(the bad) $199 on contract, $575 off contract, locked bootloader, customizing/32gb AT&T only, bloat

[benhmadison]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

I don't know while I think people like us here on this forum look at specs and say no thanks I think there is a huge portion of the population that loves aesthetics and gimmicky software so I bet the customization will pull in a lot of people. There are a lot of people who buy iphones purely because they have the look. At least it would pull people into a more stock android experience. It's a mainstream phone not an enthusiast phone and most people don't even know what ppi is.

I completely agree and it's obvious what Moto is trying to do with this device. They want to make it appealing to the casual iphone type consumers who are drawn in by colors or what their friends have. The problem in my opinion is I really don't see any of the casual market they are aiming for being drawn to a device priced the same as the iphone. Forget full retail for a moment (power users like us are really the only ones that even pay attention to full retail) if they had priced this at 99 bucks with a 2 year and allowed the customization for ALL CARRIERS from the first day of availability, I think they could have really penetrated the market they were looking to reach. I think it would have also been a good idea to spend some of that 500 million on customization kiosks to put in carrier retail stores where the customer can interactively design their phone right their in the store and have it shipped to their door 4 days later. I think the idea in general behind this device was good but I think that between pricing and carrier exclusives they may see it tank compared to expectations.

 

[cgardnervt]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

I completely agree and it's obvious what Moto is trying to do with this device. They want to make it appealing to the casual iphone type consumers who are drawn in by colors or what their friends have. The problem in my opinion is I really don't see any of the casual market they are aiming for being drawn to a device priced the same as the iphone. Forget full retail for a moment (power users like us are really the only ones that even pay attention to full retail) if they had priced this at 99 bucks with a 2 year and allowed the customization for ALL CARRIERS from the first day of availability, I think they could have really penetrated the market they were looking to reach. I think it would have also been a good idea to spend some of that 500 million on customization kiosks to put in carrier retail stores where the customer can interactively design their phone right their in the store and have it shipped to their door 4 days later. I think the idea in general behind this device was good but I think that between pricing and carrier exclusives they may see it tank compared to expectations.

Well said.

 

[mech1164]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

There is a lot of hate going towards Motorola right now and all of it quite valid. The biggest blunder was the cpu. I get where they want this to be a Flagship device. Many of the software and low power innovations are. Where they screwed the pooch was in the pricing, exclusivity to ATT and CPU. If they had either priced it as a midrange with by all respects it is. That would have seen sales soar. Then that darn exclusivity with ATT. Yes, Yes, we know it's only probably a month. That said, that month is crucial for them. To go and hamstring themselves this way is atrocious. Then with that CPU. anyway you cut it they scrimped here to save money. Granted it doesn't have to work as hard with those extra dsp's. That won't save it a year from now when the performance needs are greater. They could have saved themselves a world of **** hurt by putting in an S600. Even if they didn't need to have all the cores at this time. They could have still run them like the dual core. Then after a year if need be open the cpu cores to full to keep pace. People would have been happy knowing that for the 2 years they would have the phone it would still be great. As it is now that is a very very big question.

 

[RenoD2010]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

I get where they want this to be a Flagship device.

Actually, from what I've read, this was never intended to be promoted as a flagship device. I think as a business, Googarolla is trying to gain marketshare in the same way the original Kindle Fire and original Wii did: adequate specs, good price and something unique (i.e. 7" screen/Amazon integration and motion controllers for the Wii).

The X got one and three but seems to have fumbled No. 2.



From my LG Optimus G E970 using AC Forums mobile app.

 

[ultravisitor]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

Actually, from what I've read, this was never intended to be promoted as a flagship device.

I've read in several places that the intent with this phone was for it to be the flagship of the new Motorola. And hell, just yesterday they announced that lower priced X products would be on the way.

 

[iOS Gravity]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

Moto should have released it last year to compete with the S3.

 

[philly]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

People keep saying "the average consumer doesn't care about specs".. I disagree.

for example, I don't consider myself a washer machine fanatic. But before I buy one I am going to check the web for information about it from people that do know about them before I buy one.

I don't think I am the only one that researches major purchases online before buying, and someone who doesn't care as much as the average forum user, is still going to see that this phone is 199 and midrange specs if they read basically anything about it in any article, from any site.

 

[RenoD2010]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

I've read in several places that the intent with this phone was for it to be the flagship of the new Motorola. And hell, just yesterday they announced that lower priced X products would be on the way.

Lol. I give up. Can't keep track of all the reports. I'll just stay away from this topic until the 7th.

From my LG Optimus G E970 using AC Forums mobile app.

 

[TechTinker]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

On Amazon off contract, verizon atleast the GS3 is about 550. And the bootloaders are unlockable except on att and verizon, and theirs also devolper editions for all you nerds. jk. And the only thing gimicky on the phone is the camera twist, yet that'll probably be used unlike all the smart pause, scrolls, and ect on the gs4.
And everyone saying off-contract should've been Nexus 4 Playstore like, their actually losing money on that I think, but google is paying to make that happen. Honestly if you expected the Moto X to be say $200-300 off-contract, you're lying to yourself.

 

[philly]

Re: $199 on contract, customizing *and* 32gb is AT&T only

On Amazon off contract, verizon atleast the GS3 is about 550. And the bootloaders are unlockable except on att and verizon, and theirs also devolper editions for all you nerds. jk. And the only thing gimicky on the phone is the camera twist, yet that'll probably be used unlike all the smart pause, scrolls, and ect on the gs4.
And everyone saying off-contract should've been Nexus 4 Playstore like, their actually losing money on that I think, but google is paying to make that happen. Honestly if you expected the Moto X to be say $200-300 off-contract, you're lying to yourself.

I only care about on contract price, and this phone should be $99.