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[Q] Some basics I need covered :)

Hi,
So I'm new to Android, and I've only had a Nexus 7 for a week (I sold it) which I rooted and had some custom roms for.
I wanted the Xperia Z, but it's shape is too square and thus bulky. I like that this Razr HD is a bit water resistant, has excellent battery, the keflav back, and is a less cumbersome size.
But- i'm concerned as this device isn't one of the more popular. Does this mean i will have to wait much longer for upgrades even if rooted? And less support in future? could some apps not run/be designed for this device?
Basically- Im someone who keeps their phone for ages. Im still using a jailbroken 3GS happily. As much as i dont like apple- its good that i can always run the latest OS...
Just wanted thoughts on all this. Cheers

ycon said:
Hi,
So I'm new to Android, and I've only had a Nexus 7 for a week (I sold it) which I rooted and had some custom roms for.
I wanted the Xperia Z, but it's shape is too square and thus bulky. I like that this Razr HD is a bit water resistant, has excellent battery, the keflav back, and is a less cumbersome size.
But- i'm concerned as this device isn't one of the more popular. Does this mean i will have to wait much longer for upgrades even if rooted? And less support in future? could some apps not run/be designed for this device?
Basically- Im someone who keeps their phone for ages. Im still using a jailbroken 3GS happily. As much as i dont like apple- its good that i can always run the latest OS...
Just wanted thoughts on all this. Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official upgrades for android devices are at the whim of the manufacturer and the carrier unless we're talking about a nexus device which gets updates directly from Google. On Verizon updates typically take longer to come out due to what they say is extensive testing, but recently they've been better about it imo. Unofficial updates are governed by the amount and quality of developers on that particular device. For moto phones we have a nice core of developers that keep us up to date. Now that the newest moto phones have had their bootloaders unlocked, development has really picked up. The development scene on Android is a lot different and more complicated then the Apple side. Due to the amount of high end android devices that are released every year the development scene moves pretty quickly. That isn't to say older devices aren't dev'd for but it is a possibility to consider. In the moto world devices as far back as the droid 3 are still actively supported. Many of us started out with moto and have never left.
Don't worry about the apps. Unless the device falls really behind in the os version all apps will be supported. It's not like apple where if your phone doesn't have the latest update a third of the apps don't work. There are apps coded specifically for features only available on the latest Android version but those are very few due to people wanting to make money lol.
sent from my xt926 RAZR maxx hd

Cheers for that really helpful response.
It all seems pretty good to me with app compatibility.
So- if I understand correctly, if I unlock the bootloader & root my phone, I wont have to rely on Moto/my carrier for the OS updates?
Are there any other general things I should know before saying no to more mainstream (GS4) device?
Cheers

ycon said:
Cheers for that really helpful response.
It all seems pretty good to me with app compatibility.
So- if I understand correctly, if I unlock the bootloader & root my phone, I wont have to rely on Moto/my carrier for the OS updates?
Are there any other general things I should know before saying no to more mainstream (GS4) device?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes to your first question. Technically you would only need root to stop carrier updates but none of the new roms are being developed for locked devices.
Firstly know that the HD has basically the same innards as the gs3 except with 1gb less ram and a less impressive camera. The two monster phones out/coming out right now are the gs4 and the HTC one with a new nexus hopefully out soon. The gs4 represents some of the best hardware available (with newer still coming out later this year) and will have a lot of Dev focus. Out of those 3 phones Verizon will only be getting the gs4 most likely. In terms of what phone to get I would say you need to physically handle each before making a decision. If you must be on Verizon then the gs4 would be a great choice but some people don't like the build materials and feel of the phone (similar to gs3). People sticking with moto appreciate the solid feel, excellent materials, amazing radio strength, and battery life.
sent from my xt926 RAZR maxx hd

koftheworld;4080229The gs4 represents some of the best hardware available (with newer still coming out later this year) and will have a lot of Dev focus. Out of those 3 phones Verizon will only be getting the gs4 most likely. In terms of what phone to get I would say you need to physically handle each before making a decision. If you must be on Verizon then the gs4 would be a great choice but some people don't like the build materials and feel of the phone (similar to gs3). People sticking with moto appreciate the solid feel said:
Cheers for that. I am not on Verizon (I'm in Australia), I'll buy the phone unlocked.
I have had a look at the GS4, HTC One and Razr all together.
The GS4 is my favourite in terms of size, but I'd rather sacrifice the power (Quad core) for the longer battery, better call reception, stronger build, and lower price of the Razr HD.
I might jsut have to wait for the new Nexus phone to come out. I've heard Google will be subsidizing it, so the price might be right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I guess development is dead?

I guess this phone is not what everyone wants it to be. Exposed and Gravity Box can only do so much for a crack flasher.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Actually xposed provides just about everything any custom rom does. BTW, you posted in the wrong section.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

tecsironman said:
I guess this phone is not what everyone wants it to be. Exposed and Gravity Box can only do so much for a crack flasher.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What improvements would you like to see? Request and maybe someone will be up for the challenge. Maybe not to create an entire ROM, but flashable zips at the least.

Most of the stuff I do is with gravity box. Most of the info and apk files are in the forums. I was just curious
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I came from the Vivid, where I was used to flashing something every other day too, so I know the pain of your withdrawals! I'm not sure battery life can be pushed too much farther on this thing though, and there isn't really any issues to fix. Once 4.4.3 appears I'm sure there will be people porting it.

The biggest problem from the start was people saying the stock OS was perfect and didn't need more than what exposed modules could do. Also this phone has 2 major stock apps that are loved by most touch less control and active notifications. For me that is a deal breaker in a custom ROM. Development is driven by want if the majority of people don't want custom ROMs why build them.

At this point just having root would be like winning a lottery with 4.4, and of course 4.4.2 would be nice as long as it's rootable as well. I got no real issues with the phone itself (the Droid Mini), and I have to admit I'm just sick and tired of dealing with custom ROMs (been doing that for over a decade now on 100+ devices), it's pretty much boring to me nowadays.
I just want a device that works, is rootable so I can run some things that legitimately require it (Titanium Backup primarily, a few others), a kernel that allows for some better performance adjustments and governors with tools like SetCPU or nowadays I prefer Trickster MOD for that stuff, and gives me battery life that I can reasonably count on, and a few tweaks here and there - my one big tweak that I really miss nowadays is using the volume buttons to skip tracks during music playback (screen off) since Motorola just won't put a damned TRRS headphone jack in their devices that allows for actual remotes that work on the headset cords - wonder why they refuse to do that so steadfastly... makes no damned sense to me. Samsung and Apple understand it matters and there's no issue with their devices, can't speak for HTC since I don't mess with their stuff anymore but it sure would have been nice to have proper volume/playback controls for these Motorola devices.
4.4 on the Droid Mini isn't doing that, obviously, at least not as well as I'd hope for battery life but I came from a Droid MAXX before it so I suppose there's nothing out there that comes close to that level of native battery life except the LG G2 and I haven't touched one of those.
As far as development goes, I would tend to lean towards it's basically dead for the Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini at this point even in spite of them being so closely related to the Moto X/Moto G in some respects (X8 chipset, etc). It's a shame I suppose but that's how it goes.

I'm happy with just root. I use to have the flash itch, but not with this device. Custom Roms are great when they solve a real problem. They're a huge pain in my butt too though. I don't have any real issues with my maxx, so I wouldn't want to deal with the custom rom headaches.
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bigv5150 said:
The biggest problem from the start was people saying the stock OS was perfect and didn't need more than what exposed modules could do. Also this phone has 2 major stock apps that are loved by most touch less control and active notifications. For me that is a deal breaker in a custom ROM. Development is driven by want if the majority of people don't want custom ROMs why build them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/sign, good post. nothing else to add.
ps: and if you should remember the moto x development threads, as this phone is actually the same phone as the moto x, only with bigger screen... so i dont see a "problem" with flashing a moto x rom...

Even official development is dead since lenovo bought them.

radzer0 said:
Even official development is dead since lenovo bought them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Prove it
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

Prove a word that has come from anyone lenovo and not google. Lenovo has a great track record of not updating even current android phones or tablets. There a hardware company and that is all they have been for quite some time. They dont even put together the images for there windows based computers anymore. Its an outside company that lenovo contracts too than loads the drives.
Lenovo wont even sell us any phones they make no matter what. A few years back there was a few models people wanted to see here and we never saw them other than graymarket. The motorola purchase is for the IP portfolio.

radzer0 said:
Prove a word that has come from anyone lenovo and not google. Lenovo has a great track record of not updating even current android phones or tablets. There a hardware company and that is all they have been for quite some time. They dont even put together the images for there windows based computers anymore. Its an outside company that lenovo contracts too than loads the drives.
Lenovo wont even sell us any phones they make no matter what. A few years back there was a few models people wanted to see here and we never saw them other than graymarket. The motorola purchase is for the IP portfolio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant see the problem of lenovo buying motorola. seriously. i mean as what we have seen to now, motorola was to google always the unwanted child which google tried to get rid of...
lets see what the future brings and we dont know how much lenovo will interfere in motorolas development (there will be some, thats sure).
the ip portfolio will stay at google. lenovo will only have some license rights to use them in their phones without haveing the fear of paying high patent fines to google. this deal was part of the contract lenovo did with google....

I think we have to just wait and watch, what Lenovo is going to do with Motorola.
Following three good things may happen
[1] Motorola phones getting SD slots again like all Lenovo phones.
[2] Motorola phones to come with bigger batteries NOT JUST IN DROID MAXX series like earlier, as Lenovo phones also have bigger batteries [P780 has 4000mAh battery)
[3] Motorola phones to reach much more markets especially in Asia and Europe.
[4] More better and affordable DualSIM phones (again NOT for USA) for Asia, Europe and Brazil
But following things are in UN-SURE mode
[1] Moto's faster updates MAY NOT continue (esp after Lenovo becomes boss of Motorola) as Lenovo has bad update history (if one exists in first place)
[2] Unlock BL program may NOT continue esp for GSM handsets sold in Asia and Europe, as I don't think Lenovo cares about Dev support

[Q] what phone manufacture is best at OTA updates?

Contract is ending soon and I'm waffling between the LG G3 and the Galaxy Note 4. After checking out both their specs I decided a concern that none of the spread sheets cover is OTA updates. Yes I could just as easily root the phone and not have to worry about it but for the general consumer who isn't going to do that and instead depend on the good graces of the manufacturer and carrier to support their product can be an issue.
So, if both phone have specs that I think I would be happy with which one would be supported by the manufacturer with OTA updates the best?

go for nexus
MrWall said:
Contract is ending soon and I'm waffling between the LG G3 and the Galaxy Note 4. After checking out both their specs I decided a concern that none of the spread sheets cover is OTA updates. Yes I could just as easily root the phone and not have to worry about it but for the general consumer who isn't going to do that and instead depend on the good graces of the manufacturer and carrier to support their product can be an issue.
So, if both phone have specs that I think I would be happy with which one would be supported by the manufacturer with OTA updates the best?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't know your country. but as per me if you go with unlocked/carrier free phone then go for nexus. it will get timely updates and will be best suited for performance.

Oppo is quite alright when you have their flagship model, but once they bring out a newer model, they'll pretty soon drop you like a brick. When they released the Find 5 it was every 2 weeks for beta builds, every 4 weeks for a stable release. Now you'd be happy to see a beta build appearing every few months for the Find 5. Find 7 and 7a (especially the 7a) are on a faster release shedule right now. But you can't get Oppo with a contract afaik.

MrWall said:
Contract is ending soon and I'm waffling between the LG G3 and the Galaxy Note 4. After checking out both their specs I decided a concern that none of the spread sheets cover is OTA updates. Yes I could just as easily root the phone and not have to worry about it but for the general consumer who isn't going to do that and instead depend on the good graces of the manufacturer and carrier to support their product can be an issue.
So, if both phone have specs that I think I would be happy with which one would be supported by the manufacturer with OTA updates the best?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you're with Verizon, which is notoriously slow with updates. I think you'll have more to worry about Verizon than the manufacturers. The Note 4 is a hell of a device, but if it's anything like the Note 3 is with Verizon, development will be poor. It took months for someone to figure how to root the thing (and it took legend/genius Geohot to do it). The LG will be far more development friendly.

Lenovo and Moto’s UI will be merged into a brand new UI to be unveiled in 2017

this is a bad new. All ok until 4.
1.-All Moto-branded devices to launch in 2016 will come with embedded fingerprint sensors.
2.-All Moto-branded products to launch in 2016 will have screen sizes of 5 inches, or larger.
3.-Moto-branded products will see their design fine-tuned to suit the needs of customers in both the East and West.
4.-Lenovo and Moto’s UI will be merged into a brand new UI to be unveiled in 2017.
http://www.androidauthority.com/mot...print-sensors-for-all-phones-5-inches-667021/

Furious!!
F**k that! I only bought a Motorola device because it's the only affordable one with a stock-ish Android experience, I can't afford to import a Nexus device!!

This is somewhat disheartening, though by that point I will certainly have rooted my phone and so it will not affect me. Maybe they will have taken some design lessons from the Moto approach to things and won't go Full Samsung.
"Oh hey, I see you're to do anything on your phone, would you like to do the Samsung branded version of that?!?"

Of all the predictions I made, this is exactly the one I didn't want to happen. Some people told me that this it was too far fetched but, here they are doing exactly that. They are shooting themselves in the feet.

Honestly I'm very happy with the MXP pure android experience. But I'm not clear why so many people are worried about this news.
It all could go in the opposite direction: Lenovo delivering lighter UIs while keeping the Moto nearly untouched.
And if not...what's the problem? Are you buying a new phone? You don't like it stock? Change brand or root it and flash any other rom!
Easy

Sounds like typical Chinese OEM bull****. **** Lenovo. This will be my last Moto device.

Any pictures of the new UI that you guys are angry about?

Moto X Play is my first Moto smartphone and I love everything about it! Unfortunately if they really remove stock android/UI it will be my last Moto phone and I will move on to Nexus phones. Too bad Google sold Motorola to Lenovo =(

dev>null said:
Honestly I'm very happy with the MXP pure android experience. But I'm not clear why so many people are worried about this news.
It all could go in the opposite direction: Lenovo delivering lighter UIs while keeping the Moto nearly untouched.
And if not...what's the problem? Are you buying a new phone? You don't like it stock? Change brand or root it and flash any other rom!
Easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup i agree, but still not every one is tech savvy, so that they can change roms and many don't do it just because they don't want to lose warranty, i don't blame them given the customer service we get to replace/repair a device even under warranty. moto was a trusted OEM to provide cheapest stock android devices(android one series are crappy).
personally this would be my last moto and i love it, but in future i'll stick with nexus.

I didn't even like the Lenovo's decision of killing Motorola brand either. Lenovo typical Chinese company showing its colors. They've already screwed up Motorola's iconic brand. And now they are also going to screw up it's near-stock Nexus-like experience. I always loved "Motorola Mobility" since the time it was reborn in 2013 with original Moto X & Moto G. So, this is seriously a bad news for me. Shame!

No need to root you can always install Google Now launcher for the stock feel
Rest I think would remain the same.

I have never owned a smartphone that was not from Motorola (Photon, razr i, Moto G, Moto X 2013 and Moto X play ) except for 3 months where i had LG3.
Guess it's time i started looking beyond Motorola

Just doesn't make any sense! I think it's pretty much common knowledge, that, in simple words:
Stock = love
Bloated, slow, ugly custom UI = hate.
Everyone and their grandmother knows it.
Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

Pure to get N

https://motog3.com/motorola-android-7-0-nougat-update/
Updated Sept 1st, not sure how reliable but says there we will be getting it!

While I would like to assume that the Moto x pure edition will get it, this article seems to be an opinion piece with little or no supporting info other than his ramblings and definitely nothing from Lenovo/Moto.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Nice. Another garbage site with no credible info. I love how in their comments this "Motorola" author is answering questions on wether or not so and so device will get Nougat, like they're 100% sure.

Would love to see the source. Anyone can take a guess like this and have a good chance of getting it right. What got me: The G4 line "might" get the update?! WT... The phone was practically just released so unless Lenovo just really wants to destroy the Moto product line, it would be stupid not to release N for the phone.

aybarrap1 said:
Would love to see the source. Anyone can take a guess like this and have a good chance of getting it right. What got me: The G4 line "might" get the update?! WT... The phone was practically just released so unless Lenovo just really wants to destroy the Moto product line, it would be stupid not to release N for the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The g4s are garbage and I spoke to a rep today and he told me to stay away from them haha a Lenovo rep said this! Bought one yesterday and the screen was all glitchy took it back today traded it out and paid the difference for the plus and same thing before even leaving the parking lot. Finally got pissed and said screw it and got a moto x pure style again. Loved this phone the first time I had it and love it now! Guernetee it gets nuoget and if it dosent.. well.. there will ALWAYS be Roms haha lol. But what I was trying to get at with the g4 phones is that's more than likely the reason they "might" get it.. I'd doubt it though honestly. Lenovo ruined the Motorola line. Ya the z is bad ass but come on man. The pure style was the best phone they had made in YEARS! Besides the Nexus 6. I'm super disappointed in the joke Lenovo has made!

Reasons to believe End of September to mid-October is the best hope to get nougat for MXPE:
- it coincides with quarterly security updates for this device
- it's about the same time difference from Google releasing marshmallow last year.
- it skipped 6.0.1 so it has just time to play with N previews.
- it's the period when the new Moto flagship will be released unlocked worldwide. That means these devices will be getting an update quickly (inclusion Verizon already offered on US) to boost sales. But also updating its previous flagship would convince customers to buy the newest flagship. I believe that sales of Moto Z international will not be good if our device does not get an update on the framework i mentioned. Didn't we all by this device because we thought it would be updated quickly?
- Finally, I believe all the hype in the media that mentions Motorola as a company that is expected to deliver fast nougat update is financed by Motorola itself. While they won't give us directly a timeframe, they use media to keep up the sales of their new and numerous line of devices. Not to forget that Moto maker still has stocks of MXPE which they want to sell, but strangely have not lowered the price since mother's day...

donrojo said:
Reasons to believe End of September to mid-October is the best hope to get nougat for MXPE:
- it coincides with quarterly security updates for this device
- it's about the same time difference from Google releasing marshmallow last year.
- it skipped 6.0.1 so it has just time to play with N previews.
- it's the period when the new Moto flagship will be released unlocked worldwide. That means these devices will be getting an update quickly (inclusion Verizon already offered on US) to boost sales. But also updating its previous flagship would convince customers to buy the newest flagship. I believe that sales of Moto Z international will not be good if our device does not get an update on the framework i mentioned. Didn't we all by this device because we thought it would be updated quickly?
- Finally, I believe all the hype in the media that mentions Motorola as a company that is expected to deliver fast nougat update is financed by Motorola itself. While they won't give us directly a timeframe, they use media to keep up the sales of their new and numerous line of devices. Not to forget that Moto maker still has stocks of MXPE which they want to sell, but strangely have not lowered the price since mother's day...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skipping the 6.0.1 update does not mean they were working on Nougat. They couldn't until the source code was released.
Wouldn't it make sense not to update an older phone until later to entice people to buy the latest and greatest device with the N update?

aybarrap1 said:
Skipping the 6.0.1 update does not mean they were working on Nougat. They couldn't until the source code was released.
Wouldn't it make sense not to update an older phone until later to entice people to buy the latest and greatest device with the N update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My line of thought is simple: their new flagship costs almost twice it's predecessor, or even three times if you get a certain alluring mod. The only way to convince a buyer spend more money is to assure that expense is worth it on a longer term. Long term means continuity of updates in this business. But who will be convinced of that if Moto ditched our device before it reached a year (thinking latest update for us was the May security patches)..
You already have fears of not getting updates, probably because we didn't get 6.0.1! Would you think of buying a Z Droid if you know your mxpe would not get N (even if you could afford it)?

donrojo said:
My line of thought is simple: their new flagship costs almost twice it's predecessor, or even three times if you get a certain alluring mod. The only way to convince a buyer spend more money is to assure that expense is worth it on a longer term. Long term means continuity of updates in this business. But who will be convinced of that if Moto ditched our device before it reached a year (thinking latest update for us was the May security patches)..
You already have fears of not getting updates, probably because we didn't get 6.0.1! Would you think of buying a Z Droid if you know your mxpe would not get N (even if you could afford it)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is some logic there and it is a theory used in the world of business. On the same token, my theory of updating the MXPE later is also a practice by businesses. Now it will just depend on what theory of business Lenovo decided to use.

aybarrap1 said:
Skipping the 6.0.1 update does not mean they were working on Nougat. They couldn't until the source code was released.
Wouldn't it make sense not to update an older phone until later to entice people to buy the latest and greatest device with the N update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think that Google gives out the source code to large OEMs before they release it to the general public so some of the later Q3 devices can all run the new version. Also, Moto built their reputation on relatively quick software updates for their supported phones, and I don't think Lenovo would mess with that image too much as to not hurt current sales.

aybarrap1 said:
There is some logic there and it is a theory used in the world of business. On the same token, my theory of updating the MXPE later is also a practice by businesses. Now it will just depend on what theory of business Lenovo decided to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well, i think you misunderstood me. I'm not saying that the Z will be upgraded after MXPE. I actually think once the Z will be available worldwide it will get the N update to boost sales. I'm only saying that it would be difficult to convince people to buy an expensive phone unless they have a guarantee it will be a long investment. Updating quickly the XPE should give that guarantee that even Z will be maintained after its one year anniversary.

skinnykinney said:
https://motog3.com/motorola-android-7-0-nougat-update/
Updated Sept 1st, not sure how reliable but says there we will be getting it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That motog3 site is just an pile of advertisements and SEO bait. It's not legit.
After dealing with Moto/Lenovo support a few times, my impression is that Lenovo is struggling to appear like they know what they're doing. Their repair program is musical chairs, tech support doesn't know what's going on, and they haven't been able to maintain the software. Even if they've outsourced Nougat, I doubt they've purchased any followup bug fixes.

I just saw that CM14 7.0 dropped for the Android One, Oneplus 3 and a few others today. That should help things along a bit. Once it exists, as it now does, it usually makes it's way to other devices pretty quickly. :fingers-crossed:

i want ask ... i don't know if my question is stupid or not LooL
if lenovo dont include our MOTO X phone to update list
can the Rom developer here make custom ROM with N Update? or they need something from lenovo (like permission or code) ?

Zekial said:
I would think that Google gives out the source code to large OEMs before they release it to the general public so some of the later Q3 devices can all run the new version. Also, Moto built their reputation on relatively quick software updates for their supported phones, and I don't think Lenovo would mess with that image too much as to not hurt current sales.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you should believe @Zekial When Moto, was a Google Company, and not official bought by lenovo, they update their smartphones very fast, Nexus 5 receive Lollipop after Moto X . Now Moto sucks, only this week in germany they update their phones to 6.0.1 (security update from may ).
Pure will be updated for N, when is the problem, could be this year or in the next.

Here's a bit of confirmed news
https://in.news.yahoo.com/android-7-0-nougat-schedule-160203008.html

dammit, and i just rooted my phone finally today.

AsquareX said:
Here's a bit of confirmed news
https://in.news.yahoo.com/android-7-0-nougat-schedule-160203008.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that article tells us anything we don't already know. I read it yesterday and it just says "should" and "probably" with no sources.

AsquareX said:
Here's a bit of confirmed news
https://in.news.yahoo.com/android-7-0-nougat-schedule-160203008.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just another fluff article... zero information, just speculation and opinion.

The "news" now on neurigedget... Hmm
not officially confirmed
http://neurogadget.net/2016/09/24/m...tedly-get-android-nougat-update-october/40315
Meanwhile, the Moto X Play, Moto X Style, and Moto X Force, will receive the update on November.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse