Motorola Unveils 'DEXT' Android Smartphone

Author	Gordon Kelly
Published	11th Sep 2009

Motorola Unveils 'DEXT' Android Smartphone

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The great Motorola Android smartphone unveiling wasn't meant to happen until next week...

Still, clearly Motorola likes to spoil its own surprises because late last night it decided to quietly launch its first Google Android based handset: the 'Dext' or (to confuse everyone) the 'Cliq', as it will be known in the US.

The Dext is (thankfully) a lot different the previously leaked Motorola Android handset we saw last month (though that could still come) and carries a rather nice spec list. A 3.1in 320 x 640 pixel capacitive touchscreen display, HSDPA, WiFi, GPS, a 5MP camera with autofocus and Facebook, Picasa, Photobucket and MySpace integration (no Flickr?), accelerometer and 3.5mm headphone jack. On the hardware side the only snags were no mention of the internal memory (though there is a 32GB compatible microSD expansion slot) and the choice of the Qualcomm MSM7201a chipset which is nothing out of the ordinary (certainly no flyer like the A8 Cortex in the iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre).

That said, where the magic really happens is in the software. Much like HTC Sense, Motorola has taken the time to customise the Android v1.5 OS at its core to create 'MotoBlur' which brings live messages, contact information and content "regardless of source" directly to the homescreen. The idea is to make the handset as much a social handset as a smart one, the company claims. Like HTC Sense, the Dext/Cliq will be just the first Android MotoBlur handset with it forming the core for the next generation of Motorola handsets.

Pricing and availability have yet to be revealed, but I shouldn't think we'll have to wait long. Is this enough to save Motorola? It's certainly a large step in the right direction...

In related news Two more Motorola Android handsets have been leaked. Codenamed the MB200 and MB300, they are also Qwerty sliders like the Dext and feature HSDPA and WiFi. Little else is known other than the MB200 is said to have a 320 x 480 resolution touchscreen and VGA camera - which suggests they will be more budget orientated models. Perhaps there will be something to announce on 15 September after all...

Links:
Press Release
MB200 & MB300 via CellPassion.com

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Helmore said on 11th September 2009

There was a launch event on the 10th of September in the US. That is where they unveiled this phone. They will probably still have something new to announce on the 15th though, so ... more

drdark said on 11th September 2009

Apart from the HTC Sense UI making the Hero a bit sluggish, I'd say it looks way better than that MotoBlur. Again, just initial impression, but I hate that weird confusing "co... more