Motorola introduces Google Android phone
The new social networking smartphone called Motorola Cliq launched Thursday and carries the hope of capturing the Facebook generation to boost the struggling Schaumburg-based communications company.
Cliq includes the new MotoBlur system that offers a one-fingertap means of accessing and communicating through social networking sites, including Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. A second device is expected to debut in coming weeks, said Melissa Gardner, vice president of Motorola's product marketing in Libertyville, the headquarters for the Mobile Devices business.
"We're looking to develop a portfolio of other products," she said.
But will Cliq become a much-needed hit? Will it help boost Motorola the way the ultrathin Razr did a few years ago?
Analysts weren't convinced Thursday after seeing the smartphone's debut at a trade show in San Francisco.
"It's nothing special," said Jane Zweig, CEO of Columbia, Md.,-based The Shosteck Group, which follows the wireless industry. "It's heavier and clunkier than other phones. Is this going to pull people off the street and into a T-Mobile store? I don't think so. I don't think it has the 'wow' factor that Motorola thinks it does."
On Thursday, Motorola's co-CEO Sanjay Jha introduced Cliq handset, built on the Google Inc. Android platform, which even includes its own GPS tracking system if it's lost or stolen.
T-Mobile will have exclusive rights to provide service when the phone becomes available later this year in white and titanium gray. The same phone will also be available in Europe and Latin America just in the gray. No specific date or price was available.
Jha said during his keynote address, which was Webcast, that wireless broadband soon will become the primary access to the Internet and to social networking sites. That's why the Android platform will provide the best solution for those who want an instant connection with friends and family or even work, he said.
"With MotoBlur we are differentiating the Android experience for consumers by delivering a unique mobile device experience designed around the way people interact today," Jha said to industry professionals and analysts.
The long-awaited line allows users one tap of a finger to reply to messages, to slide out a full keyboard and to send messages to individual networking sites or multiple sites simultaneously.
MotoBlur provides all conversation threads, friend updates, stories, links, photos automatically delivered to live widgets on the home screen. There is no need to open and close different applications or menus, Jha said.
The smartphones also carry their own GPS tracking device. So it can be more easily found if they are lost or stolen.
When it is recovered, users can more easily restore their customized settings with a new password since the data would be stored on servers, Jha said.
Neither Motorola or T-Mobile provided specifics on exactly when the smartphone would be available or its price.
Cole Brodman, chief technology innovation officer for T-Mobile USA, also was with Jha for the launch.
"This starts the next chapter of Android," Brodman said during the Webcast.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://mediacenter.motorola.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=11800&NewsAreaID=22">Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR Fact Sheet </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>