Moto X (Is Out) [8.01.2013]

[lopri]

I think everyone is a little hung up on the specs (and price, of course). But this phone is clearly aimed at mass market and I don't think the specs will matter all that much there. From my observations on non-techie friends, they pick phones on following criteria. (in no specific order)

- Overall design (They don't want ugly phones)
- Screen (Think average TV buyers)
- Brand names (Obviously)
- Fad of the day (Sadly)
- Price (Though not as decisive because even they know it's for 2 years)

And the phone has to somehow stand out among the crowd. Be it the phone itself or store display trick, the phone that looks shiny gets an instant point. No matter how well-built a phone is, if it looks ordinary it doesn't get the attention. I remember early this year how my friend picked the S3 over the Optimus G to my misgivings. Quad-core doesn't matter. More memory doesn't matter. All-glass construction doesn't matter if the phone is muted in black and buried in the corner.

So while I understand this phone is not for us here @AT, the buying public might have a different idea. It's all about perception.

 

[lothar]

This whole Droid exclusive on Verizon better end after this. I'd like Moto to adopt the strategy that all manufacturers have been using in the rest of the world--that is releasing 1 freaking model across the globe. If it means additional SKUs due to banding, fine, but keep it 1 product.

Motorola will now be the exclusive manufacturer for "Droid" phones on Verizon.
No more Droid "Incredible", or Droid "insert Samsung or HTC phone here".
This is probably the reason why the Droid "Ultra" exists on Verizon, even though it's almost the same exact phone as the Moto X.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I think everyone is a little hung up on the specs (and price, of course). But this phone is clearly aimed at mass market and I don't think the specs will matter all that much there. From my observations on non-techie friends, they pick phones on following criteria. (in no specific order)

- Overall design (They don't want ugly phones)
- Screen (Think average TV buyers)
- Brand names (Obviously)
- Fad of the day (Sadly)
- Price (Though not as decisive because even they know it's for 2 years)

And the phone has to somehow stand out among the crowd. Be it the phone itself or store display trick, the phone that looks shiny gets an instant point. No matter how well-built a phone is, if it looks ordinary it doesn't get the attention. I remember early this year how my friend picked the S3 over the Optimus G to my misgivings. Quad-core doesn't matter. More memory doesn't matter. All-glass construction doesn't matter if the phone is muted in black and buried in the corner.

So while I understand this phone is not for us here @AT, the buying public might have a different idea. It's all about perception.

Well it's hard to not get hung up on the specs with the price of this phone. The specs would be understandable if the price was a bit cheaper. But when it's priced the same as a GS4 or One, well we are gonna start talking about specs.

The phone does try to add some features other phones don't have. The always listening mic and the camera gesture, even has a couple dedicated processors for those tasks. They are neat, but the GS4 is is loaded with neat features too and unfortunately these are are things I just wouldn't base a phone buying decision on.

I think the main selling point of this phone for people that don't care or understand specs is the different colors. There are 17 colors and patterns. That's pretty neat. For me it definitely doesn't come close to excusing the price and specs. But I can see that this might actually be enough to make the phone successful. The specs are definitely good enough and the phone looks cool. It might work.

 

[Crono]

Agree with you lopri and Ravynmagi.

This phone is definitely going to appeal to a lot of people. The specs are good enough that as long as it looks good - which it does - the customization options are going to draw in a lot of customers. That's provided, though, Google/Motorola markets the hell out of the Moto X.

I'd bet anything the Moto X can beat even the GS4 in sales in the United States over the next few months in sales if they did a marketing blitz.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...-made-as-company-focuses-on-very-few-devices/

lol US only. good one Motorola. continue your global demise.

but maybe the strategy could work? If the phone is popular enough in the US, it will create buzz around the world. Exclusivity worked for the iPhone. I'm not sure Motorola's past exclusivity really helped it as it just retreated from a global presence the past 2-3 years.

 

[openwheel]

Nah the Galaxy name is so powerful now I doubt this phone will effect Samsung much at all. I can't believe the going rate for used Galaxy S3 and especially S4

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Nah the Galaxy name is so powerful now I doubt this phone will effect Samsung much at all. I can't believe the going rate for used Galaxy S3 and especially S4

Yeah but personally the UI of AOSP is getting better and better. TouchWiz still seems to be stuck on the skin that was made in 2011. Sure they've touched it up here and there, but its largely the Android 2.x look still.

I think back in Froyo days, this was acceptable because stock Android was butt ugly. Creating colorful TouchWiz icons offered refinement that Android didn't have. Now it's just unnecessary, and it makes the phone feel like a joke. There just doesn't seem to be the cool, sexiness, sleek factor with the Galaxy phones right now. Sure Samsung did one hell of a job with its marketing machine, but will it last?

I think Samsung needs to revamp its UI and maybe reduce some of the lag in their phones. But what do I know? Users will continue buying a phone with just a grid of icons right?

 

[WelshBloke]

Yeah but personally the UI of AOSP is getting better and better. TouchWiz still seems to be stuck on the skin that was made in 2011. Sure they've touched it up here and there, but its largely the Android 2.x look still.

I think back in Froyo days, this was acceptable because stock Android was butt ugly. Creating colorful TouchWiz icons offered refinement that Android didn't have. Now it's just unnecessary, and it makes the phone feel like a joke. There just doesn't seem to be the cool, sexiness, sleek factor with the Galaxy phones right now. Sure Samsung did one hell of a job with its marketing machine, but will it last?

I think Samsung needs to revamp its UI and maybe reduce some of the lag in their phones. But what do I know? Users will continue buying a phone with just a grid of icons right?

I dunno Samsung customers seem pretty happy with Samsung at the moment. You might not like touchwiz but it looks like you're in the minority.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/roberth...ples-iphones-in-customer-satisfaction-survey/

 

[darkswordsman17]

Color me confused as well. The pricing for their phones is just odd. Its not a bad phone at all, but when they have 4 that are basically the same other than displays size (not even resolution), locked down storage size, and battery, it just seems odd to me. Frankly the best one looks like the 4.3" one as long as the LCD is good quality. You get close the same size battery, similar storage size (well not 32GB option I believe but the whole storage situation is a ripoff on all of them), same resolution, same camera, and more pocketable size, for $100 cheaper.

I wish I could get the 4.3" one off contract for cheap ($250-300 range), I'd strongly consider it, and was really hoping for the X at $300 off contract.

Agree with you lopri and Ravynmagi.

This phone is definitely going to appeal to a lot of people. The specs are good enough that as long as it looks good - which it does - the customization options are going to draw in a lot of customers. That's provided, though, Google/Motorola markets the hell out of the Moto X.

I'd bet anything the Moto X can beat even the GS4 in sales in the United States over the next few months in sales if they did a marketing blitz.

I don't agree, I don't think the customization is that big of a draw especially since I basically see no one without a case on their smartphone, and that's where people customize the "look" of their phone.

 

[thedosbox]

I think everyone is a little hung up on the specs (and price, of course). But this phone is clearly aimed at mass market and I don't think the specs will matter all that much there. From my observations on non-techie friends, they pick phones on following criteria. (in no specific order)

- Overall design (They don't want ugly phones)
- Screen (Think average TV buyers)
- Brand names (Obviously)
- Fad of the day (Sadly)
- Price (Though not as decisive because even they know it's for 2 years)

And the phone has to somehow stand out among the crowd. Be it the phone itself or store display trick, the phone that looks shiny gets an instant point. No matter how well-built a phone is, if it looks ordinary it doesn't get the attention. I remember early this year how my friend picked the S3 over the Optimus G to my misgivings. Quad-core doesn't matter. More memory doesn't matter. All-glass construction doesn't matter if the phone is muted in black and buried in the corner.

So while I understand this phone is not for us here @AT, the buying public might have a different idea. It's all about perception.

Yep, it's no surprise the spec junkies here are disappointed. However it's easy to visualize a stand with 3-4 devices, all with different color combos, getting a lot of attention. Throw in a demo of voice recognition that works in a noisy store? They could get some traction, especially if the price is dropped a little.

I just wish you could use "Hello Moto" as the trigger phrase.

I don't agree, I don't think the customization is that big of a draw especially since I basically see no one without a case on their smartphone, and that's where people customize the "look" of their phone.

The point is that this is the first device that allows people to customize the look of their phone. Some of the color combos look fantastic.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Color me confused as well. The pricing for their phones is just odd. Its not a bad phone at all, but when they have 4 that are basically the same other than displays size (not even resolution), locked down storage size, and battery, it just seems odd to me. Frankly the best one looks like the 4.3" one as long as the LCD is good quality. You get close the same size battery, similar storage size (well not 32GB option I believe but the whole storage situation is a ripoff on all of them), same resolution, same camera, and more pocketable size, for $100 cheaper.

I wish I could get the 4.3" one off contract for cheap ($250-300 range), I'd strongly consider it, and was really hoping for the X at $300 off contract.



I don't agree, I don't think the customization is that big of a draw especially since I basically see no one without a case on their smartphone, and that's where people customize the "look" of their phone.

ezackly, the iphone case designers invented "customization". selling moto x as "customizable" is just retarded

 

[podspi]

From a spec-grunt viewpoint the Moto X isn't terribly impressive, but it seems to have it where it counts.


Performance wise, most people actually care about GPU (gaming, UI snappiness), web browsing, and battery life. Moto X sounds like a winner in all three of those categories. It also has 2gb of RAM, and imho RAM (moreso than CPU) is a bigger determination of staying power for a phone. I have an OG Droid that was able to overclock over 1ghz. If that thing had more RAM I bet I could still be using it today.

The only thing it really lacks are a top-notch screen (arguably there is a battery-life tradeoff there) and a notification LED, though that last one is on purpose. If the active notifications are as good as Motorola claims the LED won't be missed, but I am skeptical.


The reviews for the Moto X and the new Droids are going to be very interesting...

 

[bearxor]

I think the problem with the moto X is really going to be the sales people.

They're not going to be motivated to sell the X over another, more powerful device unless Motorola really pulls out a massive advertising campaign.

I mean, this thing needs to be EVERYWHERE.

 

[AustinInDallas]

I think the problem with the moto X is really going to be the sales people.

They're not going to be motivated to sell the X over another, more powerful device unless Motorola really pulls out a massive advertising campaign.

I mean, this thing needs to be EVERYWHERE.

It all comes down to the sales people. If they are properly motivated (higher commission/spifs) then you can sell whatever you want to 90% of people.

90% of people that walk in the door dont know the difference in processor, and they can say, "Well doesnt the S4 have better resolution?" and all you have to do is put them side by side and ask if they can tell a difference

 

[BladeVenom]

They're not going to be motivated to sell the X over another, more powerful device unless Motorola really pulls out a massive advertising campaign.

It has a $500 million ad campaign.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

It has a $500 million ad campaign.

there arent enuff crack smokers in the world with an upgrade to make this a success, thank god

 

[bearxor]

It has a $500 million ad campaign.

That doesn't mean anything to me.

When I see an ad in my day to day life, then I'll know they're actually trying.

And, yes, I skip all the commercials on TV so hopefully they're thinking outside the box to get people's attention.

 

[Ravynmagi]

there arent enuff crack smokers in the world with an upgrade to make this a success, thank god

I think you are clearly underestimating the number of crack smokers in the world.

 

[Ravynmagi]

That doesn't mean anything to me.

When I see an ad in my day to day life, then I'll know they're actually trying.

And, yes, I skip all the commercials on TV so hopefully they're thinking outside the box to get people's attention.

$500 million means you'll see Moto X commercials so much you'll wake up screaming with them in your nightmares. Like I sometimes do with Microsoft Surface commercials.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I dunno Samsung customers seem pretty happy with Samsung at the moment. You might not like touchwiz but it looks like you're in the minority.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/roberth...ples-iphones-in-customer-satisfaction-survey/

Do you honestly think they like Samsung because they sat down with a GS4 and played with an HTC One side by side? Do you think these guys even know what AOSP Android looks like? The same people that will flock to Samsung can flock to Apple. They're clueless consumers that go with a big name.

I'm not sure how you feel about TouchWiz, but if you picked up a S4 GPe and a S4 TouchWiz, which would you pick? I'm willing to bet a good number of people might pick the GPe. With that said, UI does matter, and if they play more with the Moto X, the clean AOSP interface that has minimal bloat might be more attractive to some. Will the Moto X take down Samsung? I doubt it, but if its a good enough experience, some users might flock over and make just enough noise.

I think there's more than a few users here who think TouchWiz is just too much. It might have been good in 2010 or even 2011, but by now its just too much junk on a phone. Plus the S-features seem too much like gimmicks too. It's like a factory of shitty ideas made into features for the sake of having those features. While Moto X doesn't have 500 extra features, it at least introduces a few solid features that I'd say have more quality than most of the S-features.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Do you honestly think they like Samsung because they sat down with a GS4 and played with an HTC One side by side? Do you think these guys even know what AOSP Android looks like? The same people that will flock to Samsung can flock to Apple. They're clueless consumers that go with a big name.

I'm not sure how you feel about TouchWiz, but if you picked up a S4 GPe and a S4 TouchWiz, which would you pick? I'm willing to bet a good number of people might pick the GPe. With that said, UI does matter, and if they play more with the Moto X, the clean AOSP interface that has minimal bloat might be more attractive to some. Will the Moto X take down Samsung? I doubt it, but if its a good enough experience, some users might flock over and make just enough noise.

I think there's more than a few users here who think TouchWiz is just too much. It might have been good in 2010 or even 2011, but by now its just too much junk on a phone. Plus the S-features seem too much like gimmicks too. It's like a factory of shitty ideas made into features for the sake of having those features. While Moto X doesn't have 500 extra features, it at least introduces a few solid features that I'd say have more quality than most of the S-features.

Oh god every time I use my friend's S3/S4 I get lost in the sea of green that's on the phone. It reminded me of 2.1 and hurts my eyes.

 

[WelshBloke]

Do you honestly think they like Samsung because they sat down with a GS4 and played with an HTC One side by side? Do you think these guys even know what AOSP Android looks like? The same people that will flock to Samsung can flock to Apple. They're clueless consumers that go with a big name.

I'm not sure how you feel about TouchWiz, but if you picked up a S4 GPe and a S4 TouchWiz, which would you pick? I'm willing to bet a good number of people might pick the GPe. With that said, UI does matter, and if they play more with the Moto X, the clean AOSP interface that has minimal bloat might be more attractive to some. Will the Moto X take down Samsung? I doubt it, but if its a good enough experience, some users might flock over and make just enough noise.

I think there's more than a few users here who think TouchWiz is just too much. It might have been good in 2010 or even 2011, but by now its just too much junk on a phone. Plus the S-features seem too much like gimmicks too. It's like a factory of shitty ideas made into features for the sake of having those features. While Moto X doesn't have 500 extra features, it at least introduces a few solid features that I'd say have more quality than most of the S-features.

Honestly I'd take the touchwiz version over the Google version, if only for the better camera software and multi window.

I'd install a different launcher whichever version I was using so I don't really see many plusses from the Google edition just negatives really. I don't have a huge affinity for blue or an allergy to green so the colour of some option toggles doesn't leave me with any great feelings.

I know you guys like to discount anything that goes against the techy hive mind but maybe your just wrong on this. Maybe people buy phones because they like them not just because of advertising and maybe they are satisfied with them because they offer a good experience not because they are "clueless consumers".

 

[Dari]

damp squid.

 

[bearxor]

damp squid.

Not sure if making an IT Crowd joke...

Or if you really don't know it's actually damp squib.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnXKVY-_i2c

Edit: Either way, I got to watch some IT Crowd, so I win!

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Honestly I'd take the touchwiz version over the Google version, if only for the better camera software and multi window.

I'd install a different launcher whichever version I was using so I don't really see many plusses from the Google edition just negatives really. I don't have a huge affinity for blue or an allergy to green so the colour of some option toggles doesn't leave me with any great feelings.

I know you guys like to discount anything that goes against the techy hive mind but maybe your just wrong on this. Maybe people buy phones because they like them not just because of advertising and maybe they are satisfied with them because they offer a good experience not because they are "clueless consumers".

Not even. I actually like HTC One's Sense compared to stock or Touchwiz. Its nice, clean, and function able.