AccessoriesNews

RIP: Motorola Webtop and laptop docks officially dead

26


We knew it was coming, and saw the laptop dock & Webtop project take its last breath a month ago. It was inevitable, Motorola’s laptop docks were pricey and not exactly the most enticing products for customers. And while we have seen prices drop to $50 in an effort to get rid of all remaining stock, Motorola hadn’t officially killed the project until now.

“Motorola’s Webtop app helps users extend their smartphone experience to larger screens. While consumers around the world have adopted Webtop and the concept spurred a lot of innovation in the industry, the adoption has not been strong enough to justify continued resources being allocated to developing Webtop on future devices. We have also seen development of the Android operating system focus on the inclusion of more desktoplike features. Beginning with Photon Q and Droid Razr M/Droid Razr HD/Droid Razr Maxx HD, we will no longer be including Webtop on our products moving forward.”

Motorola’s concept definitely had potential, and we would have loved to see it done right. Sadly, while the Webtop platform looked much like a full-fledged PC operating system, it was not. It was simply a skinned version of Android, and for a price that is significantly higher than many Windows netbooks.

With Motorola’s statement, we say goodbye to Motorola’s Webtop project and welcome upcoming smartphone improvements. These are promised to include better battery life, LTE and updates, so the future is still looking very bright!

[Via: CNET]

Edgar Cervantes

AT&T to switch from 30 to 14 days for returns and service cancelations

Previous article

ASUS Padfone 2 approved by GCF, LTE radios on board

Next article

You may also like

26 Comments

  1. It was overpriced and on top of that the carriers decided to charge extra as if it was another computer being tethered to the phone – ridiculous!

  2. Lower the price, relaunch universally for all Android phones, epic fail reversed!

    1. Launch it with Ubuntu and sell it for $99 or less and it’ll be a success

      1. Its not a comp though, it uses the phone as the brains and its just a screen and keyboard/mouse input.

        1. I know that but with the power and memory of current and new phones they should be able to get it running.

    2. It would still fail because it was still dumb.

  3. Does this mean the end of the Ubuntu for Android project too?

  4. The pricing policy killed it. It was an OK idea, should have been OK pricing too.
    Now Moto, please free up my phone’s memory from that monstrosity, so I could continue waiting for Ubuntu for Android.

  5. I considered getting one, but couldn’t even justify it as a toy to play with.

  6. I got one a lapdock 100 for $50 and love it with my Razr Maxx. It’s going to make it hard for me to want to upgrade for a while.

  7. Someone sell an adapter to make the keyboard/trackpad bluetooth rather then usb and I would buy both the adapter (up to $70) and a lapdock instantly! But alas since my GNex is MHL only instead of duo port like the Motos this was designed for I am just left with the dream of “what could have been…

  8. It was too soon, the technology was not ready, the ones infused were too sluggish. Plus the high price was deterrent.

  9. this “dock” was just overly complicated in design and functionality. Not surprised.

  10. They should stop including blur as well

  11. We at ANDROID FORUMS Cell Phone SIMetery wishes to extend our deepest symphony to the Motorola-Docker Family. We understand the grief you must be going through.

    To show our support, AFCell Phone SIMetery has opened up a new section in our digital grounds we call “The Garden Of Eternal Docking”. You may lay to rest your Motorola webtops, laptops and defunct docking stations here in the sprawling picturesc hillside e-park, providing you and yours a tranquil place to visit loved ones.

    Click HERE: To leave a consoling thought for your device amd the “SIMetery” will do the rest.
    http://androidforums.com/lounge/435313-cell-phone-simetery-lay-your-dead-cellphones-rest-here.html

  12. How was webtop a skinned version of Android? This is the first time I have ever read such a thing.

    1. its like an extition of motoblur

      1. Motoblur!….ooooh you said a baaaaad word! LMAO

          1. He actually “DID” say “B L U R “

          2. Ooooooooh!….Do it again!
            ……Moooo FAHH – SAAAAH!

  13. Dear Motorola, I purchased a Bionic last year because it seemed like a good phone, and a Lapdock to be more productive. You’ve not upgraded the Bionic even though you promised to do so, you’re now cancelling the Lapdock. Now your platform is the same as everybody elses. Can you give me any reason to stay with any Motorola device? How can I trust anything you tell me?

    1. Sounds like my experience with dell

  14. I jumped on the sinking ship as the Lapdocks are being liquidated. I have to say I love it! It was a move in the right direction of the true mobile office. I think Google/Motorola Mobility is jumping the gun on this decision.

    I think the experience will be even better once ICS hits my Atrix2. I hope anyway. I know some are missing the lack of Ubuntu but for a functional standpoint. You can browse the web and work on documents through Google Drive with ease.

    The only thing that would have made it better is a full sized touch screen.

    1. Dell made the same mistake when they dropped the ball on the Streak tablet/phone. Now other manufacturerers are making devices with th same if not better specs. I have a Galaxy Note and Streak. The streak still has a better “feel” to it and works like a charm.

      I agree, Google/Motorola seem to ne taking a gamble on this discontinuation.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Accessories