Moto X Pure Edition review
As hard as it is to believe, we’re at that time of year where we’re playing with another new flagship smartphone from Motorola. For 2015 we’re looking at the Moto X Pure Edition, or the company’s most powerful Android to date.
Before heading into the review I figured it’s worth talking about the Moto X and where it fits in the world of Android. Although Motorola offers most of its handsets via carriers in standard color options, the Moto X can be built to order. Indeed, the Moto X Pure Edition, and some of its predecessors are sold direct to consumer and without a contract.
Like Google does with the Nexus, the Moto X Pure Edition is an unlocked smartphone which means it can be paired with most wireless providers. Also, like the Nexus family, this one is sold at a price that is a few hundred dollars less than its competitors. Prices for the Moto X Pure Edition start at $400; most top-tier phones are around $650 at launch.
For the second year in a row, Motorola offers the device via its Moto Maker tool, which allows for seemingly endless customization. Present again are the (four, textured) leather and (four) wood backs as well as a refreshed color palette of soft-grip backs. Choosing a premium material results in a slight price bump of $25.
The Moto X has grown each year.
Toss in customized metal accents and a choice of black or white around front and you have a phone that is uniquely yours. In other words, there’s a very low chance that you’ll ever run into someone in person who has the same configuration.
Design
As it did for last year’s model, Motorola has opted to increase the size of its top-tier handset. What started out in 2013 as a very pocketable 4.7-inch display has grown to a 5.7-inch experience that plays on the same field as the Galaxy Note 5. And, whereas the first generation was a pleasure to use with one hand, this year’s model is rather cumbersome to operate in that manner.
For our customized Moto X Pure we went with White and Silver for the front with Lime on the back. The accent color we selected was Metallic Royal Blue. You’ll find the accent color around the rear camera lens on the speakers.
Suffice it say, we did suffer from some decision paralysis when it came to picking our combination. There were just too many designs to choose from and each looked classier or cooler than the next. Taking ours out of the box we were immediately impressed with the phone and found our color configuration mirrored that of the website. The green and blue colors were very accurate.
The first thing we noticed was simply how big the Moto X Pure Edition felt in hand. The general dimensions are in line with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 but the curved back gives it some extra thickness. Exact measurements will tell you this isn’t the case but it feels about twice as thick as the Samsung phone. Does it feel chubby or thick? No, but it’s just enough to make the one-hand operation more of a task than a convenience.
The soft-grip back is a nice touch and the texture adds a bit of character to the phone. But, do note that it also makes the Moto X Pure Edition a little more “slick” or slippery in hand. 
Motorola does include one of their protective bumpers in the box (ours was clear) however it adds a smidge of width to the experience. The bumper does protect the edges of the phone while, at the same time, letting you show off the color and character of your custom design.
As much as I enjoy the blue accent, I feel like Motorola could have included a little more. The volume rocker and power button would look great and really pop on the outer edge. Nevertheless, the speaker grille stands out nicely and the back simply looks cool. I wager to guess that just about any accent color would complement your front and back designs.
The Moto X Pure Edition is also considered a water-repellent phone. While it won’t allow for dips in the pool the nano-coating protects you from life’s splashes. Rain and accidental spills aren’t going to present a problem with this phone like they might for another brand.
Other items worth pointing out are the inclusion of front-facing stereo speakers and a microSD expansion card slot. New to the family this year, we’re stoked Motorola added both features.
Display
Coming it at 5.7-inches, the screen resolution for the Moto X Pure Edition is 2560 x 1440 pixels, or 520 pixels per inch. It keeps pace with other flagship models of the day and is up from last year’s 1920 x 1080 pixel (5.2-inch) screen. Motorola opted to switch from AMOLED to LCD for this model but most users won’t know the difference in the technologies. You’ll still get your Moto Display feature (see below) and the picture is as crisp as other models which offer the same resolution.
We didn’t notice it right away but the screen isn’t as dark black when you get your notifications. When we compared it to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ we saw that the black was more in line with a really dark grey. On its own, however, it doesn’t have this effect. The general, day-to-day stuff didn’t bother us, especially when we spend most of our time with the phone in daylight conditions.
Along these lines we noticed what felt like an ever-so-slight washed out appearance to colors – but only when we held it up to another phone. And, really, discussing it makes it sound worse than it really is.
The photo you see here is the phone on its highest brightness in a full sunny sky. You can definitely use it outdoors and without too much hassle.
Camera
One of the things I love most about the cameras in Moto X models is its intention. Specifically, I really appreciate that no matter what I am doing, I can twist the phone twice to open the camera. Moreover, I like the simple approach to snapping pictures and moving right along. The problem I ran into in the past, is that the software was more impressive in theory than in practice.
No matter how innovative or effective the camera app was, I didn’t always love the photos. It didn’t help that the simple “tap anywhere on the screen” to capture resulted in a lot of blurry or unwanted images. Ultimately, I resorted to third party apps for the camera in the previous two Moto X models. That has not been the case for this year’s device.
The Moto X Pure Edition lets users take photos in either 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios with resolution up to 21-megapixels. Yes, the same mechanics are at play here so I am getting the occasional picture of the inside of my hand.
“There’s just something really cool and convenient about waving your hand over the display for notifications.“
It’s hard to argue with the quality of the photos taken with the Moto X Pure Edition, particularly when you consider the price. You get plenty of detail in the pictures and colors are accurate. Low-light is sometimes a crap shoot with varying results, but it’s a more impressive camera than in previous models.
As for video, the phone provides up to 4K video but you’ll want to add a microSD card and steady the camera on something. But, even the 1080p stuff looks sharp when we played back on a TV. Sound could definitely be better, but it’s not outright terrible. We’ll still use this for social media videos and for times where we don’t have a proper camera with us.
Software
One of the key selling points in the Moto X line is that it’s a nearly stock Android software experience. What this means to customers is that it’s not loaded with a bunch of apps and services that you’re likely to ignore. And, perhaps more importantly, it means timely software updates to pick up the latest from Google. It’s as close to a Nexus phone as you’ll get.
This is not to say Motorola doesn’t put its own touch on the phone. Indeed, there are a couple of apps designed to enhance the user experience. Do they? You bet! On the other hand, there are a few Google apps that were left off for this year’s model: Google+, Google Play Books, Games, Newsstand, and Keep are among those that didn’t make the cut.
Whenever we switch from using a Moto X to another brand the first thing we miss is the Moto Display. It’s one of our favorite innovations in smartphones and is something we’d love to see employed elsewhere. But, for now, it helps to make Motorola’s flagship device all the more appealing.
If you’re not familiar with Moto Display, it’s the feature that lets users simply wave a hand over the screen to see notifications. Maybe you just wanna glance at the time and aren’t wearing a watch. Same thing. Swipe the hand a few inches over the phone and it pops right up.
Other software features present include Moto Assist which lets you customize actions based on location or activities. Chop twice for flashlight does just that – chop your phone like you would on an invisible cutting board and the phone vibrates twice and turns on the flashlight. Do it again to turn off. Also present is the twist twice for camera launching and Moto Gallery.
Battery
At 3000mAh, the battery promises “all-day” usage with some left over. Is that the case? For us, in the first few weeks, yes.
We tend to hit the phones with a lot in the first few days as we add our apps, change settings, and generally explore the device. Over time things settle a bit, but the early days are more demanding. So far we have been impressed with the battery.
While a lot of people complain about capacities and length of use, on aspect is often overlooked. How long does it take to charge the phone or get it to where we have breathing room for the rest of the night? The Moto X Pure Edition has TurboPower charging which promises 10 hours of battery life in only 15 minutes of charging.
Even if you do find the battery dropping down toward the end of the work day, the commute home should be all it takes to get you back on track. Juice it up while you eat dinner and you’re ready for a full night on the town.
Conclusion
The Moto X Pure is a solid device any way you slice it. The specs are as impressive as you fill in most of 2015’s top smartphones, but at a fraction of the price. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and 3GB RAM are more than enough for average users.
Heavy users expect to be blown away by every new smartphone release. If it were up to some, there would be no entry-level or mid-range device. Sadly, the mentality is all too often, “If you’re not pushing the envelope on all fronts then you’re doing it wrong.”
If you’re the type to scoff at a phone because it doesn’t employ the most cutting-edge processor, you should look elsewhere. But, if you’re the type who cares about having a powerful phone that handles anything you’ll throw at it for the next year or two, you would be wise to start here.
https://s.graphiq.com/rx/widgets.js
Motorola continues to impress us with its X line of phones. We love the idea of customization picking a phone that speaks directly to us. We love the $400 price tag. We love the stripped-down Android software experience.
Is this a flawless phone? No. We do find it a tad bigger than we’d like for a daily driver. The soft-grip is more slippery than we expected. The screen is sharp, but when compared to other models, isn’t quite as vibrant. And, if you’re looking for wireless charging, you won’t find it here. However, in trying to find negatives, some of them are personal preference and not design flaws or actual shortcomings.
While you might find other upstart and hungry companies treading into the $400 flagship space, you’re not going to beat Motorola at this game.
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Moto X Pure Edition first takes: Upgraded all around
I have always enjoyed Motorola phones, I’ve just never really got any hands-on time with any of them. I remember when the Razr first came out, and it was the first phone that I truly really wanted. Then came the Droid series, which were by far the best Android phones at the time, the problem was that I was on T-Mobile, and still am.
Fast forward a few years and I finally decided to purchase my first Motorola device, the Nexus 6. While it was made by Motorola, it didn’t include all the features a standard Motorola phone would. Nonetheless, my Nexus 6 was my favorite phone to date, and still might be. The design style is still my favorite. Motorola made a phone with a 6 inch display manageable to hold. Now that’s an accomplishment.
The Moto X devices always intrigued me, but they always lacked in the specification department. The original Moto X only had a 4.7 inch screen, 720p resolution, the Snapdragon S4, all powered by a small 2,200 mAh battery. The Moto X (2014) made serious improvements, like upgrading to a 1080p AMOLED display that was 5.2 inches diagonally. the timeless Snapdragon 801 processor, but still only upped the battery to 2,300 mAh.
Enter Moto X Pure Edition.
When Motorola announced the Moto X Pure Edition, they caught my attention 100%. Not only did they make the device more affordable by starting it at $399.99 completely unlocked, but they upgraded the device in EVERY single category. It ships with 3 GB of RAM, Snapdragon 808 processor, 21 megapixel rear-facing camera, and a nice sized 3,000 mAh battery.
I have been using this device since I received it this past Friday (3 days), and I am nothing short of impressed. The device is already my favorite device of 2015, and I have used the HTC One M9, Galaxy S6/S6 edge, LG G4, OnePlus 2, and the Galaxy Note 5/S6 edge+. That is definitely saying something.
Even though it doesn’t have the highest end specs, it functions just fine. Some companies put too much thought into packing the device to the gills with high-end hardware, but the device doesn’t function as well (OnePlus). I think Motorola made an excellent choice going with the Snapdragon 808 in the Moto X. I liked the performance a lot in my G4, so I haven’t had any complaints. In my experience, the Snapdragon 808 also gets much better battery life than the power-hungry Snapdragon 810. Hell, I’m even getting battery life on my Moto X than I was on my Note 5 with the super efficient Exynos 7420 (both have 3,000 mAh batteries). That points back to the hardware: it’s worthless without the right software.
Not only does the device outperform other flagships in 2015, I also think it looks better. Like I said earlier, I loved the Nexus 6 design, even with the massive display. The Moto X Pure Edition is shaped very similar, but is much easier to hold. I think Motorola hit the sweet spot with the 5.7 inch display. That is one reason why I like the Note series so much, but Samsung devices are somewhat hard to hold, especially now that they are glass and metal.
To compare the design of the Moto X to the Note 5, they have the same sized displays and nearly the same dimensions (height and width), but the Moto X is a lot easier to hold. Add on to it the rubberized back that comes on the default model, and it is the most comfortable device to hold on the market. I like it even more than the G4, and that is a device that is slightly smaller.
Motorola definitely hits the nail on the head with balancing a large device with making it manageable to hold. The edges are flat enough that they are easy to grip, but it also rolls off to the back to make it comfortable to hold. Couple that with the rubberized back and it is the best device to hold in 2015 by far. It’s amazing how much curves can help how easy it is to hold.
Like I stated earlier, the Nexus 6 was and still is one of my favorite devices of all time. So naturally, the Moto X fits right in, but it brings the Motorola features that the Nexus 6 left out. Having used the Moto X Display for just a few days, I must say it is the most convenient thing that I have used on a smartphone. I love being able to pull the phone out of my pocket, having it “breath”, and showing me if I have any notifications. Not only that, but being able to check what messages and notifications say without unlocking the device is more convenient than tap to wake. I thought I would miss tap to wake on the Moto X coming from the G4/OnePlus 2, but Moto X Display is way better.
Overall, I am very impressed and quite pleased with the Moto X Pure Edition. I am gladly using it over my Note 5 and getting better battery life and no noticeable performance drop off. The camera is definitely an improvement from the Nexus 6. The 21 megapixel camera is a large upgrade to the 13 megapixel on the N6. Another category that has vastly improved is the front-facing speakers. They are much louder and crisper than I’ve heard in the past as well. The display is very clear, but I am a little bummed it isn’t AMOLED. It isn’t a big deal, but it’s just something to note.
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Verizon Moto X (1st Gen.) is finally receiving Android 5.1 Lollipop
Believe it or not, owners of the Motorola Moto X (2013) on Verizon Wireless have been stuck on Android 4.4.4 KitKat for all this time. That’s finally changing, as Big Red is now officially beginning to roll out Android 5.1 Lollipop to the first-generation Moto X. Coming in at a hefty 712MB in size, the new update will bring the device’s software version up to 222.21.39.
Not only will Moto X owners finally be able to experience the wonders of Google’s Material Design user interface tweaks, new interruption controls, enhanced volume controls and factory reset protection, this update also includes a patch for the Stagefright exploit.
If you have yet to receive your update, you can check manually by heading to Settings>About device>Software update. Have you gotten the update yet? If so, feel free to let us know how you like it in the comment section below! You can find a more detailed description of the 5.1 update by following this link.
Verizon is now rolling out the Lollipop update for the first-generation Moto X
Contrary to popular belief, Verizon is currently in the process of rolling out the long-awaited Lollipop update to the first-generation Moto X. In terms of added functionality, this upgrade transports the latest build of the Android operating system, together with a much-needed patch for the Stagefright vulnerability.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the mosttimely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
If you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that the update is ready for your device, you could always search for the upgrade manually. To do so simply follow the four steps below:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”
- Hit “System Updates”
- Tap on “Check for update”
Come comment on this article: Verizon is now rolling out the Lollipop update for the first-generation Moto X
The Verizon Moto X (1st gen) has started its soak test for Android Lollipop, finally
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More often than not, Verizon tends to be on the receiving end of jokes about late updates, though it’s not exactly doing itself any favours. The Verizon Moto X (1st gen) has started its soak test for Android Lollipop, which is probably cause for celebration for owners of the device, but once again makes Verizon a laughing stock when it comes to updates, especially considering how early Motorola has always made its updates available. Users have reported that they have been receiving two updates, one to prime their device, and the second being the full 712MB Android 5.1 update for the device.
As a rule of thumb, once the soak test has completed successfully, it usually takes a week or two for the update to roll out to the wider community, so even though you’ve waited until now, you’ll have to be patient for just a little bit longer.
What do you think about the Verizon Moto X (1st gen) getting its update now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Droid-life
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Republic Wireless shares status of Stagefright and Lollipop updates
Next month, Republic Wireless will begin pushing software updates to its slate of Motorola phones. The phones are awaiting the Stagefright fix, Android 5.1 Lollipop, or both.
The carrier explained the status for its phones:
Moto X (2nd Gen.) : We are trying to schedule lab entry in the next couple of weeks for the EMR Stagefright fix
Moto E (2nd Gen.) : We are trying to schedule lab entry in the next couple of weeks for the EMR Stagefright fix, at the same time as the Moto X (2nd Gen.) or very quickly after.
Moto X (1st Gen.) : We are currently testing a Lollipop build internally which includes RW App and Architecture changes for fixes to Delayed Dialing and inbound calls to Voicemail, any Messaging app crashes, and the Stagefright fix. When this passes internal testing, we will schedule lab entry.
Moto G (1st Gen.) : Next in line for the Lollipop build. We are waiting for a build from Motorola on this. It will incorporate all the fixes outlined for Moto X.
Moto E (1st Gen.) : Third in line for the Lollipop build. We are waiting for a build from Motorola on this, and will incorporate all the fixes outlined for Moto X.
Republic Wireless plans to start rolling out these software updates at the end of October. The entire process should take about 8-10 weeks to complete.
Also, Republic Wireless is working to resolve an issue that is preventing a number of users from connecting their phones to a WiFi network. Bluetooth connections are apparently to be blamed. This issue will be fixed either through an app update in the Play Store or with one of the aforementioned software updates.
Source: Republic Wireless
Come comment on this article: Republic Wireless shares status of Stagefright and Lollipop updates
Customizing the Moto X Pure Edition with Moto Maker
With the Moto X Pure Edition, Motorola is taking an unconventional approach. The company’s flagship phone will not be available through any carriers and their subsidies. Consumers will instead have to the Moto X Pure Edition unlocked from Motorola, Best Buy, and Amazon. Fortunately, the Moto X Pure Edition starts at $399. But this is a Motorola product and that means Moto Maker can be used to customize the phone to match your style. Moto Maker offers options to change storage size and colors while adding personalization with engravings and greetings.
Let’s have a look at what you can do with the Moto X Pure Edition and Moto Maker.
Head over to Motorola’s site and find the pre-order button on the Moto X Pure Edition’s page. Or you can go directly to the phone’s Moto Maker studio.
Before getting started, know that the base price of the Moto X Pure Edition is $399. Certain changes and additions to your configuration will increase the price.
The phone shown on the left is what your phone will look like throughout the process of using Moto Maker. The panel on the right is what you are able to modify.
When it comes to storage, Motorola has sizes big and small covered. The base model comes with 16GB of internal storage, an amount that many feel should be eliminated from mobile devices altogether. Need more? You can go up to 32GB or 64GB for $50 and $100 extra, respectively. And the microSD card slot allows you to raise that space by an additional 128GB.
The frame and front of the Moto X Pure Edition are a packaged deal. So you must choose one of the following options:
- White & Silver
- White & Champagne
- Black & Dark Gray
Going for the White & Champagne option, though, requires the 32GB or 64GB model to be selected. It seems that Motorola wants people to pay for the classier option.
Choosing the back to match the frame and front of your Moto X Pure Edition could be the most difficult part in using Moto Maker. There are seventeen choices between soft grip, wood, and leather materials. The latter two increase the price of the phone by $25, but the benefit of having a premium look and feel such as Bamboo or Black Leather could easily be worth the added cost.
Here the different backs:
- Soft Grip: Winter White, Black, Slate, Raspberry, Cabernet, Lime, Turquoise, Dark Teal, Royal Blue, Deep Sea Blue
- Wood: Bamboo, Walnut, Ebony, Charcoal Ash
- Leather: Natural, Cognac, Black, Red
Now you get to mix or match the accent with the frame of the phone. The accent will alter the piece around the camera, which the Moto G (2015) also has, and the speaker. Motorola is offering both safe and unusual colors with a metallic look: Lemon Lime, Silver, Dark Gray, Champagne, Red, Pink, Royal Blue.
Most people are simply choosing a color that matches the frame’s color.
Engraving something on the back of the Moto X Pure Edition is what truly personalizes the phone for you. Motorola does make it clear that the lighter backs will show engravings better than others; therefore, stick with backs like the Bamboo or Natural Leather rather than the Charcoal Ash or Black soft grip. You can put almost anything you’d like on the back of the phone as long as it remains less than fifteen characters and isn’t offensive.
The final piece of Moto Maker is another area of personalization. Motorola wants you to have a greeting that appears each and every time the phone starts.
The amount of characters allotted to this space is eighteen.
Now you’re done! Motorola will show you what costs (if any) have been added to the base price of your Moto X Pure Edition.
Notice two things before you complete the checkout process:
- Moto Care: Motorola offers two years of accidental damage and extended mechanical coverage for the Moto X Pure Edition for less than $100. The benefit of Moto Care is huge considering the company will immediately ship you a like-new phone even before your damaged phone is sent to them. Each claim has a deductible of $49.
- Pricing options: You can pay up front or spread the cost of the phone over six, twelve, eighteen, or twenty-four months using a Motorola Credit Account. Depending upon your credit history and the length of the financing, Motorola will accept monthly payments until the phone is paid off.
Enter your billing and shipping information and Motorola will get right to work on making your Moto X Pure Edition. Motorola is working as quickly as possible to assemble phones, so you should expect a wait ranging 2-4 weeks. To me, getting a customized and personalized phone seems very much worth the wait.
Come comment on this article: Customizing the Moto X Pure Edition with Moto Maker
Motorola’s next phone, the Moto X Force leaks on Twitter
We’re starting to see steady leaks come out of the Motorola camp recently. First it was the Moto 360, which has been leaked numerous times over the past few months. Then it was the new Moto X line followed by the Moto 360 Sport. Now we’re getting another look at the Moto X Force. The Force was originally leaked with it’s code name, “Bounce”. In that leak we learned that the Force will feature a 5.43″ QHD display, Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 SoC, 3 GB of RAM, 21 MP main camera and 5 MP front facing camera with a huge 3,760 mAh battery, shatterproof screen and either 32 or 64 GB of storage. Sounds like a monster.
moto X Force, codenamed Bounce. pic.twitter.com/OnqXd83SkS
— upleaks (@upleaks) September 2, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
There’s no telling about availability yet. Some had speculated this will be a Verizon exclusive but it appears that a re-branded Moto X Play will end up being named the Droid Maxx 2 here in the states.
We’re definitely seeing a shift from the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) approach that Motorola had adopted around the time they were acquired by Google. This year alone we’re going to see a new version of the Moto E, two versions of the Moto G (1 gb/8 gb and 2 gb/16 gb, four versions of the Moto X (Pure, Play, Style, and Force if this leak is accurate) and 3 versions of the Moto 360. It’s bold to step away from the strategy that had Motorola selling so many phones. This may pollute their product lines producing diminishing results or drive them to record sales. We’ll have to wait and see.
But this phone may be worth the money alone so I can tell my friends I called them using The Force.
Do you think there is enough different between the Moto phones to make a difference? Let us know in the comments how you think Motorola’s new strategy under Lenovo will shake out.
The post Motorola’s next phone, the Moto X Force leaks on Twitter appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Get the default Moto X Style wallpaper here
We all know how it feels to want the new wallpapers that come out with devices. However, until the devices reach SOMEONE’S hands, it’s next to impossible. Well today we have the official wallpaper that will be available on the Moto X Style when it’s released. Go ahead and download that bad boy, and get it rocking on your device of choice.
Source: Craig Ferguson
The post Get the default Moto X Style wallpaper here appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Moto app gains customized Assist activities and places with 3.0 update
Motorola has been breaking ground with its phones the last few years, and one of the biggest ways its done this is by only adding useful features to the phone, and not messing with stock Android otherwise. With the introduction of the Moto X (2014), it placed all of these features into one app called “Moto”. That app is getting updated to version 3.0, and with it the ability to add customized Assist activities and places.
Moto Assist allows you to set automatic functions to your phone based on the time of day and your location. This includes:
Home, where you can set the phone to only bug you with important notifications, and even speak notifications out loud, Driving, which detects when your driving (based on the speed at which you’re traveling), and then do the same functions as “Home”, along with automatically playing music when a Bluetooth connection or auxiliary cord is detected, Meeting, which can automatically set your phone to quiet and auto reply to people when it detects an event in your calendar, and Sleeping, which will set your phone to quiet and keep your screen off (Moto Display included) during pre-set hours of the day/night.
Before, those options above were the only ones you could adjust or turn on. With today’s update, you can now make your own activity, or set another place to perform an action.
“Moto 3.0 adjusts to both your places and activities. It learns your home and work locations, and you can save any place and it will act appropriately there. Tell your phone to keep quiet, vibrate or talk to you depending on where you are or what you’re doing. e.g. you can save your local movie theater and choose it to automatically remain silent or vibrate while you are there.“
With the Floating Action Button (shown to the right), you can “Add Activity” or “Add your place”. Adding a new place brings up the screen to the left. Adding an activity really only sets either Meeting, Driving, or Sleeping functions, so that if you have those set already, you’ll just adjust those options.
The update is rolling out today, so be on the lookout for it in the Play Store if you have any of these devices (based on the Play Store description):
Moto X (2nd Gen.), DROID Turbo, Moto Maxx/Turbo, Moto X Pro and Moto E (2nd Gen.), Moto X (1st Gen.) and DROID Ultra.
SOURCE: Play Store
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AIVAnet 