Do you have a second gen Moto G? Then you should start jumping up and down with joy because there is a soak test of the Android 6.0 update that has just begun rolling out on devices in India and Brazil. Only a small number of users will get to test the OTA and if everything goes well, the update will come to ALL of the devices.
Dave Schuster of Motorola was nice enough to keep us posted with what devices are getting updated. Both the 3G-only and LTE versions of Moto G 2nd gen are getting the update soak test. Motorola will monitor the feedback received from the handful of users who are lucky enough to test it and if the update is free of bugs and problems, it should go live in about a week.
The OTA has the usual Android 6.0 stuff like doze mode, better permissions and granular control over features plus do-not-disturbed, among others. You can check the source link for more details on the changes.
Motorola is not far from the competition when it comes to timely updates. This time, when we are eagerly waiting for Android 6.0 update announcements to be made, Moto has us covered in disclosing a list of devices that are getting the update.
Motorola even highlighted some things that the users can use as soon as their Motorolas get up to speed with Marshmallow. This includes Doze Mode (the feature detects if your device is inactive to save battery life), Direct Share (you share files, photos, videos, links easily), and Android Pay.
It was announced that the Moto Enhancement feature will be working with Marshmallow. Some of the features removed from the device software are Moto Assist, Moto Migrate and the Google Chrome extension in Motorola Connect.
List of Motorola devices getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates:
Nexus 6
Moto Turbo 2014
Moto MAXX 2014
DROID Turbo
Moto G 2014/ Moto G with 4G LTE2(2nd gen)
Moto X 2014 in Latin Aerica, Europe and Asia 2 (2nd gen)
Moto X Pure Edition 2014 (US 2nd gen)
Moto G 2015 (3rd gen)
Moto X Play 2015
Moto X Style (2015 – 3rd gen)
Moto X Pure Edition (2015 3rd gen).
There is no news regarding a possible date of release for the Android 6.0 update, but Motorola assures their customers that they are working on it as fast as they can.
Motorola recently released the open source kernel for the Moto G 3rd gen. Ever since its launch, the G Moto series has been a leader in the mid-range niche market because of its great price and features.
The Moto G 3rd gen launched just a few hours after its announcement last month, and it is already running on the most recent Android version, 5.1.1. The open source kernel was also made public now. In the last few weeks a number of kernels was updated and followed by OTA software updates, among the most important devices to get the change were the original Moto G, 2015 Moto E and 2014 Moto X.
Where can I get the Moto G 3rd gen kernel?
Developers can download the kernel from Motorola’s own Github found in the source link below. It is extremely useful in creating new apps and customized versions of the kernel that can replace the stock build (the things you would want to do to get to a good custom ROM or to processor overclocking).
If you love the Moto G you will love the two new versions being released this year. Motorola just announced two versions of the updated mid-range budget smartphone, which is a mix of new and old features. Most of the important elements are changed and upgraded while some of the more affordable features are left unchanged.
The new Moto G smartphones get extra RAM and more storage, plus a better camera. They retain the 2014 5” 720p screen but the tech under the chassis is a bit different, starting with a Snapdragon 410 processor. The main camera is upgraded to a 13MP snapper and the front gets a 5MP camera too. The Moto G devices also get LTE connectivity and IPX7 water resistance, which means they can last to a dive of up to a meter for 30 minutes. The devices get a 2470 mAh battery to power everything up.
The two Moto G models are different in the sense that one has 1 GB of RAM and 8GB of storage and the other has 2 GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Both versions present microSD slots to increase storage if needed. As it happens with all Motorola devices launching this year, both Moto G’s get turbo fast charging.
The G’s will be sold on Motorola’s website to some markets and they will be unlocked. They will run on Android 5.1 software right out of the box. The G’s will also get access to Moto Maker, apart from the standard white and black variants. The price for selling them will be a third of the price of flagship ones, which puts it somewhere in the price-range of currently marketed models. The 1GB /8GB version will sell for $179 and the 2GB/ 16GB version will sell for $219.99.
Both Moto G 2015 versions start selling today, so you can get your own if you really want to change your smartphone today!
The Moto Maker project is finally launched in China and the first deals you get are related to promotional price of Lenovo’s newly-acquired Moto line. Customers in China will finally be able to enjoy what the rest of the world has been basking in lately – the ability of customizing their Moto devices.
The Moto Maker is limited to the Moto X at the moment, with Lenovo giving out discounts and promotions on Moto X, G and the Moto X Pro until June 2nd. The Moto X will be available for RMB2,699 and customized versions will start selling at RMB2,799. The Moto G will cost RMB999 and the X Pro will cost RMB3,999.
Press release:
[box type=”shadow”]Motorola’s Moto Maker Launches in China
Chinese smartphone fans can now design their very own customized Moto X, with an exclusive, special price through June 2
Beijing – May 28, 2015 – China has more smartphones than any other country on Earth. We think it would be great if people there could choose phones that stand out from the crowd. That’s why today at Lenovo Tech World we shared that our exclusive Moto Maker online design studio is now available in China. People here can design their very own customized Moto X smartphones, and receive them in just a few days. Visit www.motomaker.cn to get started on your Moto X.
On Moto Maker you can create a personalized Moto X smartphone as unique as you are. Choose the front color, back color and materials, accent colors, memory size, and wallpaper for literally thousands of possible combinations. You can even have your name or a personal message laser-etched on the back. In addition to a range of colors, Moto Maker offers a selection of authentic materials including FSC-certified wood and natural leathers, so your Moto X can reflect your individual style.
On top of the personal style enabled by Moto Maker, Moto X is designed with a beautiful curved back and a sleek metal frame. It comes with Android™ 5 Lollipop and features enhanced voice and gesture controls for when you want to be hands-free.
Once you design your phone, the website will tell you the delivery date based upon your choices. And we make it easy in case you change your mind. If you don’t like the way your customized Moto X looks, you can exchange it within 15 days and start over.
In addition to launching Moto Maker in China, we have begun offering Moto X, Moto X Pro and Moto G to people in China for online purchase directly through our Motorola.com.cn website. To celebrate this we are offering a special promotion on all three devices exclusively on Motorola.com.cn through June 2:
Moto X is available from RMB2,699, with custom versions starting from RMB2,799 on Moto Maker
Moto G is available from RMB999
Moto X Pro is available from RMB3,999
Find out more about customizing your Moto X and see all of our special offers at Motorola.com. [/box]
Motorola Moto G first gen is getting its Android Lollipop OTA today. It may take a few days but it will soon reach all devices out there. The 2nd gen Moto G got its Lollipop flavor in January and now its older sibling is getting the same treatment.
The update Motorola announced brings the device to Android 5.0.2, which means that Lollipop’s first bugs will also be solved. You already know what the deal is all about so go ahead and tap that update button if you can’t hold your excitement in with your Moto G!
