To say the launch of the Bionic has been a long time coming is quite the understatement. Motorola’s latest Droid handset was announced way back in January, and now–eight months later–it’s finally being sold at Verizon Wireless outlets everywhere. So the question on your mind right now should be: was it worth the wait? Check out these specs… The Droid Bionic is Verizon’s first dual-core and LTE-capable smartphone. It packs a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, 4.3-inch qHD screen featuring scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass, an 8MP camera with AF, flash, and 1080p video capture, a front-facing cam for video chatting, 16GB on board memory and 16GB microSD card pre-installed, and HDMI out. It can serve as a Mobile Hotspot with up to five WiFi-enabled devices. This beast runs the latest version of Android–2.3.4 Gingerbread, that is. And it’s all jammed inside a slim 2.6(w) x 5.0(h) x0.4(d) shell weighing 5.6oz. Ah, what a mouthful. In short, if you’re a VZW customer and on the market for the latest and greatest and the best of both worlds (dual-core power and 4G LTE blazing speeds), the Bionic is a clear choice. How long it will remain on top is yet to be seen; I hear the iPhone 5 (4S?) is just around the corner.

Right–pricing. The Bionic runs a Benjamin higher than most smartphones. Order one today from VZW for $299.99 on a new two-year contract. Full PR sits after the break.

[Via VerizonWireless]

VERIZON WIRELESS AND MOTOROLA RAISE THE BAR WITH DROID BIONIC™ BY MOTOROLA

On the Fastest, Most Advanced 4G LTE Network in America

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Verizon Wireless and Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI), today announced DROID BIONIC™ by Motorola will be exclusively available beginning Sept. 8.

DROID BIONIC is the first Verizon Wireless smartphone to combine 4G LTE with the power of a dual-core 1 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM and a stunning 4.3-inch qHD display – all in a sleek form factor that makes it the thinnest 4G LTE smartphone from Verizon Wireless. Customers can expect to fly across the Web on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network with download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G LTE mobile broadband coverage areas.

DROID BIONIC introduces a host of groundbreaking applications and accessories that turn the device into a multi-media hub, a ruler of remote access and a purveyor of virtuality. DROID BIONIC introduces ZumoCast™ by Motorola, an application that lets customers bring their digital world of videos, music, pictures and documents stored on their computers to their handset via remote access. With its revolutionary Webtop application, DROID BIONIC can beam a full-featured Firefox® Web browser, email or documents to a TV or monitor, like the separately purchased Lapdock™ with a 11.6″ screen, keyboard and integrated trackpad.

Accessories such as the HD Station let DROID BIONIC users turn the phone into an entertainment center or home office. Customers can view pictures, video, and content from the DROID BIONIC on any HDTV or monitor by connecting a separately sold HDMI cable. They can also take a conference call while editing documents and surfing the Web. And, of course, the DROID BIONIC lets customers share their 4G LTE signal with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices when they activate the Verizon Wireless Mobile Hotspot. The device of the future today, the DROID BIONIC also includes the following features:

Powered by Android™ 2.3.4 Gingerbread

Dual-core 1 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM

4.3-inch qHD screen using scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass and dual-layer anti-reflective coating

8-megapixel autofocus camera with flash and 1080p HD video capture

Front-facing camera for video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or Wi-Fi

MOTOPRINT app to print via Wi-Fi-enabled printers

Mirror Mode with HDMI out (HDMI cable required) supporting 1080p HD video playback

Multi-window options for multitasking with ease when using the Webtop application

Business Ready with advanced security policies; resizable and scrollable email, calendar and task widgets; device and SD card encryption; and Citrix® GotoMeeting® and Citrix Receiver™

Adobe® Flash® pre-loaded

HTML 5 capable

32 GB memory: 16 GB on board and 16 GB microSD™ card pre-installed (actual formatted capacity is less)

Support for up to 32 GB microSD cards

Supports wireless charger

Pricing and availability:

DROID BIONIC by Motorola will be available in Verizon Wireless Communication Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com on Sept. 8 for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 for 450 minutes per month and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Verizon Wireless Mobile Hotspot data plans are available beginning at $30 for 2 GB.

For a limited time, customers who purchase a Lapdock with the DROID BIONIC can receive a $100 mail-in rebate when subscribing to a $50, 5 GB data plan or higher.

Available accessories:

The Lapdock will be available for $299.97, the HD Station will be available for $99.99 and the Adapter for Webtop Application will be available for $29.99.

Vehicle Navigation Dock delivers easy access to maps, favorite contacts, hands-free calling, music, navigation and more and supports streaming of audio and music via the 3.5 mm audio jack, if available, to play through vehicle speakers. The Vehicle Navigation Dock will be available for $39.99.

The Battery Dock with standard battery is a pocket-sized accessory with an extra battery included to charge both DROID BIONIC and an extra battery at the same speed as a wall charger. The Battery Dock will be available for $49.99.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. For more information on accessories, visit www.verizonwireless.com/accessories.