Google Nexus 5: Release date, price, specs, news and rumours

Google’s Nexus devices have become the best way to experience Android as it is intended. Launched last year, the Nexus 4 was a huge success for Google.

Now, one year later stocks are running low and rumours are growing that the company is about to launch a new, slightly larger replacement: the Nexus 5. Here’s what we know… Google Nexus 5 specs Most of what we know about the Nexus 5’s specs comes thanks to its filing at the US Federal Communications Commission. According to those documents, the Google Nexus 5 will come with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, Bluetooth 4.0, wireless charging and dual-band Wi-Fi. Previous rumours had suggested that Google may opt for the slightly older and less powerful Snapdragon 600 chipset to keep prices down. Google Nexus 5 looks When rumours of a new, five-inch Nexus smartphone began emerging, they hinted it would be based upon the recently unveiled LG G2. Since then, we’ve had two glimpses of the phone. The first happened during the launch of Android KitKat. An unnamed Google employee was seen using an unannounced Nexus device to film the unveiling of the new KitKat statue. Google later pulled the video, but not before several stills were captured. Then in the middle of October, a Google engineer left a prototype Nexus 5 in a bar. The person who found the smartphone took several pictures of the device, as well as a video. It shows a device with a five-inch screen, horizontal Nexus branding – partial obscured by an ID label – and the boot screen for Android KitKat 4.4. Google Nexus 5 Android version Rumours have speculated that Google will use the Nexus 5 to debut its next version of Android, KitKat 4.4. The best evidence we have to date that the Nexus 5 will be is the video of the device left in a bar in September. That video all but confirms the device will come with Android KitKat. Whether or not it will be the device it debuts with is another question. That said, Google is likely to want to debut the new operating system with a flagship device – and the Nexus 5 fits the bill. Google Nexus 5 release date There is currently no official word on when the Nexus 5 will be unveiled, never mind launched. What we do know that Google launched the Nexus 4 in October 2012. Add to that recent hints that Google is running low on Nexus 4 stock with no plans to order more and it is no stretch of the imagination see an October launch for the Nexus 5. In addition, rumours have begun to emerge suggesting that Google is planning an event in October. While it’s currently unclear what it is for, its timing suggests that it is for the unveiling of the Nexus 5. As for when you’ll be able to get your hands on a Nexus 5? Well that we don’t know. Don’t expect it to be any later than the end of November though.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launched in India at Rs. 49,900, available September 25

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Note 3 in India for Rs. 49,900, and it will hit Indian retail shelves by September 25. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will come preloaded with support for 11 regional Indian languages. The company is also offering an introductory offer for Vodafone users, whereby customers using Vodafone 2G services will get 2GB Internet per month free for two months. The South Korean major officially unveiled the Galaxy Note 3 phablet at the sidelines of IFA 2013 in Berlin.

(Also see: Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch launched in India at Rs. 22,990)
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 5.7-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display, but weighing at 168g and 8.33m wide, is both lighter and slimmer than its predecessor.

The Galaxy Note 3 is powered by 1.9GHz octa-core processor and a 3GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel rear camera alongside 2-megapixel front camera. It is powered by 3,200mAh battery and runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The Galaxy Note 3 will be available in 32GB and 64GB variants, with the company doing away with the 16GB variant after controversy on the available storage with the Samsung Galaxy S4. Both variants come with support for up to 64GB of additional external storage.

Connectivity options on the Note 3 include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth v4.0 (LE), IR, and MHL 2.0. It comes with various sensors like Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, and Hall Sensor. The company has also added features like the My Magazine, Scrapbook, Wake-up Command, S Finder, Advanced Multi Window, Samsung Smart Switch and Action Memo.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 key specifications

• 5.7-inch full-HD display
• 2.3GHz quad-core processor or 1.9GHz octa-core processor
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB/ 64GB storage options
• 13-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth v4.0 (LE), IR, MHL 2.0

iPhone 5c price disappointment: 'Cheaper iPhone' fails to check-in

Apple unveiled two new iPhones at a special event held at its Cupertino headquarters on Tuesday. It announced iPhone 5s, successor to the iPhone 5, which comes with a lot of new features like a brand new A7 processor, the first 64-bit chip inside a smartphone, improved camera, and, the highlight of the device, a fingerprint-scanner called Touch ID.

Apple also unveiled iPhone 5c, which was widely anticipated to be the low-cost iPhone, but it turned out to be a big disappointment on that aspect. While the iPhone 5c boasts impressive hardware specifications and comes in a wide variety of colours, the key criteria for this iPhone was always going to be the price, and this is where it disappoints.

The iPhone 5c was supposed to be Apple's weapon to take on Android in at least the mid-level smartphone segment, if an entry-level pricing was never going to come to fruition. However, one look at the off-contract pricing for the iPhone 5s in various regions, and all those hopes can be put to rest.

The entry-level 16GB iPhone 5c without a contract has been priced at $549 in the US. That comes out to a whopping Rs. 35,000 at current exchange rates (1 USD = 63.65 INR) and does not include the duties and other charges that come in while pricing a product in India. If you were hoping for a sub-Rs. 25,000 pricing for the iPhone 5c in India, it's safe to say we won't see anything like that.

The pricing in other regions is even worse, with the iPhone 5c priced at 599 euros (approximately Rs. 50,500) in Germany and 469 pounds in the UK (approximately Rs. 47,000). Of course both those prices include VAT, which can be sizeable. Pricing in Hong Kong is HKD 4,688 (approximately Rs. 38,500). However, it's the pricing in China, one of two "emerging markets" - the other being India - that the iPhone 5c was said to be targeting that is really surprising. The iPhone 5c price in China is 4488 Chinese Yuan Renminbi, which works out to over Rs. 46,500, without duties or any other charges.

With just a $100 price difference between the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s, it's a little difficult to fathom why the iPhone 5c even exists. The iPhone 5c surely won't help Apple penetrate into any newer markets, and its only selling point seems to the number of colours it's available in.

It seems Apple is not willing to shed its 'premium' tag just yet, and that, more than anything else from Tuesday's event. will surely disappoint millions who were hoping to see Apple in a more 'affordable' avatar.

Apple iWatch: Price, rumours, release date and leaks

The Apple iWatch is rumoured to be in some form of production right now – we round up the news and speculation on its specs, features and potential release date 

Apple is rumoured to be developing an iWatch, which would most likely synch up with your iPhone 5 or iPad to give you updates on you’re wrist, allow you to control other devices and pull data from the cloud. The most recent development suggests that Apple is now hiring large numbers of designers and technical experts to help the company reach its goals in creating a wrist-based Apple device, the rumour comes from the Financial Times who also report that there are concerns over whether Apple has the know-how to create such a complex device to their own extreme standards. Supposedly a team of ‘about 100 product designers’ are working on the iWatch – including managers, marketers and software and hardware engineers who previously worked on the iPhone and iPad. That’s according to two people ‘familiar with the company’s plans’, which puts them in a remarkably small category. According to the two in the know, the project is ‘beyond experimentation phase in its development.’ Apple iWatch will be called....iWatch In case you were wondering, which we're sure you weren't Apple will almost certainly be calling its Smartwatch the Apple iWatch. This comes after confirmation came in that the tech giant had filed iWatch trademarks in Japan and Russia. What you may not have been expecting however is the news that Apple may not be able to call its product the iWatch in the UK, instead having to come up with a different name after it was revealed that iWatch has already been trademarked in the UK, US and in Europe. Apple iWatch price Sadly there hasn't been much talk about what Apple's iWatch will cost, but thanks to other companies jumping on the bandwagon we can get a rough idea of what the cost will be. The Sony SmartWatch 2 is set to land in September this year with a price tag of around £150, that means that if Apple applies its usual premium price tag you could be looking at between £180-£220 for your very own iWatch. With rumours circling that Nike could be launching a new Fuelband as well all eyes will be on the company that can offer the best gadget for the cheapest price. Apple iWatch features A further two informers claiming to be au fait with Apple’s various super-plans say it is experimenting with a ‘wristwatch-like device made of curved glass’,operating on iOS. The NYT notes Corning has developed bendable glass last year called Willow Glass which could be used to wrap around something wrist, and cites Forrester’s claim that “Apple’s certainly made a lot of hiring in that area”. There are also claims Apple is in discussions with Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which makes a large number of iPhone and iPad parts, about producing an iWatch. Foxconn are apparently working to make more power-efficient displays and stripping down chips, aimed at multiple Foxconn customers. This Wall Street Journal report also claims Apple has hired employees with backgrounds in sensors and related tecehnologies. Apple iTV, Siri and iCloud While many have dismissed the idea of a Apple iWatch in the past, some are coming around to the idea in think pieces. The Cult of Mac notes that recently Siri and iCloud has become massively important to Apple – and that these two technologies actually lend themselves very well to a wristwatch strategy. It also points out that it would be particularly well suited as a remote control to any TV that may be being worked on. The Apple iTV is an entire area of speculation in itself, which we’ve collated and summarised for you here.   It has also been pointed out that an iWatch wouldn’t be such a dramatic new area for Apple, since the square iPod Nano with watchstraps can act as, well, pretty much a watch with knobs on. A Blog To Watch also concurs that Siri integration will be key.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Release date, price, features and pictures

Samsung has just taken the wraps of its update to the Galaxy Note 2; with, yep you guessed it, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 -  bringing a new faux leather back, slimmer profile and almost no bezel, along with a bunch of software additions. We’ve pulled together some of the best features here, but be sure to check out our upcoming hands on: Galaxy Note 3 review.

Sporting a 5.7-inch full HD display, quad-core processor and 3GB RAM, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a true powerhouse, and it even runs the latest version of Android, 4.3 – though you will have to deal with that TouchWiz overlay. Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Features, OS and power The latest version of TouchWiz brings with it a number of added apps, including Air Command – which pops up an on-screen toggle to access quick settings and a memo pad, while the redesigned S-Note app brings a much more visually appealing look. Multitasking is improved as well, letting you use two apps at the same time – which works great with the massive screen. In terms of build quality, Samsung seems to have ditched the plastic, for the back at least. Replacing it with a faux-leather shell, this comes in a trio of colours – black, white and a blushing pink. There’s also a myriad of accessories and add-ons, like a number of colourful cases and an updated S-View cover. Powering this mammoth phablet is a quad-core processor, paired with 3GB of RAM and the option of 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, while the 3,200 mAh battery apparently adds an extra four hours of video playback over its predecessor. Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Galaxy Gear The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 works in tandem with the also announced Samsung Galaxy Gear. The Gear is essentially a watch, which extends the use of the phone onto your wrist. For more on the Gear, check out our fully stockedSamsung Galaxy Gear: Release, price, features and pictures piece. Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Release, price and the journey Pencilled in for a release date later this month in the UK, and sometime in October acorss the pond, we’ll be sure to have more on the device throughout the month. No prices were released by Samsung during the event, however we would assume it'll be priced to reflect its high-end nature and specs. As you can see from below, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has been a long time coming, churning out a huge amount of rumours along the way. Continue reading for the whole story and be sure to check out our upcoming hands on: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 review. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was all but confirmed the moment we saw the unveiling of the Galaxy Note 2 with the supersized smartphone proving to be such a success it was almost inevitable that Samsung would want to update it again. With the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and the Huawei Ascend Mate both now looking to steal some of Samsung's consumer share the Korean company will be looking to add new specs and features that will set it ahead of the competition. It's a year later and with the Samsung Galaxy S4 showing that the smartphone maker has no plans of slowing down it's about time for Samsung to unveil the next Galaxy Note 3 at IFA 2013. Rumours have pointed at everything from a completely new design language for the Galaxy smartphone range to the news that it may boast a mammoth 6.3-inch display making it just 0.7-inches smaller than the likes of the new Nexus 7 tablet. The Galaxy Note 3 UK release date will be September 16th Whilst we know the Galaxy Note 3 will be unveiled at a special event on the 4th, a leaked document from UK network Three has spilled the beans on the Galaxy Note 3's UK release date suggesting the smartphone will arrive on September 16th. Whilst it's important to take this with a pinch of salt the document does also show the release date of another as yet unannounced smartphone the Sony Xperia Z1. Samsung has almost completely confirmed the official launch date of the Galaxy Note 3 after it sent out press invites to a Samsung Unpacked 2013 event that's taking place just a few days before IFA on September 4th. The event rather handily reminded journalists to 'Note the date' almost immediately suggesting that Samsung would indeed be unveiling the latest update to their smartphone/tablet hybrid. There have also been rumours circulating that Samsung might also unveil the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smart Watch at the same event however with the Galaxy Gear still a haze of rumours we'll have to wait and see. Despite there being no official pricing for the Galaxy Note 3 we can estimate that it'll cost between £500-£600 if you take into account the current pricing of the Galaxy Note 2 along with its rivals. Galaxy Note 3 will have a Full-HD screen One of the largest clues to the specs of the Galaxy Note 3 actually came from Samsung at the Galaxy S4 launch when the company showcased an official gaming controller which would support sizes from 4-6.3-inches. Unfortunately this was then dashed when Samsung announced the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Galaxy Mega 6.3 suggesting that rather than confuse their already crowded product line-up Samsung will in fact release. Instead there have been reports that the Galaxy Note 3 will feature a flexible OLED display however these reports are completely unfounded and will more than likely turn out be untrue with Samsung instead showcasing any flexible display tech it has on the upcoming Galaxy Gear Smart Watch. SamMobile have reported that the Galaxy Note 3 might actually be one of three possible designs that Samsung has been working on with the options including a design similar to the Galaxy S4, a completely redesigned version and one with a flexible screen. Whilst SamMobile are usually better than most with their rumours it still doesn't get us any closer to knowing the final design. Making things even more interesting is @techkiddy who has shown an image of what it's claiming is a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Developer Edition sporting a completely new design to previous Galaxy smartphones. What we do know for sure is that the Galaxy Note 3 will definitely come with a Full-HD display after Samsung unwittingly revealed on its own website that not only was the Galaxy Note 3 definitely arriving but that it would also feature a 1080x1920 or higher resolution screen. It will probably come with Android 4.2 not Android 4.3  It has now become a fact of life that the moment Google unveils the latest version of Android, in this case Android 4.3, the smartphones that are launched shortly afterwards will not feature the latest version of Android. With Samsung keen to create its own version of the Android Operating System through TouchWiz it is very unlikely that the company has had time to switch the operating system over to 4.3 with most of the groundwork taking place using Android 4.2. What this means is that Samsung will likely launch the Galaxy Note 3 sporting the older version of Android but with a promise that the 4.3 OTA update will be available within the next few months. Could it be the most powerful smartphone this year.. Despite the fact that a variant of the Galaxy S4 features Samsung's ludicrously powerful Exynos 5 Octa-core processor it has been rumoured that all versions of the Galaxy Note 3 will feature the eight-core processor along with a very sustantial 3GB of RAM making it by far the most powerful smartphone to be unveiled this year. The latest news however has suggested that Samsung will replace the Exynos 5 processor with the new Snapdragon 800 processor most recently seen on the LG G2. IB Times has reported that the reasoning behind this was due to over-heating problems Samsung were having with using the Exynos 5 8-core processor, as such the company will use the Snapdragon 800 chip until a solution has been found. What appears to be more confirmed is that it'll come with a 5.99-inch screen and will sport a 13 Megapixel camera which also leads us to believe that the Galaxy Note 3 could be the first smartphone to feature Samsung's much-rumoured S Orb software which lets you take completely 360-images similar to those taken using Google's own Photo Sphere. Even more exciting is the prospect that it could be the very first smartphone to be able to record in the new ultra HD 4K format. According to the Korean Economic Daily newspaper, the tablet will feature the ability to record video in the new format, as well as capture sounds in 24-bit. One of the key differences between this years Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note 2 could be in the amount of storage you get with a rumour suggesting that Samsung will drop the 16GB version in favour of a 32GB and 64GB Galaxy Note 3 which while being great for fans could also raise the price.

Apple iPhone 5S release date, features, price and rumours When it comes to smartphones, the first few months of 2013 moved the proverbial goalposts.Android handsets flourished with Full HD screens, aluminium or glass unibodies and every feature under the sun. Apple’s iPhone 5 has been on the scene for a while now but its thunder is in danger of being stolen by the Android Army. The question we all want to know is what will Apple do next? With Cupertino updating the iPad 3 just months after releasing it, there are reports that aniPad Mini 2 or even an Apple TV could be on the way. What we know for sure though, is that the company will want to reclaim its smartphone crown. So, T3 has gathered together everything we know about the rumoured iPhone 5S. Price While we still don't have a price for the iPhone 5s, we do have a rough idea how much its budget brother, the iPhone 5c will set you back. According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 5c will retail for between £230 and £320 SIM free. Interestingly, he also believes that the iPhone 5c won't be the budget phone we're all expecting. Rather it will replace the iPhone 5, with the iPhone 5s taking up the mantle of Apple's flagship handset and the iPhone 4s becoming its true budget smartphone. Apple iPhone 5S production shots and specs News reported on 9 to 5 Mac shows what appears to be production shots and specs of the new iPhone 5S. The site says the specs and shots are unverified but "don’t seem out of the realm of possibility". According to the leaked specs, the iPhone 5S include an NFC reader, a Fingerprint Reader, a 4-inch 1136 × 640 display and a new 12 megapixel backside camera with dual LED flash. The new handset also allegedly boasts 2GB of RAM, a quad-core SGX 554MP4 GPU, an A6 CPU and improved LTE. It also has a bigger battery than its predecessor. The pictures on the site, it they are to be believed, show that the 5S has identical casing to the iPhone 5. Apple iPhone 5S casing What appears to be official images of the iPhone 5C have now appeared online courtesy of Sonny Dickson who has managed to get hands-on with what he believes is the official casing of the Apple iPhone 5C. The images show a device which takes design clues from the old iPhone 3GS whilst still boasting the new 4-inch screen size found on the iPhone 5. Another range of leaked images have poured onto the net showing brightly coloured devices reported to be the so-called iPhone Light or iPhone 5C. French website NoWhereElse posted the images that show a device which shares similar physical traits to the iPod Nano. Its exterior is said to be plastic polycarbonate and much more economical to build suggesting that Apple are aiming at a younger target market or at least consumers with less disposable income. The devices come in blue, green, yellow, red and white yet Apple unsurprisingly has remained quiet on the subject with nothing being confirmed. Leaked schematics and blueprints also report that the Light is a bit thicker and wider than the iPhone 5. With two types of chasis being leaked one could come to the conclusion that Apple might retain the same metal design for the iPhone 6 whilst the iPhone 5S will now come sporting this cheaper plastic body Up until now, Apple hasn’t strayed from the white/black colour scheme for its phones but Topeka Capital Research analyst Brian White has said he believes that along with different colours, the iPhone 5S may arrive in different sizes. This appears to be backed up by Japanese tech site Macotakara which also believes the iPhone 5S will have three extra colours added to the black or white standard. If Apple launched three models, for example with 3.5-inch, 4-inch and 5-inch screens, it would allow the company to grab both premium and budget customers. However, this could be more of a plan for the iPhone 6 with Apple surely looking to compete with the larger handsets out there like the Galaxy Note 2 and the Xperia Z Ultra. At the bare minimum, we’d expect to see a better camera (although don’t expect ultrapixels, HTC One-style) and a faster processor. Apple iPhone 5S specs When it comes to the specs of the next iPhone, at the very least we expect Apple to use the A6X chip currently found in the latest iPad. However, the latest rumours suggest Apple could be working on an A7 chip for the forthcoming iPad 5. In years gone by, Apple has previously worked with Samsung to produce processors for it's iPhone range. But, given the recent legal tussels between the two companies, many speculate that Apple will want to distance itself from the Korean company. Some rumours have hinted at an Intel chip being included in the next iteration of the iPhone. Some purported images of iPhone 5S prototypes appear to show a change in the hardware configuration that suggests Apple is moving things around to make space for a bigger battery or extra features such as NFC. Apple famously decided to withhold NFC for the iPhone 5 and since both theSamsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy S4 have arrived toting the new connectivity, Apple may want to incorporate it this time around. Recent reports from Taiwan and tech website NFC World indicate that manufacturer Chipbond has won a major contract to build components for the iPhone 5S - including NFC. What's more, other rumours suggest that Apple will go further and include a fingerprint scanner in the iPhone 5S, adding in extra security. In terms of storage, there is the strong possibility of Apple launching a new phone with 128GB storage – similar to the latest iPad upgrade. Meanwhile Jeffries analyst Peter Misek told Business Insider that he believes the iPhone 5S will feature a “Super HD screen” along with a range of colours similar to the iPod Touch range. Considering all the top Android handsets feature Full HD displays, we reckon its unlikely Apple will launch the iPhone 5S with anything less than a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. Apple iPhone 5S budget model While every iteration of the iPhone thus far has improved on the specifications of the previous model, plenty of internet airtime is being devoted to the rumour that Apple has a budget version of the iPhone 5S in the pipeline. Many have suggested that the budget iPhone (or iPhone Light) could even become a new Apple product line in its own right, stepping out from the established iPhone canon in the same was as the iPad mini did from the original iPad. Hard facts on the statistics of a budget iPhone are hard to come by. However, the suggestion is that it will feature a 4-inch screen and a plastic chassis - with a design similar to the iPod Touch with speaker grills, a headphone socket and Lightning port at the bottom. Still in keeping with the iPod Touch comparison, Apple is rumoured to be readying the budget iPhone to launch in five different colours and some have speculated we may see it as soon as September. The clearest evidence yet that Apple is manufacturing this new device is a video posted on YouTube by a user called DetroitBORG who appears to have got hold of a prototype: Apple iPhone 5S camera It’s well known that one of the key battlegrounds of smartphone warfare is the specifications of the on-board camera. The Sony Xperia Z and Galaxy S4 arrived sporting 13MP cameras while HTC upset the apple cart by including a 4MP “ultrapixel” camera into its HTC One handset. Apple has consistently upped the camera specs in each of its models and its no stretch to think that the company will do the same for the iPhone 5S. According to iLounge, Cupertino isn’t planning to go down the HTC route and will instead launch the 5S with a 13MP camera – putting it in league with the Sony and Samsung handsets. Of course, hardware is only half the story and if Apple can come up with some killer in-house apps to take advantage of the camera in new ways it will give them a good start on the competition. Apple iPhone 5S pictures A few interesting pictures have leaked out onto the web regarding the iPhone 5S. One of the first to emerge was the back of an unspecified type of iPhone that was leaked to Nowhereelse.fr. There’s not much to go on here, but – as expected – the casing and design looks almost identical to the iPhone 5. Tellingly though, the serial numbers underneath the iPhone moniker aren’t listed. While it would certainly fit with the design of the current iPhone it doesn't yet confirm whether the 5S will come in a range of colours - much like it did with the iPod Touch - or whether the company will simply stick to the black/white variants. This second image (pictured at the start of this article) apparently shows stripped-down iPhone 5S casing next to a current iPhone 5 teardown image. The snap was initially uploaded to iPhone4Parts and looks very similar to Apple’s current design – except with a few screws lost along the way. Other leaked images have focused on the new (and still rumoured) champagne gold iPhone 5s option. Some of the latest images show the champagne gold option with the rumoured dual-flash. Apple iPhone 5S release date We now have an official invitation from Apple, that seems to all-but-confirm the existence of the new iPhone 5s. A white background plastered with coloured dots invites us all to come and see something on September 10th that will "brighten everyone's day". The different coloured dots appear to indicate we could be seeing multiple colours of a new iPhone, although it could be referring to the Apple iPhone 5c that Apple is rumoured to be releasing on the same day. Watch our iPhone 5S video below for more on the latest Apple smartphone.

Moto X specs: reviews, price and release date

The Moto X has finally launched. Check out the official specs, price and release date right here

The Moto X specs, release date and prices have been officially announced at an event in New York.

The Moto X’s headline specs include a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED 1280x720 pixel screen with a
glass coating that wraps around the sides.

The processor onboard is a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 and the device will feature 2GB RAM. Moto has included dedicated Natural Language Processing and ‘contextual computing’ cores. Bizarrely, the Moto X launched on Android 4.2.2 - so much for Google giving Motorola preferential treatment. 

Inside, there will be 16GB internal storage (12GB user-accessible), but no microSD card for expansion, which will come as a disappointment to many who like to hot-swap SD cards. Around the back, there’s the much talked about 10.5-megapixel camera with Moto’s Clear Pixel technology, while a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera offers an option for video-calling and self-portraits.

There’s a 2200 mAh battery that Motorola says will keep going for 24 hours, which sounds a little ambitious in our view.

The device, which will be a US-only launch will be made in the US and marketed in the US. It will cost $199 (£130).

20 Aug 2013

Motorola has announced it will be removing the custom engraving option for the Moto X due to 'quality concerns'. According to Computer World's JR Raphael on Google+, 'Custom engraving won't be available on the Moto X at launch. During beta testing, the company determined the quality of the printing wasn't meeting its standards and decided to pull the plug on it for now. Spokesperson tells me they hope to work out the kinks and start offering the option to consumers soon.' 

Moto X Specs

SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (MSM8960Pro) 1.7 GHz Motorola X8 System (SoC+NLP Processor+Contextual Processor)
Display	4.7-inch AMOLED (RGB) 1280x720
RAM	2GB LPDDR2
WiFi	802.11a/b/g/n/ac, BT 4.0
Storage	16 GB standard, 32 GB online, 2 years 50 GB Google Drive
I/O	microUSB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone, NFC, Miracast
OS	Android 4.2.2
Battery	2200 mAh, 3.8V, 8.36 Whr
Size / Mass	65.3 x 129.3 x 5.6-10.4 mm, 130 grams
Camera	10 MP Clear Pixel (RGBC) with 1.4µm pixels Rear Facing 2 MP 1080p Front Facing
Price	$199 (16 GB), $249 (32 GB) on 2 year contract

Touchless Control allows you to control your Moto X using your own voice commands. Like Google Glass, it will learn what you sound like. As previously rumoured, the Moto X can be completely customised to meet your taste.

You can customise the device via Moto Maker, allowing you to change the colour, rear, style, texture, engraving, anything. This feature is an AT&T exclusive for now, however, with other US networks having to settle for the basic black and white versions. Moto also confirmed a vast array of accessories that will launch alongside the Moto X.

Motorola has released a series of promo videos detailing some of the Moto X's features. Check out Moto Maker, the Always-on Google Now functionality, and Quick Capture below: 

Moto Maker explained

Here’s the official line from Motorola on Moto Maker: 

‘Your Moto X is truly yours, because you design it. Through our online studio, Moto Maker, you choose the colors, and decide on the details: front, back, accents, memory, wallpapers, even add a name or a short message. When you’re done, we assemble your Moto X right here in the USA and ship it to you for free in 4 days or less.

‘Choose from more than 2,000 possible combinations, with more to come. We’ll be constantly exploring new offerings, such as real wood backs, starting later in the year. Still love the classics? You can choose an eye-catching woven black or woven white model right in the store.’

Moto X: Always-on demo

The Moto X is designed to be the first handset to have truly always-on functionality, whereby you can access the phone via saying – Okay, Google Now – even when it is asleep.

This always-on functionality is made possible by Motorola’s new X8 chipset, which features two bespoke cores atop Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chipset. These ‘cores’ are plugged directly into the Moto X’s sensors and are specially designed to understand your voice and interpret your surroundings.

Check out Always-on in action below:

Moto X Quick Capture video

The Moto X features a 10-megapixel Clear Pixel (RGBC with 1.4µm pixels) camera that can be quickly accessed via a twist of the wrist. Motorola calls this Quick Capture, and you can see it in action below:

The only downside to all this is that there's no word on whether or not the Moto X will be coming to the UK. So far it's looking like a US-only launch. 

• Moto X review roundup: under-specced and overpriced

The Moto X is pretty much what we were expecting, tallying up almost exactly with the wealth of leaks and speculation we've seen in the past week or so, but we haven't had the chance to get our hands on it yet, so click over the page to see what our brothers in the US thought about the device when they were able to get their greasy fingers on it.