Mod the Future Visits the Big Apple: Behind the Scenes at the NYC Hackathon

What do 53 developers, 18 entrepreneurs, three designers, one surgeon and a dog named Goose have in common? These eager participants (and K9) all gathered this past weekend for over 24 hours at the first Mod the Future Hackathon in New York City in a quest to create a winning Moto Mod concept for the Moto Z.

The outcome was the creation of some truly amazing new Moto Mods concepts. We saw initial ideas for a video paging Mod, a ‘Smart Cart’ retail shopping Mod and an emergency situation response Mod for consumers. We also heard about an insulin level monitoring concept and a water pollution testing Mod. Encouraging participants’ individuality to shine, these concepts speak to the core principles of Moto Mods -- continued innovation and unlimited possibilities for consumers. This is the future of mobile in an increasingly stagnant industry.

With teams and participants representing five different countries -- from the U.S. and Canada to Brazil, Latvia and Mexico -- the ideas presented at the hackathon were as unique and diverse as the participants themselves.

“It’s really exciting to think that I can take a piece of hardware, put it on my device, swap it out for something else and I don’t need an app to do it,” said participant and second place winner Aaron Franco.

24 Hours of Hacking
All of the wires, soldering irons and microscopes aside, hacking isn’t always so simple, especially when the sky truly is the limit.

The room was electric, yet calm and focused all at the same time. Energy drink cans covered tables and participants took quick power naps whenever they could, as teams of beginners and seasoned veterans alike worked to overcome challenges.

At the end of it all, 96 slices of pizza, 96 bagels and 128 energy drinks were consumed. More than 2,400 total man hours were put in, with 17 projects submitted by the deadline from participants ranging in age from 16 to 78. And after 45 minutes of judging, the top three Moto Mods concepts were announced.

Meet the Three Winning Concepts

“Advanced Audio” -- Curtis Mason, Andrew Afflitto, Mark Ayad, Abigail Brown and Yousef Alsayid
Using the USB MDK connection, Modio interfaces with a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to provide audio input and output to the smartphone. This concept is hugely beneficial to musicians and audiophiles, giving the Moto Z HiDef audio ports (such as those found in recording studios and expensive speaker systems) that can transmit audio to applicable headphones/speakers in a much higher way than the standard headphone jack.

“This is crazy. I didn’t really expect this, but I know we all put in our maximum effort and it came together,” said Andrew Afflitto when they were announced as the winners. 

“Sidepad” -- Gabriel Ortiz and Aaron Franco
While playing games on smartphones is fun, the best gamepads are ones that are bigger than the mobile device and provide a more immersive experience. As a full-featured gamepad concept, Sidepad seeks to provide this enhanced experience for true gamers by adding gaming controls on the Moto Z (buttons versus touchscreen). According to Aaron Franco, it was “totally worth staying up all night.”

“Bella” -- Ally Cheung, Nancy Wan and Sylvee Lee
Bella is a skin care companion for your pocket that provides personal beauty and skincare tips. This concept allows Moto Z to collect real-time data from your skin and surrounding environment using built in sensors that examine factors such as UV levels, air quality, and if aimed at your face, skin elasticity levels.

“As modern women, we think it’s useful to be able to monitor our skin and stay youthful. It was such an amazing experience,” said Ally Cheung and Nancy Wan after learning they were in the winners circle.

Next Stop: San Francisco

This is only the beginning -- our next hackathon will be in San Francisco on January 21-22. The Grand Prize Winners of both the New York and San Francisco hackathons will receive a team cash prize of $5,000 and a Moto Z and Moto Mods Development Kit per team member. A representative from the winning team will also be invited to Chicago to present their ideas to a panel of Motorola leaders at Motorola’s headquarters and discuss how to bring their idea to market. If the concept impresses Lenovo Capital, they could even receive investment funding. Additionally, winning teams will be entered into the Moto Mods Partner program and be connected with a dedicated Business Development Mentor. Anyone who creates Moto Mod concepts during a hackathon will have the opportunity to participate in the Indiegogo campaign, as well.

For more information or to register for the Mod the Future Hackathon in San Francisco, visit modthefuture.com.

From New Releases to Hackathons, Moto Mods Gain Momentum

Six months ago, we took a stand against incremental innovation with our Moto Z family of smartphones and Moto Mods™ – and we’ve never looked back. Since announcing our developer program in June, more than 250 companies and developers have started working with our Moto Mod Development Kit. We’ve also received more than 360 submissions worldwide to participate in our collaboration with Indiegogo, which helps developers raise money and provides support to bring their ideas for future Moto Mods to life.

And we’re not stopping there. From new releases available today (see below) to 24-hour hackathons, we’re bringing you even more ways to innovate and customize with Moto.

NEW: Incipio Vehicle Dock

The Incipio Vehicle Dock Moto Mod is perfect for on-the-go folks looking for a more efficient way to get from point A to point B. It offers hands-free navigation and calling, audio integration and fast charging without the need to constantly connect and disconnect wires. Essentially, it’s the best co-pilot you’ve ever had. Features include:

• Magnetic phone mount: Your phone is securely held in place by magnets, and ejects just as quickly with easy-release levers.
• Hassle-free setup: The vehicle dock secures to the air vent and connects to your car’s audio system via Bluetooth - or connect an auxiliary cable to the 3.5mm jack on the dock.
• Android Auto™ capability: Android Auto provides a simple and intuitive interface and powerful new voice actions. Make phone calls, or send and receive messages while keeping your hands on the wheel.
• 15W fast charging: Built-in support for up to 15W fast charging means a 10-minute car ride can add hours of power to your day.*

NEW: mophie juice pack

Great for any phone addict who is always running low on battery life, the mophie juice pack Moto Mod features:

• Extended battery: This fast-charging juice pack instantly gives your phone 60 percent more battery life.
• Charges separately: A built-in USB-C connector allows you to fast-charge your juice pack even when it’s not attached to your phone so you’ll have a full battery waiting whenever you need to power up.
• Efficiency mode: Use this Moto Mod’s efficiency mode, which helps you get up to 25 percent more battery life. It communicates with your phone and automatically starts charging when
  efficiency is at its peak.

In the U.S., the Incipio Vehicle Dock is available at Verizon for $64.99 and the mophie juice pack is available at Verizon for $79.99. Check with your local rep for pricing and availability information in other countries.

Moto Mod Hackathons

As previously announced, to support our developer community beyond providing the Moto Mods Development Kit, we’re hosting a series of hackathons to spur innovation. We recently hosted a hackathon in Argentina, in which 25 participants built their own Moto Mod concepts in 24 hours. The first hackathon in the U.S. takes place December 10-11, 2016, in New York – and it’s already at capacity. The next hackathon will be held in San Francisco in January 2017.

Click here for more information about how to attend a hackathon. Winners will have the opportunity to discuss their idea further with industry leaders at Moto HQ in Chicago and will potentially receive seed funding to bring their idea to market.

*Compatible vehicle power adapter and auxiliary cable sold separately. Requires download of Android Auto app from the Google Play™ store.

Moto Z and Moto Z Force: Now Daydream-Ready

Last month, we told you Android 7.0 Nougat would be making its way to several of our smartphones before the end of the year, including Moto Z. Well, we have some good news...the wait is over!

We’ll begin rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat globally to Moto Z and Moto Z Force this week. You can visit the Moto software upgrades page here for more details, including specific information by country and carrier.

But that’s not all. With the upgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat, Moto Z and Moto Z Force will be compatible with Daydream, Google’s platform for high-quality, mobile VR. These are the first smartphones from another manufacturer to be recognized by Google as Daydream-ready devices - a distinction given to phones that have been certified for the Daydream platform and are built for VR with
 high-resolution displays, ultra-smooth graphics and high-fidelity sensors for precise head tracking.

Daydream offers an unprecedented opportunity to dive into a kaleidoscope of experiences. With Daydream, you can explore new worlds, attend a sporting event or concert, enjoy your own personal cinema and so much more. To get started, you’ll need Google’s VR headset and controller - Daydream View - available at Verizon, Best Buy and the Google Store in the U.S. Check your local stores in other markets.

From the first mobile phone to shatterproof smartphone screens to seamless modularity with Moto Mods that expand what you can do with your smartphone, we continue to challenge the status quo to bring you the best mobile experiences. The possibilities with Moto Z are truly endless, not only with Moto Mods, but now with Daydream, too.

Transform the Smartphone Challenge: Moto Mods and Indiegogo

With Moto Mods you can transform your smartphone in a snap - and the possibilities are truly endless. So far, we’ve unveiled Moto Mods that turn your phone into a camera, a movie projector, a speaker, or an extra battery pack for when your juice gets low. And that’s just the beginning.


We know we can’t come up with every Moto Mods idea on our own, and real innovation doesn’t just happen behind closed doors. That’s why we shared the Moto Mods Development Kit (MDK) with the world, allowing people everywhere to contribute to the ecosystem by bringing their own Moto Mods to life.

But it doesn’t end there. We are invested in the future of the Moto Mods ecosystem and we want to empower developers to dream, build and fund their own Moto Mods. Over the next few months, we’ll be introducing new opportunities to help developers get involved.

Moto Mods Indiegogo Campaign

We’re collaborating with Indiegogo, the global platform for entrepreneurs to bring their ideas from concept to market. Now, developers will have the opportunity to raise money to bring their Moto Mods to life.

Today through January 31st, 2017, enter our Moto Mods Developer contest. Share your best Moto Mods idea for a chance to win an MDK and a Moto Z. Finalists will be selected by our judging panel of industry leaders. Winners will receive a trip to Chicago to meet with our Moto Mods executive development team, where they’ll discuss how to bring their idea to life.

Check out the Indiegogo page for more info about the program, including official rules and regulations. Then, submit your idea for a chance to turn your Moto Mods dream into reality.

Moto Mods Hackathons
Additionally, we’ll be hosting Moto Mods hackathons in the U.S. to inspire developers to bring their ideas to life. The first hackathon will be in New York in December. Anyone who creates Moto Mods during the hackathon will have the opportunity to participate in the Indiegogo campaign as well. A second Moto Mods hackathon will take place in San Francisco in January. For more information and to register, visit modthefuture.com. The hackathon winners will be pre-qualified to receive a trip to Chicago to discuss bringing their Moto Mod idea to market.

Lenovo Capital
Finally, if your idea really impresses us, it just might land you an investment from Lenovo Capital, who has set aside up to $1 million to help bring the best Moto Mods ideas to market. Our Moto Mods executive development team will be on the lookout for the best working prototypes. If it finds something truly outstanding, the responsible development teams will be invited to pitch for investment funding from Lenovo Capital. Investments will be made on terms proposed by Lenovo Capital, and are subject to due diligence and the eligible development team meeting Lenovo Capital's investment criteria.

It’s really that easy. All you need is an idea, the passion to bring it to life and the financial support to drive a new era of mobile technology forward.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with. Submit your idea today!

N is for Nougat: Android 7.0 is coming to your favorite Moto phones

Are you ready for the sweetest OS update yet? It’s one that speaks your language (particularly if you speak fluent Emoji), offers the ability to seamlessly switch between apps with just a double-tap, more efficient notification controls and improved battery and data saver features.

We’re happy to confirm Android 7.0 Nougat is on its way to a lot of our smartphones, we’ll be starting in Q4 with Moto Z and Moto G (4th Gen).

Here’s the full list of our smartphones that will be getting Nougat:

Moto G (4th Gen)
Moto G Plus (4th Gen)
Moto G Play (4th Gen)
Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen)
Moto X Style
Moto X Play
Moto X Force
Droid Turbo 2
Droid Maxx 2
Moto Z
Moto Z Droid
Moto Z Force Droid
Moto Z Play
Moto Z Play Droid
Nexus 6

As always, you can visit the Moto software upgrades page here for more further details on specifics by country or carrier.

Moto Mods Development Kit: How you can create your own Moto Mod

With Moto Z and Moto Mods, we’ve opened up a new world of possibilities when it comes to what a smartphone is truly capable of doing. Moto Mods today allow you to turn your phone into a camera, movie projector or speaker, or snap on an extra battery pack when your juice gets low.

But this is just the beginning. We know there’s still so much more to be discovered. That’s why we also created the Moto Mods Development Kit (MDK), allowing you to contribute to the ecosystem and bring your own Moto Mod to life.

First introduced in the U.S., the MDK includes the same tools we’re using at Motorola to develop Moto Mods. Now, the MDK is available in China, Europe, South America and will be available in Canada on Oct. 5, giving more people around the world the opportunity to redefine the future of mobile.

Feeling inspired yet? Check out the video below to learn more about the Moto Mods Development Kit. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Visit developer.moto.com for more information.

Motorolans Give Back to Chicago during Annual ‘Motoserve’

Motorola Mobility Foundation -- Motorola’s charitable and philanthropic arm -- partnered with Chicago Cares for the third year in a row for “motoserve,” Motorola Mobility’s annual day of service in Chicago. Since 2014, motoserve volunteers have contributed nearly 5,500 hours of service through the annual event, in addition to the Foundation’s ongoing employee engagement programs.

Motorolans worked in four different neighborhoods to benefit Chicago Public Schools, senior centers and community organizations. Projects included improving school and community spaces, promoting health and wellness, distributing essential items to those in need, and more.

We’re proud of the commitment our team made to serving our local community. Some of the specific sites we focused on included:

• Austin - Lorraine Hansberry Apartments: Spent quality time with senior residents while cooking and serving a meal, played Bingo and made fleece blankets.
• Jefferson Park - Beaubien Elementary: Created and stained two planter benches, completed tile mosaics and canvas murals, and hosted a Kids Olympics in an effort to engage the students in exercise.
• Douglas - Pershing Magnet School: Hosted a science fun fair to expose the students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and gave the school a fresh look by painting 5 colorful wall and canvas murals throughout the hallways.
• West Englewood - Earle STEM Academy: Added life to the building by painting classrooms, created wall and canvas murals, and hosted a science fair to spark students’ creativity.
• Merchandise Mart - Motorola Mobility: Assembled 900 Hygiene Kits for Breakthrough Urban Ministries and Chicago Public Schools to benefit families transitioning out of homelessness. Assembled 100 Back to School Kits for Beaubien Elementary to help students prepare for the new school year.

“Motoserve” is part of a year-round, global series of volunteer programs offered by the Motorola Mobility Foundation to Motorola’s employees. Motorola Mobility Foundation, Motorola’s charitable and philanthropic arm, enables and drives innovation to improve the communities where we live and work. The Foundation’s mission is to catalyze the innovative use of technology to improve lives and communities. It does this by leveraging employee expertise and talent, providing funding, and partnering with nonprofits, learning institutions, startups, government, corporate and civic organizations.

Click here to learn more about the Motorola Mobility Foundation.

Photos by Monica Inglot

Skip the Sevens: Choose Real Innovation

When looking for a new smartphone, sometimes brand loyalty and habit get in the way of a better, more innovative choice. This often means a “new” phone that’s not very different from the old one.

Well, we believe different is better.

On September 12 we met with a few groups of Apple loyalists - not actors - to talk about a recent announcement and their reactions. We showed them some prototypes. But we didn’t tell them they were Moto’s until later. Check out the results.

The goal of our Skip the Sevens campaign is to get you to think about what you really want from a smartphone. It’s our challenge to you. To the industry.

Moto Mods Strut Their Stuff on the Runway at NYFW 2016 with Vivienne Tam

Versatility — it’s what the new Moto Z and Moto Mods are all about. Why settle for a standard smartphone when, with just a snap, you can also have a booming JBL sound system, an on-the-go projector, or an incredible zoom lens?

This spirit of self-expression is why we’re working with the iconic and ever versatile fashion designer, Vivienne Tam, at New York Fashion Week. Recognized throughout the fashion world by her intricate, colorful designs that draw inspiration from Chinese culture, creating a unique fusion of East-meets-West styles, Vivienne’s also developed a penchant for embracing technology in her runway shows.

On September 12, we’ll integrate the new Moto Z and Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod at the debut of her new Spring / Summer 2017 collection and on the runway. Want to take a piece of Vivienne Tam home with you? Follow @Moto_USA on Twitter for the chance to win a limited edition Vivienne Tam-designed Moto Style Shell not sold in stores.

Renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker will shoot from the front row using the Moto Z Force with Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod, and YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen will give you an exclusive backstage view including an interview with Vivienne using the Moto Z. 

Be sure to follow Ingrid Nilson’s New York Fashion Week journey with Vivienne Tam and Moto on her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube channels. Nigel Barker will also be sharing his experience at the show with the Hasselblad True Zoom on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

The Moto Z family and Moto Mods are available now at MotoMods.com, and the Hasselblad True Zoom will be available on September 15.

Picture Perfect: The New Moto Z Play and Hasselblad True Zoom

With Moto Mods, we’ve entered the next era of mobile technology. When you can transform your smartphone into exactly what you need it to be, the possibilities are endless.

Our Moto Mods family already includes the JBL SoundBoost speaker so you can take the party with you, the Insta-Share Projector so you can share content as you want, and power packs from Incipio so you’re never without battery when you need it most.

But that was just the beginning.

We know mobile photography is important to all consumers. Moments captured on-the-go are some of our most precious memories. That’s why we’re taking the smartphone camera experience to the next level with the Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod. Our collaboration with legendary photography brand Hasselblad makes advanced imaging experiences like 10x optical zoom and shooting RAW a reality on mobile.

We’re also introducing a new member to the Moto Z family - Moto Z Play. It comes with our longest-lasting battery ever and is designed for Moto Mods, giving you even more choice to find a phone that best fits your needs, with the technology that matters most to you.

Moto Z Play: Ultimate Battery, Unlimited Possibilities

Featuring a thin, lightweight design with a solid aluminum frame and elegant glass back, Moto Z Play packs up to 50 hours of battery life¹ with Moto’s longest-lasting battery ever, allowing you to play for days without stopping to recharge. Burn through your 50 hours? No problem - power up fast with TurboPower charging: up to 9 hours in just 15 minutes.²

Moto Z Play also offers an ultra-smooth 2.0 GHz octa-core processor, a stunning 5.5” 1080p HD Super AMOLED display and 3GB RAM of memory so you can play games, stream video and multitask without missing a beat. Shoot beautifully sharp photos - day or night - with a 16MP laser autofocus camera, and go from selfies to groupies instantly with the wide-angle, front-facing camera with LED flash.

Moto Z Play will be available globally beginning in September; find it in Europe for about 499€⁴. In the US it will be available on Motorola.com and Verizon as Moto Z Play Droid Edition for $408 ($17/month) on September 8. Moto Z and Moto Z Play will be available in the US in GSM unlocked versions beginning in October. Moto Z will be available unlocked for $699.99 and Moto Z Play will be available unlocked for $449.99.

Moto Mods: Hasselblad True Zoom

Hasselblad and Moto have teamed up to design an imaging experience that completely transforms mobile photography. Since 1941, Hasselblad has been at the forefront of the imaging industry. Around the world, the name Hasselblad is synonymous with the finest camera equipment ever made. Some of the most iconic images in history have been taken with Hasselblad cameras, from the first images on the moon to The Beatles famous Abbey Road Cover. This year, Hasselblad is bringing their unique, iconic design and imaging experience to the mobile space.

Add advanced imaging capabilities to your phone in a snap! You can create and share like never before. Featuring 10x Optical Zoom and a Xenon flash, you just focus on getting the shot - lighting and distance will never stand in the way of capturing the perfect image.

Expect even more control and flexibility with the ability to shoot in RAW format. Plus, physical shutter and zoom controls, guaranteeing a great handling experience. Added bonus? You’ll also get free access to Hasselblad’s Phocus software for streamlined editing control and the highest quality output.

Last, but not least, share your beautiful results with family and friends while still in the moment with automatic backup and unlimited free storage at original quality for two years with Google Photos.³

The Hasselblad True Zoom will be available globally starting in September. In Europe, it will retail for about 299€⁴. In the US it will be available for pre-sale on September 8 and available on September 15 for $249.99 USD at Verizon and $299 at Motorola.com. For more information about Hasselblad, please visit the website.

Images can be found here (you agree to our license terms when downloading images or video).

¹Applies to U.S. + Europe; 45 hours in rest of world and 35 hours in China. All battery life claims are approximate and based on a mixed use profile (which includes both usage and standby time) under optimal network conditions. Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, age of batter, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, and voice, data and other application usage patterns. 

²Battery must be substantially depleted; charging rate slows as charging processes. Charger sold separately in some markets. 

³Promotional offer must be redeemed by March 31, 2017. Two-year period begins when the first photo or video is backed up to Google Photos from an eligible device. This offer is limited to a single Google account, as identified by a unique ID, can only be redeemed once per Google account ID, and cannot be combined with other offers, and is not transferable. User must select original upload size in settings to take advantage of this offer. Offer available only in countries where the Google Photos service is available. Use of Google Photos is subject to the Google Photos Terms of Service available at http://www.google.com/policies/terms, the Google Privacy Policy available http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

⁴Price may vary by country. Check local websites.

Redesigning Smartphones with a Snap: Behind the Scenes with Moto Z and Moto Mods

For a while now, smartphone innovation has been pretty stagnant. We’ve seen a small change here or a slight modification there. As much as we love our smartphones the way they are, it’s certainly time for a shake-up in the industry.

Over the past two years, Motorola has been working on a way to transform the smartphone experience. Last month, we revealed this new technology with the introduction of Moto Z with Moto Mods.

So what went into making this new technology? Read on to learn more about the engineering behind this latest innovation.

The All-New Moto Z: Reinventing the Smartphone from the Ground Up

At first, the challenge of creating the Moto Z seemed daunting: build an all-new smartphone that was thinner and lighter than any we’ve ever made. And most importantly, we had to do this without sacrificing battery life, durability, and of course, not bulking-up once a Moto Mod was attached.

Challenge accepted.

We had to completely rethink the inside of the smartphone to make sure it was as thin and light as possible. We quickly realized, however, that between the size and processor, overheating would be a potential issue. So, we developed a liquid cooling system — a “heat pipe solution” if you will — to optimize thermal evenness by distributing heat over a broader surface, thus enabling the processor to run faster and longer without overheating.

Because space within an ultra-thin phone like the Moto Z is at a premium, we also revolutionized the device’s system of four 4G LTE internal antennas, reorganizing internal components while also redesigning the antennas and positioning them in a way that would avoid interfering with the phone’s signal while a Moto Mod was attached.

Picking the right battery for the Moto Z was crucial. The biggest challenge here was creating a battery that would fit within a 5.2mm space while balancing energy density and battery rate of charging. That said, our engineers have not only created a high density battery that maintains minimum turbocharging, but also one that is only 3.3mm thin. In addition to that, we also made sure other components on the phone were not only paper-thin but energy efficient, such as the Moto Z’s AMOLED display: .8mm thinner than most LCD displays and 10% more battery efficient.

We then moved on to the housing — aware that “bendgate” would be a potential issue with such a thin device, we utilized a unique, aircraft-grade stainless steel casing that’s actually 85 percent stronger than our competitors, while keeping the device as light as possible. The backplate is also made from the same, magnetic-grade steel, which not only provides the magnets in the Moto Mods a place to attach simply and efficiently, but also gives the device a sleek and modern look.

Innovation through Collaboration

Up until now, your smartphone experience has been limited by your phone’s hardware and software capabilities. When it came to developing Moto Mods, we set out to remove those barriers by creating a phone that changes as your needs change, and does so in a truly seamless way. For example, we wanted to make sure the process for swapping out Moto Mods was as fluid and natural as possible. Our solution: very strong magnets and an automatic connection process that doesn’t require additional steps or rebooting.

We also knew that partnering with other companies with the expertise and know-how was an essential part of making Moto Z and Moto Mods a true innovation. By collaborating with fellow tech innovators, like JBL and Incipio, and high-end designers at kate spade new york and TUMI, we had an unique opportunity to learn quite a bit about each other’s offerings to the overall device. Once they began integrating with our teams, the entire look and feel of Moto Mods evolved into something new and exciting that neither team could have developed on their own.

After the initial Moto Mods ideas were in development, our engineers set their sights on creating a platform for others to bring their ideas to life.

Moto Mods Developer Program: Opening our Sandbox to New Ideas

Moto Mods open a world of possibilities. They break down the innate barriers that come with smartphone hardware and software. We believe they are the next leap in mobile innovation.

We’re excited to be at the forefront of this new frontier, but we know we can’t do it alone. We need to provide tools that enable others’ ideas to be prototyped and brought to market as well. With open architecture and access to the right resources, our new Moto Mods Development Program provides a platform for innovation in the mobile space.

To lower the technical bar of entry, we’re sharing the same hardware and software development kit we use internally at Motorola, allowing everyone from small developers to established enterprises the opportunity to create the next generation of Moto Mods. We’re calling it the Moto Mods Development Kit (MDK for short), and it will be available to people around the world to contribute to the ecosystem and redefine the future of mobile. As a result, consumers will have access to completely new experiences through their smartphone.

The MDK is now available in the U.S. Check out developer.motorola.com for more info about the program.

Moto Z Droid Editions with Moto Mods & Moto Mods Development Kits Now Available

The wait is over! Starting today, Moto Z and Moto Z Force Droid Editions with Moto Mods^TM are available in the U.S. on Verizon Wireless at Verizon, Best Buy, Costco and Motorola.com. Now, you can turn your phone into a movie projector or speaker, and snap on an extra battery pack when your juice gets low. You can even mix up colors and textures to switch up your style.

This is only the beginning. We are working on even more Moto Mods that we can’t wait to share with everyone soon. But we realize we can’t build this ecosystem alone. There are infinite Moto Mod possibilities out there, and we’ve only scratched the surface.

We are providing all the tools you’ll need to bring your Moto Mod idea to life.*

Through the Moto Mods Developer Program, you have the unprecedented opportunity to help build a complete ecosystem that redefines the future of mobile. The Moto Mods Development Kit (MDK) is available to purchase starting today through our exclusive global distribution and manufacturing partner, element14. The MDK includes the same tools we’re using at Motorola to develop Moto Mods.

We’d like to help jumpstart your development process by investing in your future Moto Mod. Lenovo Capital has set aside up to $1M to help bring the best Moto Mod ideas to market. To be eligible for investment funding, you must have a working prototype. All submissions will be evaluated by our Moto Mod Developer Executive Team, and the development teams with the best prototype will be eligible to pitch for investment funding from Lenovo Capital. Investments will be made on terms proposed by Lenovo Capital, and are subject to due diligence and the eligible development team meeting Lenovo Capital's investment criteria. Stay tuned for more details, including how to submit your prototype for consideration.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!


*Developing with the MDK requires a Moto Z smartphone.

Unlocking More Choice in the U.S. with the Moto G Family

Smartphones should focus on meaningful technology that prioritizes the things people really care about, like capturing great pictures, having all-day battery life or being able to switch carriers when and if needed.

But according to a new survey we conducted among U.S. smartphone users, there are common misperceptions about another meaningful feature of a smartphone -- being unlocked. The majority of people we surveyed are confused about what a universally unlocked phone offers or even what, exactly, an unlocked phone is, so we created a handy infographic to explain it.

The fourth-generation Moto G is universally unlocked in the U.S., so it works on both GSM and CDMA networks and is not tied to a carrier or plan, giving you the most choice possible. No matter where life takes you - whether you want to switch carriers or travel internationally - simply insert the SIM card of your choice and activate your plan. Moto G⁴ lets you keep your options open and focus on what matters.

In the U.S., the new Moto G⁴ will be available starting at $199.99 and Moto G⁴ Plus will be available starting at $249.99 beginning July 12 at Amazon.com, Best Buy, BrandsMart, B&H, Car Toys, Fry’s, MicroCenter, Motorola.com, Sam’s Club and Walmart.com. Pre-orders begin today on motorola.com on June 28, 2016. Moto G⁴ and Moto G⁴ Plus will be available at Republic Wireless beginning July 28.

The New Moto Z Family with Moto Mods: Transform Your Smartphone in a Snap

We’re taking a stand against incremental innovation in the premium smartphone category.

From the mid 1990’s to the mid 2000’s there was meaningful and frequent innovation in wireless. We saw the creation of the first flip phone, the Moto RAZR, the first QWERTY smartphone, the first app ecosystem, and of course, the first touchscreen phone. 

But, since then, innovation has stagnated and is often incremental at best. Small changes in display size or megapixels make headlines, yet marginally impact overall experience to the point that new smartphones have become predictable.

The result? Limited choice, similar products and bored consumers. And that’s not fair.

We envision a world where people are not limited by what their smartphone manufacturer provides at one point in time. Instead, we believe people should be empowered to choose the capabilities of their smartphone.

Meet the new Moto Z Family with Moto Mods — transforming your smartphone in a snap!

Moto Z: The world’s thinnest premium smartphone

Made from military aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel, the stunning new Moto Z is durable-yet-razor thin - just 5.2mm - and ultra-light with a 5.5” Quad HD AMOLED display. It’s also incredibly powerful packing a Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 820 processor, 4GB of RAM and 32 GB or 64 GB of storage inside. You can get more space for pictures, videos and apps by adding a microSD card up to 2 TB¹. 

We know the perfect moment doesn’t always mean perfect conditions. That’s why Moto Z has a high-resolution 13MP camera with optical image stabilization and laser autofocus, which help you take beautiful, true-to-life pictures in any light. The front-facing 5MP camera includes a wide-angle lens, which is great for fitting friends in the picture. And, with an extra flash on the front, everybody in the groupie looks their best—even in low light.

A water-repellant coating means rain, splashes or spills won’t get in your way. Tired of fumbling your phone to switch on and sign in? With our fingerprint reader, a touch is all you need to instantly wake up your phone. And with up to 30 hours of battery² you can go all day and well into the night without needing to stop and recharge. You’ll get up to 8 hours of power in just 15 minutes with TurboPower™ when you finally need a boost³. 

Moto Z Force: Ultimate performance and sophisticated design

Shatter all expectations — again — with the sleek, all-metal design of Moto Z Force featuring the second generation of Moto ShatterShield™ technology, guaranteeing the display won’t crack or shatter in case of a drop. 

Packed with the same great features as Moto Z, it ups the game with up to 40 hours of battery life² and our fastest TurboPower™ charging ever. Get up to 15 hours of battery life in just a 15-minute charge³. Capture crystal-clear photos in any light or setting with an industry-leading 21MP camera, featuring optical image-stabilization, phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and laser autofocus.

It’s unrivaled strength, speed, performance and protection all in one.

Moto Mods: In a snap everything changes

Welcome to the next era of mobile technology. With our all new Moto Mods, you now have the ability to transform your Moto Z into exactly what you need it to be. Like an instant party maker with the JBL® SoundBoost -- it’s really, really loud. Or, grab some popcorn and turn your phone into a 70-inch movie projector with the Moto Insta-Share Projector. Need an extra boost? The Power Pack instantly adds up to 22 hours of life to your phone³ -- and it comes in fashionable designs from partners like kate spade new york, TUMI and Incipio.

You can also match your phone to your own personal style as often as you want with Style Shells. Choose from premium materials like real wood and leather, or pick out a patterned fabric. You can swap them whenever you like.

We’ve made the connection process super-simple too. High-powered magnets connect Moto Mods to your phone so you can easily snap them together as your needs change. And since function never goes out of style, rest assured that the Moto Mods developed today are designed to work with future generations of Moto Z phones⁴. 

Bring your ideas to life

Have a great idea for a Moto Mod? Not only are we working on more Moto Mods to add to the ecosystem, we’re also providing open architecture and the tools you need to bring your own idea to life. Through the new Moto Mods Developer Program, small developers to established enterprises will have the unprecedented opportunity to help build a complete ecosystem that maximizes innovation and redefines the future of mobile. 

Need a little help with your Moto Mods idea? We’ve got you covered: The Lenovo Capital and Incubator Group (LCIG) will be setting aside seed equity funding to spur innovation on the Moto Mods platform. In addition, the LCIG has set aside $1,000,000 in equity funding for the individual or company that creates the best Moto Mods prototype by March 31, 2017.

For more info about the Moto Mods Development Kit and the certification process, visit developer.motorola.com.

How to get the Moto Z Family and Moto Mods

U.S.

Moto Z DROID™ Edition and Moto Z Force DROID™ Edition⁵ will be available in the U.S. this summer through our exclusive launch partner Verizon at Verizon stores, retailers such as Best Buy and on moto.com. Moto Mods announced today will be available at the same time. 

Moto Z also will be available unlocked on moto.com and at various retailers this fall.

Global

Moto Z will be available worldwide beginning in September along with Moto Mods. Check your local websites for the latest information.

Images can be found here (you agree to our license terms when downloading images or video).

¹MicroSD card sold separately. Content with DRM restrictions may not be able to be moved to the card. 200GB is the maximum capacity currently available.

²Moto Z: 30 hours in U.S., Canada and Europe; 24 hours rest of world. All battery life claims are approximate and based on an average user profile that includes both usage and standby. Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, age of battery, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, voice, data, and other application usage patterns.

³Moto Z: 8 hours of power in 15 minutes in U.S., Canada and Europe; 7 hours of power rest of world. Power Pack: 22 hours in US and EMEA; 20 hours in ROW. Battery must be substantially depleted; charging rate slows as charging progresses. All battery life claims are approximate and based on an average mixed use profile that includes both usage and standby time on a 4G LTE network. Out-of-box settings are applied to the mixed use profile to project battery performance. Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, age of battery, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, and voice, data, and other application usage patterns.
⁴Co-branded Moto Mods may require software upgrades to maintain compatibility, contact the manufacturer for details.
⁵DROID is a trademark of Lucasfilm, Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license.

Meet the new Moto G Family: Whichever you choose, you get more of what matters most.

When it comes to smartphones, sometimes we feel let down. The things that matter most — like taking great photos at our kids’ soccer games, video chatting with mom or having all-day battery life — simply don’t live up to our expectations.

It shouldn’t be this way. Smartphones should focus on technology that prioritizes the things people really care about.

That’s how we designed the next generation of our best-selling smartphone, Moto G. And because we know people are unique and use their phones differently, we added two new members to the family: Moto G Plus and Moto G Play. Each of them has meaningful technology, so you never have to miss what matters most to you.

Want to learn more about the new Moto G family? Take a behind-the-scenes look at The Moto G Exhibit from our event in São Paulo, Brazil.

The new Moto G: Never miss what matters from loved ones.

The thinner fourth-generation Moto G has a vivid 5.5” full HD display and a 13MP camera for crystal-clear, share-worthy pics. Its 3000 mAh battery and blazing-fast octacore processor will get you through afternoon video calls with family and into the evening out with friends.¹ And when you finally need a battery boost, TurboPower^TM gives you six hours of power in just 15 minutes.²

You can also design your Moto G to match your style on Moto Maker or by switching up colors with interchangeable shells. All for an exceptional price.

Moto G Plus: Never miss a photo worth sharing.

Moto G Plus has all the features of Moto G, along with some new features designed for those who need even more from their phone. The first is an impressive camera. There’s nothing worse than missing a moment. Now you won’t. The 16MP camera on Moto G Plus has two additional rapid focus technologies, laser focus and phase detect autofocus so you always nab sharp, clear pictures, day and night. DxOMark, the trusted industry standard for camera and lens image quality ratings, has rated the Moto G Plus photo quality among the top smartphone cameras, ahead of iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and other phones that are more than twice its price.³

Tired of fumbling with your phone to switch it on and sign in? With a fingerprint reader typically found in more expensive devices, a touch is all you need to instantly wake up your phone. You can even use it to authorize purchases on the Google Play Store^TM.

Moto G Play: Never miss out on worry-free fun.

Moto G Play gives you more of what you love, like fast, reliable performance of a quadcore processor. It's designed to last a full day, thanks to its 2800 mAh battery. And it boosts performance by running a pure, clutter-free version of Android^TM. The best part? You only have to spend a little for a phone you’ll love a lot.

Global Availability

Moto G and Moto G Plus

Moto G and Moto G Plus will be available starting today in Brazil and Moto G Plus will be available starting today in India. Both versions will arrive soon in various countries across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Check your local websites for details and pricing.

Moto G Play

Moto G Play will be available globally starting later this summer. Stay tuned for specific availability and pricing information.

Images can be found here (you agree to our license terms when downloading images or video).

¹All battery life claims are approximate and based on an average user profile that includes both usage and standby. Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, age of battery, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, voice, data, and other application usage patterns.

²Battery must be substantially depleted; charging rate slows as charging progresses. All battery life claims are approximate and based on an average mixed use profile that includes both usage and standby time on a 4G LTE network. Out-of-box settings are applied to the mixed use profile to project battery performance. Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, age of battery, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, and voice, data, and other application usage patterns.

³The comparison focuses on the "Photo" ratings only, not overall or video ratings. DxOMark Mobile is the trusted industry standard for independent image quality measurements and ratings of mobile device camera. Test results are available on www.dxomark.com and in the press. Information other than DxOMark Mobile scores is provided independently by MOTOROLA.

Futura And Moto X: Graffiti And Tech Meet Via Text

Here at Moto, we’re always up for collaborations with artists and designers who share our views on the power of self-expression and next level innovation. Which is why we partnered with graffiti legend and graphic designer Futura — someone who definitely shares our belief that, when it comes to expressing individual style, keep it bold, unique and true to yourself.

We recently launched Futura’s series of 30 Moto X Pure Edition smartphones at one-time-only drop event in New York City, where we teamed up with Stefan’s Head — a text message-based e-commerce brand that deals in limited edition tech, apparel and culture — to help get the word out about where and when people could get their own unique piece of mobile-meets-street art. 

A small quantity of these Moto X Pure Edition phones painted by Futura may still be available — text Stefan @ 646-759-0904.

Check out how the drop went down.

Motorolans Give Back in Sunnyvale

On March 22nd, more than 80 Motorolans gave back to the Sunnyvale, CA community through Motoserve -- a designated day of volunteer service. Hosted for the past two years at Motorola’s global headquarters in Chicago, we were excited to expand this event for the first time to our Sunnyvale office and have participation from our Lenovo colleagues in the area. 

The Motorola Mobility Foundation -- Motorola’s charitable and philanthropic arm -- partnered with three local organizations to engage our volunteers in a day of service. Some of the projects included:

• Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT): Sorting donations and assembling hands-on Activity Kits that local educators use to transform the learning experience for children.
• Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley: Building, decorating, and assembling two children’s playhouses from scratch, which Habitat then donates to a local family or charity. The program supports the construction of affordable housing in the community.
• Baylands Park, City of Sunnyvale: Beautifying a local park through general cleanup, painting facilities, planting new trees and shrubs, and laying mulch.

Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley brought the playhouse build to Motorola’s Sunnyvale office

Volunteers helped prune roses at Baylands Park

Volunteers at Baylands Park work together to clean up fallen bark and branches

Lenovo and Motorola volunteers pack STEM Activity Kits at Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT)

Tuesday’s activities were part of a year-round series of volunteer programs offered by the Motorola Mobility Foundation to Motorola’s employees. The Foundation’s mission is to catalyze the innovative use of technology to improve lives and communities. It does this by leveraging employee expertise and talent, providing funding, and partnering with nonprofits, learning institutions, startups, government, corporate and civic organizations.

Click here to learn more about the Motorola Mobility Foundation. To those that have volunteered, thank you for your time and supporting Motoserve!

Why I Decided to Work with Moto

The mobile phone is stuck. It's locked into a form factor and function that is not fully respectful of the relationship with the consumers. There have been outstanding improvements in smartphone capability over the last several years, but the innovation is starting to feel similar to TV (just another screen) where the only major improvement is price. We have a different, deeper, more complex relationship with our phones than we have with some people in our lives, and Motorola understands that.

Motorola was built on innovation; first to radio, first to mobile phones, first base station. Taking risks is still in the DNA of this brand and I'm proud and excited to be a part of that culture and hope to push a few more firsts.

How do you do that? You listen to the consumer needs, you empathize with the common pain points, and you innovate accordingly. In 2016, I'm going to spend a lot of time in Moto labs serving the customers of this company and I also want to spend time with you, learning what you need from your phone.

More to come…

- Ashton

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Motorola’s Next Chapter as a Brand

As we work closer together, Motorola and Lenovo are aiming to streamline our overall product portfolio and focus on two product sub-brands -- Moto and Vibe (known as Le Meng in China). In the last day or so, many articles and blog posts have focused on the fact that as part of these plans, the “Motorola” company brand will become less central to our marketing. We want to add a little context that was missing from these reports.

First, and most importantly, Motorola Mobility isn’t going away. In fact, just last August Motorola Mobility assumed a much more central role in Lenovo’s smartphone business. As a wholly owned subsidiary, we remain the engineering, design and manufacturing engine for all of the Mobile Business Group’s smartphones and wearables. Motorola’s engineering heritage is hugely important to this effort, and that isn’t going to change.

But brands do have to evolve, and ours has been evolving for some time. Over the years, we have made font and color changes, and more recently we made the strategic decision to focus on “Moto” as our primary product brand. “Moto” is synonymous with Motorola, and it conveys the Motorola brand to consumers in a contemporary and engaging way. That wasn't the only thing that evolved -- the iconic batwing was static blue or red for many years, and we made it fun and colorful. That symbol, which has come to represent the “Moto” brand, continues to play a prominent role, and will remain on our products and in our marketing.

Now, as we have to think more holistically about our entire smartphone portfolio, we’ve made the decision to focus our marketing efforts on “Moto” and “Vibe” as our hero smartphone product brands globally. At the same time we are not abandoning the iconic Motorola brand. Although it will not be the focus of our marketing, it will continue to be used on packaging and elsewhere, so as to ensure that the rich history and association is never lost. The legacy and the goodwill associated with the Motorola brand will also live on through our licensees.

We also will now use the Lenovo brand to the fullest as we participate in one of the most competitive businesses in the world. Lenovo was recognized last October as one of Interbrand’s top 100 global brands. We are one of the few technology companies that can offer people a complete PC + tablet + smartphone experience and we see that as a major competitive advantage.

This latest move is all about where we focus our brand marketing efforts in the future. That will be on our two hero smartphone brands: Moto and Vibe, with the Lenovo corporate brand tying all of our consumer and commercial products together more holistically.

The Motorola legacy is near and dear to us as product designers, engineers and Motorola employees, and clearly it’s important to many of you who have had long relationships with us. We plan to continue it under our parent company, Lenovo.