were expecting the leaks to start coming through as we got closer to
Motorola's scheduled September 4th event, and we haven't been
disappointed. While much of the most recent news has been about the
Motorola-built Nexus X, we want to take some time to run through everything Motorola is going to announce in one short week.
There are three things that we know for sure will be announced at the even in
Chicago, because Motorola basically laid out the plans for the major
announcements in the event announcement.
The teaser image blatantly lists the Moto X+1, the next generation Moto
G, the Moto 360 smartwatch, and apparently some sort of Bluetooth
headset which we have not gotten any info about.
Chicago, because Motorola basically laid out the plans for the major
announcements in the event announcement.
The teaser image blatantly lists the Moto X+1, the next generation Moto
G, the Moto 360 smartwatch, and apparently some sort of Bluetooth
headset which we have not gotten any info about.
We do know that Motorola has about 8 smartphones
in its plans for the end of this year, and we know that not all of
those devices will be announced on the 4th. The Nexus won't be announced
next week, both because this is a Motorola event not Googla, and we've
been told that the Nexus will have a quiet release around Halloween
again. The two Moto S handsets likely won't be announced either,
because we have heard that the Moto S launch depends on how people take
to the Moto X+1. How people react to the size of the X+1 will determine
if Motorola releases the Moto S as a 5.9-inch device or as the 5.2-inch Moto X Play. And beyond that, if the Moto S ends up as a 5.9-inch device, Google could take the 5.2-inch units and repurpose them as a second Nexus device alongside the 5.9-inch Nexus X.
in its plans for the end of this year, and we know that not all of
those devices will be announced on the 4th. The Nexus won't be announced
next week, both because this is a Motorola event not Googla, and we've
been told that the Nexus will have a quiet release around Halloween
again. The two Moto S handsets likely won't be announced either,
because we have heard that the Moto S launch depends on how people take
to the Moto X+1. How people react to the size of the X+1 will determine
if Motorola releases the Moto S as a 5.9-inch device or as the 5.2-inch Moto X Play. And beyond that, if the Moto S ends up as a 5.9-inch device, Google could take the 5.2-inch units and repurpose them as a second Nexus device alongside the 5.9-inch Nexus X.
To recap: we will see the Moto X+1 and Moto G on the 4th, but probably
won't see the Moto S or Moto X Play, and almost definitely won't see the
Nexus X. That just leaves the three new DROID handsets - the DROID,
DROID Maxx, and DROID Turbo.
There have been very few leaks about the new DROID devices, but we know
the Turbo has top-of-the-line specs, and we can assume the Maxx has a
giant battery. It is unclear though if these devices will be announced
next week. According to our source, it is "possible, but not confirmed"
that the DROIDs will be announced.
won't see the Moto S or Moto X Play, and almost definitely won't see the
Nexus X. That just leaves the three new DROID handsets - the DROID,
DROID Maxx, and DROID Turbo.
There have been very few leaks about the new DROID devices, but we know
the Turbo has top-of-the-line specs, and we can assume the Maxx has a
giant battery. It is unclear though if these devices will be announced
next week. According to our source, it is "possible, but not confirmed"
that the DROIDs will be announced.
That brings us to the main items that we know will be on the docket, and what we know about each, starting with:
The Moto X (aka X+1)
Last year's Moto X was critically acclaimed by tech reviewers and most users
who bought it, but the device never caught on with the public, likely
due to a severe lack of marketing (despite a reportedly huge marketing budget from Google), and the AT&T exclusivity of Moto Maker. Motorola is scheduled to shut down its assembly plant in Texas by the end of the year, but Moto Maker should still be in full swing given it is now offered in Mexico, and Germany. We also just heard about changes to Moto Maker; there are rumors that in addition to the usual wood and plastic, there will also be leather and maybe even a denim backing materials.
who bought it, but the device never caught on with the public, likely
due to a severe lack of marketing (despite a reportedly huge marketing budget from Google), and the AT&T exclusivity of Moto Maker. Motorola is scheduled to shut down its assembly plant in Texas by the end of the year, but Moto Maker should still be in full swing given it is now offered in Mexico, and Germany. We also just heard about changes to Moto Maker; there are rumors that in addition to the usual wood and plastic, there will also be leather and maybe even a denim backing materials.
Before diving into the specs expected in the X+1, we wanted to quickly note
something about the naming. Our source indicated that the names will
actually be the same as last year. This means they won't be the X+1 and
G2, but will remain the Moto X, and the Moto G. However, to reduce
confusion in this piece, we'll continue to refer to the device as the
X+1.
something about the naming. Our source indicated that the names will
actually be the same as last year. This means they won't be the X+1 and
G2, but will remain the Moto X, and the Moto G. However, to reduce
confusion in this piece, we'll continue to refer to the device as the
X+1.
Physically, as you can see in the leaked renders
above, there will be a some changes to the X+1 compared to last year's
Moto X. The X+1 will feature a 5.2-inch 1080p AMOLED display, rather
than the 4.7-inch 720p display of last year. The X+1 also has front
stereo speakers, a new logo on the back, and dual mini flashes for the
camera rather than one large flash. The last thing to note are the grey
dots you can see on the front of the white device above. Those are
related to the 3D effects
that Motorola experimented with for the X+1, but it is unclear if that
will actually make it into the final product. Also, in that same report
about the 3D, it was rumored that the X+1 would feature optical zoom,
but our source is saying that optical zoom has been tested for the Moto S
and Nexus X, but not the X+1.
above, there will be a some changes to the X+1 compared to last year's
Moto X. The X+1 will feature a 5.2-inch 1080p AMOLED display, rather
than the 4.7-inch 720p display of last year. The X+1 also has front
stereo speakers, a new logo on the back, and dual mini flashes for the
camera rather than one large flash. The last thing to note are the grey
dots you can see on the front of the white device above. Those are
related to the 3D effects
that Motorola experimented with for the X+1, but it is unclear if that
will actually make it into the final product. Also, in that same report
about the 3D, it was rumored that the X+1 would feature optical zoom,
but our source is saying that optical zoom has been tested for the Moto S
and Nexus X, but not the X+1.
Internally, there are the standard set of upgrades that you might expect. As rumored,
the X+1 will be powered by a customized Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 clocked
at 2.2GHz, and once again featuring co-processors for voice and motion.
It will also have 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical
image stabilization, and options for 16 and 32GB of storage with an
unconfirmed possibility of a 64GB variant.
the X+1 will be powered by a customized Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 clocked
at 2.2GHz, and once again featuring co-processors for voice and motion.
It will also have 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical
image stabilization, and options for 16 and 32GB of storage with an
unconfirmed possibility of a 64GB variant.
It will ship with Android 4.4.4 and likely get the update to Android L pretty soon after
the software is available, given Motorola's track record with speedy
updates. Otherwise, we don't know much about the software on the X+1. We
did learn that there will be some carrier modifications (you can see
the Verizon Messages app in the renders above), but we have been told
that those apps will be removable. There was also supposed to be a new service called Moto Aware, but those plans have been scrapped in the wake of filings from Apple to block the app.
the software is available, given Motorola's track record with speedy
updates. Otherwise, we don't know much about the software on the X+1. We
did learn that there will be some carrier modifications (you can see
the Verizon Messages app in the renders above), but we have been told
that those apps will be removable. There was also supposed to be a new service called Moto Aware, but those plans have been scrapped in the wake of filings from Apple to block the app.
We also don't know how much the X+1 will cost, but we do know that the
device will be released on all four major carriers in the U.S., and the
planned launch date for Verizon is September 17th, but that date could
be moved up.
device will be released on all four major carriers in the U.S., and the
planned launch date for Verizon is September 17th, but that date could
be moved up.
The Moto G
 |
The
other smartphone guaranteed to be part of the festivities on September
4th is the new Moto G. This is Motorola's device aimed at the upper
low-end market (whereas the Moto E
is for the low-end), and as such, the device doesn't pack the most
impressive specs, but they are pretty solid considering the phone is
expected to sell for somewhere in the $175-200 range. Although, the
internals aren't expected to get much of an upgrade with the Moto G.
other smartphone guaranteed to be part of the festivities on September
4th is the new Moto G. This is Motorola's device aimed at the upper
low-end market (whereas the Moto E
is for the low-end), and as such, the device doesn't pack the most
impressive specs, but they are pretty solid considering the phone is
expected to sell for somewhere in the $175-200 range. Although, the
internals aren't expected to get much of an upgrade with the Moto G.
The new Moto G has been rumored to include the
same Snapdragon 400 clocked at 1.2GHz as in last year's model, 1GB of
RAM, 8/16GB of storage, dual-SIM support, a microSD card slot, and the
same swappable Motorola Shell back plates. The phone isn't totally the
same though. Its screen is bigger at 5-inches, rather than 4.5-inches,
but is still 720p. The rear camera has been upgraded from 5-megapixels
to 8. And physically, the bezels have been made smaller, and the device
will have the same front stereo speakers as all of the new Motorola
devices.
same Snapdragon 400 clocked at 1.2GHz as in last year's model, 1GB of
RAM, 8/16GB of storage, dual-SIM support, a microSD card slot, and the
same swappable Motorola Shell back plates. The phone isn't totally the
same though. Its screen is bigger at 5-inches, rather than 4.5-inches,
but is still 720p. The rear camera has been upgraded from 5-megapixels
to 8. And physically, the bezels have been made smaller, and the device
will have the same front stereo speakers as all of the new Motorola
devices.
We don't know specifics on the release date or price
for the Moto G, but as mentioned before, it will likely be under the
$200 mark.
for the Moto G, but as mentioned before, it will likely be under the
$200 mark.
The Moto 360
 |
Until yesterday, the Moto 360 was undisputedly most demanded Android Wear smartwatch that we knew about. Then, LG announced the G Watch R
with its perfectly round display (the 360 has a piece cut out of the
bottom), and steel design. The Moto 360 is still a great-looking watch,
but it is no longer the sole entrant with a metal design and round face,
and according to our recent poll,
the Moto 360 is no longer on top of your wish lists (though it is
close). We knew the competition was coming, but we at least thought the
360 would be the first device to get an official announcement. Of
course, we have had hands-on
time with the Moto 360, and we don't yet know the LG G Watch R release
date, so the 360 could still be the first round watch on store shelves.
with its perfectly round display (the 360 has a piece cut out of the
bottom), and steel design. The Moto 360 is still a great-looking watch,
but it is no longer the sole entrant with a metal design and round face,
and according to our recent poll,
the Moto 360 is no longer on top of your wish lists (though it is
close). We knew the competition was coming, but we at least thought the
360 would be the first device to get an official announcement. Of
course, we have had hands-on
time with the Moto 360, and we don't yet know the LG G Watch R release
date, so the 360 could still be the first round watch on store shelves.
From what we know, the Moto 360
is made of steel and will launch with customization options in Moto
Maker. This will let you choose between the black or silver watch face,
and have a choice of watch bands. At launch, there will almost certainly
be a leather watch band,
and a rubber option, but the last we heard (which was two months ago)
it was unclear if the metal band option would be ready for the release.
From the leaks we've seen, the leather bands
will come in a few different colors, like gray, tan, blue, and black.
We would assume different color choices for the sporty rubber watch
band, but can't confirm that.
is made of steel and will launch with customization options in Moto
Maker. This will let you choose between the black or silver watch face,
and have a choice of watch bands. At launch, there will almost certainly
be a leather watch band,
and a rubber option, but the last we heard (which was two months ago)
it was unclear if the metal band option would be ready for the release.
From the leaks we've seen, the leather bands
will come in a few different colors, like gray, tan, blue, and black.
We would assume different color choices for the sporty rubber watch
band, but can't confirm that.
The Moto 360 also has some impressive hardware packed into its small frame. It will be the first
Android Wear device to feature an ambient light sensor,
which will allow it to dynamically change the screen brightness and
save your battery. And, speaking about the battery, the rumor is that
the Moto 360 will feature over two days
of battery life, which is well more than other Android Wear offerings.
When you do need to charge the device, it has a very cool looking wireless charging dock
to take care of your power needs. In those same pics of the wireless
charger, it was revealed that the Moto 360 features a pedometer
(expected), and an optical heart rate monitor, which we didn't expect.
To top it off, the device is rated at IP67 waterproof certification,
meaning that you can dunk it in three feet of water for half an hour
without any troubles.
Android Wear device to feature an ambient light sensor,
which will allow it to dynamically change the screen brightness and
save your battery. And, speaking about the battery, the rumor is that
the Moto 360 will feature over two days
of battery life, which is well more than other Android Wear offerings.
When you do need to charge the device, it has a very cool looking wireless charging dock
to take care of your power needs. In those same pics of the wireless
charger, it was revealed that the Moto 360 features a pedometer
(expected), and an optical heart rate monitor, which we didn't expect.
To top it off, the device is rated at IP67 waterproof certification,
meaning that you can dunk it in three feet of water for half an hour
without any troubles.
The display of the 360 is 1.5-inches with a reported resolution of 320 x 290, with the vertical a bit shorter because of the black bar at the bottom that hides the ambient light
sensor and display drivers. The entire watch is 1.8-inches in diameter
and is said to be 0.4-inches (10mm) thick and weigh 2.1oz (59.5g),
which makes it similar in thickness and weight to the LG G Watch. There
is a microphone, and a plunger on the side which is expected to be the
screen on/off switch.
sensor and display drivers. The entire watch is 1.8-inches in diameter
and is said to be 0.4-inches (10mm) thick and weigh 2.1oz (59.5g),
which makes it similar in thickness and weight to the LG G Watch. There
is a microphone, and a plunger on the side which is expected to be the
screen on/off switch.
The internal specs of the device are still a bit of a mystery. There was a Best Buy posting
that appeared to leak the specs, but there were a few parts of that
listing that made us wary of the information, not the least of which was
that it claimed the 360 had a Texas Instruments processor, even though TI got out of the mobile device market
two years ago. Most rumors say the 360 has a Snapdragon 400, like all
of the other Android Wear devices that exist right now. The Best Buy
listing claims 512MB of storage, but doesn't mention RAM, and we would
have expected that to be the other way around. Lastly, it lists Wireless
N support, which would be a very big deal if it happens, because it
would give the device a modicum of independence from a tethered
smartphone by connecting to Wi-Fi instead. But, we'll believe that when
we see it.
that appeared to leak the specs, but there were a few parts of that
listing that made us wary of the information, not the least of which was
that it claimed the 360 had a Texas Instruments processor, even though TI got out of the mobile device market
two years ago. Most rumors say the 360 has a Snapdragon 400, like all
of the other Android Wear devices that exist right now. The Best Buy
listing claims 512MB of storage, but doesn't mention RAM, and we would
have expected that to be the other way around. Lastly, it lists Wireless
N support, which would be a very big deal if it happens, because it
would give the device a modicum of independence from a tethered
smartphone by connecting to Wi-Fi instead. But, we'll believe that when
we see it.
The release date is unknown for the 360, but it
will likely be around the same time as the X+1, which would mean around
the third week of September. The price is expected to be $249 as
mentioned in a number of leaks.
will likely be around the same time as the X+1, which would mean around
the third week of September. The price is expected to be $249 as
mentioned in a number of leaks.
Conclusion
That's
everything we know about what is on the way from Motorola exactly one
week from today on September 4th at the event in Chicago. We'll keep
monitoring the situation and try to get you the most up-to-date
information as it comes, but overall we have a pretty solid idea of what
to expect from next week's announcement. What do you guys think of
Motorola's plans?
everything we know about what is on the way from Motorola exactly one
week from today on September 4th at the event in Chicago. We'll keep
monitoring the situation and try to get you the most up-to-date
information as it comes, but overall we have a pretty solid idea of what
to expect from next week's announcement. What do you guys think of
Motorola's plans?
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