As Motorola’s September 4th event in Chicago fast approaches, we’re bound to find another leak or two surrounding the successors to the Moto X and the Moto G. We’ve already seen the Verizon variants of the new Moto X (Moto X+1) pictured above sporting an all black case and a white and bamboo combination. Today’s tip we received adds a little more credibility to the above images, at least from an outside shell standpoint.
Our source has provided us with this screenshot from Verizon’s computer system which clearly shows ‘the new Moto X’ coming in black, white/bamboo, and two Moto Maker variants coming in at 16GB and 32GB. As it stands now, the current Moto X is available in 16GB through Verizon Wireless as well as 16GB and 32GB versions purchased through Moto Maker. However, this wasn’t always the case. When the original Moto X launched last summer, the Moto Maker option was sadly a carrier exclusive for roughly the first three months. According to the above image, Moto Maker might just be available on Verizon Wireless from the beginning. Let’s hope that Verizon doesn’t have an exclusive this time around, no one likes carrier exclusives.
As for the name, our source says he keeps seeing ‘the new Moto X’ referenced on cases, rebate forms, and other internal documents instead of Moto X+1. Will the new Moto X launch under this name or will we still see Moto X+1 as the device’s moniker? It’s still too early to tell and things could change at the last minute. Either way, our own Kevin Krause will be attending Motorola’s event in just a few days and he’ll keep us all in the loop.
Who’s ready to customize their new Moto X through Motor Maker?
LG is one of the first to market with an Android Wear smartwatch. Their hardware runs on Google’s smartwatch platform, which is pretty locked down in terms of what kind of customizations Google allows OEM to make. But there’s still plenty of room to shine – and fall short – when it comes to hardware design. LG’s watch seems to have missed the mark in some key areas, possibly by virtue of being rushed, but in others it leaps ahead of the competition.
1.65-inch IPS 280×280 displayQualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz processor512 MB RAM, 4GB storageAvailable in Black and GoldMSRP: $229Product info page
Pros
Longer battery lifeEasier to personalize
Cons
Screen has banding issuesHarder to read in direct sun
LG’s G Watch is my favorite Android Wear device in terms of design thus far. Of course, there are only two commercially available, so that’s not necessarily saying much, but LG really has done a good job here. The basic rectangle offers little in the way of flair, but it’s the perfect vehicle for an operating system that is likewise designed around offering up the bare essentials, instead of reaching for unnecessary extras.
The screen is the star in the design, which means that Android Wear is front and center. That’s exactly the scaffolding that Google’s new smartwatch OS needs to show off its potential benefit to consumers – the entire concept of the OS is to provide users with something that feels organic, and that recedes out of mind when not needed or in use. The G Watch translates that experience into hardware, especially with the black version I tested. It takes things almost too far by leaving off a physical button, however – I had to read the paper instruction manual to figure out how to power it on (plug it into its charging cradle).
The industrial design is spare but not devoid of care or attention. It’s comfortable, and constructed out of a durable stainless steel body that’s light on the wrist. And the 22 mm rubber strap it ships with is comfortable and easy to fasten and size, but easily swappable with a standard strap of your choosing, allowing owners to put their own stamp on the overall look and feel of the device.
