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.
