The (maybe) "Epic" Motorola X Pre-Release Thread

[MT Rotor]

Moto X will be the higher end phone, like the chromebook pixel, expect $400-$450+ price tag if they're 2 phones

[The_Chief]

Hopefully that's the FULL RETAIL price: I have to pay the full retail, un-subsidized price to keep my unlimited data on Verizon, and I don't really want to shell out $800 for a phone I'll have for maybe 2 years. Then again, that's about $1.25 a day for the use of a new phone: not bad, really...

Besides, I'm also trying to save up for Google Glass

[Digital Controller]

Originally Posted by The_Chief

Huh??? Well, THIS throws a wrench in the works:

Google Nexus 5 Another LG Partnership

I really want to see the next Nexus being Motorola, but with the x phone being that, who knows

[finndo77]

I mentioned earlier in this thread that the next version of android is supposed to add in the Linux kernel merges, so it is completely possible that it will be chrome OS based. There have been rumors for several years that chrome OS and android would merge.

[MT Rotor]

Originally Posted by finndo77

I mentioned earlier in this thread that the next version of android is supposed to add in the Linux kernel merges, so it is completely possible that it will be chrome OS based. There have been rumors for several years that chrome OS and android would merge.

You have a link ?

[The_Chief]

Considering that Android had a massive presence at MWC last year and there is NO Android presence this year, I have to agree and conclude that Google is trying to phase open-source Android out. As Android becomes more & more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly important to have elements of it patented and afforded certain protections from other companies nicking them and patenting them (ahem, ahem).

I can imagine that Lemondrop or Marshmallow (or whatever they're gonna be called after Key Lime Pie) will be the last true AOSP Android version before being completely assimilated into Chrome OS or something else.

Just my opinion, mind you, and take it with a grain of salt: but a business model that creates awesome stuff for your competitor to use against you is not a good business model.

[MT Rotor]

If they merge and create a desktop OS that can do everything win8&Mac can do, that'd be sweet...

[finndo77]

Considering Ubuntu's plans for one device, one OS, and the fact that Motorola has "been there done that" although not as thoroughly, it makes plenty of sense for Google to jump on Shuttleworth's toes and release the next android device from Motorola as a chrome OS variant that already does it all, the apps of android, the browser of chrome, hdmi 4k output wireless kb and mouse.

Sounds like something from Steve jobs, let them advertise, plan scheme and gloat about some such new thing that no one else does or has, then hold a press conference on a Friday and come out with "oh, we already did that, have all the patents, and it will be available for sale Monday, that's all, have a good night."

[jhawkkw]

As much as I don't want them to close up android apple style, it seems inevitable because of the patent war. The world has changed since Jonas Salk essentially have the world the polio vaccine for free with no aspirations for profit.

[Fred G. Vader]

Seems like the manufacturers know that the handwriting is on the wall for Android and are already starting to hedge their bets. Just read an article on PhoneDog where Sony, LG, ZTE and Huawei are all looking into the new FireFox OS.

Samsung is in heavy development with their Tizen OS and they have enough clout now that they could release the Galaxy 5 running Tizen and the average consumer wouldn't know the difference.

LG just bought WebOS (supposedly only for TV development but we'll see how long that lasts).

Also did anyone else catch the story where the latest Chrome browser release now has the same App Launcher from Chrome OS. Eventually iPhone/Mac/Windows/WindowsPhone users will be able to download apps from the Chrome Web Store onto their devices.

Google is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers!

[Nexus5]

I heard the Moto X will have a special peripheral/toy that will be launched at the same time.

Rumors have it that the toy is a Kinex style framework of construct-able components including battery packs, solar panels, and magnetic drives (both linear/actuator and rotation options are possible) coupled with wireless Bluetooth sensors and receivers that talk to a programmable app framework for Android 5.0 devices.

Given the adult implications for this device they really need to re-think the name:
Solid Element Xperience Toy..

Oh wait, next month is only March!? Crap! Too soon!

[bigdrew]

Originally Posted by The_Chief

Considering that Android had a massive presence at MWC last year and there is NO Android presence this year, I have to agree and conclude that Google is trying to phase open-source Android out. As Android becomes more & more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly important to have elements of it patented and afforded certain protections from other companies nicking them and patenting them (ahem, ahem).

I can imagine that Lemondrop or Marshmallow (or whatever they're gonna be called after Key Lime Pie) will be the last true AOSP Android version before being completely assimilated into Chrome OS or something else.

Just my opinion, mind you, and take it with a grain of salt: but a business model that creates awesome stuff for your competitor to use against you is not a good business model.

Manufacturers seem to be leaning towards their own private launch events instead. They get more press that way. I don't see the connection of that to Android's software license. I don't even know if Google could do such a thing if they wanted to because of contractual obligations with the Open Handset Alliance.

[bigdrew]

Originally Posted by Fred G. Vader

Seems like the manufacturers know that the handwriting is on the wall for Android and are already starting to hedge their bets. Just read an article on PhoneDog where Sony, LG, ZTE and Huawei are all looking into the new FireFox OS.

Samsung is in heavy development with their Tizen OS and they have enough clout now that they could release the Galaxy 5 running Tizen and the average consumer wouldn't know the difference.

LG just bought WebOS (supposedly only for TV development but we'll see how long that lasts).

Also did anyone else catch the story where the latest Chrome browser release now has the same App Launcher from Chrome OS. Eventually iPhone/Mac/Windows/WindowsPhone users will be able to download apps from the Chrome Web Store onto their devices.

Google is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers!

I'd like to see a mobile OS released under the GPL too, but I don't think an OS is a selling point in the mobile device market at large anymore. It's about ecosystems now. If you don't have hundreds of thousands of apps, turn-by-turn navigation, diverse multimedia content, widespread developer support, and so forth, out of the box, then no one's going to even look at you. If these companies want to hedge against Android, their only option, sad to say, is Windows Phone. And even after throwing billions of USD at that the last few years, Microsoft is still left holding a meager smartphone marketshare--I wouldn't say that WP is a path to success. You don't hedge bets by wagering on longshots, it's the other way around.

[halon]

Wow. Everyone is getting all philosophical on here. I just want a top-o-theline phone that kicks A$$. And I want all the true details now.

Carry on

[The_Chief]

Originally Posted by Nexus5

I heard the Moto X will have a special peripheral/toy that will be launched at the same time.

Rumors have it that the toy is a Kinex style framework of construct-able components including battery packs, solar panels, and magnetic drives (both linear/actuator and rotation options are possible) coupled with wireless Bluetooth sensors and receivers that talk to a programmable app framework for Android 5.0 devices.

Given the adult implications for this device they really need to re-think the name:
Solid Element Xperience Toy..

Oh wait, next month is only March!? Crap! Too soon!

Linear and rotation options?

I want the one with the bigger GBs!

[bigdrew]

My sister has a Razr Maxx (not HD) and I was always impressed with the build quality--it feels fantastic and really solid. It's so unfortunate that the Razr line is exclusive to Verizon because it would've been a great challenger to the iphone and GS3. It's also very encouraging to see Motorola really focusing on software updates, now that they're operating under Google. I really hope the x-phone justifies the hype when it's released, because there's huge potential in this thing.

[Adauth]

Originally Posted by bigdrew

My sister has a Razr Maxx (not HD) and I was always impressed with the build quality--it feels fantastic and really solid. It's so unfortunate that the Razr line is exclusive to Verizon because it would've been a great challenger to the iphone and GS3. It's also very encouraging to see Motorola really focusing on software updates, now that they're operating under Google. I really hope the x-phone justifies the hype when it's released, because there's huge potential in this thing.

I own a razr and it's been the most dependable , reliable ,and best overall smartphone that I have ever owned, and i've owned several different brands. Motorola devices may not always have cutting edge hardware, but When it comes to overall reliability, build quality, signal strength, and just being a great device, most moto phones are more than capable.

[The_Chief]

Well, I think this is the first concept art of our dream machine, even if the article says a whole bunch of nothing:

Motorola X Phone is (the) Nexus 5 and Google's Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie Poster Phone? [PHOTO] - International Business Times

If this is what it'll look like, will you still buy it? Are you going for the aesthetics or what's under the hood?


EDIT: And more from phonearena:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/What-to-expect-with-the-Motorola-X-Phone-and-is-it-a-real-game-changer_id39751

[MT Rotor]

Hope not, that looks like a downgraded nexus 4..the glass back is starting to get cheesy now, stick with Kevlar or dragonskin

[Fred G. Vader]

I really like this design, sticks a bit more to the razr maxx kevlar style

Motorola X Phone Concept is 5 Inch Bezel Free Handset | Concept Phones

[The_Chief]

I'm only posting this for the humor of it:

Motorola X Phone Looks Revealed In Images, Video | Mobile & Apps

What outstanding journalistic integrity! Someone takes a wild guess at what this thing is going to look like, makes a render, and this site passes that off as NEWS!

[MT Rotor]

Looks like $10 phone to me

[Fred G. Vader]

maybe X Phone will be pure Android after all!

Android and Chrome: No merge in sight | Android Community

[jhawkkw]

This puts a potential negative tone in the xphone: http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4040348/google-cfo-products-in-motorola-pipeline-arent-wow-by-google-standards

[The_Chief]

Well thanks for nothing but ruining our lives, Jhawk

[Unforgiven]

I think they were referencing what was in the pipeline pre-acquisition.

Money quote

Dennis Woodside and his team have inherited 18 months of pipeline that we have to drain right now.

[jhawkkw]

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

I think they were referencing what was in the pipeline pre-acquisition.

Money quote

Sort of, but I think the article made reference to a more recent quote as well. Though that could be another one based off of that one from the Verge.

[The_Chief]

The story's getting around in a hurry:

Motorola X Phone Could Be a Competitor, But May Not Wow You

Two possibilities:

(a) They're telling the truth and this will be another "Stratosphere".

(b) It's a smokescreen to divert us so we go "WOW!" at Google I/O.

We likely won't know which until May

[Gmash]

They are totally taking what was said out of context. Google said what was _already_in the Motorola pipeline wasn't "wow" (whatever that means). That has nothing to do with the "X" phone. The only negative I read into those comments is the X will probably not be released as soon as people were expecting/hoping.

[The_Chief]

Let's hope you're right, Gmash: I'd love for this to be the next WOW phone

[Digital Controller]

Originally Posted by The_Chief

Let's hope you're right, Gmash: I'd love for this to be the next WOW phone

Completely agree...I am really looking forward to this as my contract is due right around when the supposed release of this "monster"

[omnius]

Originally Posted by jhawkkw

This puts a potential negative tone in the xphone: Google's CFO says Motorola's products aren't 'wow' by Google standards (update) | The Verge

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

I think they were referencing what was in the pipeline pre-acquisition.

Money quote

Originally Posted by Gmash

They are totally taking what was said out of context. Google said what was _already_in the Motorola pipeline wasn't "wow" (whatever that means). That has nothing to do with the "X" phone. The only negative I read into those comments is the X will probably not be released as soon as people were expecting/hoping.

Of these 3 quotes, I think Gmash is closest. Google CFO's quote appears to be saying that they "still have to drain the pipe". This looks very much to me that Motorola is still releasing those phones before the X, which means no X Phone until late 2013 at the earliest, and not at Google I/O this may.

However even should this X Phone be announced in May, I still see no reason at all to grant Motorola my business any more or less than I dis in 2012, simply because Google has still not backed down from it's 2011 stance on the Motorola acquisition:

Hiroshi Lockheimer, vice president of engineering for Android at Google, spoke late in February about the nature of Google's relationship with Motorola, which it bought in 2011.

"It's almost as if [Motorola is] a separate company," CNET.com quoted him as saying. "We treat all of our partners fairly," he said, as if assuring other tech firms. "Motorola we consider a partner just like HTC or Samsung."

What this tells me: Buying a Motorola in 2013 is no guarantee at all that I will be receiving a phone that is in any way better than Samsung, HTC, Sony, or LG. The reason I'm pessimistic is very simple. I bought into the Motorola Atrix 4G hype in 2011 and paid for that for 2 years with terrible update delays, weak support, and cookie-cutter customer support responses ("thanks you for your feedback, we are happy to hear from you and will pass this on blah blah blah") to widely vocalized problems on their customer support forums.

I'm never going to buy from this company again until Google purges their current employee infrastructure. Same people working for Moto that worked there for the Atrix 4G? No thanks. The boss and marketing can say whatever they want, the employees are the ones delivering those promises and they didn't deliver last time I went with them.

I'm so disgusted with Moto now that it would take me watching how they handle their next flagship under Google for 2 years before I trust them again. Samsung gave JB to the SG2, a phone that's contemporary with the Atrix 4G. Meanwhile Moto dropped the ball repeatedly.

I also won't forget that posts about Atrix 4G touch screen digitizers failing started appearing on forums approximately 18 months after the device launched. It happened to mine right about the same time.

It took up to half a year sometimes for Moto to release bug patches as well which is totally unacceptable. IIRC There were numerous threads complaining about the 2.3.6 patch breaking the accuracy of the battery meter. Motorola's response? They put a memo on their website telling people it was caused by using USB port chargers instead of plugging it in an electrical outlet when the battery fell below 15%. How long did this response take? Almost a YEAR. Did they ever patch it? Nope.

Like I said, if the next wave of Moto flagships demonstrates a consistent improvement in customer support for the next 2 years I might consider them in 2015. Before that, forget it.

[finndo77]

My upgrade is not until November, I am hoping that by then the x will have been hacked to bits. I don't care if Motorola ever updates as long add there are devs

[Digital Controller]

Originally Posted by finndo77

My upgrade is not until November, I am hoping that by then the x will have been hacked to bits. I don't care if Motorola ever updates as long add there are devs

There should be unless the phone totally flops, which who knows! This phone seems like it will be pretty popular though, unless the price tag is insanely high.

[The_Chief]

More news?

Google / Motorola X Phone specs, features and image leaked ahead of Galaxy S4 launch

A 16MP Camera? Who needs that kind of resolution unless you're making billboard-sized prints or something! Those files will be massive!

Anyway, that's the news of the day

[halon]

You beat me to it!

If the phone looked like that, I would pass.

[Orion]

Those are some crazy specs. 16mp and 5 mp front camera? Interesting.

[Fred G. Vader]

I do like the fact that they're going with a 4.7" display. I went from the OG Galaxy Note to the Razr MAXX HD - but only kept it for a week before switching to the GS3. However I did like the 4.7" display size on the Razr MAXX HD and surprisingly enjoyed the on screen buttons (I say surprisingly because I always thought I would not like them but turns out I did). So I'm looking forward to to getting back to the 4.7" with on screen buttons.

[breadnatty08]

Originally Posted by halon

You beat me to it!

If the phone looked like that, I would pass.

Pic is hopefully fake. But I'm with you. I'd definitely pass if that's what it was. Holy Batman bezel-city.

[Hadron]

If specs are real it's about 1.5mm narrower than the HTC One and 6mm shorter, with the same screen size. There won't be a huge bezel in that case. So I think I'll ignore the image (which doesn't even contain enough detail to qualify as a placeholder render).

Those silly camera resolutions would put me off though - that's the megapixel myth to the max!

[jhawkkw]

The "leaks" have really toned down with this device. I guess everyone is too busy making fake renderings of the S4.

[halon]

According to The Panda on twitter...the battery isn't a winner, all that tech and no room for a super battery.

[jhawkkw]

If it doesn't have RAZR maxx like battery, I might have to pass

[breadnatty08]

What the heck is this thing?
Mystery Motorola phone leak could point to new Google influence | The Verge

Edit: A commentor said it could be the next Atrix.

[oOMavrikOo]

Originally Posted by dreadnatty08

What the heck is this thing?
Mystery Motorola phone leak could point to new Google influence | The Verge

Edit: A commentor said it could be the next Atrix.

One of the not so "wow" devices in that 18 month pipeline.

[jhawkkw]

Personally, I like the nexus look, but I am a little biased. It looks better than the brick look that their recent phones have had.

[Fred G. Vader]

I agree with jhawkkw I like the look of it, not what I would like to see for the X phone but a pretty nice looking phone overall

[The_Chief]

"Non-removable back"? Stop. Game over. No buy for me.

[valorian]

Originally Posted by The_Chief

"Non-removable back"? Stop. Game over. No buy for me.

I have a feeling this may start to become more common down the road. HTC is starting to do this with their phones.

[AntimonyER]

Sorry Chief, Moto has been on the non - removable back kick for a while, and Google obviously isn't pressuring them to change that if the N4 is any indication. Highly doubt X has a removable back.