Verizon/Motorola issue fix for Droid X screen
A day after reports of 'banding' had surfaced, Motorola and Verizon issued a fix for the few that were having the problems.
The Droid X, the monster Android phone that borders on tablet but appears to be selling incredibly well, has a problem, it was reported yesterday. Â Some users were experiencing 'banding' on their Droid X devices (see video below).
A Verizon spokesperson told me that less than one-tenth of one percent of the Droid X phones had issues.  Affected users should bring their phones into Verizon service centers meanwhile an update is being pushed out to to Droid X users.
"Verizon Wireless and Motorola are aware of a very small number of Droid X units that have experienced a flickering or banding display. Motorola has resolved the issue and is continuing to ship the phones. Any consumer who experiences a flickering or banding display should contact Motorola customer support center or Verizon Wireless."
Computerworld compared the problem to the iPhone 4's antenna issue (though they are very different in severity and scope). Â A PR analyst praised Verizon/Motorola's swiftness in fixing the issue:
...By contrast, it was 22 days before Apple CEO Steve Jobs last week offered to provide customers with a free case for the iPhone 4 to help resolve an antenna problem that came to light after the June 24 launch of the device. The reports on the reception issue saddled Apple with immediate negative publicity.
"This is the right way to handle a problem," said analyst Jack Gold of J. Gold Associates. "Nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. People can deal with a problem if you admit you have one and go ahead and tell them you will fix it. That is called customer service."Â Gold said it is "much less expensive to handle a problem in the early stages than wait until lots of units get out there with the same problem and have to take remedial action."
While the Droid X is sold out until August 3rd, according to Verizon's site, online retailers like Amazon appear to have them in stock ($179 with plan). (As JR Rafael points out at PC World)
Dealnews, a coupon and bargains site shows them selling for as little as $100.
Motorola's next Droid phone is expected to be the Droid 2, a successor to the original Droid with a hardware keyboard and one of the first devices running Google's new Android OS 2.2 (Froyo).
Engadget has pinpointed a August 23rd launch window for the Droid 2.
Guy below me is a moron, the Droid 2 will just include physical keyboard and be shipped with froyo (2.2). The Droid X will be the same exact device sans physical keyboard, and will be given the update to froyo 2.2 around the same time. It doesn't cap at 2.1 you dummy
Who in their right mind would buy this with a new version coming out in a month? Different networks? What am I missing? This X caps at Android 2.1, not Froyo.
Poor Apple fanbois ! Go buy a duct tape and your phone will be fine.
Regarding Droid X small issue, at least Verizon and Motorola HONESTLY admit their product's problem right away even that's only a small quality control incident.
What apple and steve job did when they have flawed product ?
Excuses,BS,excuses,BS and more BS ....
Michael,
Did you even read the article? To me, this article says that 1) Motorola DroidX has a problem, 2) Motorola has admitted the problem, and 3) Motorola and Verizon are prepared to fix the problem if the phone is returned to them.
Sorry, but I don't think that can quantify as FUD. Oh, and this is definitely not a "perceived fault", nor was the Apple iPhone 4 antenna. These are real issues. Congrats, though, to Motorola for promptly issuing a repair.
As for Apple, I guess all I can say is "Better late than never."
One problem with this story -- my co-worker received his Droid X today & it was shipped Fedex next day. While showing me the phone, at one point the lower half of the screen had vertical bands & flickering. The only way to stop it was to, reboot the phone.
So what did they fix? Sounds more like a software problem.
Although Motorola and Verizon might have reacted quickly to earn praises, I don't think their situation was the same with Apple's antenna-gate.
iPhone 4 was more of a design issue, but still delivered a product as intended with high quality. Droid's problem, from what I can understand reading this report, is a complete manufacturing defect. This is not even something that requires special reaction or the media giving praises comparing with Apple's antenna-gate. Apple could say "it's a design; don't like it, don't buy it", but in this Droid case, that cannot be said!
BTW, if the iPhone had any defect like this, you just walk straight to the Genius Bar and get a free replacement along with a nice chat at the counter. It's always been like this; doesn't require media attention.
(What's wrong with the media nowadays? Too many reports are so narrow visioned. Stand back a few more steps, correctly assess the issue and deliver a report with objective and impartial view. Don't quote the analysts like you agree with them. Have they ever been right recently?)
Screengate!!! Screengate!!! Let's whip up breathless hysteria over this!!!!
Excuse me, but I am sick and tired of how the media has gone into overdrive to hype perceived faults with Apple and now Motorola smartphones. I own an iPhone 4 and love it. But if the tables were turned and I owned a Droid X, I would be patient. The fact is that both manufacturers are racing to meet market demand. And it's likely that these pressures contribute to mistakes. The good news is that they can be addressed.
But that does not stop bloggers, haters and media from choosing sides and sowing FUD in a shameless attempt to win clicks and sell advertising. If anything disgusts me, it's not what Apple or Motorola have failed to do (and actually, I congratulate both companies on their efforts to address the issues of early versions of their products) but the collective media and punditoctracy for making a mountain out of a mole hill.
k - Why would someone buy this with a new version coming out in a month? Because the Droid2 is not a new version of the Droid X. The DroidX has a bigger screen but no physical keyboard. The DroidX has an HDMI connection to hook up to your TV or other device and the Droid2 does not. There are many other difference. Also, FYI - The DroidX WILL be upgraded with an OTA update to Froyo within the next month so it is NOT capped at 2.1.