6 problems with the Moto X Play and how to fix them

Along with their latest flagship offering, Motorola also launched a more affordable mid-range device, called the Moto X Play. While the competition at this price range is quite intense, the Moto X Play has its advantages over its competitors courtesy of a great camera, which has been retained from its flagship counterpart, along with the availability of Moto Maker, giving users a lot of customization options to really make the device their own. With its more accessible size and near stock software experience, the Moto X Play is certainly a great choice for those not looking to spend a whole lot on their next smartphone.

That said, like every other smartphone and tablet out there, the Moto X Play is not without its issues. Which is why, we’ve rounded up some of the common problems that Moto X Play owners have faced, and offer potential solutions on how to fix them.

Disclaimer: Not every Moto X Play owner will face these issues, and it is actually more than likely that you won’t come across any of the problems listed below.

Problem #1 – “Okay Google” command not working

When trying to set up the “okay Google” command, that can be used from any screen, users have found that the device is unable to register a voice, with a pop up message stating “Can’t use the microphone. Restart your device.” Restarting the phone does not help solve the issue.

Potential solutions:

• This issue is likely caused because of having Moto Voice activated. Unfortunately, it looks like users are allowed access to only one of these features, so you will have to choose between either Google Now or Moto Voice for your voice command needs. Moto Voice does offer a lot of functionality as well, so it may not be a bad idea to stick to it.
• If you find the issue to persist even after turning off Moto Voice, make sure that the default language selected in the Google Now setting is English (US). Depending on your region, this setting may be what is causing the problem.

Problem #2 – Recent Apps screen stuck in the landscape orientation

A few users have found their Recent Apps screen to be stuck in the landscape orientation, even while screen rotation works in every other situation. A reboot fixes this issue, but only temporarily.

Potential solutions:

• A few apps have been found to have caused this issue. To find out if this is the case, boot the device into Safe Mode (you can find the instructions on how to do so below), and check if the problem occurs. If it doesn’t, a rogue app is the cause for concern.
• You can try removing the recent applications that have been uninstalled just before the issue started. In the worst case, you may have to perform a Factory Reset and start over, while being careful about which apps you install.

Problem #3 – Device stops charging for certain periods of time while the phone is plugged in, or is charging slowly

Some users have found the device to be charging slowly. Others have found that the phone stays stuck at a certain battery level for a long time, even while it is plugged in to the charger.

Potential solutions:

• While the Moto X Play does come with fast charging capabilities, users have found the device to be charging slower than expected. In this case, you have to keep in mind that unfortunately, the Moto X Play does come with Motorola’s Turbo Charger in the box, and will charge at a more standard rate with the available charger. You will have to pick up this Turbo Charger, priced at $34.99 or cheaper via Amazon, to take advantage of fast charging with the Moto X Play.
• In the other scenario where the battery level stays stuck even with the device plugged in, first, make sure that the cable you are using is fine, by trying to charge to device with other cables you may have available, or that the cable is plugged into the wall unit properly.
• The only option available right now is a forced reboot, that fixes this issue for some time, but is still quite an inconvenience. This might also mean that this issue is software-related, and a future update could solve it.
• If a forced reboot doesn’t work either, there is likely a hardware problem, and your best option will be to pick up a replacement.

Problem #4 – Performance and overheating issues

Users have found significant stutter and lag with the Moto X Play, despite its near stock software experience, and some have also found the phone to get uncomfortably warm, even while not performing any processor-intensive tasks.

Potential solutions:

• As the Snapdragon 615 has proved to be quite capable with other devices, these performance issues are likely software related, and only a future update will fix these problems.
• Until then, you can try disabling or reducing animations to help avoid any stutters. To do so, you will first have to activate Developer Options, but going to About Phone in the Settings menu, and tap on the Build Number section multiple times until you see a pop up that says that Developer Options has been activated. In Developer Options, scroll down to Windows animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale, and reduce it to a lower speed or turn it off.
• Some users have found that performing a Factory Reset every few weeks brings the performance back to normal, but that is obviously not a very good option.
• As far as the device overheating goes, a rogue app may be the cause of concern. Boot the device into Safe Mode and see if the issue persists. Then, uninstall any recent applications to see if the problem goes away.

Problem #5 – Connectivity issues

As is the case with any new device, there is a chance that you might face issues with connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Potential solutions:

Wi-Fi issues

• Turn the device and the router off for at least ten seconds, then turn them back and retry the connection.
• Go to Settings – Power saving and ensure that this option is turned off.
• Use the Wi-Fi Analyzer to check how crowded your channel is, and switch to a better option.
• Forget the Wi-Fi connection by going to Settings – Wi-Fi and long tapping the connection you want, then selecting “Forget”. Re-enter the details and try again.
• Make sure the router firmware is up to date.
• Make sure the applications and software on the device are up to date.
• Go into Wi-Fi – Settings – Advanced and make a note of your device MAC address, then make sure that it is allowed access in the router’s MAC filter.

Bluetooth issues

• With issues when connecting to the car, check the manufacturer’s manual for the device and the car and reset your connections.
• Ensure that you are not missing a vital part of the connection process.
• Go to Settings – Bluetooth and ensure nothing needs changing
• Go into Settings – Bluetooth delete all prior pairings and try setting them up again from scratch.
• When it comes to issues with multiple device connection, only a future update will be able to address this problem.

Problem #6 – Device does not read microSD card

Some users have found that the device unable to read a microSD card.

Potential solutions:

• Motorola recommends using a microSD card higher than a Class 6, so if you have are transferring your microSD card from an older device, you may find that to be of the Class 4 variety.
• If you find the reader to not work regardless, it may be a hardware issue, and picking up a replacement will be the only option.

Guides – Hard Reset, wipe cache partition, boot into Safe Mode

Hard Reset

• Make sure that the device is switched off.
• Press and hold the volume down key for a few seconds.
• While pressing the volume down key, simultaneously press the power button, and then release both.
• In the menu, use the volume down key to navigate to Recovery, and tap the volume up key to confirm.
• When the Android logo shows up, press and hold the power button.
• Then press and release the volume up key to show the menu options.
• Select “wipe data/factory reset,” and press the power button to confirm.

Wipe cache partition

• Make sure that the device is switched off.
• Press and hold the volume down key for a few seconds.
• While pressing the volume down key, simultaneously press the power button, and then release both.
• In the menu, use the volume down key to navigate to Recovery, and tap the volume up key to confirm.
• When the Android logo shows up, press and hold the power button.
• Then press and release the volume up key to show the menu options.
• Select “wipe cache partition,” and press the power button to confirm.

Boot into Safe Mode

• With the phone on, press and hold the power key until the on-screen “Power off” option shows up.
• Long press on the on-screen button, and select “Boot into Safe Mode.”

This concludes our roundup of some of the most frequent problems faced by Moto X Style (Pure Edition) owners, and what they can do about them. If you ran in any of these problems and you found alternative solutions, let us know and we’ll revisit the issue. For more Moto X Play discussions, or if you have any questions, check out our official forums!

SEE ALSO: Moto X Play review

If you’re still unsure if you want to get the Moto X Play, don’t let this list of issues faze you. These problems are generally manageable, and in the case of any software bugs, will be fixed with future software updates. For what its worth, you risk running into problems like this with most devices, and the Moto X Play remains a fantastic choice at this price point.

Oddball machine makes ‘analog’ techno music with vinyl records

Many techno DJs are used to playing music on vinyl, but creating it? That’s another matter. However, Graham Dunning has found a wonderfully strange way to make that idea work. His Mechanical Techno device produces full-on dance tracks by driving several heavily modified records at once with a turntable, with each record relying on unique triggers to produce a sound. Electrical contacts will produce a synth sound as one record spins around, while piezoelectric triggers create that all-important beat on another disc. The result is techno that’s at once analog and not. It sounds digital, but it has the imprecision and unpredictability that you’d never get from software.

Via: Boing Boing, Nerdcore

Source: Graham Dunning

Check your credit card transactions: 54 Starwood hotels hit by malware

Third-party forensic experts have discovered that the point-of-sale systems in 54 Starwood hotels across the US and Canada were infected with malware. The company has listed all the locations in its PSA, including various Sheraton, Westin and W properties. That list also notes the possible dates (ranging from November 2014 to October 2015) when each location could have been compromised, and they were all before the hotel chain announced its acquisition by Marriott. Just like what happened to Hilton earlier this year, you might have only been affected if you used your credit cards in one of the 54 hotels’ restaurants or gifts shops. Starwood America president Sergio Rivera says there’s no evidence that its guest reservation and membership systems also had a security flaw.

Via: The Register, ABC News

Source: Starwood