Moto X Google Play Edition coming soon

According to sources from The Verge, the Motorola Moto X will be hitting the Play Store later this year as a Google Play edition device, running stock Android. We know this is what the Android faithful have demanded in the past from manufacturers like HTC or Samsung who typically use heavily skinned versions of Android to get their point across — but the Moto X? Really?

From the looks of it, the Moto X is running a near-stock version of Android as-is. The only differences being the super handy Google Glass-like voice commands, camera app, and some carrier bloatware. While we could definitely live without the extra bloatware, Motorola’s minimal camera UI and voice actions are kinda what sets the device apart from others.

Of course, it’s also possible voice actions will still make it into the build ala Beats Audio in the HTC OneGoogle Play edition. Pricing, while yet to be determined, could hit a Nexus-like price point despite the device selling on AT&T for $575 (16GB), $630 (32GB) full retail. You may remember we saw something similar back when the Nexus 4 was being offered outside of the Play Store. I’m still holding onto hope

Samsung Galaxy Note 3, smart watch launching early September?

Now that the Moto X is out of the way, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with draw the attention of Android fans everywhere as we hope for a phone that lives up to the hype of its predecessors. A new reports says we won’t have to wait long. Samsung is apparently preparing a big launch event for September 4th to showcase not only the latest in their line of high-end phablets but also a smart watch device.

This would throw the Galaxy Note 3 into a crowded period of smartphone releases, including the Moto X, Motorola and Verizon’s redressed Droids, and the imminent launch of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. The smart watch, on the other hand, would be a different beast entirely.

Chances are if they launch side-by-side, Samsung will be touting some sort of symbiotic relationship between the two. Other rumors floating around about the Galaxy Note 3 include the presence of a 5.7-inch 1080p display and 13MP camera. The Note 3 is also expected to launch (in some markets, at least) with Samsung’s latest generation Exynos processor.

[via Asiae.co.kr]