during my CES experience. However, I did not speak to a single model, as far as I know, mostly because I found them strangely intimidating. A good spokesmodel can help promote products and speak with interested parties, but the plain truth is they exist at the show to draw attention to a product or space entirely because of a singular, primal male impulse (and, when applicable, a female impulse — hey, I don’t judge). It is an old, time-tested trick: savvy salespeople have been using sex appeal for millennia.

The company that I work for decided not to hire models, preferring to let our products (and strikingly handsome young salesmen) tell the story. However, the space next to us had a few booth babes in tight white shirts and tight short skirts positioned on the corners of their space trying to funnel people inside. I avoided them any time I walked past. I like to think it was because of my deep respect for women and their often confusing gender roles, but I suspect it was because I did not want to be the next idiot guy, slobbering over the pretty girls.

However, as is often the case in the complex tech universe, it is the inanimate objects that dazzle at the center. At CES, it seemed to be a toss-up between the actual booths and the technology they were showcasing.

The Central Hall of CES was the primary showcase for the most memorable booths. Every part of the room was tall with massive walls and built-out displays that featured choreographed dancing televisions, performance artists, Cirque du Soleil-esque shows, and interviews with sometimes confusing special guests (like the previously mentioned Rick Fox). Many booths could be measured in multiples of acres and had multiple levels, with meeting rooms or storage areas tucked away above the main floor. Although the booths in the Central Hall were spaced further apart than in the other halls, they were almost all so expansive that there was no visual break in the landscape.

Before CES, Rick Fox thought "tech" meant one free throw plus possession

The other halls had long rows of smaller displays from smaller companies. A few of these were well-designed and staffed with energetic sales people, and many of the others were grim and desolate. The products were often not interesting enough to generate foot traffic on their own, so the staff sat behind their displays, bored and scowling. I stopped to check out a company that was promoting a direct rip-off of our flagship brand; they even borrowed heavily from our descriptive copy, which I can claim with confidence because I wrote most of it. I asked a disinterested rep in a lawn chair — the only person in the small, dark space — if I could take one of their brochures. He did not even glance in my direction and his answer was an irritated grunt that I presumed meant “yes.” Clearly I was disturbing his silent glaring with my question. Why didn’t I just take the brochure and leave him to focus on the frazzled, overworked booth babe across the aisle?

By contrast the major booths operated like luxury car dealerships. Everything was presented in a tasteful and understated fashion. You were allowed to walk around and absorb their displays at your own initiative, with the personnel just checking in now and again to make sure you were doing okay. No prices were on display, as nothing was really for sale. The products did enough on their own that disinterest and pushiness were never problems. Even the models, for the occasional major booth that used them, were dressed in a difficult-to-describe combination of provocative and classy (provoca-lassy?). Everything was designed and presented with careful thought and consideration. To see that full spectrum of booths and personnel, separated sometimes by just feet, was the essence of the CES experience.

But the gadgets were the true story and the reason anyone spent time walking around such a large and unwieldy show. Brittney and Foster have already written several fantastic posts about the gadgets, and done a much better job than I could have, so I won’t even venture into those waters. I will just add that the number and variety of gadgets I saw in my short time at CES was overwhelming, as mentioned way back at the start of this.

With so much to see packed together so closely, I have to confess that not much stood out as I consider it. There were several engaging tablet computers, which seemed to be a major thrust for a few big-time companies (enough so that more than one talking head has called 2011: “The Year of the Tablet”).  The 3D televisions were an intriguing emerging technology, but I found it in at least five different booths, and I could not now determine which was executed the best.  Besides, am I to assume that five years from now everyone will be watching 3D television? I hope not: I had laser eye surgery barely a year ago, and I am not interested in going back to glasses for all of my future television viewing. Although in fairness, I may be missing the point with that argument.

One item did make a genuine impact for me, though, and aside from my home booth, is the clearest memory of CES I still have. It was a very small booth in the main hallway, bright orange under minimal overhead lights, facing away from the main promenade, and staffed by strapping young men in tight shirts. They were handing out free samples of “Reese’s Minis,” a bite-sized version of their peanut butter cups.

CES: the place to go for amazing candy

I am not sure whether the novelty appealed to me or if this is just a massive personal red flag, but I can remember nearly every detail of the Reese’s booth. I think it’s explainable: there was such a massive volume of technology to mentally sort through that a unique experience in the form of a delicious chocolate-and-peanut-butter nugget stands out.

Does that mean I am not excited for the new tablets, cameras, televisions and games? Of course not. But I have been to five different stores in search of Reese’s Minis and not once have I looked into pre-ordering the Motorola Xoom or the BlackBerry PlayBook. Either I was overwhelmed by technology, like everyone else, or I am just a candy junkie. I should probably plead the fifth.

By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

Joint development of computing headset will offer innovative solutions to mobile workers with instant access to digital information.

The [Motorola Solutions] business of Motorola, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with [Kopin Corporation] to develop a hands-free computer and communications headset. This new device category is a head-worn, mobile computer headset with full voice, audio and PC capabilities, leveraging Kopin’s advanced system and micro-display technologies to create a virtual 15-inch monitor that supports simulation software, streaming video on-demand and other large-screen enterprise applications.

KEY FACTS:

• This new category of wearable computer provides hands-free remote control and instant access to digital information and broadcast programming. Access is also available for Internet services, including streaming video over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing simultaneous real-time interface with multiple mobile devices, servers and networks.
• These unique capabilities are enabled through a gesture- and voice-recognition-based user interface.
• Development Kit units will be generally available from Kopin by January 2011 to software application developers and select Motorola enterprise and public safety customers.
• The development kits provide early access and experience with advanced hands-free mobile computing and communication headsets capable of interfacing with existing legacy systems and software platforms.

SUPPORTING QUOTES:

Jeffrey Jacobsen, Senior Advisor to CEO and Golden-i Program Manager, Kopin Corporation:

“The Golden-i platform offers spontaneous mobile access to virtually any digital information in the world, on-demand. Imagine leaving your laptop at the office and still having full access to all of its information, applications and services while traveling. The Golden-i platform will truly change the way people work and live.”

Tom Bianculli, Senior Director, Emerging Business, Chief Technology Office, Motorola Solutions:

“We believe this computer headset will be a game-changing solution for mobile workforces and represents the future in wearable computing. As the leader in enterprise mobile computing, Motorola Solutions is working with Kopin to explore new innovations and cutting-edge technologies that will help our customers continue to improve their operational efficiency and increase their productivity.”

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By: Tony Novoa (Contributing Editor)

Staff Note: We need your opinions below on what you’d like to win! You know we love to give stuff away as prizes but we can’t unless we know what our fans like. SO make sure to voice your opinions. Don’t forget about our ongoing contests and prize giveaways such as the 12 Nokia N8s, weekly iPhone 4, Apple Magic Mouse, upcoming Apple MacBook Air and exciting passes to exclusive events! Our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans & subscribers so don’t forget to sign up.  We send you a copy of each new post and giveaway announcement via email. No more, no less, zero spam! That’s a promise! We’re always doing contest giveaways every month so it pays to be  on the list.

Eat, Drink And See Demos

On November 18, Pepcom held its traditional holiday Wine, Dine & Demo event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and did it in style.  Representing MyRealityTech this year were Tony Novoa and Ed Jackson. Want a balance of corporate conservative with rock star panache… well, there’s Tony and Ed for you.  We couldn’t have picked a better pair to indulge in the many culinary and thirst quenching options to choose from.  And now, some highlights of the event, with video clips to boot. So, sit back and enjoy as we recap the event and what we saw at the Pepcom Wine, Dine & Demo 2010 event in the Big Apple… here is part 1.

MainGear's sweet branded ride.

Besides featuring an assortment of choices to eat and drink, a variety of vendors were featuring their latest and greatest.  While the theme was Chilean, the offerings were as diverse as empanadas to hot dogs and meats galore.  Of course, the standards such as Samsung, 3M, Acer, Fujitsu, HP, Sprint, RIM, Motorola, Philips and Intel graced the ballroom.  By now you know that at MRT, we believe in equal exposure for both the established brands as well as the up and comers.  We enjoy learning about the cool stuff as well as the tried and true.  So, we were glad to see such interesting vendors as MainGear, MIO, Iomega, Fuze Box, Fitbit, ESET, BlueAnt, Veebeam and SugarSynch in the mix.

Is Your Computer Really Safe?  Fight Cybercrime with ESET

While you’re no doubt familiar with Macafee, Norton, Symantec and other well known antivirus solutions, ESET has been quietly fighting cybercrime for quite a while now.  Boasting over 130 million worldwide customers, they showcased ESET Cybersecurity for the Mac. What’s so cool about it? For one thing, you won’t even know it’s running.  Sporting a tiny footprint and utilizing less than 1% memory, they definitely got my attention.  Check out what they had to say here:

Get Fit With No Moving Parts With FitBit

Everyone at least knows about the pedometer and how effective it can be at tracking steps.  Fitbit takes it to a whole new level.  Their award-winning personal fitness tracker has no moving parts, is as small as a thumb drive and ties into an electronic database.  You can wear it inconspicuously all day to measure steps taken, calories burned and nutrition… It even lets you see how well you sleep!  It actually measures movement in 3 dimensions.  Pretty cool.  Let Amy from FitBit tell you firsthand:

Solid State And Future Ready Iomega

We may know Iomega from the Zip Drive days.  Well, they have certainly continued to innovate and remain relevant in the competitive consumer storage market.  Their latest innovation, the External USB 3.0 SSD Flash Drive was recently featured here at MRT.  Here is Chris to tell us what is new and exciting, offering Hardware Encryption and Industry-Leading Ruggedness, to boot:

Mattel’s Cyber Barbie, Stealth Cars And Tweeting Dogs

Mattel is long known as a classic toy manufacturer.  Barbie is a household word and Hot Wheels continue to endure.  Well, Mattel is keeping up with the times and to prove it, check out some of the cool must-have tech toys that may end up as a gift this holiday season as Brett struggles to contain his enthusiasm:

It’s A Wrap For Your Beloved Devices With Wrapsol

So, you have a shiny new smart phone or tablet device.  How do you keep it protected without hiding it’s gorgeous, sleek design?  Although ZAGG has always been the gold standard, Wrapsol provides an equally spiffy solution.  A leading maker of protective film solutions showed off their new clean screen protector that cuts glare and fingerprints from your devices. Here is Haley to demonstrate:

Clean Teeth, Close Shave & Stylish Sound Complements Of Philips

Philips seems to be everywhere.  This holiday season, they have lots of cool things to offer if you’re short on ideas for the perfect, last minute gift. Check out their “Obsessed with Sound” product, new O’Neill headphones, the innovative Wake-Up light and the Norelco SensoTouch 3D. Listen to Justin as he gives us the rundown:

There is more to come in Part 2 of our report.  Stay tuned to find out what else we got to see.  You don’t want to miss it!

Want more information on the featured vendors in this article?

ESET

FitBit

Iomega

Mattel

Wrapsol

Philips

So, how do you feel about this Holiday Season?  Are you excited at the fun options that are available to choose from? Tell us your favorites from this Pepcom article by commenting below.  As always, you know that we are working on what we can giveaway and turn into a contest and Jenna is always eager to hear from you so that she knows what you’d like.

And don’t forget, we will be announcing details on the MacBook Air giveaway very soon. In order to avoid any conflict with our current giveaways such as the Dyson Ball and the Nokia N8, we are planning to award the MacBook Airs right around Black Friday toward the Holiday Season. Details will soon be announced. For now, you may want to get a head start and follow @MyRealityTech on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook if you have not already done so. As with all our other contests, a substantial number of prizes will be awarded via these two avenues, so it pays to follow us!

By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

Consumer installable device mounts, holders and docks make the Verizon Motorola DROID X easier to view, access and charge while in the car.

Don’t forget about our ongoing contests and prize giveaways such as the Sony Xperia X10 phones, 12 Nokia N8s, weekly iPhone 4, Apple Magic Mouse and exciting passes to exclusive events!  Our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans & subscribers so don’t forget to sign up.  We send you a copy of each new post and giveaway announcement via email.  No more, no less, zero spam!  That’s a promise. We’re always doing contest giveaways every month so it pays to stay tuned in!

ProClip USA, Inc. today announced a variety of device mounts, holders and docks designed to securely mount the DROID X to car, truck and SUV dashboards and consoles. As you can [see here] ProClip’s other line up from September 30, 2010.

[ProClip Device Mounts, Holders and Docks], designed and manufactured by Brodit AB, in Sweden, are custom made and can attach to a vehicle specific [ProClip Car Mount], or any other manufacturers’ car mount or flat surface. Once attached to the dashboard, this solution provides better viewing and easier access.

“Securely mounting handheld devices like the DROID X for better viewing, easier access and without damaging a vehicle’s interior, is what we do best,” says Bjorn Spilling, president of ProClip USA. “We offer mounting solutions that are custom designed for virtually every car in the world, and all popular handheld devices.”

ProClip DROID X mounts, holders and docks feature a variety of options including:

• Tilt and Swivel for better viewing
• 12V power outlet charging cable
• Fixed Installation (hardwire) charging cable
• Adjustable Holder for use with cases and skins

ProClip Device Mounts, Holders and Docks are also available for other Motorola phones. All products available at [proclipusa.com]

ProClip Car Mount is a vehicle specific mounting platform for easy attachment of the Device mounts, holders and docks. The car mount clips into the dashboard seams providing a very sturdy and tight fit. Average installation time is 2 minutes. No dismantling of the dashboard is required and there is no damage to the vehicle’s interior! ProClip car mounts are the only car specific, consumer installable mounting bracket in today’s global market.

ProClip USA, Inc. is the exclusive North American distributor of ProClip in-vehicle device mounting solutions and accessories. ProClip products are designed so that the consumer can mount their own electronic devices, such as mobile phones, MP3 players, GPS navigation systems, and satellite radios, to a variety of locations in virtually any vehicle. The company’s mission is to supply customers with convenient, secure, easy-to-install mounting solutions that provide a safer and more enjoyable driving experience.

As always, don’t forget to follow @MyRealityTech on Twitter  and “like” us on Facebook for additional chances to win our super cool giveaways.  99% of the time, we choose individual winners exclusively through Facebook & Twitter! And pop over to our new YouTube Channel…

By: Foster Scott (Contributing Editor)

Staff note: After you watch our video highlights, let us know in the comments section what you’d like to win! Don’t forget about our ongoing contests and prize giveaways such as the Sony Xperia X10 phones, 12 Nokia N8′s, weekly iPhone 4, Apple Magic Mouse, $1,000 Sony HD Camcorder and exciting passes to exclusive events! We’re always doing contest giveaways every month so it pays to stay tuned in!

Sunny skies, new gadgets, and even the Blue Angels were on hand to help me greet the gorgeous Jenna to the Golden State last week for CTIA.  It was held in SF at the Moscone West Convention Center that is located across from The Metron and close to AT&T Park, home of the MLB SF Giants.  The Blue Angels were in town for one of  SF’s biggest annual tourist draws known as Fleet Week.  Beautiful as the weather was,  it was no where near as beautiful as our Jenna who was gracious enough to attend  3 Days of tech, gadgets and applications at CTIA with me.  So for this geek, the tech was just icing on the cake.

CTIA filled 3 floors of the Moscone West Convention Center by having the Exhibits on the first floor, Press, Partner Events and CTIA Educational Sessions on the second floor, and that left the third floor to have the Keynotes and Exhibitor Meeting Rooms.  Jenna spent most of her time rubbing elbows and signing autographs on the ND and RD floors, leaving me to enjoy all the Exhibits had to offer. I’m excited to show you my favorite CTIA highlights.

In 3 days, I was lucky enough to see new phones from Motorola including the new DroidPro (see below) and anticipated gadgets like the Galaxy Tab (also below).   Meeting the marketing people behind the Exhibits was worth the price of going by itself.  A video at the bottom will show some of the gadgets and people I met, along with a few phones and applications I thought were worthy of MRT to mention.  Though not in the video, I want to also send out a very special thank the guys over at Rovio, Makers of one of my favorite apps called Angry Birds and Amira from QuickPlay Media who let me hang out with them near the end of the day.   So enjoy a couple of pics and watch the video below from this years CTIA. Leave your comments below on what your favorite thing was from CTIA and we will be giving it away to a special commenter.

(Images and Video by Foster Scott)

Did you know MRT has a YouTube Channel?  We will be adding more video on a regular basis, and yes, we will be running a ton of giveaways exclusively though our Youtube channel so subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/user/myrealitytech

Plus you can always follow us on Twitter and Facebook too.

By: Foster Scott (Contributing Editor)

Today, September 30, Verizon Wireless releases their R2-D2 version of the Droid 2 phone.  Originally it was only going to be available online.  You can now look for select stores to also have some available.  That is if you are fast enough to grab one before they are all sold out.  How do I know they will be sold out?  Okay, I don’t really know for sure.  What I do know is companies who score a movie tie-in for their product, have to invest more than just the licensing fees.  Advertisement, customers’ emotional interaction, content available and pre-release hype are all part of the package needed to separate cash from today’s consumers.   Coming up with a design that customers will want is one of the many challenges a company faces.  When it is right, it can mean large returns on a companies invested dollar.

Anything R2-D2 is sure to be a lock on a customer’s wallet.  Looking at these released pictures of the Motorola Droid 2 Limited Edition R2-D2 phone for Verizon, they even has me wanting to switch my cell phone provider just so I can get my Star Wars loving hands on one!  So I want you to comment below, not only on this phone, but on what movie product tie-in made you pull your wallets out. Aditionally, what would you like to see come out?   With the announcement  that all 6 Star Wars movies are being re-released to theaters (one every year) remastered in 3D, what would you like to see tied-in with them?

 (I admit I was one of the many who wanted the limited edition Matrix phone that was part of a contest!  Alas, it was not to be…) 

(Images via Motorola Press Release)

Our own Edward Jackson wrote about the LG Ally with the Iron Man 2 tie-in that can be read here: http://mcaf.ee/9ae15  

Here is part of the Press Release from Motorola on the R2-D2 phone.

May the DROID be With You: Limited Edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Lands on Verizon Wireless’ Network

DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Brings the Galactic Empire to Customers September 27, 2010 BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ – Verizon Wireless announced that the highly anticipated limited edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/ and in select Verizon Wireless Communication stores beginning Sept. 30.  With a graphic design to look like the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, the DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be packaged in a custom box resembling carbonite and come with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset.  Exclusive content comes pre-loaded on the special edition smartphone, including: 

To celebrate 30 years since the film hit theaters, customers with Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher will soon be able to get the Empire Strikes Back app from Android Market™. The app, only for Verizon Wireless customers, allows Jedi Masters to browse, preview and download Star Wars content related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.  Verizon Wireless customers can access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99.

 The Star Wars mobile app will have the following features and content:  

• Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
• Sound and Photo Gallery
• Live Wallpapers:
  • Blast the Probe Droid
  • Luke Balancing Yoda
  • Navigating the Asteroid Field
  • Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
• Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about The Empire Strikes Back
• Widgets

The DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.  

For more information on DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2.  

STAR WARS™, DROID™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  Used under license. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.  

 Android, Android Market are trademarks of Google Inc.

(Images: engadget)

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By: Nate Nelson (Contributing Writer)

In a continuing nod to their pick for the future of mobile operating systems, Motorola announced their newest Android enabled phone: the QUENCH. This will be the eighth Motorola/Android device released around the globe.

QUENCH, which will be branded the CLIQ XT in the United States, will do all of the standard smartphone things like web browsing, messaging, and email. QUENCH also features a pinch and zoom ready touch-screen and navigational touch pad; the browser includes Adobe Flash Lite, which gives it an Internet advantage over Apple’s iPhone. A voice activated search feature can perform Google searches, find contacts, or launch application.

The killer app of QUENCH is the new MOTOBLUR content delivery system for Android, which syncs the user’s social network to the home screen of the device, including posts, updates, emails, messages, and photos. MOTOBLUR is compatible with Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace (if anyone still uses it), as well as Gmail and other POP3/IMAP email accounts. Contact information is automatically synched to the device when it changes, so address book information remains fresh.

QUENCH also features a media player that connects to both the Internet and social networks. The media player connects to third party websites like TuneWiki, SoundHound, and YouTube, and an MP3 store provides simple purchase and downloading to the phone. A music search feature also includes the ability to view synchronized lyrics in multiple languages, which is useful for anyone who has always wanted to learn how to sing, say, Captain and Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” in Swedish (“Kärlek Kommer att Hålla Oss Samman”).

The MOTOBLUR system also provides security to gadget owners with a “secure personal information portal” that can find lost devices or remotely erase the data, if necessary. Then, once the gadget has been located, the information can be restored with a single username and password.

QUENCH/CLIQ XT will be available in the U.S. exclusively through T-Mobile, with an official launch to be somewhat ambiguously in “Q1 2010.” As smaller mobile service providers gear up for the anticipated marriage of Apple iPhone and Verizon, they are launching more devices like this, which have all the features of the iPhone with a similar design. No pricing information was forthcoming on Motorola’s website, but the QUENCH/CLIQ XT looks to be a reasonable smartphone option for those who like Android, do not like Apple, or want to stick with a T-Mobile data plan.

(via HotHardware)

By: Michael Hunter (Contributing Writer)

The Motoroi by Motorola is an all touch device running on the Android 2.0 (Éclair) build that was also recently announced to be released in Korea as its first Android device. Sporting a 3.7 inch WVGA screen, 8 MP camera with xenon flash, HDMI-out capabilities, and recording video in HD at 720p quality, it is a force to be reckoned with.

On the morning of January 21^st Motorola announced that come March, the Motoroi, formally known as the Motorola Sholes Tablet, would also be available in the good old US of A via their official twitter page. Can I prove it? Only with this link here: http://twitter.com/MotoMobile/status/8034092356. Did you get “page doesn’t exist” too? That link is what used to be the announcement from Moto, but they must’ve deleted the tweet. The post read “Looking for a phone with an 8mp camera & Xenon flash? Look no further- Motorola’s Motoroi is coming to the US in March: http://bit.ly/69fCY1”, the link in their post takes you over to an Engadget post on the Motoroi.

Could it be that the Moto’s original post was deleted because let the cat out of the bag a little too early? As rumor has it we will be seeing this on the T-Mobile network since it just passed through FCC with the AWS 3G bands.

(via: Engadget, Korea Herald)

By: Tariq Bamadhaj (Senior Editor)

The Droid and MotoCLIQ were released within days of each other yet, mention Motorola and Android in the same sentence, and chances are, you’ll hear more about the former than the latter. So was the CLIQ a dud that Motorola should have forgotten about? Or is it a raw diamond that’s just waiting to be held and enjoyed?

Hardware Design

The CLIQ is a looker. That dark chrome finish adds a touch of class and sophistication that you rarely see in a social device. I did wish that there were more buttons on the front, especially a search button as well as a DPAD or trackball but I guess that was more that I was used to having Android devices with those than anything else. After a while of using the CLIQ, I did learn to adapt to this new set up and work with it.

The built quality of the device is great. It does have a bit of a give when the phone the keyboard is hidden, but nothing that bothered me too much. The sliding mechanism is solid and gives you the impression that it can handle all the times you need to whip out the keyboard in a jiffy.

What I particularly liked was the Vibrate slider on the side. No longer do I need to get my phone out of standby and continuously press the volume rocker before going into the cinema or a meeting, just a quick slide and I am done. Even the buttons (e.g. Power and volume) which I initially thought did not come far enough was not an issue in my day to day use.

Keyboard

Here’s where I am sitting on the fence. On one hand, I have heard rave reviews about this aspect of the device and some of my friends who sport a CLIQ also swear by the keyboard. It does have amply-sized keys and that DPAD sure is useful which I’m sure are the reasons for the accolades.

On the other hand, I guess my indecision lies with the fact that I have been spoilt by the HTC Touch Pro 2 keyboard. Thus far, I have not come across a better keyboard than that of the TP2.

All that aside, I did like using keyboard on the CLIQ. It took a lot of getting used to, in fact, it was not until the second week of using it that I started getting used to it. The buttons have a nice feedback about them, making them a joy to type on. The fact that the top row of keys were not too close to the upper half of the device also ensured that experience.

One thing I Motorola could have done to further enhanced that experience was to maximize the space. Sure, each letter on a keypad had an accompanying symbol but that bottom row of 5 keys makes me wonder if they would have fared better converting it into a row of numbers. The position of the DPAD is also one that I find interesting. Most devices that I’ve encountered usually have this located on the right and to be honest, the CLIQ is the first that I came across that actually has it on the left. Like the keyboard, this doesn’t necessarily impact your experience in a negative way, just that it might take you some getting used to.

Camera

The camera on the CLIQ is rated at 5 megapixels, and coupled with its autofocus function, allows you to take some really shots. The camera launches relatively quickly and a small window at the corner shows you the last photo taken, a feature which I thought added a nice touch and provides quick access to your taken photos. Like most camera phones I encountered, the pictures look pretty good when zoomed out but upon closer inspection, you can make out some noise here and there. It gets even more pronounced for pictures taken in low lighting conditions, no thanks to the lack of flash on the MotoCLIQ. For those wondering how those photos turn out, here are raw images of them, just click on each to view the full version:

One thing I noticed, and I think this to be more of a software issue than anything else, was the black screen that I encountered the camera from time to time. Whether it was activating it from the app tray or pressing the camera button, that issue occasionally cropped up. I initially thought that to be because I was geotagging my photos but even turning off that option did not seem to help. Hopefully a software update will resolve this issue.

MotoBLUR

This is what makes the CLIQ tick and stand out from the rest. Android, in all its glory, still falls short in the social networking department but couple it with MotoBLUR and you have a killer combo. For the uninitiated, think of it like Palm’s WebOS that constantly connects to the web with the sole purpose of keeping you updated with your social networks, be it Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or all of them. No matter what time of the day it is, you no longer have to press refresh every time you launch your social network application of choice as motoBLUR does it all for you. And if you are one of those who update more than 1 social network consistently, you’ll love it’s ability to allow you to do just that.

But that’s not all when it comes to MotoBLUR. The widget on the homescreen is just the beginning. Thanks to Android being an open-source platform, Motorola has integrated this system into your Messaging and Contact application as well. You now have a universal inbox, similar to those found on the Blackberry, where you can view all your messages from all your social networks, emails as well as picture and text messages. If this sounds too overwhelming to you, fret not because you will also have the option to filter out to a specific service and focus on it.

The Contact application also some cool features up its sleeve. Sure all your contacts are loaded from your various networks (email, social, corporate) but what I found pretty nifty was the status updates, both current and recent, of those who are on it. So if you see that Jenna is mad because her assistant didn’t show up, you don’t have to go through hills and valleys to find out that she’s been waiting for almost 2 hours for him. And if your her assistant and have a MotoCLIQ, you’ll see her latest status and prepare yourself for the onslaught that is about to follow when her 36th call comes in. Truly a social networker’s dream phone isn’t it?

And if you thought that was cool, you should see what Motorola has done outside the device. They’ve created a portal for all MotoBLUR users where you can log in and manage your device. Say you’ve misplaced your phone and need to locate it, a quick visit to the portal will show you just where it is. What if you lost your phone? Well hopefully you have insurance to cover the replacement but Motorola takes it a step further and lets you wipe all the data on your phone, even if you don’t have your device password protected.

Battery Life

The social networker’s dream phone does come at a price. As highly rated as the 1500mAh battery is, it never lasted me a full day. There were heavy days when I had to charge it up to 4 times just so I could use it till I go to bed and there were days when a quick hour charge during lunch break was all that was needed when my usage was considerably lighter. While the battery was never dead when I had it charged 4 times that day, it did get low enough that my device would shut down if I didn’t do so in the next hour or two.

I was curious as to how the device would last if I just left it as is and let MotoBLUR do its job so I went to bed one night at 11pm with the battery at 50% and all my services set up: Facebook, Twitter, 1 Gmail, 1 email via IMAP and 1 corporate email. By the time I woke up the next day at 9am, the phone was already dead.

This reminded me of the days when I used the HTC G1 and while Android and manufacturers have improved considerably over the year, the addition of MotoBLUR takes that away, maybe even more. Sure, you could cut down on your networking, but that wouldn’t that defeat the purpose? If you’re looking to get the MotoCLIQ, be sure to have a spare battery handy, or a portable charger, or even both if you are a heavy user!

Reality Grade

The MotoCLIQ is truly a social networker’s dream. If you love keeping up to date with your friends on Facebook and Twitter, you can’t go wrong with it. Its tight integration with your contact and messages is well done though I would have loved for it to have filters and more options during the setup process. By that I mean allowing me to choose which updates I want to see (only those in my contacts and not everyone I follow) and how often I want it updated (once every hour is sufficient for me, and I don’t need any when I am sleeping). With such options, I feel that one would definitely be able to prolong the time between charges of their device.

If you are in the market for a device to keep tabs on your friends and have been wanting to get on Android for a while now, be sure to check out the MotoCLIQ. It’s keyboard will help your push out those updates and MotoBLUR will ensure you send it to all your services in the shortest time possible.

What I Like About It

• Great social network integration
• Inclusion of 3.5mm headset jack
• Free MotoBLUR service to help locate and wipe your phone if needed
• 5 megapixel camera

What Could Be Improved

• A newer version of Android (1.6 would be a nice start)
• More customizations and options when it comes to choosing which contacts to follow
• Addition of a DPAD or trackball on the front would have been nice
• A dedicated number row instead of a bottom row with only 5 buttons

By: Tariq Bamadhaj (Senior Editor)

When you first hold the Motorola CLIQ, it feels really solid, the kind of feeling you’ve always wanted your device. It’s got a good weight so you know it’s there in your pocket. It’s got that brushed metal that runs around the perimeter of the device and that screen that’s under the one piece top covering it. In fact, when I first handled the CLIQ, it seemed like one of Apple’s designer had defected to Motorola and designed it. Let’s continue that tour and take a closer look at it.

Front

Unlike most Android devices that I have encountered that sports 4-6 buttons and a trackball, the CLIQ opted for a minimalist approach by having only 3 buttons: Menu, Home and Back. Above that, you have a 3.1” capacitive screen that works well for navigating the Android system. Just above that, you have Motorola’s logo elegantly etched on the left and an LED on the right that is well-hidden until activated. Right at the top, you have the phone’s speaker.

Left

Moving over to the left, you have your silent ringer at the top, similar to that on the iPhone. With a quick slide, you switch your phone from normal to vibrate. No more having to turn on the device, unlock it, and then press the volume down button repeatedly just to mute the phone. A slide in the other direction will bring this phone back to alerting you with your groovy music for those incoming calls and messages.

Just below it, you have the standard 2 button volume control. Up for increase and down for decrease. Nothing fancy here, my only wish was that it came out more because it was almost flushed with the device.

At the end of this side, you have your micro USB port, the port that’s set to become European standard in 2010. This port currently serves 2 purpose: to charge your device and hooking it up to the computer for file transfers.

Bottom

Nothing to see here. Move along now…

Right

2 buttons here, a power/lock button at the top and a camera button on the other end. Like the volume buttons, these were almost flushed with the device which can make pressing them troublesome. Due to the lack of an End button (the button you use to end your calls) on the CLIQ, you’ll actually have to use the power button to put your device into standby. A quick press does just that and holding on to it slightly longer would bring up the option to turn off your device.

The camera button is a 2 step button, just like that on a digital camera. Pressing it halfway activates focus on the camera while pressing down on it fully takes a picture.

Top

A standard 3.5mm headset jack is located right in the center. If you’re not happy with the headsets that came with your CLIQ, feel free to use your favorite, thanks to this standard jack which we are starting to see a lot more on newer devices.

Back

The back is rather non-descript, save for the 5 megapixel camera that lacks a flash (what’s up with that?). Also of interest is the design of the battery cover which looks blur when you stare at it long enough. Whether it’s there to tell you about the MotoBLUR technology inside the phone or just part of the design, I’m not too sure. Maybe you can share your input in the comments below?

Keyboard

Sliding the top half of the phone to the right yields a 37 key keyboard with a 5 button directional keypad, 4 for directions and 1 for selecting. Each letter key sports an alternate character when you activate the Shift key.What’s interesting is that Motorola decided to skip a dedicated number row and instead fill it with just 5 buttons. Was this a smart move on Motorola’s part?

Another unusual setup is with the DPAD on the left instead of being on the right. With most devices being set up on the right, it might take some users getting used to with the DPAD on the right.

Specs

• Android 1.5 with MOTOBLUR
• Dimensions: 58 x 114 x 15.6 mm
• 163g with battery
• Qualcomm MSM 7201 A 528MHz
• 256MB RAM
• 256MB ROM
• 3.1” screen with 320 x 480 resolution
• 4 row 37-key keyboard with DPAD
• microSD card slot (comes with 2GB card)
• Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)
• Wi-Fi (B/G)
• GPS
• 5 megapixel camera
• 1420mAh battery

Conclusion

At first glance, the CLIQ looks really good and packs a good weight to it. However, there seems to be some questions with the design such as the almost flushed volume and power buttons which makes me wonder if Motorola had sacrificed form over function. The keyboard layout also raises some eyebrows with its left-set DPAD and bottom row buttons but I’ll be putting all this and more to the test in coming reviews. Be sure to check it out soon!