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Second-gen Moto 360 smartwatches will get Android Wear 2.0 soon
A bunch of smartwatches got Android Wear 2.0 when it finally came out in April, but sadly, Moto 360 wasn't one of them. The company promised a late-May availability, and it sounds like it's staying true to its word. Motorola Support's Twitter account has revealed that the updated OS will soon start rolling out to second-gen Moto 360s in phases -- it might have even begun yesterday, which means some people could already have updated devices.
Motorola isn't making a new smartwatch anytime soon
We might not see a successor to the 2015 Moto 360 in the near future, or even at all. Motorola and its parent company Lenovo have confirmed to The Verge that they're not working on a new smartwatch to be released in time for Android Wear 2's launch next year. Moto's head of global product development Shakil Barkat told the publication that the company doesn't "see enough pull in the market" to justify developing a new smartwatch at this point in time. He even went on to say that "wearables do not have broad enough appeal for [Moto] to continue to build on it year after year."
Your original Moto 360 isn't getting Android Wear 2.0
Android Wear is turning 2 years old, but it won't be a happy anniversary if you're one of the platform's earliest adopters. Following a similar warning by LG for the G Watch, Motorola is saying that the original Moto 360 won't get Android Wear 2.0 when it arrives in the fall. Yes, you'll have to buy a new smartwatch if you want that on-screen keyboard or third-party watch face widgets. It's uncertain what will happen to other older Android Wear devices, such as Samsung's Gear Live or the first ASUS ZenWatch, but there's a real chance that they'll meet a similar fate.
Moto 360 Sport review: Solid smartwatch, subpar workout tool
The original Moto 360 was the first Android Wear watch to get people really excited about the platform. The second was a thoughtful update, if not exactly a game-changer. And now we have a third, the new Moto 360 Sport, which has a slightly different mission than the others. Sure, it's easy to look at it as a spinoff of the existing 42mm model, with similar internals and the same $299 price tag. I did -- at first, anyway. Its purpose as a fitness companion helps it stand apart from the rest of the Android Wear pack, though, as do a few neat software tricks. Make no mistake: While it isn't the best Android Wear device out there, it's still a decent workout buddy.
The Moto 360 Sport goes on sale in the US in January
The new Moto 360 was a definite step up over the original model, but we found it wasn't particularly well-suited to workouts. Motorola appeared to know that right off the bat, as the company announced it was working on a "sport" model specifically for the athletically-minded. Now, the company's finally telling us when it'll be available. The Moto 360 Sport will go on sale in the UK and France on December 18th and will follow in the US on January 7th. The $299 watch will also be available in Best Buy stores all around the US on January 10th.
Moto 360 review (2015): More than just good looks this time around
The Moto 360 made a huge splash when it was introduced alongside Android Wear some 18 months ago. It was by far the most attractive smartwatch the world had seen, and it held its spot near the top of the heap for many months after -- mostly because it looked like an actual watch. Unfortunately, the promise of the device didn't quite live up to the reality, at least at launch. Battery life was terrible; performance was occasionally sluggish; and the device itself was far too large for those with svelte wrists.Fortunately, Motorola improved what it could throughout the year: Android Wear as a platform continued to gain useful new features; software updates helped fix the poor battery life; and Motorola started offering Moto X-style personal customization. But now, an all-new Moto 360 is in the wild, with two case sizes, totally new guts and a host of ways to make it fit your own style. But there are also far more Android Wear watches to choose from now than last year. Is the now-iconic circular Moto 360 still the smartwatch to covet? And, more importantly, does it improve in the areas where last year's model failed?
The Moto Body fitness-tracking app is now available on your phone
There are probably way too many ways to keep tabs your activity these days -- dedicated fitness trackers, smartwatches, and even your phone let you know how how healthy or lethargic you are. Motorola rolled its own fitness-tracking features app into the Moto 360 smartwatch called Moto Body; it tracks of your steps, monitors your heart rate and provides estimates on how many calories you burn every day. The only downside is that the data was mostly confined to your watch; aside from a weekly progress email, there wasn't an easy way to get that data off your phone. Motorola is changing that today by releasing a dedicated Moto Body app for Android phones.
Android Wear is coming to China with Motorola's help
Android Wear smartwatches have been available in many places for a while, but not China -- the platform's dependencies on Google Play and Google Now weren't going to fly when Google refuses to offer some services in the censorship-heavy country. Motorola isn't deterred, however. It's releasing a version of the new Moto 360 in China with local services in place of their Google equivalents. Mobvoi will handle both search and voice recognition, third-party stores will offer apps and Sogou will handle navigation. It definitely won't represent the familiar Android Wear experience, but it will give Chinese Android fans a wearable option they haven't had before.
At last, Motorola reveals a Moto 360 you can take to the gym
Let's be real: As pretty as the new Moto 360 is, it definitely isn't ready for the gym. That's where the new Moto 360 Sport comes into play. The company hasn't said anything about price or when we'll be able to take these things out for a torturous run -- hell, there wasn't even a live model to play with -- but there's still more going on here than you might expect.
The new Moto 360 comes in two sizes, ships later this month for $299
Samsung and LG might have been first to market with Android Wear smartwatches, but the Moto 360 was the first that really got people excited. Now, after innumerable leaks, Motorola's finally ready to talk about the sequel it's been working on behind closed doors. Say hello to the 2015 Moto 360. Prices for these shiny new models start at $299 and they'll hit store shelves later this month, with pre-orders starting today. In the meantime, let's take a closer look at Motorola's handiwork.
Motorola's new Moto 360 Sport model breaks cover
We've already seen the upcoming Moto 360 sequel(s) quite a bit, but now another model has surfaced. Thanks to @upleaks, there's the news that the next line of Motorola smartwatches will also include a sport option. Based on what appears to be a leaked press image/render, the Moto 360 Sport will arrive in three colors while still carrying the same circular face and dreaded "flat tire" look. The bands on the active model also don't carry the same pins as the leaked 2015 unit, so we'll be curious to see if you can swap out the straps with ease. If you'll recall, Apple did something similar with its Watch by offering options for both active and fashion-minded folks. @upleaks also says that while the new Moto 360 will arrive in September, this newly outed Sport model won't be available until November.
Compare the new Moto 360 against its larger predecessor
We've heard rumblings about Motorola's new version of the Moto 360 arriving in two sizes, and now we've seen some supporting evidence. In the latest round of supposed leaked images, we get a glimpse of the smaller version of the smartwatch alongside its larger stablemate. The OG model was quite large, so if the new model does indeed debut in two sizes, folks who prefer something that wears more like a regular ol' watch could be in luck. The wearable hasn't exactly been a well-kept secret, so chances are we'll see more images and info before the next two Moto 360s make their official debut.
Motorola's Moto 360 sequel shows up in the wild
Motorola hasn't done the best job of keeping its Moto 360 follow-up a secret, and it doesn't look like that trend is about to reverse any time soon. Chicago-area observers on Google+ and Reddit have spotted Motorola employees wearing the next-gen Android Wear device out in the open, and their photos appear to confirm at least a few of the leaks and rumors. The wake button is no longer at three o'clock (likely to reduce accidental screen-on time), and the conspicuous lugs give it more of a traditional watch design. However, it seems as if Motorola hasn't entirely eliminated the 360's "flat tire" look -- this watch might not have a true circular display à la LG. Even it doesn't, though, it's evident that Motorola's next wristwear will be more than just a minor tweak. [Image credits: Gerrit Gödecke, Google+ (top) / TheGuyWhoRuinedIt, Reddit (bottom)]
Motorola's next smartwatch might come in small and large sizes
The Moto 360 is one of the more stylish Android Wear timepieces, but it does have a couple of drawbacks -- one being that its circular 1.56-inch display can look a little large on some people's wrists. Our own Nicole Lee levied this criticism in Engadget's review, but it seems Motorola has been taking notes for its successor. Regulatory documents filed with Brazil's Anatel telecommunications agency have revealed two new devices sporting the model numbers "360S" and "360L." It would make sense if the extra letters indicated two different sizes, as the pair are reportedly listed with 270mAh and 375mAh batteries respectively. (For comparison, the original Moto 360 offers 320mAh of power.) The obvious parallel here is the Apple Watch, which has been available since launch in a 38mm and 42mm design. Given we've just had a fresh batch of Moto phones, we suspect it won't be too long before Motorola unwraps its seemingly inevitable new Moto 360 too.
The Moto 360 smartwatch is getting better with WiFi, always-on apps
It's taken nearly a month, but the round Moto 360 smartwatch is finally joining some other Android Wear devices with support for the latest software update. It's rolling out to owners now, and adds features like the ability to connect directly to WiFi even if your phone is out of Bluetooth range, apps that stay visible until they're dismissed (especially useful for maps and to-do lists) and the ability to draw your own emoji right on the screen. Wearers can even scroll through info on the screen without touching it, simply by rotating their wrists. We felt like the Moto 360 was the best Android Wear device you could get nine months ago, and this update may help it keep up with the pack at its reduced price -- if it hits your wrist let us know how things are going.
Moto 360 drops to $165 on Google's store
If you've been toying with getting an Android-powered smartwatch but have been turned off by the $200-plus price tags, now's a good time to dive in. Google's device store is offering the Moto 360 with a leather strap for $165, or $85 off -- not bad for wristwear that's several months old. And should Google run out, you can score the wearable for a slightly higher $180 at Amazon and Best Buy. Motorola is likely just clearing out stock ahead of a sequel, but that's not a bad thing if you're more interested in putting a device on your arm than owning the latest and greatest.
Life with the Moto 360: has Motorola's smartwatch turned a corner?
When the Moto 360 first hit the scene, its reception was... mixed. That round display was eye-catching, but it couldn't make up for the smartwatch's all-too-short battery life and undercooked software. Times have changed, though. Motorola trotted out updates that addressed the 360's early problems, and the Lollipop upgrade gave Android Wear a new lease on life through custom watch faces and a few other useful tweaks. But does that mean it deserves a second chance, especially now that rivals like LG's G Watch R are vying for your wrist?
Lenovo CEO shows off briefcase full of Moto 360 smartwatches, secrets
When you're the boss, you can probably do anything you want. Like show off a case filled with (possibly) future smartwatch designs, straps, bezels and other assorted watch parts -- and share it with the internet. Like Lenovo CEO, Yang Yuanqing, who might have just done that with the Moto 360's sequel. (If you haven't quite been paying attention: Lenovo ended up buying Motorola off Google.) The image has already been deleted from it's original place on Chinese social network Weibo, but the photo persists, showing a padded case filled with, well, everything we mentioned at the start.
Customize your Moto 360 smartwatch with Moto Maker
Moto Maker, Motorola's hardware customization hub, is now open to the Moto 360 smartwatch -- meaning your wrist can now look as fancy as your phone and the rest of your wardrobe. Moto Maker offers three case finishes for the Moto 360 in dark metal, light metal or champagne gold, and nine bands in metal or leather options. We learned in February that Moto Maker would extend its services to Motorola's smartwatch line, building off of the customization services that kicked off in 2013 with the Moto X smartphone.
Recommended Reading: The secrets behind 'Madden's' player ratings
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. How Madden Ratings are Made by Neil Paine FiveThirtyEight If you've ever played a Madden title, at some point, you've questioned how player ratings are compiled. Heck, players are even critical of their own scores. Well, the stats experts over at FiveThirtyEight dive deep on the matter, offering a load of background information and a method for compiling and grading your own abilities... or lack thereof.
