iPhone gets new rival

Following leaks of information, photos and intense web activity on rumours regarding the Moto X, Motorola on Thursday finally unveiled the smartphone which some touted as the iPhone killer.
The phone does not pack the processing power its rivals do but it goes around the issue with neat software tricks. It comes with almost bare Android, like Google intended.
Motorola has added a dedicated voice-processing core to the Moto X chipset, so it can do always-on voice commands without killing the battery. It is always waiting for command just like a trusted butler. Just say "Okay Google Now" and then continue with your command on what you want your phone to do for you.
The 10 megapixel primary camera is said to be able to capture 75 percent more light than Moto X's rivals.
Motorola has gone great lengths to make the Moto X a truly customisable phone. Customers can choose whether the front panel to be black or white, as well as the colour of the back panel from 18 options. There's also a third customisable area called accent, it covers the camera rim and side buttons. Further customisation includes adding a name or short message on the back of the phone as choosing a Google account and wallpaper to come preinstalled on the device.
The Moto X will go on sale in the United States at the end of August or the beginning of September for a suggested retail price of $199.99 to customers who sign a two-year contract at five of the biggest US mobile network operators.
Google has said the phone would also be on sale at its Play Store. There were speculations that it could cost just $299 to $625 without contract.
This is truly the first flagship smartphone Motorola Mobility launched since search giant Google bought the company for $12.5 billion last year, which many analysts said was a Google bid to take on the likes of Apple and Samsung who dominate the market.
While Google provides phone operating system to Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony with Android Operating System Project, it has never manufactured a phone itself until now.   Android, the mobile operating system software that Google gives away for free, is featured on three out of every four smartphones sold worldwide.
The Moto X would have Android 4.2.2 out of the box but Motorola promised that it would get faster updates than its rivals.
The phone features a 4.7 inch display, 2GB RAM, a dual core 1.7Ghz processor, a 2,200mah battery with most of the bells and whistles of any flagship smartphone.
The screen is protected by a new type of Gorilla Glass, which is dubbed Magic Glass due to its curves towards the edges of the phone.
Agencies: Reuters, GSMarena.com