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The £499 Moto Z and Moto Mod accessories come to the UK
This week may well be dominated by the launch of the new iPhone, but that doesn't mean Apple's smartphone rivals are holding things back. After a few months of US exclusivity, Lenovo has finally brought its super-customisable all-metal Moto Z to the UK. The 5.5-inch quad HD smartphone is now available on the Motorola store for £499, offering a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a 2600mAh battery with TurboPower charging and a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera. Oh, and it's ditched the headphone jack in favour of a USB-C connector.
Exploring the limits of good taste with Xbox Design Lab
A gamepad is the part of a game console people have the most intimate relationship with. You're holding it in your hands for hours on end, and you know it so well you can control its every function without even looking at it. When the action gets intense, your hands start to sweat from twiddling the thumbsticks. For plenty of people, it's the first thing that comes to mind when they want to throw something out of rage over a cheap death. Microsoft wants to make that connection even deeper by handing you the keys to the factory with its aptly named Xbox Design Lab.
It looks like the next Moto G will work with Moto Maker
At this point, the Moto G 2015 edition is becoming one of Motorola's worst kept secrets. The latest piece of news, first reported by Evan Blass (aka @evleaks), is that the next Moto G is going to be compatible with Moto Maker for the first time -- following in the footsteps of its flagship sibling, the Moto X. A Reddit user is corroborating this info after breaking down a page on Motorola's website, which has now been pulled, revealing that people who buy the device via Moto Maker will have a variety of custom options to choose from. That includes being able to personalize the next G's front and back colors, plus choose its internal storage (up to 16GB) and memory (1 or 2GB). It also seems there won't be wood choices at launch, but that could eventually change -- we shall find out next week.
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.
Motorola will let you customize your next smartwatch
Motorola's philosophy is that if you can't customize it, it probably isn't worth buying, which is why Moto Maker will soon let you tailor the Moto 360 to your individual taste. In an interview with Wired, the company's Dickon Isaacs said that the option to pick a case color, band material and size were always planned for the smartwatch, but had to be postponed for time reasons.
Moto X Pure Edition gets a 64GB option
Motorola trotted out a bloatware-free version of the Moto X (2014) back in September, and now, it's getting a memory boost. The company quietly added the 64GB Pure Edition handset to its Moto Maker site where you're free to fine-tune a design before committing funds. While that tally doubles the max storage space, it's only available on the unlocked model for use on AT&T or T-Mobile, and sets you back $600 off-contract. That's $100 more than the regular Pure Edition. At any rate, folks who've clamored for more memory are finally getting an option, and one that's already rockin' the latest version of Android.
Football leather is now an option for Verizon's Moto X
Football season is in full swing, but let's be honest: a few months worth in the fall and winter isn't enough to last the rest of the year. To help combat the lack of pigskin next summer, Verizon has a new option for the Moto X: football leather. That's right folks, you can skip the colorful, wood or regular ol' leather backs and splurge for a sportier option. If that sounds too good to pass up, a handset with the new cover will set you back $120 with a two-year commitment.
Motorola's Moto X sequel spotted
Want a good, clear look at one of the devices Motorola is expected to unveil at its September 4th event? You've got it. As a parting shot, retiring leaker Evan Blass (aka @evleaks) has posted press images for Motorola's next big flagship smartphone, frequently known as the X+1. It largely confirms what previously appeared in some dimly-lit photos, including dual camera flashes, a wooden back option and Moto E-style front-facing speakers. There are a couple of new tidbits, though. The Verizon logo leaves no doubts about one of the supporting US carriers, and we're curious about those dots on the top and bottom bezels -- are they Fire phone-like face tracking cameras, plain old screws or something else? You'll get the full scoop in a couple of weeks, but this serves as a nice (if very unofficial) teaser.
Motorola doubles the Moto X's storage and lets you try one for a penny
Motorola has just released a 64GB version of its customizable Moto X handset, and is extra keen to get one in your hands. It just launched a promotion that will allow you to put a nominal $.01 deposit down on that or any Moto X model, and customize it using Moto Maker. It'll then ship it out, and once you've had a look you can either pay for it (the new 64GB version is $450) or send it back, with no hard feelings or strings attached. The cynical among us may say that it's anxious to unload stock as a result of its acquisition by Lenovo and the resulting Texas plant closure, though Motorola says otherwise. Either way, it seems sure that you won't be able to resist a Moto X of your own design once it's in your hands. We don't disagree -- but for that price, we're also tempted by other options. Update: It's too late for the penny promotion, sorry folks! After barely getting started, Motorola now says it has already sold all the Moto X handsets allotted for the try-then-buy deal.
Motorola confirms Moto Maker isn't dying, despite US factory closure
Today's revelation that Motorola is shutting down its sole American plant is an indication that its latest flagship didn't do as well as expected in the US and the costs of operating the Texas factory were simply too high to continue operations. Since the facility focused heavily on shipping Moto Maker products to US consumers, speculation arose that the feature -- which gives you the ability to customize the color and trim of your Moto X -- would die along with it. Upon reaching out to Motorola, a spokesperson confirmed to us that Moto Maker is not going away as a result of the factory's closure.
Motorola to close its Moto X plant in Texas by the end of the year
Motorola became part of a growing trend when it opened a plant in Texas to build its flagship Moto X, but just a year on, its now decided to shut down its US manufacturing operations. According to The Wall Street Journal, employee numbers have plummeted from nearly 4,000 when it was in full swing to only 700, and the plan is to close the factory by the end of the year. Motorola's intention was to offset the inherently higher cost of manufacturing in the US, compared with places like China, by being able to get handsets to customers quicker, and manage the Moto Maker customization process on home turf. But, despite churning out 100,000 Moto Xs a week at one point and progressively making the handset cheaper, the 'born in the USA' vision hasn't paid dividends.
Motorola expands Moto X wood finish options, drops the price premium to $25
If you've wanted a Moto X with a wood finish, but didn't like bamboo or the $100 price premium over a regular model, we have good news: Motorola has just made the option a lot more appealing. Starting January 21st, you'll get to customize the Android smartphone with an ebony, teak or walnut backing (rosewood isn't an option, alas). That astronomical price has come down to Earth, too, as the wood option now costs a more reasonable $25. We can't imagine that many prospective Moto X buyers have been waiting for a device that matches their coffee table, but those particularly demanding customers should be very happy after next week.
Motorola's New Year's resolution is to sell more smartphones, drops unlocked Moto X to $400
It's no secret that Motorola's flagship Moto X hasn't been a tremendous hit with consumers, and with considerable inventory likely building up, it's time to move some product. Google's smartphone arm is kicking off the new year with some aggressive new pricing. The base configured Moto X will now run you $400 without a contract or carrier affiliation, while the much-anticipated wood flavor now commands a cool $500. Moto Maker pricing remains at $100 with a new AT&T, Sprint or Verizon contract, if a two-year agreement is how you like to roll.
Wired's LED-powered Moto X ad lets you try custom colors before you buy
Designing compelling interactive ads for web is hardly a challenge for experienced marketers, but engaging print magazine readers in a similar way requires significant creativity. One method is through technology -- Esquire stood out at newsstands with its attention-grabbing E Ink cover in October 2008, and Forbes turned some heads with a Microsoft ad earlier this year that integrated a functioning T-Mobile WiFi hotspot -- but Wired's January 2014 issue shall not go without mention, thanks in no small part to a partnership with Motorola. A trio of LEDs, a slab of plexiglass, four batteries and an array of buttons make up an interactive Moto X ad, right in the middle of the magazine. The design enables readers to "customize" a Moto X's rear, with bright LEDs illuminating the phone in 11 different colors. Tap blue and the phone lights up blue, yellow and it's yellow, red for red, and so on. The ad shuts off after a few seconds of inactivity, so those four lithium batteries should last you for quite some time, serving as a reminder of Moto's accomplishment long after the smartphone is laid to rest, while boosting this issue's appeal for collectors as well. Digitas, the advertising agency tasked with creating the ad over the last six months, says 150,000 copies of Wired in New York and Chicago will include the interactive advertisement. It's available on newsstands in those cities as well, so you should be able to get your hands on one even if you're not a subscriber. It's a costly endeavor, no doubt, but if today's publicity is any indication, it should pay off. Take a closer look in our hands-on (and teardown) video, embedded after the break.
Got wood? Moto Maker does and it'll cost you $100 extra
Motorola promised us Moto X's made of wood many moons ago, and the day has finally arrived. Folks who like their electronics built of more... sustainable materials can head on over to the Moto Maker website and snag an X phone constructed of bamboo. The catch? (There's always a catch.) To indulge your wooden inclinations, it'll cost an extra $100 dollars over the standard personalized Moto X, and there's currently a two-week wait to get one. So, you won't be able to put it under the tree, but if you head on over to the source, you may just have it in hand to start 2014.
Motorola botches Moto X Cyber Monday sale, offers buyers 'we're sorry' Wednesday
Remember that $349 off-contract Moto X deal we mentioned in our Cyber Monday roundup? That didn't exactly go to plan. According to Motorola, insufficient pre-sale testing and overwhelming demand crippled the MotoMaker customization engine, crashing the website and leaving droves of orders unfilled. It's embarrassing, to be sure, and Motorola's CEO is personally apologizing for the flub. "On behalf of all Motorolans, I apologize for what occurred today," Dennis Woodside wrote on the company's blog. To placate frustrated buyers, Woodside says the company is repeating the sale this Wednesday, reinforcing both the MotoMaker website and its stock of phones. "We will also add an additional promotional day on Monday, December 9," the CEO stated. "I appreciate your understanding as we get this fixed in time for Wednesday and Monday." Two extra days to mull over impulse buying a new phone? Sounds like a decent apology to us. Check out the company's official statement at the source link below.
Moto Maker customization for Moto X now available on all major carriers
AT&T's monopoly over personalized Moto X handsets has finally come to an end. As was predicted last week, the Moto Maker website has opened up to customers on Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The free service allows you choose from a wide range of back plate colors, a selection of front plate colors and accent colors, to create a unique handset design that Motorola says will reach you in just four days. While there's still no sign of the wooden-style Moto X back plates, the company has added a personal engraving option and confirmed it'll begin rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat to the Moto X soon -- maybe after it unveils the Moto G on November 13th.
Verizon's Moto X customization page is online right now, not that you can use it
It's less than a day until we're expecting to see carriers other than AT&T offer customization options for the Moto X, and it looks as if Verizon's already getting its ducks in a row. One of our eagle-eyed readers has spotted that Big Red has thrown up a Moto Maker page, which should, from tomorrow, let you select various cover and button combinations for Google's new mid-ranger. Naturally, the page is currently inactive, but at least you can bookmark it ahead of tomorrow's anticipated announcement, right? [Thanks, Paul]
Moto Maker customization for Moto X may soon be available on all major carriers
Fancy as those personalized Moto X handsets may be, they've so far only been an option for customers on AT&T. If evidence from @evleaks and Android Central is to be believed, however, Motorola's special factory lines will open up to Verizon and Sprint customers this coming Monday, November 11th, and possibly today on T-Mobile. The free Moto Maker service allows you choose from a wide range of back plate colors, a couple of front plate colors and some accents colors, so that you never have to experience the world-ending embarrassment of turning up to a party where someone else is wearing the same phone. There was also meant to be a signature engraving option as part of the service, but it's running fashionably late.
