Motorola •

Motorola’s Moto 360 Smartwatch Released and It’s Spectacular

September 5, 2014 By Janet Vasquez Leave a Comment

A while back we talked about Motorola’s Moto X+1 and now it’s time we took a look at Motorola’s Moto 360 Smartwatch, the second most eagerly awaited smartwatch, after Apple’s iWatch. After taking a quick look at the device, we must admit that the device is pretty spectacular and it’s almost everything we’ve imagined it would be, starting with its great circular and classic shape. Let’s take a closer look at the device below.

Moto 360 Smartwatch[quote][/quote]

Hold on to your horses, because the Moto 360 smartwatch is here and it’s spectacular! Motorola finally released their much anticipated smartwatch, after announcing it in March, alongside their operating system for wearable devices, the Android Wear.

The Moto 360 smartwatch is stylish, minimalistic and smart. The rounded display is timelessly classic; it is an LCD Gorilla Glass 1.5-inch touchscreen that is encircled by the slim metal band. It has a thin black line in the bottom of the screen for sensors, which could prove to be irritating. It has a built-in heart rate monitor and a step counter. Unfortunately, it does not have sleep monitoring software, something that many were expecting.

The Moto 360 smartwatch runs Google’s Android Wear operating system, an OS designed for small screens. The device is water resistant and its battery lasts all day, says Motorola.

Will the Moto 360 smartwatch be a hit? We can’t make any predictions until we see what Apple has up its sleeve. Apple is set to launch the new iPhone 6 and the iWatch at their September 9 media event. The pressure is huge for Apple and if they do smartwatches right, the Moto 360 smartwatch could be left for dead. But if Apple creates something similar to the 360, then the device could have a chance.

Does the Moto 360 smartwatch look appealing to you? Will you buy it? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

The New Moto X+1 Has Interesting Features

June 17, 2014 By Deborah Cobing Leave a Comment

Hello Moto! Again! This year the tech news are crowded with Motorola – related information and speculations.

While we are still waiting for that Motorola phablet we talked about earlier in March to come out, we took some interest in the not-so-recent Moto G and Moto X smartphones back in the day.

We even expressed our amazement with the whole vintage phones – business becoming a hit in Europe and we watched closely the transaction that took Motorola company from Google’s back yard to Lenovo’s compound.

And the news, leaks and rumors involving this famous and troubled company don’t stop here. Recent leaks, apparently surging from people close to the company, show the world a bunch of photos that suggest we will witness the rise of the new Moto X+1, the future flagship smartphone released by the company. Let’s see the news:

Today a source we have been working with at Motorola has provided a photo of the supposed Moto X+1
Some confirmed specs on the device are as follows from our source.

1080p AOLED display

2gb ram

16, 32, 64gb of storage

Micro sd card expansion

And updated camera (source says 2 versions are being considered)

Will the new Moto X+1 be a strong – enough challenger to the Samsung Galaxy smartphones or the forthcoming iPhone? And is this new Moto X+1 the world’s largest phablet everybody talked about some months ago? And if it is, can it even remotely compare to the latest Samsung innovation, the two new Galaxy Tab S tablets? Can it even stay (without exploding) in the presence of the highly – rumored Amazon 3D smartphone? There are more questions than answers, but this new Moto X+1 has been leaked before, so it is unlikely that it is the infamous phablet.

So far, we are still in the shadows when it comes to the size of the new Moto X+1 smartphone, its other, more interesting tech specs and its official release date. But, according to BGR, this may actually become a decent phone. No match for its competitors, but with the right price and marketing, it may trump the old Moto X and convince users to say Hello Moto! once again:

Other details are still unknown for the time being, but the phone is already shaping up to be a big improvement compared to the Moto X. At the right price, the X+1 could certainly be a solid offering from Motorola later this year. TK Tech News says the phone could launch in August or September.

Return to Innocence: Old Mobile Phones Models Are Making a Comeback

May 27, 2014 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

If you take a look from the distance at the competition among the major tech companies, you cannot escape the feeling that this world turned into a technological wild west, where the gold rush is a lifestyle and the most powerful of cowboys blaze their guns and make the law.

Maybe we went too far with the metaphor, but we have so many gadgets today, so many smart devices, so many wearables and pieces of hi – tech hardware, we don’t know what to choose anymore. Which smartphone is better? What smartwatch is going to revolutionize the world? What next mind – blowing Apple, Google or Samsung device should we be getting ready for? And what flagship product will turn its manufacturer into the technological ruler of the world?

While the majority of device consumers is racing towards the next best gadget, comparing prices and reading reviews, a new type of client pool is raising in the shadows: the nostalgic one. There are some people out there who got tired of the technological pressure and started looking for a different type of gold mine. And their treasure happens to be old mobile phones models. Surprising? At all.

Some entrepreneurs in Europe understood this consumers’ growing need to return to the simple side of life and started selling old Nokias, Motorolas and even Ericssons that you probably remember from your teenage years in the mid 90′. Some of these old mobile phones mobiles can cost even 1000 Euros and besides receiving some tweaks, they are plain, simple and plastic altogether. No email options, no apps, no photo / video shooting, no Bluetooth connections, no crystal clear colored screens, no nothing. What these phones have instead is a battery that can last a week and the ability of being almost indestructible.

According to one of these old mobile phones models sellers, it’s the simplicity that attracts the customers to pay tens, hundreds and even thousands of euros on a vintage Nokia 8210 or a Motorola StarTac. Djassem Haddad, a man who started selling old phones in 2009 says the business took off starting last year. He managed to sell over 10,000 of units and the process is accelerating as more and more people are drawn by the idea of simplifying their lives.

There are some psychological explanations to this trend. A tech analyst sees the phenomenon as the rise of a counter – culture and a displayed need to be different. When everybody has smartphones that look more or less the same, showing off an old plastic brick of a phone is a statement of stepping out from the crowd. Also, the older the people get, the more they orient themselves to simpler gadgets that do exactly what they were supposed to do: make and receive phone calls and SMSes.

Are retro phones worth their price? Maybe, maybe not, but what is clear is that at least a few categories of people are going back to the roots and give the old mobile phones models an unexpected chance…

New Motorola Phablet to Hit the Market Later This Year

March 25, 2014 By Janet Vasquez Leave a Comment

When it comes to leaking information from the Motorola company, interested parties cannot be but baffled and a bit confused, for that matter, as we already knew Motorola was working on a big – screen 6 inch smartphone and a smartwatch, the rumors coming from Weibo. Now Weibo released some fresh posts involving the new Motorola phablet to hit the market later this year and, if this wasn’t enough, reports suggest that the new device will be released around the same time with the much expected iPhone 6, thus making the third quarter of the year a very interesting battlefield, if the rumors prove correct.

Last years news, as provided by BGR, were implying that the new Motorola phablet (once upon a time described under the name of Xplay) will sport a 6.3 inch display – making it the largest smartphone available on the market to that date – was projected for launch in 2014. Now, as the time is running fast, we are still oblivious to any tech specifications if the Moto monster, not to mention that given Google’s passing of Motorola to Lenovo, now we are not even sure that the Xplay label is going to be kept.

It is a tough game for Motorola to play, as even if it launched a series of smartphones and menaces the world with the flagship 6.3 inch phablet (which is still under debate whether it’s real or not), Apple put all its money on the new iPhone 6, a product of great potential and a hit for the iPhone family. If the rumors have at least a hint of reality attached to them, Apple will display a strike of genius and launch the 4.7 inch iPhone 6 in the summer, while the 5.7-inch next-generation iPhone is expected to hit the market later this year. With such powerful competition, even if the new Motorola phablet is indeed bigger, it will have bloody battles to fight, as size isn’t quite the ultimate feature that guarantees a product’s success in this market.

How The Moto G Compares With The Moto X

November 12, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

Moto G is a smaller variant of the Moto X is a nutshell manner of explaining the yet to be released device from Motorola. It is going to be budget friendly compared to the Moto X. That is not the only issue for comparison though. Nothing official about the Moto G as yet, so it’s based on leaks and speculation that a comparative chart between the two devices can be made up from.

The Moto G for looks and outer casing has a back cover that can be interchanged. The Moto X on the other hand has the ability to be customized extensively as per customer desire via the Moto Maker process. However once done it is not changeable any more.

The Moto G has a display size of 4.5 inches while that of the Moto X is 4.7 inch. Both have same screen resolution of 720 x 1280 which leads to sharper pictures on the Moto G. So far as ppi factor goes, it reads 316 ppi for the Mot X and 329 ppi for the Moto G. Another point of difference is the internal memory storage options of the Moto X which comes in 16 or 32 GB variants while that of the Moto G is 8 GB only. There is also a comparison when it comes to the camera that the two devices sport. The Moto G comes with 1.3 and 5 MP cameras while the Moto X has 2 MP and 10 MP cameras along the front and rear respectively.

The QUALCOMM processor in the Moto X operates at 1.7 GHz while that in the Moto G clocks 1.2 GHz. Other specs of the two device are quite similar, which includes Android 4.3 Jelly Bean as the OS, and the Motorola 8 X Compute System. This system allows for battery resource optimization and improves battery sustainability. The same Motorola Compute system can also be found on the Android devices of 2013 as well as the Verizon retailed products like the DROID Ultra, Maxx and Mini.

So far as connectivity aspects go, the Moto G has no support for 4G LTE as well as no NFC. Otherwise, both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Moto G also has not been announced by any of the major carriers in the US to be supported for.

Rich Miner from Google mentioned that Google believes customers want not so costly devices and that they have invested in such a line of product. Details of which make he however refused to divulge.

While the 2 year on contract price has been fixed at $99.99 and $149.99 for the Moto G and Moto x respectively, it is the off contract price difference that is startling. The Moto G would come at $200 in the USA and £159.99 in the UK for the off contract device. Compared to that the Moto X 16 GB variant would fetch for $579 and the 32 GB for $629.

Moto X Develop Edition Now Cheaper by $100

November 8, 2013 By Janet Vasquez Leave a Comment

It’s like the holiday mood has set in at Motorola what with the cheery news it has been serving to its consumers lately. After having reduced the price of their flagship Moto X smartphone last month, they have now announced the price cut to be applicable even for the Developer Edition sets as well. The price cut that has been announced has made the Moto X Developer Edition cheaper by $99. This comes on the back of the carrier subsidized version of the Moto X that has seen its price drop from the earlier $199 to a more comfy $99, which of course include a 2 year carrier contact. The Developer Edition versions though are only available from the Motorola online store.

With these price cuts in effect, the Developer Edition of the Moto X will now cost $549.99 from the original $649.99. The price cut is applicable to both the versions of the smartphone that is compatible with the Verizon and the AT&T or T-Mobile networks. However, the Developer Edition would be available only in white or black color option and will have none of the customization options that applies to the regular carrier subsidized version of Moto X.

Meanwhile, Android 4.4 Kit Kat update to Android is also to be rolled out for the Moto SX sets. Though the exact schedule of the release has not been mentioned as yet, it is expected to be quite soon.

Apart from being free from any contractual obligations as well as an unlocked bootloader, the Developer Edition of the Moto X is exactly similar to the regular Moto X variants. So it’s the same 4.7 inch 720p display that the users can look forward to, while it being a 1.7 Ghz dual core CPU making up the core of the device. The device comes with 2 GB of RAM along with 32 GB of onboard storage and is powered by a 2200mAh battery pack.

Moto X Mini – Rumors About Cheap Motorola X Version Surfaces

September 7, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

Moto X was undoubtedly one of the most awaited smartphones of this year. Motorola which appeared to be a company that never ever competes with the likes of Samsung and Apple are suddenly in the news thanks to its new customizable Moto X smartphone. You may have thought after Moto X releases, all the buzz related to it may cool down but it does not seem to happen yet.

Motorola Mobility’s CEO Dennis Woodside has revealed that they are working on a cheaper edition of Moto X which is mainly targeted towards prepaid users and markets that are in developing phase. It is probably going to be called Moto X Mini.

The pics that we have got for you may be the cheaper edition of Moto X, the Moto X Mini that Woodside is talking about.

The recent rumor revolving around the Moto X Mini indicates that the device will be shipped with interchangeable back covers. However, apart from this we do not have any information on the low budget Moto X phone. We guess that if it is going to be available with an affordable price tag, it will not be that powerful as original Moto X is.

What we do know about the cheaper Moto X through Woodside is that the product will be priced at $200. In an interview with CNET, Woodside revealed that they have revealed only the first of the Moto X phone now and they will be releasing new devices under the Moto X brand in the near future.

Woodside said that in the developing markets where handsets are not available at affordable rates through carriers, potential customers are price-sensitive. Even in US, many brands like Samsung, HTC, Apple, and Sony are planning to launch cheaper versions of their flagship devices.

For instance, Samsung came out with Galaxy S4 Mini; HTC One Mini is going to be unveiled soon; the Apple is planning to reveal the cheaper iPhone 5C in the next month; and Sony is planning to roll out the cheaper Sony Honami Mini very soon. Even Nokia is going by same game plan by releasing a beeline affordable device like Lumia 520 and Lumia 521.

Moto X Cheap Price (Budget Version) Rumored After $100 Price Cut by Year End

September 1, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

The Moto X had generated a lot of enthusiasm during its pre-launch period and one reason for that was the ultra cheap price tag the device was purported to carry.

Some had even gone to the extent claiming the device will be doled out free under a carrier service plan or will be charged an extremely nominal fee upfront for owning the device. However, that is not how things have turned out to be eventually, priced as it is at $200 under a two year data plan for the base version. That has been branded overpriced by many and justifiably so when one can pick up the more capable Galaxy S4 or the HTC One for that same price.

However, things are likely to change as we drift further towards the end of the year. For it is during this time that there are strong indications of Motorola driving down the price of the Moto X to around $100. Strong indications because the rumor has its source at evleaks who have been on target most of the time. This if true will no doubt make for some spirited buying during the holiday shopping season apart from making up for a great gift idea as well. The reputed leakster has further added that the much publicized wooden back covers will come for $50 extra.

The Moto X has earlier been headline property for being the first smartphone that has been made entirely in the US. This marks a break in trend as part of which all other manufacturers have usually depended on cheaper manufacturing locations in China and Taiwan to assemble their devices. However, an estimate has pegged the manufacturing cost of the Moto X in the US at $5 more than what it would have been had a Chinese company done the job.

Meanwhile, Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside had stated they do have a cheaper Moto X variant planned for launch later in the year though it was speculated to be of a rung lower in capability than the current Moto X. What is yet not confirmed is whether the cheaper Moto X being touted for a Christmas launch will be the current version post a price cut or an new version with slightly lesser capability than the current Moto X.

HTC One Sprint on Sale in Blue From September 10, LG G2, Moto X Next?

August 30, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

How about an HTC One done up in a cool shade of blue? Well, such a thing does seem likely, what with a fresh image of the device sporting the said color having emerged online one more time. As rumor sources have put it, it was first expected to make its appearance on the US based carrier Verizon. But a recent rumor goes by stating that it will be now be available at Sprint. According to the Sprint website, the HTC One Blue will be there for the taking from the 10th of September.

The addition of the new color will make Sprint’s HTC One lineup all the more colorful, offers as it does the HTC smartphone in other color options like a brilliant red, silver and the ever sophisticated black. Price remains the same $99 which is inclusive of a two year contract.

The HTC One has already been adjudged the best smartphone of the year (2013) though in an age where technology ages extremely fast, the device could well be considered to be losing its sheen in the face of newer competitors that have entered the fray. It continues to be the gem of a smartphone though it is always the newer devices that attract the most attention. This should apply to the likes of the Moto X, the new Droid series, the LG G2 as well as the new iPhone series expected to be released next month.

In such a scenario, offering the device in different attractive shades does help to keep the lineup fresh and its appeal intact.

AT&T Moto X Release Will Follow Verizon, T-Mobile Moto X Release Date

August 26, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

Motorola Mobility has got couple of phones up its sleeves to release this year and come back into competition. One of the most rumored Motorola phones in recent times is the Moto X. The device is expected to first come out on AT&T’s network. Motorola is making their exclusive customization service called Moto Maker to AT&T subscribers. Recently, one executive from Motorola indicated that the phone will soon arrive on other popular networks of US.

Punit Soni from Motorola Mobility shared on Google + as “Designed by You. Assembled in the USA. Available today at AT&T stores”. He also shared “Step 1 of rollout. Dev editions, other carrier versions rolling out in days”. In order for the Moto X to stand cut above the rest, the makers are advertising it as the handset that has been entirely assembled in US.

After releasing the Moto X on AT&T networks, Soni has indicated that it is only first step and soon the handset will be made available on other networks. He has clearly indicated other networks in US to support the Moto X. The announcement has come after the release of Moto X on AT&T networks was followed by enthusiasts who are eagerly waiting for the phone to arrive on other networks.

If you visit the link we have shared above, you will see numerous comments wherein potential buyers are requesting Soni to make the phone available on other networks. The recently released handset is the first flagship device from Motorola after it was acquired by Moto X. Though other Motorola Droid phones are also slated to release soon, it is the Moto X which has gained huge popularity.

When the Motorola Moto X was launched, the manufacturers had announced that the phone would also be available on other networks in due course of time. Since the phone has been entirely assembled in US, we feel that the handset is evitable to come out on Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless in the near future.

What we do feel about the release on Moto X on other networks is that these providers (except Verizon Wireless) will not be providing the Moto Maker customization service through Moto X’s website. The Moto Maker will be exclusively available only for AT&T users.

The Moto Maker service allows users to customize the phone completely with unique style and color on the website before they purchase it. Verizon Wireless had reported that they will also be offering the Moto Maker service in this month but they did not mention the precise time for it. They had only mentioned ‘later this year.’

The Moto X’s customization capability is what makes it different from other smartphones in the market. Also, it comes with 4.7inch display that supports 720p. At the rear there is a 10MP camera lens and it has got an exclusive processor that continuously listens to the sounds of the surrounding. This feature will allow users to use the phone through voice commands without the need of touching or holding the handset.

Moto 360 Smartwatch[quote][/quote]

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