Motorola Backflip
Manufacturer	Motorola Mobility
Type	Flip smartphone
Operating system	Android v1.5 (Cupcake), 2.1 (Eclair), can go up to 2.2.1 (Froyo), and 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) via CyanogenMod
CPU	528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A processor (overclockable to 768 MHz via root and overclock kernel)
Memory	RAM: 256MB, ROM: 512MB
Storage	Flash memory: 256 MB, 199 free; microSD slot: supports up to 32 GB
Removable storage	microSD (TransFlash), up to 32GB, 2GB included
Display	320 × 480 px, 3.1 in (79 mm), TFT LCD, HVGA
Input	Capacitive touchscreen, virtual keyboard, flip QWERTY keyboard
Camera	5.0 megapixel with auto focus, geotagging
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Micro USB, A-GPS
Dimensions	53.00 × 108.00 × 15.30 mm
Weight	133 g (4.7 oz)

The Motorola Backflip (also called the Motorola Motus in some regions) is a touchscreen smartphone released to the U.S. for the AT&T Mobility network on March 7, 2010, and for other countries on Telus and Optus networks. It runs the open source Google Android software.

General features

• The phone is built on the Android platform 1.5.Motorola features Motoblur, which integrates multiple social network service sites on the homescreen. This cannot be uninstalled or disabled unless the phone is modified.
• It has a full QWERTY keypad with a "reverse flip" design. When the device is closed and the screen is visible to the user, the reverse side is the keypad itself. Opening the device causes the screen to flip so that it rests above the keypad.

Specifications

The specifications according to the Motorola website in June 2010:

Hardware

• Model MB300
• Screen size: 3.1-in.
• Screen resolution: HVGA (320 × 480 pixels)
• Weight: 4.7 oz
• Size: 53.0 × 108.0 × 15.3 mm
• Input devices: QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen, Backtrack navigation pad behind screen
• Battery: 1400 mAh Li Ion 3.7v Motorola BN80
• Talk time: 350 min, 6 hrs
• Standby time: up to 315 hrs, 13.5 days
• Processor: 528 mHz (overclockable to 768 MHz via root and overclock kernel)
• RAM: 256MB
• ROM: 512MB
• Memory: up to 32 GB microSD
• Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth: 2.0 + EDR and A2DP
• GPS receiver, accelerometer
• Dual microphone with noise cancellation
• Five megapixels with 4x digital zoom
• LED flash and automatic focus
• Video capture rate of 24 fps

Applications

Users may customize their phones by installing apps through the Android Market; however, some carriers (AT&T) do not give users the option to install non-market apps onto the Backflip (a policy they have continued with all of their Android phones). This has created some controversy with users, as the non-market apps are often seen as a useful way to expand a phone's capabilities. Users can circumvent this limitation by manually installing 3rd party apps using the tools included with the SDK while the handset is connected to a computer.

Reviews

Reviews are generally mixed to unfavorable. Michael Oryl, of "Mobileburn.com," likes the "Backtrack" trackpad on the back of the phone, but points out that large hands often activate it accidentally. Victor Godinez, of The Dallas Morning News, suggests that the phone is aimed towards social networkers, and points out that the price is higher than other options with additional features such as the iPhone.

System upgrades

On November 9, 2010, a downloadable update, Android OS 2.1 (Eclair) and a compatible version of MotoBlur was released by Motorola for AT&T Backflip customers, U.S. only. The update is unavailable over-the-air (OTA). Since then Eclair is available for phones outside U.S. that are rooted with custom recoveries installed and radio updated. CyanogenMod 7.2 (Android 2.3.7) is available through official releases. Other custom roms are also available.

Overclocking

Overclocking is possible via overclocking kernels and direct overclocking. Overclocking is available up to 768 MHz on the official cyanogenmod 7 rom.

Multitouch

Since this phone lacks the multitouch feature, a patch was made available for the froyo rom. However many testers have reported problems with the touchscreen which becomes jerky and eventually ceases to operate.

Gallery

Front side and keyboard

Rear side and touchpad

Front side and Flip side

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Last updated on 14 November 2014 at 18:27.

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Moto E
Manufacturer	Motorola Mobility
Slogan	Made to last. Priced for all
Series	Moto
Compactible networks	2G/3G Global GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
First released	May 13, 2014
Related	Moto G, Moto X
Type	Smartphone
Dimensions	124.8 mm (4.91 in) H 64.8 mm (2.55 in) W 12.3 mm (0.48 in) D
Weight	142 g (5.0 oz)
Operating system	Android 4.4.2 "KitKat" (upgradable to lollipop 5.0)
System on chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 200
CPU	1.2 GHz Dual-core Cortex A7
GPU	Adreno 302
Memory	1 GB RAM
Storage	4 GB
Removable storage	MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
Battery	1,980 mAh
Display	4.30 in (109 mm) diagonal LCD with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 960×540 px (256 ppi)
Rear camera	5 MP, no flash
Connectivity	GPS / GLONASS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, FM Radio, Micro USB, 3.5mm audio jack
Website	Moto E

The Moto E is an Android smartphone developed and manufactured by Motorola Mobility. Released in the wake of its successful Moto G 1st gen., the Moto E is an entry-level device that is intended to compete against feature phones by providing a durable, low-cost device for first-time smartphone owners or budget-minded consumers, with a particular emphasis on emerging markets.

The device was unveiled on May 13, 2014, and made available at online retailers in India and the United States the same day. In India, the release of the Moto E was met with similarly high demand to that of the Indian release of the Moto G, and crashed the website of Flipkart—the online retailer marketing the device in the country.

Development

The Moto E was designed to specifically compete against feature phones in emerging markets; according to Charlie Tritschler, Motorola's senior vice-president of products, the Moto E's goal is to "end the feature phone", and the device is primarily targeted towards "people who have been on the edge for a while but just didn’t think they could afford [a smartphone]." The Moto E carries on from the entry-level Moto G, which it released in late-2013; the Moto G was a major success for the company—who had been acquired by Google Inc. in 2012, and was in the process of being sold to Lenovo as of January 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, Motorola sold 6.5 million phones—a number led by strong sales of the Moto G, especially in markets such as the the United Kingdom—where the company accounted for 6% of smartphone sales sold in the quarter, up from nearly 0.

However, sales of the Moto G was also notably large in the emerging market of India; Magnus Ahlqvist, vice president of Motorola's EMEA division, estimated that between 65 to 70% of users in India still used feature phones. In February 2014, Motorola had partnered with the online retailer Flipkart to be the exclusive retailer of the Moto G in India, marking its first release in the country since 2012. The website's original stock of 20,000 units sold out within hours, and it sold 247,000 Moto G units in just two months, ranking as the 12th highest-selling smartphone in the country for the first quarter of 2014.

Trischler noted that durability was a key selling point in emerging markets, specifically citing the device's use of Gorilla Glass 3, an anti-smudge screen coating, and a similar splashproof coating to the Moto G—which he also noted were attributes that are not normally seen in such low-end products. The company also emphasized its efforts to reduce the cost of constructing the phone—expanding upon those used by the Moto G. Tritschler stated that these measures must be designed "...[right] into the product; you can’t just cut the price." Overall, the Moto E is 40% cheaper than the Moto G. The version of Android shipped on the device, 4.4.3 "KitKat", contains a number of changes designed to optimize the operating system for low-end devices such as the Moto G and E. To emphasize the device's performance, Motorola argued in a demonstration that the Moto E was slightly faster than the high-end Samsung Galaxy S4 at performing basic tasks such as launching certain apps (such as the camera and web browser) and going back to the home screen from an app.

Release

The Moto E was unveiled on May 13, 2014. India was one of the first countries where the Moto E was released; the device was released exclusively by Flipkart, where it retailed for INR6999 (US$110) without a contract. Upon its launch at midnight local time, demand for the device was so high that the resulting surge in orders caused the website to crash. The device was also released online through Motorola's website in the United States and in the United Kingdom. The Moto E is to be released in other markets, such as Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Spain.

Specifications

The Moto E's build and design is similar to that of the Moto G, with a "splashproof" coating, curved backing, and a front-mounted speaker below the screen. The device is available in either black or white front colors, and has an interchangeable rear cover with different color options. It features a 4.3 inches (11 cm) IPS qHD display, coated with Gorilla Glass 3. The device uses a dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, and includes 1 GB of RAM. The Moto E has 4 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB with a MicroSD card. The Moto E only supports up to 3G connectivity, and is available in a dual SIM model in selected markets. The device includes a non-removable 1980 mAh battery, which Motorola touted as having "all-day" battery life. The Moto E features a 5-megapixel rear-facing fixed-focus camera; the device does not include a flash or a front-facing camera.

The Moto E ships with a stock version of Android 4.4 "KitKat". Several Motorola-specific apps are included, including Assist, as introduced by the Moto X, which automatically enable or disable certain modes, such as silencing the ringer or auto replying to text messages, depending on certain scenarios—such as when a user is in a meeting as determined by their calendar, or driving. The Moto E also includes a new "Alert" app, which allows users to notify others of their location. Motorola has committed to upgrading the Moto E to the next major release of Android following its release.

Reception

Vlad Savov of The Verge praised the design of the Moto E for not appearing "downmarket" and for having adequate performance, but still noting that the device's camera was not as good as those on other smartphones. He went on to say that "a market populated by the likes of the Galaxy Fame and Galaxy Young—both of which are stuck on Android 4.1 with little hope of an upgrade—hadn't seen anything like the quick and well-made G before. Or since, for that matter." Chris Velazco of Engadget was relatively positive, noting that the Moto E was well-designed and still carried the trademark cues of Motorola's recent products, while praising its vivid display, along with its sufficient performance, battery life, and nearly stock Android software. In conclusion, it was felt that "for all its minor shortcomings, the Moto E still represents a level of power and quality that's become even more accessible to people the world over, and that's something worth celebrating. If all you need is a smartphone that can take you to Facebook, capture fodder for Instagram or fire off missives on Twitter (or WhatsApp or Weibo), the Moto E will make a worthy sidekick. Not every important device has to be a flashy flagship." However, the device was still panned for its small amount of internal storage, and for lacking a camera flash or front-facing camera.

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Last updated on 7 November 2014 at 19:19.

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Moto G
Manufacturer	Motorola Mobility
Slogan	Exceptional phone, Exceptional price
Series	Moto
Compactible networks	GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (for XT1064: 850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)
First released	5 September 2014
Predecessor	Moto G
Related	Moto X (2nd generation) Moto X Moto E Moto 360
Type	Smartphone
Form factor	Touchscreen
Dimensions	Width: 70.7 mm Height:141.5 mm Curve: 6.0-11.0 mm
Weight	149 g (5.3 oz)
Operating system	Android 4.4.4 “KitKat” (Soon upgradable to Android Lollipop & future versions up to 18 months from launch date)
System on chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU
GPU	Adreno 305
Memory	1 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Storage	8 or 16 GB storage, microSD card slot; expandable up to 32 GB
Battery	2070 mAh Li-ion
Display	5.0 in (130 mm) 1280x720 px (294 ppi) HD Gorilla Glass 3
Rear camera	8 megapixels (3264x2448 px), autofocus, LED flash
Front camera	2.0 megapixels (720p) HD video recording @ 30 fps
Sound	Two Speakers: front-facing, two microphones
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, BT 4.0LE, USB centered at bottom, 3.5 mm headset jack
Development status	In production
Website	Moto G 2014

The second generation Moto G (marketed as simply Moto G) is an Android smartphone developed by Motorola Mobility. Released on September 5, 2014, it is a successor to the original Moto G released in 2013. The phone was initially aimed at developing markets, although it is also available in developed markets as a lower-cost option compared to other phones in its class.

Release and availability

The Phone was unveiled along with the second generation Moto X, Moto 360, and Moto Hint in India and the U.S. at their respective events on 5 September 2014. It has U.S. pricing of US$179.99 with no contract for the 8 GB version. The phone was launched in India on Flipkart on September 5, 2014 with sales beginning at midnight. Only the 16 GB dual SIM variant of this phone is available in India with the model number XT1068 priced at ₹12,999. There was a tremendous response from online shoppers to the launch of Moto G in India.

Model variants

All variants support four 2G GSM bands 850/900/1800/1900.

Version	Description	Alternate designations
XT1063	Global GSM	Single SIM
XT1064	US/Canada GSM	Single SIM
XT1068	Global GSM	Dual-SIM
XT1069	GSM+GSM+DTV	Dual-SIM, Brazil model supporting DTV

Specifications

Hardware

The phone features a 5 inch HD LCD IPS screen, coated with Gorilla Glass 3, Google Android Kitkat 4.4.4 operating system, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, with a "splashproof" coating, curved backing, and front-mounted stereo speakers below and above the screen. The Moto G has 8/16 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB with a MicroSD card. The Moto G 2nd Generation only supports up to 3G connectivity, and is available in a dual SIM model in selected markets. The device includes a non-removable 2070 mAh battery, which Motorola touted as having "all-day" battery life. The Moto G features an 8-megapixel rear-facing auto-focus camera; the device includes a flash and a front-facing 2-megapixel camera. The device is available in either black or white front colors, and has an interchangeable rear cover with different color options.

The phone is closely related to the new Motorola devices like Moto G, Moto X, Moto E; although there are some key differences despite their similar appearances. The Moto G does not have active notifications, quick capture, and touchless control like the Moto X due to the Moto X using a special processor that would be cost-prohibitive for the Moto G. In addition, unlike the Moto X, the Moto G has a removable back cover so that users can customize the phone in whatever color they want; although the Moto X has its online MotoMaker that also allows the user to customize their phone, the casing on it is permanent instead of interchangeable like the Moto G.

Software

Default Home Screen on Moto G

The second generation Moto G ships with Android 4.4.4 "KitKat", using a mostly stock user experience with additional, proprietary software features; including Moto Alert, which allows users to notify others of their location. Moto Assist, as introduced by the Moto X, which automatically enables or disables certain modes, such as silencing the ringer or auto replying to text messages, depending on certain scenarios—such as when a user is in a meeting as determined by their calendar, or driving. Moto Migrate and the usual Google Applications package. The handset comes preloaded with Google Now Launcher as the default home screen launcher. Motorola has committed to providing an update to Android "Lollipop" following its release.

Firmware updates

The Motorola Moto G 2nd Generation received an Android 4.4.4 KitKat Maintenance Update in September 2014. The update brings to the version 21.11.23 over the same Android version. The update brings various bug fixes and performance improvements. The main primary change noticed in this update is the ability to swipe to the right from primary home screen to access personalized Google Now cards, updates to Google Now Launcher, improvement in battery life, new Language and input options & a brand new design for the "Powered By Android" logo on the boot screen.

Official accessories

As a part of customizing the phone, Motorola released Replaceable Back covers and Flip Covers both in the following colours; Liquorice, Chalk, Cherry Red, Turquoise, Royal Blue, Violet, Spearmint Green and Lemon/Lime. Moto Maker service is not available for this handset.

Critical reception

The Moto G 2nd Generation received generally positive reviews from critics with several websites calling it one of the best budget smartphones of 2014. Michael Sawh of trustedreviews.com gave it 9 out of 10 stars, praising its camera, strong battery life and excellent value for money.

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Last updated on 2 November 2014 at 16:42.

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