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Ars reviews the Motorola Droid X
- sigzero 16y agoDespite being "thin" that phone is too large.
- sorbus 16y agoA 4.3-inch display is a bit excessive for a phone, I think. Still, with the right usage pattern (using it for access to the internet and similar things), it could be useful - and, for the right user, the larger screen and presumable better visibility/less squinting would trump the problem of it being comparatively large.
- isaacforce 16y agoHaving larger than average hands I welcome a larger touchscreen phone in to the marketplace; but it does look a bit overly large when held by the reviewer in the opening image, yes. I used to have an iPhone, and now I have an original Droid, and I didn't and haven't found a way to hold either of them in portrait and type with both thumbs comfortably. The iPhone soft keyboard was a bit better than the Droid's, but the Droid's hard keyboard is much better for me than either on-screen option.
- joshu 16y agohttp://tweetphoto.com/26363986 http://tweetphoto.com/26363986
- Griever 16y agoHaving held one in person I actually found it to be relatively comfortable in both your hands as well as in your pocket. Just because it is larger than the other "thin" phones out there, I sorta think it works out to its benefit. Typing on the Droid X was slightly easier than on my N1 (and typing on my N1 is simple)
- blaix 16y agoTyping on it is wonderful. The bigger screen really helps there.
- jordyhoyt 16y agoIt is large, but it really doesn't feel like it. I still have to pat my pocket to make sure it is in there, probably because it is so thin. The only time I think of how big it is, is when I am pleasantly surprised at how much fits on the screen, or when I'm trying to operate it with a thumb, holding it in my palm.
- andrew1 16y agoToo big for what, or for who?
- fragmede 16y agoIs it just me, or does Ars need a table of contents for longer articles?
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- jsz0 16y agoI wonder how Motorola plans to get around Apple's patent for the visual expander aka magnifying glass text selection tool?
- kirse 16y agoThe same way Apple got around Nokia's patents and licensing regarding GSM, UMTS, EDGE, WiFi, etc... ignore it and let the issue work itself out in court.
- Zak 16y agoAlthough the plastic buttons are sturdy and responsive, they feel like a step down from the capacitive action buttons on the N1 and the EVO. I disagree fairly strongly here. Capacitive buttons should have a longer lifespan and some "cool factor" over standard mechanical buttons, but they're a lot harder to use by feel. I see them as a significant step down in usability, and I don't understand why more professional reviewers don't seem to feel the same way. I don't think the lifespan is a big issue; using components of half-decent quality, the buttons should significantly exceed the standard 2-year life of a smartphone.
- blaix 16y agoI agree. The "real" buttons are one of the reasons I chose a Droid X over an Incredible. I don't think I've liked capacitive buttons on any device I've ever tried them on: my laptop's media keys, my old ipod... it never feels right. I prefer the physical feedback.
- Zak 16y agoFor me, a physical keyboard is very preferable for the same reasons. Unfortunately, most of the high-end phones with physical keyboards that are coming out soon have capacitive buttons. It seems to me that people who prefer physical keyboards would also prefer mechanical buttons, so I'm a bit confused by the behavior of phone manufacturers in this case.
- blaix 16y agoIt's funny that I prefer mechanical buttons, but not a physical keyboard. At least not any implementation of a physical keyboard that I've tried so far.
- ajg1977 16y agoGoing off on a bit of a tangent for a second... I didn't realize that Ars had started charging if you wanted to view/print an entire article instead of viewing it one page at a time. It's a good example of one of the worst ways to monetize a product. I don't feel like I'm being offered a premium product or extra content, I feel like I'm being artificially penalized because I'm not handing over $5 a month. Better ways to encourage subscribers? Give non-subscribers access to a deep, but not in-depth, review. Perhaps 5-6 pages instead of 10. Offer additional content related to the article. Thoughts from other staff writers, head-to-head section with competing products, more examples photos/videos taken of the device. Include a 2-3 minute "video review" where I can see the device demonstrated in close up HD video. None of these ideas are particularly groundbreaking, but you feel like you're GETTING something, instead of not losing something basic that used to be standard practice.
- mikeknoop 16y agoHmm, but from a monetization point of view it makes sense why they would trade off page (read: ad) views versus users paying.
- jacobolus 16y agoThey've been doing subscriptions for more than 1 page at a time for at least 6–7 years, and it’s been working out okay. Do you have a reason beyond the anecdotal that makes you think it’s one of the worst ways to monetize? FWIW, I think giving everyone access to the full content but a page at a time while letting subscribers see a nicely formatted PDF is a perfectly reasonable perk. Cutting the reviews in half and only letting non-subscribers see the first half seems like a terrible idea to me.
- necrecious 16y agoI've argued that the best way to monetize something is about having features that saves people time. So Ars is completely correct in their approach. I am also using the same idea for my startup. So that's two anecdotal evidence that it is the best way to monetize.
- 16y ago
- masterponomo 16y agoThe review did not explain how to summon Nath Jones for a photo shoot. Aside from that, excellent!
- blaix 16y agoI was under the impression that the dedicated camera button did in fact jump to the camera app. Disappointed to read that it doesn't.
- ZeroGravitas 16y agoA comment from an owner claims it does, but only from the home screen.
- blaix 16y agoI just got mine. It actually does from any anywhere, as long as it's unlocked. Very handy. Only thing handier would be if it worked while the phone was locked. Though I don't know how likely an accidental long-press of the button in your pocket is. My guess is not very likely. But it is quite large...