Google is preparing to launch a new cloud storage service that will compete directly with popular start up Dropbox and similar services. The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday evening reported that Google is almost ready to announce the new service, which will be called Google Drive. Similar to Dropbox, which creates a virtual drive containing files that are mirrored on a user’s local hard drive and on cloud servers, Google Drive will allow users to store photos, videos, documents and other files in the cloud, and it will be accessible from computers as well as Android tablets and smartphones. The service will launch in the coming weeks according to the report, and it will be free to most users, though the report does not elaborate on the amount of free storage Google will provide or which customers might be charged.

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When BGR Editor-in-chief Jonathan Geller first reviewed the original Motorola ATRIX 4G in February, he called it “one of the best smartphones to ever be available from AT&T.” Now I have that phone’s successor, the Motorola ATRIX 2. It offers a few improvements over the original, including support for faster data speeds, a slightly larger display and a beefier camera. I’ve been using the ATRIX 2 and a number of its new accessories for a while now; is it as big of a deal as the original was? Can it compete with higher-end devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S II? Those questions and more are answered in my full review, which follows after the break.

Hardware

I was not a fan of the ATRIX 2 hardware design when I first took it out of the box, but the build has actually grown on me a bit. It is bulkier and heavier than the original ATRIX, but also feels more sturdy. The back is covered with a soft-touch rubber coating that looks cheap though, just like the back of the CLIQ XT did. The display measures 4.3-inches diagonally, which is larger than the original 4-inch screen on the first ATRIX, and it maintains the same ultra sharp 960 x 540-pixel qHD resolution.

Motorola decided to ditch the fingerprint reader on the original ATRIX and instead added a useful quick-launch camera key on the side of the phone. The back of the ATRIX 2 is home to an 8-megapixel camera capable of recording 1080p video, a step up from the 5-megapixel camera on the ATRIX 4G. The power button is in easy reach on the top right of the phone and is flanked to its lower-right by volume keys. The left side of the device is home to a microUSB port and a mini-HDMI port, and both are used to connect the phone to an optional media dock or lapdock. More on those later.

Under the hood the ATRIX 2 is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, not unlike the chip found in the original. There’s also a 2GB microSD card, 4GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM. The 1GHz processor was beefy enough for moving around the operating system, but I wonder how much faster the phone could have been if Motorola had added a more modern 1.2GHz or 1.4GHz chipset.

Software

The ATRIX 2 runs Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) and the dual-core 1GHz processor had no issue taking most tasks I threw at it. Generally, every movement was fluid and quick, and I rarely saw any lag on the phone. Motorola has ditched its traditional MOTOBLUR user interface, thankfully, and instead offers a number of custom widgets and icons that aren’t as in-your-face.

I absolutely cannot stand the browser icon, which is represented by an AT&T logo. It’s a small annoyance I suppose, but I can’t figure out why Motorola would branch away from a globe icon, which is a fairly universal browser logo. Good thing there are great third-party browser options like Dolphin Browser and Firefox to replace it.

There is plenty of AT&T bloatware installed, but a lot of it is easily removable. I love how I can just long-press any application in the main menu for a quick option to uninstall it from the phone — more Android devices need to follow suit. Motorola also added a DLNA app for sharing media with an HDTV or another DLNA-certified device. In addition, there’s a Phone Portal application for keeping data in sync with your PC via Wi-Fi or USB and a few other apps.

Call Quality / Data

Motorola gave the ATRIX 2 support for 21.1Mbps HSPA+ networks, an improvement over the 14.4Mbps support on the original ATRIX. In New York City, however, I couldn’t see a difference. AT&T’s HSPA+ “4G” speeds were mediocre on the upper east side and I averaged 1.53Mbps down and 1.51Mbps up. The ATRIX 2 also supports hotspot sharing option, which allows it to share its data connection with other Wi-Fi-enabled devices; it worked quite well for me when I used it to connect my laptop to the internet.

Calls placed on the ATRIX 2 were really, really crisp. I didn’t have any complaints from the few people I called and voices were fantastically clear on my end. When I switched to speakerphone the speaker was nice and loud as well, without much distortion, but my caller said she could tell I was using speakerphone and that I wasn’t speaking directly into the handset.

Camera

The ATRIX 2 camera took several solid photos, but the shots didn’t come out as well as they did on the Galaxy S II, which remains one of my favorite cell phone cameras to date. It takes a few seconds to auto-focus onto a subject and photos are usually washed out, lacking the eye-popping colors that better camera sensors offer. When I tried to take a picture of a car driving down the street, for example, the tail lights were the only part that ended up in my picture. Having just bought a new point and shoot camera, I can say I’d definitely still keep it around instead of relying on the ATRIX 2.

While I love the addition of a quick-launch camera key, the button on the ATRIX 2 is so stiff that when I pressed it to take a photo it often caused me to move the phone and blur the shot. In the end, I found myself using the camera key to launch the camera app and I used the on-screen shutter button to snap photos. 1080p videos taken with the ATRIX 2 looked fine when I played them back on my HDTV although, again, the colors looked a bit washed out.

Webtop

Motorola’s Webtop application separates Motorola’s ATRIX 2 and other Motorola smartphones apart from the competition. While most devices may provide an HDMI-out port, there isn’t much you can actually do with it. Sure, you can connect it to a TV to show off pictures or video from a recent vacation, but the experience is often lackluster.

Motorola’s Linux-based Webtop environment, however, allows you to plug the phone into a TV or a Lapdock accessory and actually surf the web in a full browser, access your applications and view them full-screen, manage your address book, send or receive/texts and emails and more. I loved sitting back and playing X-Construct on the ATRIX 2 with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse while sitting on my living room couch. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to stream my favorite television shows using Flash or Netflix on my big screen. It’s pretty incredible knowing that the ATRIX 2 is powering it all. The interface is still a bit sluggish, but I hope Motorola continues to build on the idea. I don’t think a new application store is necessary, I just wonder how much more powerful and useful Webtop could be with a few additional applications.

Accessories

There are a ton of accessories available for the ATRIX 2, and Motorola sent us most of them. The most noteworthy of the bunch is its new Lapdock 100 device, which serves as a netbook-style device that can be fully powered by the ATRIX 2. If you want a bigger screen, there’s also a Lapdock 500 accessory.

I understand the attraction to to these accessories but I haven’t found a viable use for them yet. Certainly a road warrior might like the option to draw up a presentation using the power of the ATRIX 2 and then pack the dock away and have everything readily available on the phone. Personally, I need a full powered notebook or at the very least a netbook.

In any case, the Lapdock 100 feels much more sturdy than the original, is a bit lighter and has a revamped touchpad with support for two-finger scrolling. The dock replaces the original phone dock with a stowaway wire that can plug into the back of any Webtop-enabled smartphone from Motorola. There’s a small area for tucking the phone into as well, so that it doesn’t fall if you get up and walk around with the accessory.

Motorola also passed along a new Media Dock, which is nearly identical to the original ATRIX dock, but it fits the larger form factor of the ATRIX 2. It easily connected to my television for displaying HD content or accessing the Webtop environment, although I preferred keeping it on my desk in its Desk Mode for easily viewing calendar events, the weather and more.

Battery Life

The ATRIX 2 has a 1,735 mAh battery, which is quite large. I was able to get through the better part of a day with a full charge using the ATRIX 2 as my primary phone. However, I left it on my bedside table with about a 50% charge when I went to sleep one night and woke up to find it completely dead. Most of the phones I’ve tested recently are quite good at idling, but that doesn’t appear to be the case with the ATRIX 2. Perhaps further testing will yield better results, but for now the battery life is somewhat unimpressive.

Final thoughts

The ATRIX 2 is a no brainer for $99 with a new AT&T contract. That said, it isn’t nearly as revolutionary or as exciting as the ATRIX 4G, which launched as one of the first dual-core smartphones and introduced Motorola’s unique Webtop experience.

The camera on the ATRIX 2, though updated, still leaves a lot to be desired. But otherwise, the hardware is solid, the call quality was excellent and the data speeds were satisfactory. I find the Lapdock accessy unnecessary but would probably splurge for the media center dock. And even though I didn’t find much use for the Lapdock, it’s still a good sign to see that Motorola is improving the accessory to address the shortcomings of the original model.

If you want to spend a bit more cash with AT&T, I would suggest buying either the Samsung Galaxy S II for $199.99 or the iPhone 4S, which starts at $199.99 as well. At its $99 price point, though, the ATRIX 2 is a fantastic phone.

We’re just hours away of putting the rumors and speculation to bed, but that leaves plenty of time left for companies to try to get in on the action. Next up to the trough: Hard Candy Cases. The case maker has posted images of its upcoming iPhone 5 cases, which include a render of Apple’s supposed iPhone 5. The device can be seen above with a wider home button, a slightly different shape and a larger edge-to-edge display that frames a screenshot of iOS 3.0 quite nicely. The case renders are similar to earlier pictures of iPhone 5 cases published by Case-Mate, and those were quickly removed from the manufacturer’s site after we posted them here on BGR. Is this what the iPhone 5 will look like? We’ll all find out in just over two hours.

Thanks, Chris

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We just parted ways with the FedEx delivery man and ripped open the box to find Samsung’s latest flagship device, the GALAXY S II. This time around, however, we have AT&T’s version of the phone as opposed to the European model, and there are actually some pretty big differences between the two. For starters, the European GALAXY S II was one of the best Android handset’s we’ve ever used, but there were some big annoyances, mostly on the software-side with TouchWiz. In the AT&T version, a lot of these issues have been fixed. The device uses the standard Android Gingerbread keyboard as opposed to a Samsung keyboard, which is a welcome change. The email app is infinitely more usable and enjoyable, especially with a Microsoft Exchange account, and the software on the device feels more cohesive. The default notification sounds are terrible, but if that’s the biggest annoyance with AT&T’s GALAXY S II so far, it’s looking pretty good. Stay tuned for our full review coming up soon, but in the meantime, you know where to find the pretty pictures.

The first images and details surrounding Google’s next major Android release have seemingly been revealed. Mobile site RootzWiki claims to have received images and details from a source with an early build of Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich,” and it has published two images of the OS running on a Nexus S. The site says this Ice Cream Sandwich build is “still very early in the works and not 100% functional,” and it speculates that the OS will not be released in the near future as a result. Among the features reportedly found in Android 4.0 are a new blue theme in place of Gingerbread’s green theme, a camera with an integrated panorama feature and various Honeycomb-like UI details. The site’s source says that Ice Cream Sandwich will be made available for the Nexus S following its release, but the Nexus Prime will be the first device to launch with the new OS, just as BGR exclusively reported in June.

Thanks, Steven

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The sleek, slender smartphone pictured above is absolutely not Apple’s next-generation iPhone. It is entirely possible, however, that the iPhone 5 could feature the same design. Images of a fake iPhone 5 were published this past weekend by gizchina.com, and they show a strikingly thin 7mm-thick handset that has all the makings of an Apple design. The device itself is certainly not built of the same high-quality materials or components Apple would use, but as has been noted by several sites that picked up the story, it is possible — perhaps even likely — that the above clone is based on Apple’s actual iPhone 5 design. Manufacturing has probably begun at this point, and employees of Apple’s manufacturing partners leak parts and information left and right. So, a Chinese iPhone clone maker obtaining Apple’s designs (or even a working device) and building a clone is hardly far fetched. The design also looks like it would fit perfectly into some of the iPhone 5 cases that have surfaced, though that doesn’t necessarily say much. Nothing is certain until Apple makes it official, but this could very well be the design we see Apple executives showing off when the iPhone 5 is finally unveiled in the coming months.

[Via Gizmodo]

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An image of what could be Apple’s next-generation iPhone has surfaced online. 9to5 Mac published the photo, which it received from a tipster, and the site does not claim to be able to verify the authenticity of the image. According to the report, the site’s tipster saw a presumed Apple employee using the device in public when he snapped the above picture of the man and the device. While there’s no telling if the handset seen above is in fact Apple’s iPhone 5, it certainly doesn’t resemble any iOS device we’ve seen to date. There are some discrepancies with earlier leaks, however, that claimed to reveal case designs for the iPhone 5. The volume rocker, for example, is still on the left side of the device pictured above, but earlier case designs showed it on the right. On the other hand, Apple has undoubtedly finalized its hardware design at this point, so it’s entirely possible that the iPhone 5 is undergoing real-world testing. A test on a train is certainly necessary so Apple can see how the device performs when rapidly switching between cell towers, so that’s another good sign. Would an Apple employee be holding the device out in the open without something concealing the device and the Apple logo on the back? We’re not so sure.

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Verizon Wireless just sent us the 4G LTE-equipped version of Samsung’s flagship Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and we’re ready to deliver our initial impressions. First things first: this should go without saying at this point, but this puppy is ridiculously fast. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network is unmatched when it comes speed and latency — from the user’s perspective, it’s pretty much like being connected to a Wi-Fi network. A few quick tests performed just outside New York City showed the blazing-fast speed we’ve come to expect from Verizon’s 4G network, ranging from about 12-15Mbps down and 3-5Mbps up. On the hardware side of the equation, Samsung’s LTE tablet has undergone a handful of cosmetic changes. Holding the slate in landscape orientation, the stereo speakers have been moved up the sides of the device to accommodate the power button and the volume rocker, which are now on the left side of the Tab 10.1 instead of up on top. The back of the tablet is also slightly different. It now features a gray plastic rear cover with a brushed metal effect. We like the look of the new back but unfortunately, the quality seems to be a bit lacking. Within a few minutes of removing the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 from its box, there were already a few scratches on the back case. Overall build is solid, however, just like our original limited edition 10.1 model, and it’s still remarkable that Samsung was able to make this tablet so thin. Check out our hands-on 4G LTE Galaxy Tab 10.1 photo gallery below for more photos of this sleek, speedy slate.

In addition to exclusively revealing the first photos of AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy S II earlier this morning, we also got our hands on the first solid images of HTC’s upcoming 10-inch slate, codenamed the HTC Puccini. While confirmed specifications are light for the time being, the tablet will feature an 8-megapixel camera with what appears to be a dual-LED flash, as well as stereo speakers and a microphone. Also, as we can clearly see in the image above, the Puccini will support stylus input just like the HTC Flyer. Earlier reports suggest the tablet will include a 1.5GHz processor, Android Honeycomb, HTC Sense and a 4G LTE radio. There’s still no word on a launch date, but let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later. Check out the rest of the photos in our HTC Puccini gallery below.

BGR has obtained exclusive images of AT&T’s upcoming Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone. Following our report on Monday showing an unnamed Samsung slider headed to AT&T, we have confirmed that the device pictured is indeed a variant of Samsung’s blockbuster Galaxy S II headed to AT&T. Live images of the device reveal the Galaxy S II model number, SGH-I927, along with additional details surrounding the sleek Gingerbread phone. While it appears as though Samsung managed to keep AT&T’s Galaxy S II relatively slender in spite of adding on a full sliding QWERTY keyboard, the textured back cover on the phone looks like a bit of an eyesore. The Galaxy S II is already the fastest-selling Samsung smartphone of all time, and it has yet to launch on a single carrier in the U.S. market. While U.S. carrier versions of the smartphone are expected to arrive in August, release timing and pricing for the AT&T version pictured here are not yet available. It is also unclear whether the device will launch with the Galaxy S II moniker or with AT&T’s own branding as the original Galaxy S did. Several additional images, including a pair that shows off some very impressive benchmark test results, follow below.

Verizon Wireless just shot us over its latest flagship DROID handset, the Motorola DROID 3, and it’s pretty intense. Specs-wise, it features a whopping 4-inch qHD display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, a fully redesigned slide-out QWERTY keyboard, an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture, global roaming capabilities, and it runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The device is thicker and heavier than we’d imagined, but that’s not to say it’s too chunky. It’s actually thinner than the DROID 2 and even the original DROID, though the bigger display certainly makes the overall footprint feel very large. Motorola’s qHD displays are PenTile displays, and unfortunately they all look pretty pixelated. Despite all those pixels, the DROID 3′s display is no exception, though it most likely won’t matter for the majority of consumers. The phone feels nice and solid, and the keyboard is incredibly spacious. In fact, the DROID 3 easily sports the best QWERTY of any of Verizon’s Android devices. Check out photos of the Motorola DROID 3 in our gallery below, and be on the look out for our full review soon!

The Motorola Photon 4G from Sprint wasn’t the only Motorola device that got official a little while ago. The company has introduced a low cost Android handset for prepaid carrier Virgin Mobile, and it definitely tries to set the bar for what a prepaid phone is in today’s market. For starters, the Motorola Triumph’s styling is eerily similar to the first Motorola DROID, just thinner, and without the slide-out keyboard. The unit is solid, and while we noticed a bit of resistance using the display, Motorola informed us that it wasn’t a final production unit and that could change. Pricing wasn’t communicated to us, but it sure looks like it will be the prepaid Android handset to beat so far. Check out another image of the Triumph after the break.

We’re here at E3 2011 in Los Angeles and we just got our hands on Sony’s brand new PlayStation Vita — its next-generation portable gaming console — and we’re impressed with what we’ve seen so far. Games were crystal clear in HD and the device was light, but large enough to feel like we were getting a great immersive gaming experience. It’s probably a bit too big for most pockets, but it will be perfect in a backpack. Also, you’ll probably note the fingerprints in some images — the device is definitely a grease magnet. The controls all felt snappy and they didn’t depart too much from the previous-generation PSP, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, the demo units we played with were locked in game-only mode, which meant we couldn’t back out to check out the other pre-installed applications, the default user interface, or the web browser, so we’ll definitely want to revisit that in the future. The Vita will land for $249.99 but there will also be a 3G version available from AT&T for $50 more. Sadly, we still don’t know when it will launch, but the good news is the gaming already feels top notch. Be sure to check out our hands-on photo gallery below!

One of our sources spent some time with the upcoming T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide, codenamed Doubleshot, and he was able to snap a few quick photos of the device to show the world. It runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread and also features HTC’s latest Sense UI 3.0. We’ve been told the device runs “just as smoothly as the HTC Sensation” and is “much faster than the myTouch 4G.” An 8-megapixel camera is confirmed as is a shiny metal back cover, though our source indicates that the display isn’t 3D as had been rumored by other publications. In fact, the screen “isn’t anything to write home about,” but apparently the Android navigation buttons are softer than on the myTouch 4G and the slide-out QWERTY keyboard keys are “squishy” like the T-Mobile G2. T-Mobile is shooting for a launch during the first or second week in July, we’re told. One more shot after the break!

Twitter on Wednesday unveiled two new services tied to its massively popular social network. The first is one that companies like ImageShack and Twitpic will be none too happy about — a photo-sharing service built right into Twitter.com. Users will see a new camera icon beneath the tweet composition box on the site, and clicking it will allow them to upload images that will display with their tweets. Twitter has partnered with Photobucket to host the photos, and uploading will not initially be supported from mobile devices. Twitter says it is working with carriers on MMS upload support, and the company made no mention of integration with various official mobile apps. The other major announcement out of Twitter HQ is a revamped integrated search service that will now list images and videos alongside tweets on results pages. The new search is available immediately and Twitter’s photo-sharing service will roll out over the next several weeks. Hit the break for a video showcasing Twitter’s new photo sharing service.

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