In the four decades since Motorola first showed off a prototype of the
world's first cellphone, the company has watched Apple, Samsung and
other innovators surpass it in sales. With Google as its new owner,
Motorola is introducing the Moto X, a phone notable for innovations in
manufacturing, as part of an attempt to regain its stature.
Yes,
there's plenty the
Moto X offers in terms of software, including the
ability to get directions, seek trivia answers or set the alarm without
ever touching the phone. There's good hardware, too, including a body
that's nearly as slim as the iPhone 5, but with the larger, 4.7-inch
screen that is comparable to those found in rival Android phones.
But
what's really special about the Moto X has nothing to do with making
calls, checking Facebook or holding it in your hands. Rather, it breaks
from the pack by allowing for a lot of customization. You can choose
everything from the color of the power button to a personalized message
on the back cover.
To make those special orders possible, Motorola
is assembling the Moto X in Texas, making it the first smartphone to be
put together in the U.S. Motorola promises to ship custom designs
within four days, faster than it would be able to if the company had
chosen to make the Moto X halfway around the world in Asia, as other
phones typically are. (Phones for overseas markets will be made
overseas.)
You can still buy the phone the traditional way, in
black or white. Walk into a store, pay about $200, sign a two-year
service agreement (or installment plan with T-Mobile), and off you go
with a brand new phone.
5 new features in Motorola's Moto X
1. Touch-less control
First seen in Google Glass and then in
voice search on Chrome, the feature lets users control the phone with
simple voice commands prefixed with "Okay, Google Now." This also lets
users access Google Now, Google's voice-based assistant that fetches
information and performs tasks like fixing appointments, setting up
alarms, and doing currency conversions. The interesting bit is that you
don't need to touch the phone or take it out of your pocket. If enabled,
it always actively listens to the user and follows commands.
Anupam Saxena,
August 02, 2013
Google's Motorola has
unveiled Moto X
the first smartphone that's been developed with close collaboration
with the Internet giant. While it doesn't really boast of high-end
specifications, the much-hyped smartphone offers a few of
differentiating features. Here's a look at 5 of the major ones. (
Also see: Moto X review)
1. Touch-less controlFirst
seen in Google Glass and then in voice search on Chrome, the feature
lets users control the phone with simple voice commands prefixed with
"Okay, Google Now." This also lets users access Google Now, Google's
voice-based assistant that fetches information and performs tasks like
fixing appointments, setting up alarms, and doing currency conversions.
The interesting bit is that you don't need to touch the phone or take it
out of your pocket. If enabled, it always actively listens to the user
and follows commands.
2. Active DisplayMotorola has put an AMOLED screen on the
[Moto X](LINK TO PRODUCT DB), and these displays can be used to
selectively display information without affecting the device's battery
life. First seen in some Nokia phones, the display offers notifications
for messages, calls and other events and the current time, without
having to unlock the phone.
3. Quick CaptureThe Moto X
phone features a shake gesture that directly opens the phone's camera
app. You need to shake the phone twice to turn on the camera to capture
something spontaneously. You can then simply touch the screen to take a
photo, similar to the Windows Phone camera app. One can also touch and
hold to take multiple pictures quickly.
4. Authentication through wireless devicesYou can also set
the phone to authenticate when a trusted Bluetooth device is connected
or if the phone is near a paired device such as a computer or a
Bluetooth headset. This eliminates the need to unlock the phone every
time. For example, if your Bluetooth-enabled laptop or speaker is
around, your phone will know it's in a 'trusted' environment, and
eliminate the need to manually unlock the phone.
5. CustomisabilityYou
can customise the body of the phone and choose from 18 back covers,
different colour accents for the ring around the camera lens, accents
around the volume and on-off buttons and get a personal message etched
at the back of the phone. However, the customisation feature is limited
to US carrier AT&T.
