Motorola Moto Z Force Droid
Motorola Commits to Updating High-End Phones to Android Oreo
Motorola today said it will update a significant number of its smartphones to Android 8 Oreo. Those devices on deck for the latest version of Android include the 2016 Moto Z, Z Droid, Z Force Droid, Z Play, and Z Play Droid, as well as the 2017 Moto Z2 Play, Z2 Force Edition, X4, G5, G5 Plus, G5S, and G5S Plus. It appears that Motorola's E and C series devices will not be updated to Oreo. Motorola said that in addition to the core Oreo code and Google Play Protect, the updates should improve handset speed, battery life, multitasking, text selection, notifications, and autofill behaviors. The updates will arrive on a per handset basis beginning later this fall.
Motorola Announces Moto Mods Finalists
Motorola today highlighted a dozen developers whose ideas have been accepted as potential Moto Mods. Motorola has been working with developers for several months to bring more Mods to the modular ecosystem compatible with its Z-branded smartphones. The 12 finalists have launched crowd-funding campaigns via Indiegogo and Motorola expects to name the top 10 designs in March. Some of the Mods include a wireless charger, solar charger, digital walkie-talkie, digital recorder (pictured), smart wallet, smart remote, and more. The Mods range widely in price and the campaigns vary between 30 and 60 days. As per the norm, early backers will receive a discount off the expected full retail price.
Verizon's Moto Z Droid Scores Security Update
Verizon Wireless has begun distributing a minor system update to the Motorola Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid. According to the change log, the update applies the most recent security patch (Jan. 1, 2017) and also improves the notification volume. The update is free to download and install over the air.
Google Improves the Selection of Daydream VR Apps
Google has added a variety of new Daydream virtual reality applications and games to the Google Play Store. People who own the Pixel, Pixel XL, Moto Z, and Moto Z Force can access and download the new content directly from their phone. Some of the new titles include Lego BrickHeadz, HBO Now and HBO Go, Netflix, NextVR, and Need for Speed. Last, both the snow and crimson Daydream View headsets are more widely available online in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. The View costs $79.
Motorola Debuts Two New Mods for Moto Z Series
Motorola today took the wraps off two additional Moto Mods for its Moto Z series of handsets. The first mod is a juice pack from Mophie (pictured) that packs a 3,000mAh power cell and 15W USB-C charging. A series of LED lights indicates how much power is within the juice pack and both the phone and the juice pack will charge when attached to one another and plugged in. The Mophie juice pack is available for preorder for $80 from Verizon Wireless' web site. The second mod is an in-car dock from Incipio. The $65 accessory holds, charges, and connects Moto Z handsets to most cars via the air conditioning fins. When docked, the phone automatically launches Android Auto for safer in-car use. Motorola didn't say when the two new mods will ship. The company did mention that it intends to release an average of four new mods per quarter moving through 2017.
Motorola May Create Project Tango Mod for Moto Z
The Moto Z series of handsets might be given the power of Project Tango through a modular accessory, according to Motorola CEO Aymar de Lencquesaing. Speaking to journalists today Lencquesaing said, "The tablet folks did a phablet and worked with Google, the Tango team, to come out with a Tango phablet." That device is the Lenovo Phab2 Pro. "Going forward, we'll have to address as a group how do we reconcile the products that are at the fringe? We're likely to have a Tango module to basically enable the Z to have Tango functionality." Project Tango as realized on the Phab2 Pro uses a series of cameras to measure the environment and then map over it with augmented reality content. Lencquesaing did not say if a module for the Z is already in the works, nor when such a module might be released.
Motorola Bringing Nougat and Daydream to Z and Z Force
Motorola said it will roll out Android 7.0 Nougat to the Moto Z and Moto Z Force starting this week. Both handsets will be updated from Android 6.1 to Android 7.0. Moreover, the update will make the Moto Z and Moto Z Force compatible with Daydream, Google's new virtual reality platform. According to Motorola, the Z and Z Force are the first non-Google handsets certified as Daydream ready. Daydream requires high-resolution screens, quick refresh rates, and fine-tuned sensors for accurate head tracking. Daydream also requires the Daydream VR headset and controller, which are sold separately at Verizon, Best Buy, and Google stores. The Nougat update will start reaching the Moto Z and Moto Z Force globally this week. More information on country- and carrier-specific upgrades is available from Motorola's web site. Motorola did not say if or when the Z Play might receive Android 7.
Motorola Turns to Indiegogo to Kickstart Moto Mods Development
Motorola today said it has partnered with crowd-funding service Indiegogo in order to improve the selection of Moto Mods for its Z-series smartphones. Motorola is encouraging creators to share their Moto Mods ideas through its Moto Mods Developer contest. Motorola will reward select entrants with the Moto Mods Developer Kit, which includes a Moto Z phone. With the kit in hand, developers can then bring their prototypes to fruition with a small amount of help from Motorola. Mods that reach the working prototype stage can then apply to Indiegogo for initial funding. Motorola said it and partner Verizon Wireless will assist developers that make it this far by promoting the Indiegogo campaigns. Ten finalists will then have a chance to pitch their idea to Motorola and Verizon directly in Chicago. Winners will move on to production, shipping, and marketing, all of which will be aided in part by Motorola and Verizon. The Moto Z Play Droid, Moto Z, and Moto Z Force Droid are all compatible with Moto Mods, which are magnetic snap-on accessories. So far, some of the available Mods include a speaker from JBL, a camera from Hasselblad, and several battery packs.
Lenovo Announces Layoffs, Remains 'Committed' to Motorola
Lenovo today announced a workforce reduction that will see close to 2% of the company's 55,000 employees losing their jobs. Most of the more-than-1,000 cuts impact Lenovo-owned Motorola. Lenovo said the job cuts are "part of the ongoing strategic integration between Lenovo and its Motorola smartphone business." The company is still working to align its businesses and streamline its product portfolio. The company claims it is "making adjustments in other areas of the business" to manage costs and improve efficiencies. It insists the job cuts are necessary to ensure the company's long-term future. Lenovo said it "is absolutely committed to Chicago and we plan to maintain our Motorola Mobility headquarters there" where it will pursue research and development for its smartphone business. "We expect to take advantage of local talent to continue developing Moto products there." Lenovo bought Motorola from Google in 2014 for $2.91 billion. It has already cut more than 3,000 people from Motorola's payroll. Motorola's most recent handsets are the Moto Z, Z Force, and Z Play, which are sold unlocked as well as via Verizon Wireless under the Droid brand.
Verizon Kicks Off Preorders for Moto Z Droid and Z Force Droid
Verizon Wireless today began accepting preorders for the Motorola Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid, which will reach stores on July 28. The Moto Z costs $624 ($26 per month) and the Z Force costs $720 ($30 per month). Verizon customers may trade in their current flagship smartphone for up to $300 to put toward either Moto Z handset, or older phones for up to $200. Verizon Wireless also shared pricing details on the Moto Mods modular accessories that attach to the back of the Moto Z and Z Force: the JBL SoundBoost speaker costs $80, the Moto Insta-Share Projector costs $300, the Tumi power pack costs $60, the Kate Spade New York power pack costs $90, and Incipio's rear plates cost $15 each. The Moto Mods attach to the Moto Z and Z Force via magnets and enhance the capabilities of the phone. Verizon said that, for a limited time, customers who purchase one Mod with their Moto Z will receive 20% off any additional Mods they buy. The Moto Z and Z Force are Android smartphones. Each has a 5.5-inch quad HD screen, Snapdragon 820 processor with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, USB-C with QuickCharge, and fingerprint reader.
Motorola's Jim Wicks, Design Chief, to Depart Company
Jim Wicks, Motorola's head of design, plans to leave the company for a faculty position at Northwestern University, according to Crain's Chicago Business. Wick has led Motorola's design team for a dozen years, and has been with the company for more than 15. He's responsible for handsets such as the RAZR and Droid. "We greatly appreciate Jim's contributions in leading a consumer experience design team that delivered standout, iconic, and award-winning industrial design and user experiences for Moto's mobile and wearable products," said Lenovo in a statement provided to Crain's. Lenovo owns Motorola. The company said Ruben Caetano will take Wicks' place in Lenovo's Chicago office. Wicks' departure follows closely that of former Motorola CEO Rick Osterloh, who defected to Google earlier this year.
Hands On With Moto Z Droid and Z Droid Force
Motorola's new Droids take a modular approach that, at first glance, is compelling. Motorola hopes people will buy into the idea of enhancing their Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Droid Force with hot-swappable modules that add speakers, power, and more to the phones. Here is a first look at these exclusives for Verizon Wireless.
Moto Mods to Be An Ecosystem, Says Lenovo
Lenovo's Moto unit said the Moto Mods, which attach to the new Z Droid and Z Droid Force smartphones, will be forward compatible with future devices. Lenovo said it has settled on a basic design size and shape for its smartphones that it will carry forward so forthcoming handsets will be able to use the existing set of Moto Mods. Moto imagines people will share and swap the Mods as needed. Moto plans to release a developer kit this summer so third-party companies can create their own Moto Mods.
Moto's New Droids Will Be Sold Unlocked In the Fall
The Lenovo Moto Z Droid and Z Droid Force, announced today, will be exclusive to Verizon Wireless when they go on sale later this summer. Verizon said preorders will kick off in July, but hasn't yet said exactly when the phones will reach stores. Moto said the two phones will eventually be sold unlocked in September. Consumers will be able to buy them directly from Motorola's web site.
Motorola to Let Others Make Mods for Z Droids
Motorola today showed off the Z Droid and Z Droid Force handsets, which are compatible with magnetic modules that attach to the back. The Z Droid and Z Droid Force will have access to a handful of Moto Mods at launch, but Motorola hopes other companies will make Mods, too. Motorola plans to make an SDK available to companies so they can design and develop their own Mods for the Z Droid line of phones. Motorola has already partnered with JBL, TUMI, and kay spade new york.
Motorola Debuts New Droid Zs with Swappable Back Modules
Motorola today announced two new smartphones, the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid, both of which adopt a modular design that allows users to enhance them with attachable accessories. The phones are spiritual successors to last year's Turbo 2 and Maxx 2 handsets, but take on new design language in addition to support for the Moto Mods modules. Unlike LG's G5, which features modules that insert into the bottom of the phone, Moto Mods attach to the back of the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Droid Force magnetically. This allows owners to swap the modules more easily, and without requiring device reboots. The first batch of modules includes JBL SoundBoost stereo speakers, Moto Insta-Share Projector, and battery packs from TUMI and kate spade new york. Shared features between the phones include 5.5-inch quad HD screens, Snapdragon 820 processors, fingerprint readers, 5-megapixel selfie cameras, USB-C ports, and water-repellent coatings. The run Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
- Moto Z Droid: The Z Droid is thin and light with an aluminum body, 13-megapixel camera, and 2,600mAh battery with rapid charging.
- Moto Z Force Droid: This hardier handset makes use of second-generation Shatter Shield technology from Motorola for an unbreakable screen. Motorola says its new Shatter Shield tech is thinner, stronger, and has narrower edges. The Z Force improves the battery to 3,500mAh with rapid charging, and bumps the camera up to 21 megapixels.
