Motorola: My First Android

As expected, Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) has today unveiled its first-ever smartphone based on the Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android operating system, the "Cliq," which will be introduced by T-Mobile US Inc. in the last quarter of 2009. (See Moto Intros Cliq Phone.)

It appears that Motorola has made good on co-CEO Sanjay Jha's promises to focus some of its Android efforts on making the use of social-networking apps -- such as Twitter and Facebook -- easier on the open-source operating system. (See Motorola's Android Outlook.)

The phone comes with "Motoblur" software, a "skin" that automatically synchronizes the latest from a variety of social sites and displays them on a graphic interface. It will also allow single status updates to multiple sites like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. [Ed Note: MyTwitterBook?]

The phone isn't all play, however, Motorola says it will talk business email too: In the technical specifications for the Cliq on its site, Motorola is promising that the phone will sync up with Microsoft Exchange servers, making it easier to link to Outlook email than current Google phones.

The 3G phone also boasts WiFi connectivity, a full slide-out keyboard, and a 5 megapixel camera. There is no word on pricing yet.

At first glance, the Cliq appears to be one of the most full-featured Android phones to be introduced. Analysts have continually questioned, however, how much Motorola can make its products different from the many other manufacturers using -- or planning to use -- the Android operating system. (See Android: Double-Edged Sword.)

Things should become a little clearer at the CTIA Show in October. Motorola is already promising developers that it will be able to talk more Android at that event. (See CTIA: LTE, Android & Femtos.) — Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung