Motorola announces two new devices, both cheaper and feature MotoSwitchUI

Prior to the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show starting next week, Motorola announced two new devices: the Motoluxe and Defy Mini. Both of these devices will see some action at CES (we will try to get a hands-on), and they will see a summer launch in Europe, Latin America, and China. While these devices are not comparable to a Droid Bionic when it comes to specifications, they are definitely pretty solid. The Motoluxe features a 4-inch touchscreen, 8-megapixel rear-camera, VGA front-camera, Android 2.3 with MotoSwitch, and a 1400 mAh battery for up to 6.5 hours of talk time and 19 days of standby time.

On the other hand, the Defy Mini is both water and dust proof, and Motorola dubs it “life proof”. Specifications for the device include a 3.2-inch Gorilla Glass display, 3-megapixel rear-camera, VGA front-camera, Android 2.3 w/MotoSwitch, and a slightly larger 1650 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of talk time and 21 days of standby time.

So, what is the MotoSwitch you are hearing about? It is Motorola’s revamped MotoBlur that is preloaded as an overlay on top of Android. It provides social media widgets and more, whether you like it or not. (via Android and Me)

Check out the full press release after the break:

Press Release

This spring, Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) is helping you flaunt your individuality by adding two stylish and unique Android^™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) powered smartphones to its growing budget-friendly portfolio. MOTOLUXE is a hip, slim touchscreen device and Motorola DEFY MINI is dustproof and water-resistant, making it the ideal “life proof” phone for active users. And they come in different shapes, sizes and colors – so you can choose a phone that best reflects your personality.

No matter what device you choose, Motorola’s MotoSwitch user interface changes the way you manage your life. With MotoSwitch, your smartphone learns who you talk to and which apps you use and keeps all of that information front and center. The Social Graph feature gives you easy and fast access to the people who really matter. It learns who’s most important to you and uses that information to populate the home screen. The more frequently you communicate with someone, the bigger their icon becomes. The Activity Graph gives you quick and easy access to your favorite apps, automatically changing to reflect the apps you use the most. With Music Now you can easily play your favorite music while the Smart Gallery displays your favorite pictures as collections.

With Google Mobile^™ services you’ll be able to search for anything with Google Search^™, chat with your friends using Google Talk^™, or find your way anywhere you want to go with Google Maps^™ with navigation.

Strike While the Iron Is Hot

The ultra-vogue, very-slim, MOTOLUXE sets the bar high in terms of style with a 4-inch edge-to- edge touchscreen display. This hip device is perfect for writing emails, surfing the Web and watching movies. And, for the amateur photographers out there, the 8-megapixel autofocus camera with flash lets you shoot like a pro and capture life clearly and fully.

MOTOLUXE also sets itself apart with a lanyard slot that has a lighting effect. So you can see when you’ve missed a call, received a text or have an email waiting for you.

Other cool stuff includes:

• Front-facing VGA camera for video chatting with friends and family
• Available in licorice or white
• 1400 mAh battery for up to 6.5 hours of talk time, 19 days of standby time

Strong and Sturdy

Water-resistant, dust-proof and with a scratch resistant Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass display, Motorola DEFY MINI is the ideal smartphone for active users who need a device as resilient as they are. With a 3.2-inch touchscreen good for emailing, texting and browsing the Web, and a long battery-life, you can keep this phone on and by your side all day long no matter where you go, so you’ll never miss a beat.

But wait… there’s more:

• 3MP rear-facing camera with flash
• Front-facing VGA camera for video chatting with friends and family
• Easy access to all your favorite outdoor apps with the “Instrument Dashboard”
• 1650 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of talk time, 21 days of standby time

You can get your hands on MOTOLUXE and Motorola DEFY MINI at Motorola’s booth (LVCC, Central Hall, Booth NO. 8644) at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 10 – 13, 2012.