Motorola
Both the Nexus 6 and the Moto E (2nd generation) have launched on Verizon
You can now build your own Moto 360 in Moto Maker
The Moto Maker has long been a great way to build your own custom Moto X, but now Motorola is letting you customize your Moto 360 smartwatch much the same way. We told you in February that the feature would be coming in March, and this morning it looks like Motorola has pulled the trigger…
With the Moto 360 Moto Maker, there are three main sections: case, band, and face. You can choose between three cases, including dark, light, and a “Champagne Gold” option—which is an additional $30. Bands come in a variety of options, including a 22mm Leather band (in 3 colors), a 24mm metal “Mono link” band, and both 18m and 23mm “Metal” bands available in a few colors.
Finally, while this may seem silly, the Moto Maker also lets you pick which watch face is going to be seen by default when your first turn the device on. You can pick between 6 “light” watch faces and 5 “dark” faces, all of which you’re probably familiar with if you’ve ever used a Moto 360 before.
To get started building, head over to Motorola’s website.
WSJ: Google’s wireless network to launch in coming weeks, but only w/ support for Nexus 6
According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Google’s upcoming wireless service will only work with the Nexus 6 and no other devices. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report doesn’t delve into too many details regarding Google’s reasoning for why it’s limiting the service to the Nexus 6.
Motorola is bringing Moto Maker to the Moto 360
If you’ve ever purchased a Moto X from Motorola’s website, you probably know a lot about the company’s Moto Maker customization tool. You can build your phone any way you want it, and there are an almost endless number of combinations to choose from. Now, Motorola is preparing to launch its Moto Maker interface for the Moto 360, allowing you to customize your smartwatch much the same way (via Wired).
Nexus 6 now available on Amazon with Prime shipping
The often hard to come by Nexus 6 is now available directly from Amazon. Previously only available via third-party retailers on the site, which often increased prices due to availability, the Nexus 6 is now available on Amazon and ships directly from the site’s warehouses. Before tonight, the Nexus 6 was only available from Motorola and Google Play.
Render of Verizon’s 2nd generation Moto E w/ LTE leaks out
The second generation Moto E was spotted earlier this month on the Best Buy website, but now we have what looks to be a render of the device all stamped up and ready to ship on Verizon (via Android Police). And to the delight of many, it looks like the device is going to pack 4G LTE, a feature that isn’t common in phones in the price range this one will likely fall into.
Motorola president responds to Jony Ive criticism in New Yorker profile, says Apple charging ‘outrageous prices’
In an amusing retaliation to Jony Ive’s opinion of Motorola’s Moto Maker, Motorola president described their company as a ‘different philosophy’ as well as directly attacking Apple’s product lineup, describing iPhone prices as ‘outrageous’ in a conversation with the BBC.
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Deal Alert: Best Buy 2-day sale drops up to $50 off select Motorola Moto 360 Smart Watches
Best Buy has just kicked off a special 2-day sale that includes sizable discounts on select Motorola Moto 3690 Smart Watches.
The leather model has dropped down to $219.99, which is a savings of $30. Jump up to the gorgeous stainless steel champagne model for an extra $60. The sale price of $279.99 is a discount of $50 off list. Both deals include free shipping.
You can’t go wrong with either version as the Moto 360 is currently our top choice of any smart watch.
Check out our full coverage of Best Buy’s weekend sale.
Motorola $100 off $500 or $35 off $250: two-pack Moto 360 $450, Moto X (2nd gen) off-contract $400, more
From 9to5Toys.com:
Yesterday Motorola was offering up codes to make this an even sweeter deal, but the Lenovo-owned company is today giving some nice cash back to those who spend more than $249.99 on their website. Spending between $249.99 and $499.99 will score you $35 off your entire purchase, while spending more than $499.99 will get you a whopping $100 off.
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Motorola reports 10 million smartphones sold last quarter, up 118 percent year over year
Lenovo this evening has reported its calendar Q4 2014 earnings, and as is well-known, Motorola is now a part of the company, so the earnings are bit more interesting this time around. According to the earnings release, Motorola Mobility sold 10 million smartphones last quarter, which is up 118 percent compared to the year ago quarter.
Google CFO admits the company has been unable to keep up with Nexus 6 demand
During the company’s Q4 2014 earnings call, Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette addressed a few of the reasons for the company’s slower than expected quarter. Pichette said that one issue Google had was keeping up with demand the demand for the Nexus 6. Pichette noted that while the device was well received, the company simply couldn’t get the inventory to keep up with consumer demand.
Motorola announces return to China w/ launch of Moto X, Moto G, & Moto X Pro
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpN7auMh5M8]
Motorola today held an event for its return to China after being acquired by Lenovo with company execs taking the stage to officially announce the launch of the new Moto X, new Moto X Pro and new Moto G with 4G LTE smartphones in the country.
Rumored fingerprint reader in Nexus 6 was real until Apple killed it, reveals former Motorola CEO
The recessed Motorola logo was originally going to be a fingerprint sensor
The fingerprint reader widely rumored before the launch of the Nexus 6 was indeed part of the plan, confirmed former Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside. Speaking to the Telegraph, Woodside said that the dimple on the back of the handset was originally intended to be a fingerprint reader, but they were stymied by Apple’s purchase of biometrics company AuthenTec back in 2012.
Indeed, the 6-inch Nexus 6, he can now admit, was stymied by just one of those big players. A dimple on the back that helps users hold the device should, in fact, have been rather more sophisticated. “The secret behind that is that it was supposed to be fingerprint recognition, and Apple bought the best supplier. So the second best supplier was the only one available to everyone else in the industry and they weren’t there yet,” says Woodside.
It’s believed a fingerprint reader was included in internal prototypes, before it was abandoned. Woodside’s comments provide the explanation, Motorola originally intending to buy or license the sensor from AuthenTec. Motorola of course pioneered the smartphone fingerprint reader with the “Atrix” in 2012.
Motorola says Lollipop now rolling out to Moto G in US and India
Motorola this morning has taken to Google+ to say that Android 5.0 Lollipop is rolling out to the Moto G in the United States and India. Specifically, the update is today hitting the 2nd generation Moto G in the states and both 1st and 2nd generation devices in India.
#Lollipop is rolling out in phases to #MotoG (2nd Gen) in US & #MotoG (1st & 2nd Gen) in India. Look for the notification on your device to update!
This official announcement comes a couple months after Motorola began soak testing the update for the 2nd generation Moto G, and about a month after the update started rolling out to the Google Play Edition of the device.
Motorola acknowledges Nexus 6 defect causing some back covers to come unglued
Following some Nexus 6 users complaining about the smartphone’s back cover coming unglued, The Times of India reports that Motorola is aware of at least a few devices affected by the problem. The handset maker tweeted earlier this week that it has received at least a few complaints about the defect, but fortunately appears to be willing to help affected customers replace their devices.
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Motorola says it will update its 2013 & 2014 devices to Lollipop “really soon”
Motorola’s quest to update its devices to Lollipop has gone anything but smoothly so far. The company started its efforts with the 2nd generation Moto X Pure Edition, but quickly learned that it had some more work to do when users started reporting a plethora of bugs. In a statement on Google+ this evening, however, a Motorola software engineer said that devices from 2013 and 2014 can expect their updates “really soon.”
Samsung reportedly launching a round smartwatch at MWC next month
SamMobile is reporting that Samsung plans to launch a fully round smartwatch at Mobile World Congress next month. Not a lot is known about this new Samsung smartwatch, though. It reportedly carries the model number SM-R720 and is referred to as Orbis within the company.
Motorola returning to China in February w/ Moto X, Moto X Pro, and Moto G
Motorola has just announced in a blog post that it is making a return to China. Following the company’s acquisition by Lenovo, Motorola Mobility says that it is returning to China with three of its newest devices. Motorola calls China “one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets,” and promises to release the Moto X, Moto X Pro, and Moto G with LTE in early 2015.
Moto G (2nd generation) with LTE shows up on Brazilian Motorola site
According to the Moto G page on the Brazilian Motorola website, there appears to be another model of the company’s affordable Moto X alternative in the works, sporting LTE and a variety of other minor changes (via Android Police). It was only a matter of time before this device popped up consider its predecessor had 4G capable model, and now it’s (almost) here.
Deal alert: Amazon Gold Box is Moto G 2014 5-inch w/ Lollipop upgrade for $150 unlocked
From 9to5Toys.com:
Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the Day is the Moto G 2014 edition 5-inch 720P smartphone for $149.99 shipped. That’s $30 off on this phone that receives quick Android updates to Lollipop and beyond and is unlocked for use on T-Mobile or AT&T in US or available for international shipping. It is available in Black or White and available with US or Global GSM variants. Other features
- 5″ 720p HD display
- Front-ported stereo speakers
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.2GHz quad-core CPU
- Android 4.4, KitKat with guaranteed upgrade
- All-day 2,070 mAh battery, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, water-resistant splash guard
- US Compatibility: All GSM Networks including AT&T and (2G) T-Mobile
- Optimized to work with 3G (UMTS/HSPA+) networks when roaming outside the US
- Box contents: Motorola Moto G (2nd generation), wall charger, quick guides
This phone gets incredible reviews (4.6/5 stars) from over 500 Amazon reviewers. With your savings, you can get a Plantronics Bluetooth headset for $25 (50% off) shipped and/or nice cases which start at $2.
Motorola releases two more Moto 360 ads entitled “Holiday” and “Golf”
Earlier this week, Motorola unveiled a pair of new ads for its Moto 360 featuring burittos, a pianist, and a dude named Chad. The ads mocked the luxury watch industry and its traditional commercial format. Today, Motorola continued its Moto 360 advertising with two more new videos. One is titled “Golf,” and the other “Holiday.”
Rumor: Motorola working on a new 5.9-inch ‘Droid’ phablet, although could ditch Droid name
According some speculation from DroidForums, Motorola is working on a new “Droid” phone that’s largely based physically on the Nexus 6, but is going to have specs that make Google’s latest smartphone look pale in comparison. The device is said to sport the same 5.9-inch QHD display as the Nexus 6, but will come with a next generation Snapdragon 810 processor. The most interesting part of this rumor, and part of what actually helps us believe its legitimacy, is that the source claims this phone might not be a “Droid” at all, and that it might just be another Motorola-branded alternative.
Motorola premieres two new Moto 360 ads featuring a pianist, burritos, and Chad
Motorola today revealed a pair of new commercials for its Moto 360. The first commercial, entitled “Businessman” starts out with close-up shots of the Moto 360, highlighting the device’s “craftsmanship” and “style.” It then, however, cuts to a notification for a takeout order of burritos being on its way from Eat24.
Standalone Moto 360 leather and metal bands now available for $29.99/$79.99
Motorola announced earlier this month that it would soon begin to offer interchangeable leather and metal bands for the Moto 360, and today, those accessories have gone up for sale. A standalone leather band for the Moto 360 runs $29.99 and is available in either cognac (brown), stone, or black. Metal bands cost $79.99 and are available in light and dark finishes.