Moto X Phone to Have Engraved Messages, Multi-Color Option
Leaked screens show four colors that will be offered for the Moto X.
TechnoBuffalo has acquired a screenshot showing the back panels of Motorola's upcoming customizable smartphone, the Moto X. One screenshot has three panels lined in a row featuring turquoise, red and purple. A second screen shows both sides of a back panel in a vibrant green. If Motorola's new clock-like "Googley" logo is any indication, more colors are in the works… eight more perhaps?
The leaked photos confirm reports and Motorola's own claims that the Moto X will be customizable, but at this point, not at the level we once believed. Originally it was thought that customers would be able to customize the device like a PC, and at one time that idea may have been the plan. Several sets of specs have been floating around for a while, but only one is still in circulation, leading to the assumption that Motorola is only allowing the shell to be modified.
As previously reported, the current Moto X specs shows a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core 28 nm SoC clocked at 1.7 GHz (MSM8960 Pro), 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, a 2MP camera on the front, a 10MP camera on the back, and Google's Android 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean" OS. A previous prototype had 32 GB of internal storage and a screen size of around 4.7 inches. Reports have even claimed it would have over 25 color options.
ABC News reports that Motorola's new 500,000-foot factory in Texas will enable it to deliver personalized devices within days of placing an order. Even more, the company will provide a website, which was launched on Wednesday and is currently taking signups, where customers can select from a palette of different colors for the back panel and the trim -- these can be the same color or separate. Customers can also have a message engraved into the panel, and upload a photo that can be used as the phone's wallpaper.
The report also states that Moto X is currently being tested with Android 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean" by carriers, including Verizon. Customers will be able to purchase the customizable phone straight from Motorola's website, or the standard version through their wireless carrier's store. There will also be multiple storage options, meaning the specs aren’t locked to 16 GB after all.
On Wednesday Motorola ran a full-page "patriotic" spread in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, teasing the upcoming phone. "We knew this would be a challenge," the company said. "In fact, some people said it couldn't be done. But we're not just any company. And nothing this exciting ever comes easily."
Outside the customization, the Moto X's biggest feature is supposedly its set of sensors. It will reportedly know when the user takes it out of a pocket, and will act differently when the user's car is traveling 60 miles per hour (for safer use). Users will also be able to flick the phone to launch the camera.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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eklipz330 "ABC News reports that Motorola's new 500,000-foot factory"Reply
It's a two dimensional factory? -
tntom So far this does not look like any more customization than you can do for any other smartphone. I can get any number of colored or shaped cases for my SGS3. Apple has offered custom ingraving too. I am not seeing anything compelling other than the new sensors.Reply -
wildkitten Want to offer customization Motor...err, Google, then put in an SG slot, you know what those are, the memory slots that have been on phones, even the free dumb phones, for years, so I can choose how much storage I want.Reply
Also make it with a removable battery so I can swap it out so I can continue to use it without having to search for an outlet, and carry my charger around, in the afternoon. -
halcyon Why bother with anything else besides the GS4, Note 2 (and 3 when available), HTC One, and maybe Nexus 4? ...unless this Moto x is going to be far, far, far cheaper?Reply -
Belardo Basically.... like the Nokia 820... which the whole CASE is replaceable, which I think is a great idea. You have a BASIC phone which you can put any kind of body on you want... Motorolas or someone else... without adding bulk.Reply -
Belardo @tntom : there is a difference in buying a case to go over a case on a phone. With the Galaxy phones, when you scratch up or damage the original case... well, too bad. Here, you can replace the case...Reply
The Case-shells ADD bulk to phones. Hence, I never buy a case-cover, the phone is already big enough. With this, you can mark it up all you want, just replace the body.