Motorola unveils new smartphones and wearables

Motorola's new devices include an updated Moto X and a smartwatch called Moto 360

The future of Motorola's smartphone business, which was sold by Google to  Chinese computer technology company Lenovo for nearly $3 billion earlier this year, is kind of up in the air right now. It is likely that Lenovo will continue to manufacture Motorola phones; I mean, that's why someone buys a brand like that. But, honestly, maybe it will lose some of its luster simply being a division of another company.

Whatever happens, no one can say that Motorola is going quietly. The company wants you, and everyone else, to know that it still has many tricks up its sleeve.

Motorola has announced a slew of new products, including two new smartphones, a smart watch and a new wireless earbud, on Friday.

The first new phone is an updated Moto X, which now has a curved metal frame, 5.2” Full HD display, and "authentic materials" that include FSC certified woods and genuine Horween leather casings. It will also feature enhanced voice control.

The coolest new feature seems is the ability of Moto X to learn user preferences and adapts to them. Maybe what we think of as a "smart" phone will actually become smart.

The new Moto X will cost $499.99 and will be available in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia starting later this month. The phone will be available for as low as $99.99 with a new two-year customer agreement on select carriers in the US. 

The second new phone is the updated Moto G, which now comes with a 5” HD display, along with stereo sound, an all-day battery, quad-core speed, the latest Android OS, and the ability to customize the phone with Motorola Shells.

It will come unlocked and cost $179.99 both on and off contract. It is going on sale today in India, France, UK, Brazil, Spain, and on motorola.de in Germany. The new Moto G will be available in more than a dozen countries by the end of this year.

In addition to the new phones, Motorolo is unveiling a new wearable as well, called the Moto 360, which it calls a  "classically-designed, modern timepiece powered by Android Wear." The smart watch will give users updates, and will also keep track of their steps and even let them know their heart rate with a built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor.

Moto 360 will be available in black leather and a limited edition gray leather with suede finish in the US today starting on Friday at noon EST. It will cost $249.99 on motorola.com, Google Play, and through Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com.

Motorola has also developed a brand new wireless earbud called Moto Hint. Costing $149.99, the device, which will be released sometime this fall, "gives you complete control of your phone and allows you to access everything you need by just using your voice." It allows users to get all kinds of information, including directions, to weather forecasts, while never touching their phones.

And, finally, Motorlo is now selling new portable battery, called the Power Pack Micro, which will serve as a backup for a dead phone battery. It also includes Motorola Keylink, which is a phone and key finder. It will cost $39.99 and goes on sale on Friday.

So there you have it. Which of these new devices makes you most excited?

(Image source: motorola-blog.blogspot.com)