Download Droid Maxx
Lorraine Karmazyn
Reception towards the device was mostly positive, with the caveat that the device is only available on the US carrier, Verizon Wireless. Some reviewing outlets called the device "the best Android device available on Verizon Wireless". Many others praised Motorola's Active Notification system, which turns on part of the AMOLED screen to "blink" notifications to the user, in lieu of a traditional LED notification light. The soft touch kevlar unibody as well as the overall physical design was praised as well. Reviewers were mixed to the device's continued use of a 720p HD resolution at a 5 in (130 mm) screen size, though complimented the AMOLED display's brightness, deep blacks, and its benefits to battery conservation.[5]
The Droid Maxx runs a mostly stock version of Google's Android mobile operating system, initially shipping with the version Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Jellybean 4.2 included various improvements to accessibility, new lock screen features with quick access to the camera, support for wireless display (Miracast), and a new built-in clock application with world clock, stopwatch, and timer. Motorola and Verizon released an update to Android 4.4 KitKat on 19 December 2013, and an additional update to Android 4.4.4 on 15 July 2014.[6][7] KitKat brought restyled navigation bars, "immersive" full-screen mode, stronger security, power management and some other minor improvements. Motorola also enhanced its proprietary camera software for better color, exposure, and dynamic range accuracy and included the updated Google Hangouts application which included SMS/MMS messaging functionality. Finally, support for the Square credit card reader was added.[8] The KitKat 4.4.4 update brought further improvements to camera functionality, improved Bluetooth connectivity, and added Isis Mobile Wallet (now called Softcard).[9]
The smartphone can share its internet connection over WiFi (hotspot), and can access the Google Play Store, an online distribution platform for the Android OS managed by Google. Users may purchase and download applications developed using the Android SDK, music, movies, television shows, books, and magazine subscriptions.The Droid Maxx, like its Moto X sibling, showcases the Google Now function via Touchless Control. By speaking the hot phrase: "Ok Google Now" (even while the phone is asleep), the device will launch a voice assistant which taps into Google Now to control the phone and run natural language queries with the Google search engine without requiring physical input from the user. This function makes use of the natural language processor in the X8 system.Active Notifications displays relevant notifications to the user while the phone is face-up. The minimalist notifications show on the lock screen as white icons against a black background; power is conserved by not turning on pixels that would display the black background. Furthermore, by use of the Contextual Awareness processor in the X8 system and proximity sensor, the Droid Maxx "knows" when it is face-down or in a pocket, and will not display Active Notifications.
The Droid Maxx 2 runs Android Lollipop 5.1.1 out of the box, which is a bummer since the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update has been available for over a month. However, Motorola and Verizon promise that the Marshmallow update is coming very soon.
What separates Motorola from other Android manufacturers is its software on top of Android. While other manufacturers continue to muck up Android with a different look and useless apps, Motorola preserves the pure Android experience and includes some very useful features.
If only you could, YouTube could quickly be the top alternative to the best podcast apps on iOS or on Android. But as is, you may very well be forced to pop your phone in your pocket with the screen still active, giving your pant's pocket free range to tap your screen incessantly.
Android, Google, Google Play, Nexus and other marks are trademarks of Google Inc. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
Running a relatively outdated and mostly stock version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the Droid Maxx 2 comes with a few software features to make it smarter and more intuitive. Verizon said the phone will get an Android Marshmallow update but had no time frame to share yet.
Of the 16GB total storage on the Maxx 2, the Android OS takes up 5GB, while apps hold 3GB straight out of the box. That leaves you with approximately 8GB for photos, videos, music, downloads and additional apps you might want to install.
For around the same price, you could get the Nexus 5X, which provides not only faster performance but even more endurance and the latest Android Marshmallow OS. The Nexus 5X also has a convenient fingerprint sensor and solid cameras. However, Verizon customers who want a phone that can get a little wet and go the distance should consider the Droid Maxx 2.
In addition to that, the software on the phone is actually really great. It's the first Maxx Motorola has made since being fully taken over by Google. As such, the software is extremely close to stock Android. It's minimal, fast, and smooth, and it looks great. It's basically the opposite of Samsung's TouchWiz. Oh, and remember all of those software features Mat Honan loved on the Moto X that he mentioned in his review? The Droid Maxx has all of them.
The phone's design is well-considered, though not quite as refined as the Moto X's. The Moto X wastes no space, where as the Droid Maxx continues to use the three capacitive navigation buttons on the bottom. Especially considering that Google now owns Motorola, this makes no sense, since these buttons are completely unnecessary in Android 4.2.2 (which is what the Droid Maxx comes loaded with). It also doesn't have that same curved back that the Moto X has, and of course, you can't customize the phone's color scheme a thousand different ways like you can with the X.
WIRED Fantastic battery life. Very close to stock Android. Additional features that actually don't suck, like Touchless Controls, Active Notifications, and Assist. Good, loud speakers.
The Droid line has not been compelling in a long time, and like most other Android smartphones it has fallen in Samsung's shadow. The one glimmer of hope, the only handset that catches anyone's eye, is the one with the outrageous battery life. Even if it's not the biggest selling point for many users, it at least remains unique in the Android landscape.
While iOS is a more stable and simpler-to-use operating system, it has fallen behind in features, especially behind Android. There are not as many camera software features, for example, and notifications are still not as good as they are on Android. Apple has been playing a lot of catch-up lately.
Most Android phones still are not as smooth or fast in operation as the iPhone. Though the latest batch, including the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One have processors powerful enough that scrolling on the screen and responsiveness are much better.
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