Motorola unveils the Moto X

Well, now... this is why we should stop caring abour rumours.  There'd been so many rumours and hints and whatnot that ther's literally a hue and ry among the internet saying "that it?".

For shame Android fans.  SMH

But let's take a look at this device, because despite the apparently 'lacklustre' launch (as I've heard some bloggers call it), it's a pretty neat device, and deserves some blogosphere space just for what it is - a new Android device that will allow us more choices.

Plus, this is really a first opportunity for Google and Motorola to have their first device displayed together.



So let's take a quick look at the device by itself:

Specs

• 4.7" @ 1280x720
• 1.7GHz x2 Qualcomm X8 w/ 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage (you also get 2 years worth of 50GB Google Drive storage)
• 10MP / 2MP
• 2200mAh battery
• Android 4.2.2

Those are the specs... nothing "WOW"-ing, especially in this day and age, but let's go deeper.

Cool features
First off the bezel.  This is something that a lot of users out there have wanted for a long time (ahem +Tom Gray)  It is an eency weency bezel.  I'd have to play with it to see how usable it is, but look at that photo above.  Very little to it on the sides!

Motion gestures.  Sure, there's similar features out there with third party apps, but here's it all baked in.  Some people may say "eww, do not need", and then again there are those people who say the same thing about Samsung.  I'd say, cool, and then disable it.

Essentially, flick the wrist to bring up a very simple, easy to use camera.  We showed you some of the gestures within in an earlier article.

Verbal commands - essentially Google Now on steroids.  I've been seeing some of the videos, and thought "well, GNow does that ... well, Now".  But here's the coolest part about it.  It can work while the screen's off.  Plus you can train it to only your voice.  No more will you have it listening to others while you're trying to tell it a command.  That's nice!

Motorola Connect is an extension for Google Chrome (note the Googley connectedness?).  Sure, programs like +AirDroid or similar do similar - but this is an 'official - built for this device' program.  Can't argue with that.

Some neat stuff, and I missed the official launch, so I'm just getting caught up - those are what I was able to quickly bring together.

The phone's going for $189 on Rogers with a 2 year plan.  Now we won't be getting the uber amounts of variety that our south of the Canadian brethren will get as we'll only have black or white to choose from, which is fine by me.  I don't need to have a plethora of colours when a good case will do.  And it seems 16GB is the only size we're getting.

So... a middle of the field device in specs with some unique features.  Are you in?  I've updated our database to have the specs and cost.  Give it a look.

Press Release:

Moto X^TM. Ready when you are.

TORONTO, Aug 1, 2013 – Meet Moto X™ by Motorola, the ultimate wingman, because your smartphone should work for you—not the other way around. Moto X represents the best of Motorola and Google, and it’s coming to Canada exclusively for Rogers Wireless customers.

Moto X has a unique curved back, designed to fit your hand. Talk to Moto X and it learns your voice. With Google Now, it tells you what you need to know – even when you’re not touching it. With two flicks of your wrist, Moto X becomes your camera and captures the shots you used to miss. It’s ready when you are.

“At Motorola our roots are deep in mobile hardware – we invented mobile communications,” says Odile Guinot, vice-president of sales and general manager, Motorola Mobility Canada. “Now, as a Google company, we’ve become the kind of company that can build a smartphone like Moto X. It fuses our history of mobile innovation with the best of Google mobile services.”

“We’re thrilled to bring the innovative, 2600 MHz LTE-enabled, Moto X, exclusively to Rogers customers,” said Raj Doshi, senior vice president of products, Rogers Communications. “Moto X on the blazing-fast Rogers LTE network gives customers an incredibly fast, premium wireless experience, allowing them to download large files on the go, stream music and video, and to stay connected through social media apps so they never miss a beat.”

No touching.

To use your Moto X, you only need your voice. Without touching it at all, you can get directions, set an alarm or do just about anything—just by talking. Say “OK Google Now” to get started. Ask it if you need an umbrella and it gives you up-to-the-minute weather for your location. Tell it you’re going home, and your Moto X will get you there. Because it knows your voice, Moto X can do things other phones can’t.

Moto X is always ready to tell you what you need to know. Instead of an unhelpful blinking light, Moto X gives you useful info at a glance with Active Display, which appear right on screen. Even while it’s asleep, it’s always on top of things. A last-minute dinner invite? A missed call from your boss? A key email while an important meeting is going on? It doesn’t interrupt.

Get the shot.

Moto X knows you need a camera, and it’s always ready to go. Just twist your wrist twice and it’s ready. Touch anywhere on the screen, and you’ll get the shot. All in just a few seconds. Continuous shooting capabilities, as well as a ten megapixel camera, mean the photos you do take are the ones you want. With Moto X, you’ll always get the shot.

Even smarter.

Don’t have your Moto X nearby? The Motorola Connect extension for Google Chrome™ lets you see and respond to notifications and text messages – right from your desktop. Hate the hassle of switching phones? Motorola Migrate makes it easy to transfer the contents of your old phone¹ onto your Moto X. Just pair your phone to your Moto X through WiFi direct and your photos, texts, SIM contacts and even your call history and some settings will be transferred. Just a few example of how Moto X puts the smart in smartphone.

Availability

Moto X will be available in black or exclusively to Rogers Wireless customers this August for as little as $189.99 on select two-year plans. Existing Rogers wireless customers can reserve theirs on the Rogers Reservation System* and new customers can sign up for updates on availability at www.rogers.com/motox. For more information, please visit motorola.ca.