Tag Archives: customization

Meet Moto X, the smartphone designed by you and assembled in the USA

August 3, 2013News, Technology, Videocell phones, customization, Google, Moto Maker, Moto X, Motorola, personalization, specifications, specsScott Meisner

On top of the three new Droids detailed last week, Motorola–a Google company!–dropped another new smartphone into consumers’ laps. While the 2013 Droids are Verizon Wireless exclusives, the newly announced Moto X is coming to all major U.S. carriers. What also sets the Moto X apart from its cousins is that it’s highly customizable in the looks department. Motorola is developing a website called Moto Maker that will allow customers to personalize their handsets before ordering them. Specifically, prospective buyers will be able to select from a wide range of colors to paint the back plate and accents of the phone; Moto claims over 2,000 combinations are possible. The front plate, meanwhile, can be made black or white. Additionally you can add a signature to the back of the device. Internally, you can customize the memory (16GB or 32GB) and even set a personal wake-up message and wallpaper before it ships to your door. Before checkout, you can also choose a case, matching headphones by Sol Republic, and a wall charger featuring two USB ports to boot.

Sadly, yes, there is one catch. All of this exciting customization (as well as the option to upgrade memory to 32GB) through Moto Maker is exclusive to AT&T customers. Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular customers will have to choose from a stock black or white handset. Lame! Since Moto X’s specs and Android functionalities are so similar to that of the 2013 Droids’, the Moto Maker personalization is this device’s major selling point. The fact that it won’t be available to all carriers is downright disappointing.

The Moto X sports a 4.7 inch AMOLED 720p (316 ppi) display and is powered by Android 4.2.2 running on Motorola’s X8 mobile computing system. There’s a 10MP shooter on the rear and a 2MP front-facing one and they both support 1080p video capture. A 2200mAh battery promises “mixed usage” up to 24 hours. The most fascinating bit about the Moto X’s design is that it’s the first smartphone to be wholly manufactured in the United States. After you customize your phone through Moto Maker, it will be shipped to you within four days direct from an assembly line in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Software-wise, the latest version of Android Jelly Bean brings the following to Moto X: Touchless Control (say “Ok Google Now…” to wake up the device and perform a function), Active Display (the device will intermittently reveal important information (i.e. the time, new notifications) without you having to press to the wake up button), and Quick Capture (with two twists of your wrist you can access the camera to shoot stills or video).

Moto X is coming to the US, Canada, and Latin America in late August/early September at $199. AT&T subscribers can upgrade to a 32GB model for an extra $50. Click after the break to watch the Moto Maker experience and see the Moto X in action. Continue reading Meet Moto X, the smartphone designed by you and assembled in the USA →

Twitter embraces filters, more profile personalization

December 12, 2012News, Technologycustomization, filters, personalization, photo filters, profile page, social network, Twitter, Twitter profile pageScott Meisner

Twitter is imitating its competition–namely Instagram, duh!–by giving its users the ability to place a variety of filters on top of photos. At launch a total of eight filters, “ranging from black & white to vintage,” are available to play around with. You can see how each filter affects a single image at once, or you can swipe through each one full-size. In addition to filters, the latest update to the app also brings auto-enhance and cropping for photographers looking to tweak their images on the go. Download Twitter in the App Store and Google Play today.

In related news, the character-limiting social networking company is introducing a new way to further personalize your profile page. Since Twitter’s inception users have been able to upload a profile picture and a background image for desktop tweeters to see. Now there’s a third option thrown into the mix: header photos. Now you can choose an image to display on your profile page that exists above your timeline and behind your profile picture. If you choose not to upload one, a static grey rectangle will house your profile picture, name, handle, about info, location, and website. To add a header photo, go to Settings, Profile. Once put in place, like your profile picture it will be viewable on mobile devices as well as the desktop interface. This was initially introduced in September, but as of December 12 it has rolled out to all users. So have at it!

Jump after the break to view two cartoony clips that explore Twitters new announcements.

[Via Twitter 1, 2] Continue reading Twitter embraces filters, more profile personalization →

Google makes homepage customizable with background images

June 10, 2010News, Technologybackground, background image, customization, Google, Google homepage, personalizationScott Meisner

You may have noticed the addition of a new link in the bottom left-hand corner of Google’s homepage. Last week Google introduced the ability to customize the background of its homepage, “making your search experience more relevant, useful and fun through personalization.” Put another way, they must have picked up on the success of competitor Bing’s background offerings and decided to give its users a similar option. You can set your background image from your computer, your own Picasa Web Album, or a public gallery hosted by Picasa after logging into your Google account. Now that the feature has rolled out internationally, Google feels the need to “inspire” its users to personalize by featuring a selection of well-known artists, sculptors and photographers on all Google homepages for the next 24 hours. The collection includes works from Dale Chihuly, Jeff Koons, Tom Otterness, Polly Apfelbaum, Kengo Kuma (隈研吾), Kwon, Ki-soo (권기수) and Tord Boontje, and photos from Yann Arthus-Bertrand and National Geographic. Inspired yet?

Update: Google took down the featured images earlier than expected. Hello good ol’ minimalism.

[Via GoogleBlog, here & here]

Customize your home page with Fav4

February 28, 2010News, Technologybrowser, customization, Fav4, home page, Internet, start-up home pageScott Meisner

The concept is simple, really, but the value is great. Fav4 was created to give you the ability to customize your browser’s home page with the top four websites you visit most often. The default is Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, and Twitter, but you can easily pick from a long list of other sites. The setup and interface couldn’t be simpler. Head over to Fav4.org, choose your top four sites and arrange their order, and click save. Once that’s done, go to your Internet options and make Fav4.org your start-up home page. Now every time you open your browser your top four Internet destinations will be waiting for you as large, visually snazzy icons. You’re welcome.

[Via NYTimes Bits Twitter; Gizmodo]

kidrobot x Tremonto MUNNY Lightbot

February 26, 2010Design, Imagescustomization, dolls, kidrobot, Marcus Tremonto, MUNNYs, toysScott Meisner

Designer Marcus Tremonto has teamed up with designer toy store and apparel manufacturer kidrobot to create a collection of MUNNY Lightbots. MUNNYs are kidrobot’s customizable collectible dolls. By adding colorful materials to the dolls Tremonto has managed to customize the MUNNYs in a variety of ways. Some are puking rainbows (see above), while others are peeing concentric circles and donned with eye shields and laser swords. Check ’em all out in the gallery below. The MUNNY Lightbots are on sale at the kidrobot store in Soho, NYC. Each doll is signed by Tremonto, numbered, and is packaged in a custom box. kidrobot is well known for exclusives that ran out fast and are gone forever. So if you’re interested in one of these guys, I’d make it to the store on the double. (Tremonto is the same guy behind the carbon fiber lamp.)

[Via InventorSpot; Gizmodo]

PS3 Slim dipped in 24K gold (you know you want one)

December 9, 2009Design, Images, TechnologyComputer Choppers, customization, gold, Playstation 3, PS3, PS3 SlimScott Meisner

The customization pros at Computer Choppers have completed their latest creation with the 24-karat gold Playstation 3 Slim. Only 5 models have been made. Though pricing details have not been shared yet, expect this baby to be a fortune; 24-karat gold iPhones start at $1,399!

[Via Gizmodo; HotBloodedGaming]

Colorware your gadgets

July 7, 2009Images, Style, TechnologyApple MacBook, colorware, customization, Dre Beats, headphones, MacBookScott Meisner

Colorware allows you to send in your favorite gadgets and pay a premium to customize them to your heart’s content. Seen above is the “Stealth Macbook Pro” ($5999) and a customized pair of Dre Beats headphones ($249). You can customize phones, computers, MP3 players, TVs, video game consoles, and more. All customization is done online. You are given the option of sending in your own product or purchasing the product with Colorware and have them customize and ship it to you within 2-4 weeks. Too cool, too pricey.

[Via Colorware; KanyeBlog; Gizmodo]