I can echo destrekor and foghorn's sentiments: I'm really liking this phone so far.
I've been using an AT&T-branded white Moto X 16GB for about 2 weeks now. I unlocked it and have been using it on T-Mobile. I seem to be getting both 4G-LTE and "4G" (HSDPA) speeds just fine here in NYC.
The design seems to strike a great balance between phone size (hand feel), screen size, and "just enough" usability enhancement features over stock Android (not like Samsung/LG which throws in everything including the kitchen sink like waving your hands to scroll up/down etc.). Not to knock on Samsung/LG, but for now, the Moto X is fitting my needs nicely. I'm kind of a gadget freak and have used the following "latest and greatest" phones in the past 2 months:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3
By far the most feature-packed phone I used: Snapdragon 800, 3GB RAM, S-Pen, USB 3.0 port, etc. But just a tad too big for me for "day-to-day" usage while on-the-go like checking a quick text, making a quick phone call, etc. Watching a movie on it was pretty epic though with its amazing screen. And while I had it, I had very little desire to reach for a separate 7" tablet like a Nexus 7 or iPad Mini
- LG/Google Nexus 5
Nice all-around phone and IMHO the best bang-for-your-buck in terms of specs. However, the fit-and-finish wasn't as good IMHO compared to even the Nexus 4 (overall design felt cheaper and the seams didn't match up evenly in my unit...heck the SIM card drive stuck out a bit and wasn't flush with the phone). Also, the camera software was pretty weak. I had to hold my hand steady for 1.5sec to take a clear photo...pretty lame compared to the norm today with super-fast capture speed like with iPhone 5 etc.). Basically it was just "meh" and more of the same.
- iPhone 5s
More of the same from my older iPhone 5. Fingerprint scanner is cool for a week but then isn't too big of a deal once the "hoopla" wears off. My main gripe is that a 4" screen is just too small for me by today's standards. Hopefully iPhone 6 will have a 4.7"+ screen)
The Moto X will be my keeper from this latest batch of "test subjects" mainly due to its nice ergonomics, and the "add-in" exclusive features:
- Active Display
I didn't think I'd like this as much as I do. I've gotten so used to the phone showing me the time (I don't wear a watch usually) and latest alerts when I simply pull out the phone from my pocket (don't have to press any buttons) that I think it'll be really hard for me to go back to another phone w/o Active Display. Also, I love how it pulses the time. I leave my phone on my desk at work and love to glance at the phone to check the time (as opposed to checking my system tray on my work PC, lol)
- Touchless Controls
still kinda gimmicky for me as I cannot get it to recognize my voice reliably. Maybe I don't enunciate my words enough? Anyone have any tips on how to train the voice (do it in a room with specific acoustics etc.) to get it to more reliably recognize the "OK Google Now" command? Also, I dislike how when you ask it to make a reminder, you still have to look at the screen and tap "OK/accept" to finally create the reminder. There has been times where I create the reminder via Touchless Control, and forget to acknowledge/confirm the reminder....so it doesn't get created and I forget to do the thing I was supposed to be reminded of.
- "Quick-Twist" camera gesture
I don't take photos with my phone often, but for quick impromptu shots, this seems to save those precious few seconds in order for you to get the action shot.
I'm very much looking forward to the Moto X2 and hope that it will come in a ~5" screen which i feel is the sweet spot for size vs portability.
I have to agree on the annoyance of the OK/accept issue after voicing a reminder, as it slows down the process when things are good... but I guess it does help make sure you don't have to go back, dig up the saved reminder, and delete it, because Google made a mistake on the transcription or something.
I think making alarms is a touch-less process, though I may remember that wrong.
Either way, while some will see it as a gimmick, it's pretty damn neat to be in the kitchen, hands either caked in food or otherwise busy preparing part of a meal, and you voice "ok google, set alarm for 10 minutes from now", while your phone is still in your pocket, and next thing you know, you have a new alarm added.
Even better, once that alarm sounds and you dismiss it, that alarm is automatically removed from the list of alarms on your phone. I have a few I maintain permanently, and those are still there after use every time.
The camera shake was another "oh great, what a stupid gimmick. probably going to annoy me with false positives." I was wrong. I haven't used it yet, I haven't really had a need for the camera yet, but it works quick to go from phone apparently asleep to camera is on screen ready to go. If you want to use gallery or anything, you still have to enter a pin to unlock if you use security, bur you can use the camera without unlocking (just like accessing camera from lock screen).
There's something I was recently thinking about, relating Motorola and the Moto X and Moto G. They made a big stink out of Moto Maker, did a decent promotion effort for the Moto X, and made a great splash in the market, overall, with a premium phone and budget phone, and they are standard models no less, the same on any carrier that allows compatibility.
Most cell companies have realized, in this market, having a bunch of phones on different carriers can be good to get random business, but the best approach is to have one standard model phone available worldwide. Forget the carrier exclusive models, even the manufacturers now are realizing the best approach is to try and make the carriers totally dumb pipes, and offer your best device directly to the consumer.
Motorola, previously, only really had strong success due to its relationship with Verizon. Other carriers got Motorola models, and they had limited success worldwide, really getting the best sales in the US with the various Droid brand models on Verizon.
I wasn't having any of it, because they were being Verizon's favorite pet - completely locked bootloaders with no ability to unlock. That, and I wasn't really a fan of the Razr's - I liked them, but I disliked the hard-edged boxy approach to the design. Sure, the Moto X has a straight edge, but it's met by rounded edges all over, and a smooth flowing curve to the entire back, starting at the edges. Just right.
The biggest thing I hope Motorola does, is make this their main goal, make the Moto X/G their global brands, the ones on which they bet the business.
They have the right entry, and I think they might be trying to go that route. They've gotten a good look at the Moto Maker approach, and gotten some experience about supporting various carriers, directly and indirectly, by having products and accessories in carrier stores, as well as selling directly, still offering contracts for those carriers or selling at full MSRP.
They've seen what regular business and a major rush during a holiday sale looks like, which gives them experience to build and improve upon the Moto Maker/direct sales model, have it ready for even Apple-like demand. At least, if Motorola does it right, they'd prepare for Apple-like demand. Doesn't necessarily mean having that much stock, but at least having the website support that kind of traffic is critical.
They really need to follow through and make a Moto X2, Moto G2, and make it a proper series. Try and keep form factor the same, so dock accessories will fit each generation (until a significant redesign), that would really help with the accessories market.
I do wish more accessories would be found in stores, since so many manufacturers are making "official" accessories for the phone, but I think that is more about stores making the right orders than anything Motorola is specifically doing. Then again, some of the accessories you can only get on the Moto store, and it's miserable because they STILL are taking forever to do anything. I've got an order in for a few accessories, placed Sunday, still no movement on it. Unlike the phone, there was a charge for 2-day shipping. I feel ripped off paying for fast shipping yet having an order processing time that is reminiscent of the dark ages. The accessories definitely need to be in more places, especially carrier stores. About the only "M4DE", i.e., official, accessories in stores are from a few major accessories outfits like Otterbox. Still, Griffin is, I'd say, huge, and not one official dock, case, or anything, can be found in a store. Some of the cases can't even be bought direct from the manufacturer. Power Support sells a variant of the Air Jacket on their site, but not the Air Jacket Grip model. That can't be found anywhere, no even Amazon. And it's out of stock on the official store site. :\
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