Motorola’s Intel based Ice Cream sandwich phone has been leaked. The image, which depicts a slim Android smartphone running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The handset is said to feature an updated version of MotoBlur as well as an impressive new camera. The Motorola smartphone is expected to debut at Mobile World Congress later this month.
With the Motorola and Google merger getting the yes, this could very well be the first Nexus device that Google manufacturers themselves. Specs should tout a quad core processor and a high res Amoled or equivalent display.
Motorola has tied up with power machine maker JCB to release the UK variant of the Defy +. The limited-edition handset comes pre-loaded with branded-applications for the construction site including a spirit-level, theodolite, decibel meter and a DIY store locator. The remaining specs are the same as we saw on the Indian version of the Defy + including 1GHz processor, 2GB internal storage and a 3.7-inch Gorilla Glass display along with a 5MP camera. In the UK its priced at a high £260, compared to the 18 K in India. You can check out our review here.
[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Motorola Mobility and JCB Announce Limited Edition Motorola DEFY™+ – Life Proof just became Work Proof
Jan. 17, 2012
BASINGTOKE, UK – January 17, 2012 – Motorola Mobility today launches a limited edition Motorola DEFY™+ handset which transforms the UK’s favourite life proof handset into a ‘work proof’ model.
The exclusive Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition features exceptional work-orientated protection for anyone operating the demanding construction and engineering sectors, or who work in the rugged outdoors and in extremely demanding conditions thanks to its patented visco-elastic protective sleeve from JCB with re-entrant geometry.
Taking ‘work proof’ functionality one step further, the Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition handset also offers construction site users and outdoor enthusiasts who routinely work with core technical and measuring materials a range of built-in options. It comes pre-loaded with bespoke JCB applications including: a spirit level, theodolite, decibel meter and recorder, torch, unit converter, calculator and DIY store locator. This saves the user time and effort of lugging around a boot load of individual work components, and also serves to speed up their productivity and output at the touch of a button.
For those users who will also need to communicate remotely, between multiple venues, or even on-the-go with a range of associates the handset will feature Push To Talk functionality which will allow them to operate the device as a walkie-talkie (via the cellular network) with group call and messaging functionality.
Victoria McManus, UK marketing director, Motorola Mobility said: “We’re thrilled to be working with JCB on this bespoke Motorola DEFY+ device. The unique protective sleeve will pull on JCB’s years of expertise in the construction industry to help us reach a new audience who we know are in need of a life and work proof handset.”
Motorola Mobility launched the standard Motorola DEFY+ handset in September 2011. The limited edition JCB version will also feature existing Motorola DEFY+ handset functionality such as a 1GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster. Users can make the Motorola DEFY+ JCB edition meet their own personal needs by organising and personalising their Application trays for easy and quick access to their most used tools, games and content.
It also features the Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) which delivers a more intuitive user interface and improvements on the features users choose most – including enhanced calendar and email features, home screen options and better battery life.
Jason Kemp, Marketing Director at Data Select, said: “The Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition is the perfect extension of an already robust handset. Smartphone use is on the rise amongst construction audiences and this handset perfectly addresses their workday needs.”
The Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition also includes a car charger with an extra long curly cable. It is available to purchase in all good UK retail stockists from RRP £259.99.
Motorola DEFY+
Key features and specifications of Motorola DEFY+ include:
Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and features more than 300,000 apps from Android Market™ 1 GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster for efficient Web browsing and multitasking Water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof to withstand all that life throws users way Features scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3.7-inch high-resolution touch screen display MOTOBLUR™ lets users stay in touch with friends, providing quick access to social media accounts and live widgets directly from the homescreen Motorola Media Link allows users to sync their media content from their desktops at home or work Loaded with the ability to create group emails and communication Adobe® Flash® Player 10 for uncompromised viewing of applications, content and videos 5MP camera with auto focus, flash and digital zoom 2GB internal; 2GB microSD card in box, expandable up to 32GB1 Access to Google Mobile™ Services (Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Talk™, browsing) 1700 mAH battery for 7.1 hours of talk time and 16 days in standby2
About JCB
JCB is the world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment with 22 factories around the world including 11 in the UK, six in India and others in Brazil, the USA, China and Germany. The company employs more than 10,000 people worldwide and is privately owned by the Bamford family. In 2010 JCB’s earnings on an EBITDA basis were £235 million (2009 – £95 million) on sales of £2 billion.[/toggle]
A long time ago, Nokia came out with the 5210 and later the 5500, both these phones were extremely rugged and water resistant. But, they were no smart phones, in fact the devices were poor built versions of Nokia’s existing line.
From then till now no one thought that, post the smartphone era, we would see a Smartphone which would defy the elements and prove to be a valuable competitor in the Market.
Enter the MOTOROLA DEFY, lets take an in-depth look at the interior and exterior of the device.
Build Quality
This device exceeds many others by leaps and bounds and does exactly what everyone wants, resists water and dust, the screen is tough and scratch proof, the construction is super rigid and environment proof, Drops on concrete and mis-pocket events wont deter the DEFY from doing what it promises to do, Stay with you till the absolute end.
Rubber backing, Rigid metal frame and outer body, along with gorilla glass and masculine rivets, which man would not want a defy?
The device delivers as promised and can live up to harsh expectations, dip it in water , throw it around even go through a wash cycle. check out our quick test video below
Hardware
Buying a smartphone today leaves you expecting more for less. Lets see what we like about the device:
Stunning 3.7″ touchscreen
480×854 px Resolution
Gorilla Glass
Rubber back seal
Water resistance
Dust resistance
Wifi
FM RADIO
5 Megapixel Camera
1500mah Battery
impact resistant design
Accelerometer
Proximity Sensor
800MHz Cortex-A8 processor
TI OMAP3610 chipset
The device has all the fancy stuff you can get at the price + it has the rugged construction. We still miss HD video.
Camera & Multimedia
The Defy packs a 5 MP shooter which has auto focus, but, lacks tap to focus. Hopefully, an upgrade from motorola can add that feature to the device. I
mages come out sharp from the device and extremely quickly. Video on the other hand is just VGA and could have been HD video at 720p. That would make the camera on the defy, a complete package. The fact that you can shoot images and video underwater is what makes the camera an extremely fun instrument to use. Video at pool parties anyone?
As far as media playback goes, since the device runs Android, it is capable of a vast variety of formats and supported codecs. Everything is available either free or at a premium from the marketplace. The device packs enough power to play all sorts of videos and stream movies from the internet. The loudspeaker on the device is simply “superb” packs a punch has great sound coming from a sealed speaker.
Call Quality and Battery Life
Here at iGyaan we stress on Call quality a lot. Especially since the DEFY is priced slightly higher than other phones, we wanted that the device perform well. We got exceptionally clear sound from the earpiece, even as the device was dipped into water several times it continued to sound clearer than ever. the microphone is also exceptionally good at doing its job. Motorola made sure that the earpeice issue was resolved before launching the device.
We got zero dropped calls in our 4 hours of testing and no signal issues what so ever. The device is just plain a good phone.
Battery life was also pretty impressive we got on an average 5 hours of talk time on the device. About 8-9 hours on media playback, 6 hours of internet browsing and about 20-24hours of music playback. All of this with the WIFI on. The battery is a 1500mah battery, the large capacity plays a huge role in such battery performance.
OPERATING SYSTEM
The Defy runs Android 2.1 with MOTO BLUR- (yes MOTO BLUR works perfectly in INDIA). The performance of the device is great with a few hiccups here and there. The upgrade to ANdroid 2.2 should be rolled out soon, and should remove the lagging in the processor. Since this device has a 800 mhz cortex A8 processor , flash would work perfectly in the browser. We would also definitely love the move to sd card option.
Currently in its state the Moto Blur and customized UI from Motorola add to the experience of the OS. The OS is color-ful and has a lot of unique customizations that make life that much easier while using the DEFY.
Conclusion
An extremely well built phone / device with somewhat all the latest features. It does lack a few things (HD video, Android 2.2) but atleast a software upgrade would bring one of them. Water resistant and dust proof had us from the get go. The device is an absolute must for the outgoing individual, an outdoor person or even a clumsy fellow.
Priced at 18,000/- INR
This device gets a 4.5/5.0 from iGyaan
WE SAY POCKET IT!
Check out the full Review Video and the remaining images below.
So we just finally got word from Motorola. As we reported, The defy was officially announced yesterday in New Delhi and was made available simultaneously across vendors and distributors.
We will be uploading the unboxing video tonight followed by the review video sometime later this week.
As much as we would like to give you information, Motorola has told us to hold the news. The company is unable to Launch the device as the handsets have not yet reached distributers and therefore launch has been continually postponed. As, in the case of the Desire HD, This is information provided to us by Motorola, and as always we do not hold responsibility for the launch of the device, but, for providing information to our viewers.
We will release the Unboxing video as soon as we get a go ahead from Moto. In the meantime read what MOTO said to us.
Dear Bharat,
While we appreciate the constant updates on the release of the device on iGyaan. We would like to inform you that the device will not launching as promised and would be delayed by a few days. Our stock has not yet reached the distribution points and thus we would be delaying the launch.
Please hold further news till the time we can issue you a go-ahead. Information and videos of the test device may also be released then.
We will withhold the name of the sender for privacy sake. Rest assured, the first information on the release of the Device will be provided by us.
Update 2: Mr. Kapil Gupta (sales head for Delhi – Salora Int.) says:
The unit will be launched in the first few days of the next week, latest by Wednesday. Motorola is following a conduct with this device- and is not willing to release it before all units have been billed by the dealers and stocked.
The price of the unit will be upwards of 19,000 Rupees, thats all i can comment right now.
We will continue to provide all the relevant information as we get it. We will upload the video one we get a go ahead from Moto.
We have inside information that Motorola is prepping a massive launch of its Android phone the DEFY on the 6-7th of January 2011. The Defy as the name suggests defies all elements and is waterproof, dustproof and an inspiration to how all smart phones should be.
The Motorola Defy :
480 x 854 pixels, 3.7 inch display
Waterproof
DUST Proof
– Gorilla Glass display
– Touch sensitive controls
– MOTOBLUR UI with Live Widgets
– Multi-touch input method
– Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate
– Proximity sensor for auto turn-off
ANDROID 2.2
800MHz processor
5 MP Autofocus Camera dual led Flash
512 MB RAM
Can you guess the price? Well you dont have to, we have word that this death defying device will be below INR 20,000/-
Stay tuned for more news on this.
UPDATE :
The Information came directly from Motorola, There has already been a soft Launch of the device, we are expected to get the demo unit sometime this week. Will have an update shortly on why the Public launch has been delayed.
UPDATE 2:
We got word that MOTO is to launch the device By Tuesday 18th Jan, – A Opening at Select City Walk New Delhi on Monday 17th Jan: We have still yet to confirm this.
We already have the device and you can expect a unboxing + review shortly, plus a full function test of the device defying the elements!
