The unlocked Moto X (2014) is now getting Android 5.1

Following the release of Android 5.1 to some versions of the original Moto X, Motorola is now pushing out the 5.1 OTA to the Moto X (2014) Pure Edition (unlocked model)

According to the Android 5.1 release support page on Motorola’s website, the update is bringing the obligatory bug fixes and speed improvements, but also some more material changes to the way users controls heads-up notifications and alarms.

Users can now swipe up a notification to dismiss it from the screen, but keep it in the notification dropdown for later checking. The new firmware also allows users to mute notifications until the next alarm, enter scheduled downtime early, and control media volume from the volume controls.

The Quick Settings improvements that let you connect to WiFi or Bluetooth with one tap are also present in this build. The update also sees the addition of the major security feature introduced by Google in Android 5.1:  devices stay locked even after being factory reset and they can only be unlocked using the Google account password. That means people who find or steal devices won’t be able to simply factory reset them and go on their way, as long as the devices are locked with a password, PIN, or pattern.

You can now use a double chop motion to unlock your device, and Ambient Display has been tweaked to reduce the number of accidental interactions. A complete changelog can be perused here.

The update is around 440MB in size and is now rolling out to all Pure Edition Moto X (2014) units. “Pure Edition” in Motorola’s parlance means “factory unlocked” – the device was launched on September 12, 2014, bringing Motorola’s well optimized software and zero carrier additions.

Deal: Moto Hint $50 off until June 30th

The Moto Hint is one awesome accessory, but its $149.99 price point makes it hard for some to justify purchasing it. This is why we have seen it used as more of an incentive to push customers into buying other more enticing Motorola products. The latest deal offered a free Moto Hint to all Moto X customers, for example. Today Motorola takes a hint and slashes the price of this Bluetooth headset down by 33%!

The Moto hint is now only $99.99, but you have to hurry because this offer is only available for a limited time. Motorola will put it back to its regular price on June 30th at 11 AM CT. This applies to all versions, so you can get those cool designs like walnut, bamboo, fabric and leather.

We do know $100 is still a bit pricey, but you must keep in mind this is no regular Bluetooth headset, as we stressed in our Moto Hint announcement post. The Moto Hint is more of a voice-activated smart headset.

This tiny gadget comes with an integrated digital assistant you can simply talk to in order to perform a plethora of tasks. Some of these actions include calling people, sending messages, posting updates to Facebook, setting reminders and even getting answers for random questions. See the video below to get some examples of what the Moto hint can do.

The Moto Hint allows you to do a lot of things without lifting a finger. These are usually tasks for which you would have to pull out your phone and stare at it for a minute. It’s pretty cool, if you ask us. It may be a good purchase for those of you already looking to spend good money on a quality Bluetooth headset.

Are any of you buying? And if you have it, how much do you use it?

• Buy Moto Hint from Motorola’s website

Motorola Moto G 2015 gets its first candid sighting, sporting a new look

Motorola seems to be keeping its 2015 line-up firmly under wraps with not so much as a credible rumour surrounding its devices in the past few months. We’re expecting an annual update to all its major devices, the Moto X, G, E and 360, and today it seems we’ve got our first real leak regarding any of them, the Motorola Moto G 2015. The leak details a number of pictures which shows the front and back of the device, which you can see below:

As many Motorola fans will see, the 3rd generation Moto G appears to be quite a different device to its predecessors – the only real difference between the 1st and 2nd Moto G was the size. Where the Motorola logo used to adorn the back of the device, there is now a strip of plastic that looks like it should house LG-esque volume and power buttons, but nothing is there. Perhaps that indent does signify a power button, but it’s difficult to tell from just these photos.

The front of the device, however, has the unmistakable Motorola tester’s logo (which probably isn’t a good thing to have visible) and a speaker grille on the bottom edge, presumably accompanied by one at the top. The Moto G, which apparently has a model number of XT1543, runs Android 5.1.1, which is expected. The list of specs is also a small bump over last year’s list, with a Snapdragon 410, 13MP rear camera and 5MP front camera headlining the improvements. 1GB RAM, 8GB storage and a microSD slot round out the available specs in this leak.

If we’re honest, nothing about the specs is surprising, however we’re interested to see what the device ends up looking like when it is announced later this year. What do you think about the Motorola Moto G 2015? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Google+ via Android Police

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