In case you hadn’t heard, the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX launched on Verizon today. There’s been plenty of coverage of the device leading up to today so there weren’t any surprises and everything went off without a hitch. Those interested can head over to Verizon Wireless and purchase a new 3300mAh RAZR for $299.99 (the same price the original DROID RAZR was just 2 months ago). I’ve been quite bothered by what Motorola and Verizon did with the DROID RAZR and the extended battery that they are calling the MAXX, but I’ve got some news that makes me feel a bit better about the whole situation.

New numbers show Android-based tablets are gaining on the reigning champ, Apple’s iPad. Although Android owns 39 percent of the tablet market, some question whether there’s a ringer: Amazon’s Kindle Fire. The device is the first non-Apple tablet to lay a hand on the iPad, but uses a highly-customized version of Google’s mobile operating system. How much of Android’s gains are due to its barely-recognizable distant cousin, twice removed?

Verizon’s most recent MAP (minimum advertised price) list has quite a few discounted devices. The most intriguing is that of the Motorola DROID 4. It appears the DROID 4 will be dropping its price to $199 before it’s even released. The DROID 4 still hasn’t seen a release date, but it was originally set to hit the market with a price tag of $249.99. If this latest MAP is to be trusted, those looking to get their hands on one of the slimmest and fastest sliding QWERTY smartphones to hit the market, will also be treated to a lower price. Now that’s something to look forward to.

Motorola Mobility sued Apple in a Florida court on Wednesday for violating 6 wireless technology patents found in the iPhone 4S and iCloud. The patents in question relate to antenna, software, data filtering, and messaging technology.

Google recently acquired Motorola for $12.5 billion and is in the process of merging with the company. While Google is not directly involved with this specific case, Motorola’s lawsuit can definitely be seen as another attempt to protect patent ammunition for the ongoing legal war between the top smartphone manufacturers. In fact, this is the closest Apple and Google have ever come to fighting in the courtroom.

It’s officially official, Verizon has announced that the date we’ve all been speculating about, will in fact be the launch date for the DROID RAZR MAXX. This Thursday, January 26th, the DROID RAZR MAXX in all of its 3300mAh glory, will be available on Verizon for the starting price of $299 with a two-year contract. We all know this is what the original RAZR should have been, and it’s a shame Verizon had to once again, screw their customers.