Motorola have been pretty busy in recent weeks getting select users to test operating systems for some of their devices. First we heard of owners testing the Android 4.0 update for the Motorola Xoom, which was shortly followed by a general release of the software.

Then a couple of days ago it was the turn of Motorola Droid RAZR users getting invites for testing of a minor software update that fixed some reported bugs. Now today according to a report over at Pocket Now owners of the Atrix 4G have been getting invites from the manufacturer , but as with any Motorola Soak Test invite users will be going into it blind so won’t know what they will be downloading.

This has led many to speculate that the testing could be for a pre-release version of the new Android operating system, but others think it may just be some minor bug fixes and enhancements just like the Droid RAZR.

Previously Motorola had said they would start releasing the new Android software six weeks after the final version was released by Google, but have not yet mentioned anything about the Atrix 4G. Do you have the Motorola Atrix 4G?

Owners of the Atrix 4G can now get the Gingerbread update after Motorola posted it to their support site for AT&T customers. Unfortunately the update doesn’t seem to be an over the air download, but there has been some users reporting it appearing via the System Updates preference screen. But according to Dieter Bohn of This is my next, the update is worth the effort.

The update site gives users full instructions and information about the update, which you can see here. On top of the standard Android 2.3 software Motorola has added some of its own niceties which include improvements to the Gallery and Music apps. You will also find an updated version of the MotoBlur skin which includes a dock and organized app tray.

Other improvements include the capability of full 1080p video playback, faster Webtop browsing, and now users have the ability to get rid of one notification at a time from the notification tray. Once you head over to the Motorola support page you have to download the Android update to your computer. Then you have to copy it over to an SD card for installing to your device.

One new feature which will please many Atrix 4G owners will be the app side loading. Users can now press the Unknown Sources button in the Application menu under settings. Doing this will now let users install any application they want including from the Amazon Appstore.

The Android Gingerbread update has been a problem with some of the platform’s handsets. Owners of the HTC Desire were originally told they were not be getting the update, before the next day being told exactly the opposite. We told you recently that the HTC Thunderbolt was having the Gingerbread software update pulled.

It was reported that compatibility was an issue for the update being temporarily delayed. This is why many critics prefer the way that iOS works as the updates are pushed out for most iPhone versions. But with Android having numerous handset manufacturers it hasn’t been as easy so far. Google are trying to work with cell phone companies to find a solution to this though.

Have you downloaded Android Gingerbread to your Motorola Atrix 4G yet? How did it go?

The H Security reports that there are now over 300 penetration-testing tools on Backtrack 5; these will allow users along with administrators to test a number of features on a range of devices. The range of tools is extensive, such as security checks for password crackers, vulnerability scanners sniffers and much more.

We mentioned above that the new software has already been used on the Motorola Atrix 4G and the Xoom, as it was used to test the functionality of the latest version of ARM. This was done by gaining access to Windows XP via Metasploit. For those who have been using BackTrack 4, then we have to advise you that all support for this has now ceased.

If you visit the BackTrack-Linux, then you will be able to keep up-to-date with all the latest bug fixes, updates and how to guides. Have you tried BackTrack 5 yet?

It’s fair to say that AT&T came in for a lot of criticism after their decision to remove HSUPA support, and ultimately remove Atrix user’s ability to download data at 4G speeds. Instead, ever since launch, users have had to deal with sluggish download speeds and frustration ever since – until now that is.

The update is now available, and aside from HSUPA support, it also adds some other worthwhile features, such as better quality quality on the Skype application, improved WiFi connectivity, measures to prevent screen from freezing, email improvements and overall better call quality, as reported from Phonedog. All in all, it looks like an update which Atrix users are going to very happy about.

However, we’re now concerned about what data speeds you’re actually getting in your area. Have things drastically improved as a result of the HSUPA support, or are you still experiencing slow data speeds whilst browsing or downloading?

You can see a full list of changes along with download and install instructions on Motorola’s website, to be honest installation should be simple as you should receive a notification telling you an update is available, then all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions. If you do not receive a notification simply go to settings, about phone, system updates here you can check for updates.

Once you have installed the update you may notice increased data speeds and a more stable connection, less screen freezes, an improved Happenings Widget, better call functionality, better email notifications and a few less interesting changes which affect Skype, Yahoo! Mail and international roaming.

There are probably a lot of less noticeable improvements which have been made to make the Atrix 4G more secure and stable, let us know if you have noticed any minor changes yourself in the comments section below.

Did the update process go smoothly for you?

But just how bad is the problem on the Atrix 4G though? That’s what we want to know. Over on the Motorola forums, we see that a fair few of you are having problems related to the call quality that the recipient hears whilst in a call. Such things include a ‘muffled voice’, hearing distortion and crackling in calls, and also having to speak louder than usual just for the other person to hear them clearly.

Luckily, Motorola hears you and their Forum manager ‘Mark’ has detailed a list of questions for users to answer in order to help them determine the exact issue at hand. Questions such as, ‘are you using a case, if so which brand?’, ‘what is your current noise suppression level’, and there’s even a question asking if you have facial hair or not.’

You can find the full set of questions and reports from Atrix 4G users on the voice quality issues over at the Motorola forums here. If you have an Atrix 4G and are having problems similar to the ones mentioned above, get in touch with us.

Recently AndroidAndMe ran benchmark tests on both smartphones and the LG Optimus 2X wiped the floor with the Motorola Atrix 4G in every test but one, you can see all of the test results here.

The test results also compare these smartphones against the Samsung Nexus S, HTC G2, HTC Nexus One and the Motorola Droid, in the Neocore, Nenamark1, Smartbench 2011 Productivity, Smartbench 2011 Games and Sunspider Javascript 0.9.1 benchmarks the Optimus 2X and ATRIX 4G are head and shoulders above the competition, in fact they make the Motorola Droid and HTC Nexus One look sluggish.

There are a few things to remember, firstly benchmark results do not give us a “real-world” representation of smartphone performance, secondly the Optimus 2X outperforms the ATRIX 4G in a lot of the tests because it outputs at 800 x 480, whilst the ATRIX 4G outputs at 960 x 540, one thing that is for sure is that the Tegra 2 platform really sets new standards for other smartphones to follow.

Below we have embedded one of the benchmark results charts, doesn’t it just make you want to upgrade your handset?

Motorola’s Atrix 4G is the fastest Android handset on the market, but you can be certain that it will not retain that title for long. The Tegra 2 CPU and 1GB of RAM is more than enough to keep you happy, but what do we really know about the hardware lurking inside? There is only ever one way to find out, and because we are not brave enough to take our devices apart we have to admire iFixit.

We have good news, the LCD is not glued in, this will become an advantage if you crack your glass, as you will not have to pay the cost of a new screen just to get the damaged glass replaced. The team at iFixit were surprised that there were no warnings such as VOID stickers if you take the Atrix 4G apart, although that would never stop them.

So we now know that the Motorola Atrix 4G is not only an easy phone to fix, but also the quickest in the Android range. However, the team behind the teardown has two reasons why it is not the best.

Following on from the speed of the handset, LeGit Reviews has done a benchmark performance test, and has pitted it against some of the other most popular phones running on Android. We have to wonder how fast it will compare to the rumored HTC Pyramid? We have also included a face-off video for you below, which sees the Atrix 4G go against the HTC Inspire 4G.

Do you believe that the Motorola Atrix 4G is the best Android smartphone yet?

AT&T has just confirmed via Twitter, that the dual-core equipped smartphone will actually be launching earlier than schedule. Instead of launching on March 6th, we can tell you that you’ll be able to pick up the Atrix 4G as early as February 22nd.

This new date applies to both pre-order customers and those of you who are wanting to pick it up from AT&T direct. Pre-orders will start shipping on February 21st, while store sales will start on February 22nd – everyone’s happy.

Here’s the Tweet that confirms everything:

”We’ll beat our target timing. ATRIX 4G in-store sales begin 2/22. Existing pre-orders will be shipped for delivery on 2/21.”

So with that good news out of the way, we’re going to switch our attention to something else which may interest you. If you were expecting to pick up the handset from AT&T direct for $199 on contract, you’ll definitely want to head to Radioshack first as they will be offering the 4G smartphone for $149 – undercutting AT&T in the process. Head to this report from Engadget for more details.

Are you going to pick up the Motorola Atrix 4G or do you have your eye on a different smartphone?

According to Eric M. Zeman over on the phonescoop.com website, AT&T will be making the Motorola Atrix 4G handset available for pre-order as from February 13th. The device – which then launches on March 6th – will cost $199.99, with a new two-year service agreement.

As Peter Chubb previously mentioned here, Motorola revealed last month that a Laptop Dock would be available upon the Motorola Atrix 4G’s AT&T launch, although no pricing details were given. However, AT&T has now released details on not one but two accessory bundles.

The first bundle – which cost $499 after a $100 mail-in rebate – includes the Atrix 4G handset and the Laptop Dock accessory, but does require a tethering add on and a subscription to AT&T’s Data Pro smartphone plan. The laptop dock can be purchased on its own for $499.

Customers also have the option of a second bundle, which will cost you $189.99 and comes with a Motorola HD Multimedia Dock, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and a remote control. If you’d prefer to buy the HD dock separately, it will cost you $129.99.

As Bonnie Cha over at cnet.com recently reported, the laptop dock accessory allows users to connect their Motorola Atrix 4G smartphone to a laptop shell, enabling them to send emails, view media and browse the web on a larger screen and with a bigger keyboard.

In case you need reminding, the Motorola Atrix 4G runs Anroid 2.2 OS and comes with a 4-inch qHD touchscreen, a 5-megapixel camera/720p camcorder, an HDMI out and 16GB of onboard memory. Will you be buying the Motorola Atrix 4G handset?