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997 'Motorola' stories May 2011 - August 2015
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Project Fi customers can get their Nexus 6 replaced for $100

Avatar for Cam Bunton Aug 12 2015 - 8:04 am PT
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If you bought a Nexus 6 from Google during your Project Fi setup process, you may be surprised to know that the company will replace that device once for a fee of just $100. That means, if you dropped your phone and damaged it somehow, all you need to do is make a quick call to Project Fi customer support and they’ll arrange the replacement (via Android Central).

It’s pretty straight-forward, and given the no-questions-asked policy, you can literally swap your Nexus 6 for any reason within the first 12 months of ownership. If you manage to avoid any serious damage to your Nexus and it’s getting a little worn and old, you can ring up and swap for a fresh, shiny new one, as long as you’ve owned it for less than a year.

Of course, if a handset goes faulty during regular warranty period, your usual warranty terms apply. This hidden perk is more of an insurance policy against accidental damage, or things not normally covered by the product warranty. If your screen cracks on your Project Fi-powered Nexus, you know now that you don’t have to spend a fortune on getting your display replaced, or having to make do with a terrible backup phone.

 

4.7-inch Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 available in US and Canada from Friday

Avatar for Cam Bunton Aug 10 2015 - 6:00 am PT
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Months after its initial announcement at MWC in Barcelona, Alcatel OneTouch is finally making the smaller, 4.7-inch Idol 3 available to buy in the US and Canada. You will be able to order the device for $179 from the company’s online store or  Alcatel’s official Amazon store from Friday, August 14. In terms of design, the 4.7-inch model looks virtually identical to its bigger brother. But it does come with different specifications.

Instead of housing a full HD display panel, the smaller phone comes with a 1280×720 resolution screen. Thanks to its size, that still pushes it over the 300ppi mark. It has a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and has a 2,000mAh battery to keep it going all day. What’s more, it’s powered by a Quad-core 1.2GHz processor paired with 1.5GB RAM and with 16GB of internal storage. Like the bigger model, you can expand the memory using a MicroSD card, but only up to an extra 32GB. Surprisingly, for a phone this small, it still manages to pack in a pair of stereo front facing speakers powered by JBL audio, just like the 5.5-inch model.

On the software side, it runs Android 5.0.2, what’s more, a security update to patch the Stagefright bug will be available to download OTA as soon as you power the device on.

Overall, it’s a promising device but it will be interesting to see how well it compares to Motorola’s latest Moto G. At the same price point, and similar-ish specs, these two devices are clear competitors.

Motorola confirms StageFright bug fix coming to 11 smartphone lines including new Moto X and Moto G

Avatar for Cam Bunton Aug 10 2015 - 3:15 am PT
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Motorola has joined several other Android OEMs in confirming that it will be rolling out a StageFright software fix for many of its popular smartphone lines. As you’d expect, this includes the newly announced Moto X and Moto G handsets as well as a number of older devices.

The new devices will be patched from launch, while others may be subject to the usual carrier approval and testing. Carrier partners will receive the software and start testing on August 10th. In all, there are 200 variants of software to be patched, tested and released. So it could take time for you to get your fix.

The list of devices includes:

  • Moto X Style (patched from launch)
  • Moto X Play (patched from launch)
  • Moto X (1st Gen, 2nd Gen)
  • Moto X Pro
  • Moto Maxx/Turbo
  • Moto G (1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen)
  • Moto G with 4G LTE (1st Gen, 2nd Gen)
  • Moto E  (1st Gen, 2nd Gen)
  • Moto E  with 4G LTE (2nd Gen)
  • DROID Turbo
  • DROID Ultra/Mini/Maxx

As I’m sure you’re now aware, it recently came to light that Android had a serious, gaping hole left in its coding. Dubbed ‘Android’s worst vulnerability in Mobile OS history‘ StageFright would essentially allow anyone with the ability and motive to include malware in any video MMS message. It could potentially affect your phone before you even open or see the message. To be safe, be sure to read our guide on how you can protect yourself against it until your software fix arrives.

Google adds 40 new companies to the Android for Work program

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 30 2015 - 9:22 am PT
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Google’s Android for Work program already has more than 10,000 businesses that are “testing, deploying or using Android for Work” in some capacity, and now the company has announced 40 new partners. Notably, several Android handset OEMs are joining the group, as well as 8 cellular carriers.

The Android for Work program took off with the help of our partners across the Android ecosystem, and today we’re expanding the family to 40 companies to continue the momentum, including new device manufacturers, application makers and management providers.

AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, HTC, Sony, LG, Huawei, Lenovo, Motorola, Dell, and HP are among some of the notable additions. Google makes note of Blackphone as one of the newly-partnered companies that brings the enhanced privacy and security features on top of the Android platform.

Moto G 2015 36-hour review: This is the perfect $179 smartphone…for my kids

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Jul 30 2015 - 8:31 am PT
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I’ve long been a fan of what Motorola has been doing with their smartphones and peripherals, and this week’s announcements are no exception. Both of the headphones Moto released, the Moto Surround and especially the Moto Pulse are top notch. I’ve been using the Pulse exclusively since the event and couldn’t be happier. They are so light that you forget they’re even on your head, while at the same time they have a mic for calls, a battery meter on your phone ,and they swivel so they pack flat. Oh and the sound is excellent – comparable to a $200 set of heavy cans from other mid/high tier vendors. At $60, the Pulse headphones are a no-brainer if you need light over-ears for a reasonable price.

But the Moto G 3rd edition is what we’re here to talk about…
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Poll: OnePlus 2 and Moto X Pure Edition compared – which is your pick?

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 29 2015 - 7:36 am PT
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Both the OnePlus 2 and the Moto X Pure Edition were announced this week, showcasing the best that these two Android OEMs have to offer this year. Both of these devices were horribly-kept secrets in their own ways, so there weren’t many surprises — we already knew almost every detail about both phones before they were announced.

But now that they’re here, which one do you think you’ll be getting? Or if you’re not in line for an upgrade right now, which one would be your pick? Let’s take a look at a few of their differences…
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Motorola’s SVP of Software talks about the new Moto X and future development

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 29 2015 - 7:27 am PT
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In an interview in Engadget, Motorola’s SVP of Software Seang Chau spoke briefly about the focus the company had chosen for the development of its latest Moto X smartphone, and where he saw the next generation of smartphones heading.

Chau said that Google “levels the playing field every time” by adding to Android features that were once device-specific. It’s for this reason that Motorola has chosen to focus on the ‘always on’ capability of the Moto X Style (or Moto X Pure Edition, as it is known in the U.S.).

We’ve got Moto Voice, where you just talk or make motions and gestures or you just approach it and [it] wakes up — those kinds of things, you can’t copy in software and if you try, you’ll just kill your battery. We put a lot of effort into always-on, and I think that’s where we’re going to continue focusing a lot of our software efforts.

The future would, he said, be in making intelligent assistants like Google Now, Siri and Cortana significantly more capable. So far, he considers them to be at the “getting there” stage … 
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Hands on with the Moto X Pure Edition Android phone [Video]

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Jul 28 2015 - 11:53 am PT
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The Moto X Style — called Moto X Pure Edition in the US — phones we got to play with at the end of today’s event were obviously very pure Android and with their much larger displays and heavy batteries very much reminiscent of the Nexus 6 that I’m carrying around. The one big and important difference is the Sony 21MP shooter on the back that in limited testing makes all the difference.


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PSA: ‘Moto X Style’ is simply ‘Moto X Pure Edition’ in the US

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 28 2015 - 9:49 am PT
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Motorola announced two new Moto X variants this morning, but the company didn’t do a great job of clarifying in its multi-national livestream exactly how the phones would be marketed in the United States. First, as we mentioned, there aren’t any plans to bring the Moto X Play to the US at all at this point. But secondly, and perhaps more confusingly, the Moto X Style isn’t really coming to the US, either. In the United States, the equivalent of the Moto X Style will simply be called “Moto X Pure Edition”.
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Motorola announces Bluetooth headphones: on-ear, and sports-oriented in-ear

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 28 2015 - 7:21 am PT
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As part of a launch event for its new Android smartphones, Motorola has announced two new Bluetooth headphones compatible with most Android devices.

The $59.99 Moto pulse are stylish-looking on-ear headphones with beefy 40mm drivers, fold-flat ear cups for portability and a claimed 18-hour battery life. The $69.99 Moto surround earbuds are aimed at sports and fitness use, being both waterproof and sweatproof and equipped with a collar band designed to be light yet remain in place during exercise.

A companion Android app provides easy pairing, battery notifications and a location function to reunite you with either pair of headphones if you lose them.

3rd generation Moto G gets unboxed early, comes with 2 swappable back covers

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 27 2015 - 8:46 am PT
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Motorola has at least a few major announcements scheduled for tomorrow, but it looks like there aren’t going to be many surprises when it comes to the new Moto G. We’ve seen almost a dozen leaks already (including renders, more renders, real photos, more real photos, and even more real photos), but now we have what is essentially a full reveal. The packaging is in another language, but this unboxing is probably the clearest look we’ve had yet at what the company is going to be showing off tomorrow…
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Moto G expected to launch July 29th with Moto Maker in stores

Avatar for Cam Bunton Jul 27 2015 - 8:06 am PT
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A new report claims that Motorola will be launching its next budget-friendly Moto in stores on July 29th, just one day after its launch event. But that’s not the most exciting part of the story. If the leaked retail memos are genuine, customers will be able to walk in to stores and order their personalized Moto Maker device from a physical, brick-and-mortar store…
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Moto G (2015) Moto Maker customization options revealed

Avatar for Cam Bunton Jul 23 2015 - 4:56 am PT
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We read rumors a while back that Motorola would be adding this year’s upcoming Moto G to its popular Moto Maker customization service. Like the Moto X, you’ll be able to order the Moto G with your choice of front or back color, as well as various metallic accent hues.

Thanks to a recent leak that made its way to Reddit, we now have a better idea of all the options available. First, you’ll be able to choose either white or black on the front housing. There will be a total of ten rear housing colors to choose from, including cherry, cabernet, blue, raspberry, turquoise, black, gold yellow, white, lime and navy. Metallic accent options will also include ten colors. These will presumably be on the front speaker/earpiece, and metal camera housing on the back.

Unlike the Moto X, there doesn’t seem to be an option to add a luxury material like wood or leather. However, it does appear that we’ll get a choice between an 8GB or 16GB model. The latter will also have 2GB RAM. There’s also going to be five FlipShell cases, costing just under $20 and a number of wallpapers to have pre-loaded on the home screen. You can see the leak in all it’s glory below:

The entire Motorola lineup is expected to get something of a design refresh this year. Although the general shape and look of the phones will largely be the same, the camera and Moto ‘dimple’ housing on the back will be changed. While the design between the Moto G and Moto X is likely going to be similar, as it usually is, this will be the first time that both have been available on Moto Maker.

Although we can’t take any leaks or rumors as being concrete evidence, there’s perhaps enough here to start piecing together what Motorola might announce at its event on July 28.

New leaked images likely show the upcoming 2015 Moto X in the flesh [Gallery]

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 22 2015 - 4:03 pm PT
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Update: We now have a really attractive new render showing the device in white and gold, too…

Motorola has not had any success keeping its handsets a secret this year. We’ve seen half a dozen leaks of the company’s upcoming 2015 Moto G, and now — thanks to Android Peru on Facebook — we have yet another look at a device that purports to be the company’s upcoming Moto X. Previous leaks have been very sketchy, but these appear to be as legit as it gets. In fact, we had our hands on a prototype Nexus 6 last year, and it had identifying barcodes and labels almost identical to the ones seen in these pictures…
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PSA: AT&T suspends 5.1 Lollipop update for first gen Moto X

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 21 2015 - 8:33 am PT
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For reasons unknown, AT&T has just suspended the rollout of Android 5.1 to the first generation Moto X. Motorola announced the update last month, and it first began rolling out to AT&T Moto X (2013) owners on July 7th.

Here’s what AT&T says on its support website:

UPDATE SUSPENDED

Effective July 20, 2015, the Android 5.1 (Lollipop) software update for the Moto X (XT1058) has been temporarily suspended. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

As mentioned, it’s not yet clear why AT&T has pulled the update for now. The company does say that it is working to resolve the issue as soon as it can, and the rollout should continue soon.

Leaked 3rd gen Moto G dummy unit confirms IPX7 certification, 2470 mAh battery, more

Avatar for Stephen Hall Jul 20 2015 - 9:15 pm PT
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As Motorola’s July 28th event draws near, more and more leaked images and renders of the upcoming Motorola handset refreshes continue to hit the Internet. This time we’re getting a look at leaked images (via MobileSyrup) of what is assumably a 3rd gen Moto G display dummy unit, and there just so happens to be a sticker affixed that confirms some previously rumored specifications of the device…
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2015 Moto G allegedly shown off in leaked real-life pics

Avatar for Cam Bunton Jul 16 2015 - 3:05 am PT
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Motorola is preparing to refresh its lineup of Android smartphones and will do so with the new Moto G, Moto X and a couple of Droids if recent rumors and leaks hold any weight. While we’re waiting for the official announcement, a handful of new images have shown up on a Facebook page clearly showing what appears to be the 2015 Moto G.

According to the leak, this is one of the pre-release final test models. The post claims the device features a Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM and runs Android 5.1.1 (as seen on the settings screen above).

Pictures of this prototype virtually confirm everything we suspected about the next mid-range smartphone from Motorola. Especially from an aesthetic perspective. It has the long pill-shaped housing for the camera and Motorola dimple on the back and a shape which is very similar to the current Moto lineup. The one thing this can’t confirm, however, are reports that Moto G will be available to customize on Moto Maker for the first time.

There is one important — and easily ignorable — piece of information on these leaks that throw them in to doubt somewhat. On the settings screen you’ll see SKU number XT1542. Do a quick Google search on this model number and you’ll discover articles and leaks of the upcoming Moto X, a phone which is expected to have a 5.2-inch QHD resolution screen. As shown off in an early leak at GSMArena. It’s a curious leak, to say the least. Previous leaks suggested that the Moto G would have SKU number Xt1543.

There are several explanations for this. One that comes to mind for me is the leak which I recently called ‘sketchy’, with the Moto X “Sport”. It’s lack of metal means it doesn’t really look like a Moto X. Perhaps this is the rumored ‘Sport’ model. Or, perhaps Motorola has disguised its appearance to look different to the finished article. Perhaps – even – this Moto G prototype just has the wrong SKU in its software somehow.

It’s all speculation for now, but this is probably our best look yet at an unreleased Motorola phone. I just wish we knew for sure which Moto it was.

2015 Moto X, Moto G and a couple of Droids shown together in new leak

Avatar for Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 10:32 am PT
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A leak published on the HellomotoHK Facebook page appears to show four unreleased Motorola phones, or at least the rear covers from four Moto devices. From left to right we allegedly have the upcoming Motorola Droid mini, Moto G, Moto Droid and Moto X. If you’re excited to see Motorola‘s wares for 2015 then these are the Droids you’re probably looking for. Sorry, couldn’t resist (not sorry at all).


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Unlocked 1st gen Moto G LTE gets Android 5.1 update

Avatar for Cam Bunton Jul 9 2015 - 6:24 am PT
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Android 5.1 is available to download over-the-air on to the unlocked original Moto G LTE smartphone for the first time. Motorola started rolling out the update for the 1st gen Moto G over the past 24 hours or so. As with almost every modern Motorola device, the software is essentially stock Android.

Motorola states in the release notes that you can’t downgrade to a previous version after installing and that it contains a number of improvements and fixes. Along with some of the user interface changes in 5.1, the new software also includes a bunch of bug fixes including:

  • Clock in the status bar is not updating and alarms not going off
  • Unable to delete SMS messages when the SIM card is full
  • No ringer audio while making an outgoing call
  • Calculator floating point calculations
  • Chrome crashes when launched
  • Frequent restarts while watching Netflix
  • Wi-Fi not automatically reconnecting to home Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi not connecting after being idle all night
  • Wi-Fi connection issues with multiple routers in one location
  • Bluetooth discovery is not triggered when you refresh settings
  • CPU wakelocks that contribute to heavier battery drain
  • Connection and synchronisation issues with MS Exchange servers
  • Incorrect default APN
  • Cannot unlock the SIM with a PIN/PUK code
  • Cannot play ‘pinned’ content

If the update doesn’t show up for you right away, be sure to check your settings menu and search for updates manually. It appears that only unlocked Moto G LTE models in the U.S. are receiving the update right now. If you’re in another country, be sure to let us know when it lands for you.