Motorola Moto G (CDMA, 1st gen.)
Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E to Get Android 4.4.3 from Motorola
Motorola today announced that the Moto X, G, and E handsets can all expect to receive the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update in the days ahead. According to Motorola, the update brings a new dialer, several new theme colors, as well as stability, framework, security fixes, and enhancements to the power profile capabilities. The update also improves camera image quality for the Moto X, gives the Moto X and G the ability to pause/resume video capture, and gives the Moto X and Moto G access to the Moto Alert app. The system update is only available to the T-Mobile variant of the Moto X to start. Motorola didn't say when it will reach other vesions of the Moto X. The update is free to download and install.
Consumer Cellular Adds Moto G, Expands to More Stores
Consumer Cellular today announced that it has increased the size of its retail footprint to 750 Sears locations. Consumer Cellular said the newest locations will offer a wider selection of devices and colors. In addition to the expanded retail presence, Consumer Cellular is adding the Motorola Moto G to its lineup. Consumer Cellular is selling the Moto G for $150. The Moto G can be purchased online or in Consumer Cellular's Sears locations.
Motorola Camera Updated with New Button Feature
Motorola recently updated its camera application for the Moto G, Moto G, and several Droids. The app has a single new feature: users can now press the volume button to take a picture. The app is free to download from the Play Store.
Republic Wireless Lands the Moto G
Republic Wireless today announced the availability of the Motorola Moto G. The 8GB version costs $149 and the 16GB version costs $179. Both are sold contract-free, though customers can choose from several different financing options if they so wish. Republic Wireless, which is a Sprint MVNO, uses a combination of cellular data and Wi-Fi to pass VoIP-based calls through the internet rather than through traditional voice networks. It offers several plans. The first includes unlimited talk, text, and data on Wi-Fi only for $5 per month. The second includes unlimited talk and text on Wi-Fi and cellular, and unlimited data on Wi-Fi for $10 per month. The third includes unlimited talk, text and data on Wi-Fi, plus 3G cellular for $25 per month. The G has a 4.5-inch 720p HD screen, 5-megapixel camera, and 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor. It runs a stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat. The Moto G will be available beginning in April.
Motorola Refreshes Gallery App
Motorola today updated the Gallery application that's installed on its Android smartphones. The app has a refreshed design that offers larger thumbnails and faster, simpler navigation between galleries and photos. The Motorola Gallery, which is free to download from the Google Play Store, is available to devices running Android 4.4 KitKat, including the Moto X, Moto G, and the Droid Ultra, Droid Mini, and Droid Maxx.
Grip Shells for Moto G Now Available from Motorola
Motorola has added a third option for people looking to customize the look of their Moto G with new Grip Shells. The Moto G, which can be ordered directly from Motorola's web site, comes with a black rear cover that can be swapped with a number of different rear shells. The standard Color Shell costs $15, the new Grip Shell costs $20, and the Flip Shell costs $30. Each of the shells is available in a half-dozen colors. The Grip Shell, in particular, is a bit more ruggedized than the others and includes a bumper for protection.
Boost Mobile Offering the Moto G for $129
Boost Mobile today announced that it, too, will sell the contract-free Motorola Moto G. The Boost variant of the device is being sold by Home Shopping Network television, HSN.com, and HSN's mobile web site beginning today, January 2. The Moto G will be available from Boost Mobile's web site and in select stores beginning January 14. Boost is asking $129.99 for the Moto G and it does not require customers to sign contracts. Boost is offering the Moto G with its $55 monthly plans with shrinkage. Customers can also purchase the Moto G directly from Motorola for $179.
Verizon to Sell Moto G Jan. 9 for $99 with No Contract
Verizon Wireless today announced that the Motorola Moto G will be available for sale via its prepaid wireless service beginning January 9. The device will cost $99 and does not require customers to sign a new contract. It is compatible with Verizon's prepaid plans, which start at $60 per month for unlimited voice minutes, messages, and 2GB of data. The Moto G does not support Verizon's LTE 4G network, and is also available directly from Motorola for $179.
Moto G Earns Android 4.4.2 KitKat Upgrade
Motorola has made the Android 4.4.2 system update available to the Moto G. The update installs a new phone dialer, makes performance enhancements to the camera application, adds photo-editing options to the gallery app, adds support for printing via Google Cloud Print, adds the latest version of Hangouts for use with SMS, and makes the G compatible with Square credit card readers. The update can be installed on all versions of the G.
Motorola Camera App Updated with Focus Controls
Motorola has provided an update to its camera application for Android devices. The camera app, which is the one that comes on the Moto X, for example, now lets users control focus and exposure manually by dragging the focus ring around the viewfinder. The app now locks exposure during panorama capture and adds more languages. The update also fixes several bugs. The Motorola camera application is free to download from the Google Play Store.
