What's the "functional" difference between a Google Play & Motorola Moto G

[Cordell James]

What's the "functional" difference between an
unlocked Google Play & Motorola Moto G?

I want to buy for my grandkid, a GSM Motorola G,
and, for $200 I can get *either* the unlocked 16GB
Motorola brand, or the Google Play Edition brand.

From what I've read, there is almost no difference,
but, then, why do they bother with the two versions?

The only difference, that I can tell, from reading,
is that the Google Moto G is stock Android, while the
Motorola Moto G seems to be *almost* stock Android.

If that's all there is by way of difference, how
would YOU make the decision between the two?

(i.e., what matters anyway?)

[tlvp]

Post by Cordell James
What's the "functional" difference between an
unlocked Google Play & Motorola Moto G?
I want to buy for my grandkid, a GSM Motorola G,
and, for $200 I can get *either* the unlocked 16GB
Motorola brand, or the Google Play Edition brand.
From what I've read, there is almost no difference,
but, then, why do they bother with the two versions?
The only difference, that I can tell, from reading,
is that the Google Moto G is stock Android, while the
Motorola Moto G seems to be *almost* stock Android.
If that's all there is by way of difference, how
would YOU make the decision between the two?
(i.e., what matters anyway?)

Just to help confuse things, what was once Motorola got acquired by Google,
and its handset component has now been divested to Lenovo :-) . HTH.

Cheers, -- tlvp

[Anthony R. Gold]

Post by tlvp

Post by Cordell James
What's the "functional" difference between an
unlocked Google Play & Motorola Moto G?
I want to buy for my grandkid, a GSM Motorola G,
and, for $200 I can get *either* the unlocked 16GB
Motorola brand, or the Google Play Edition brand.
From what I've read, there is almost no difference,
but, then, why do they bother with the two versions?
The only difference, that I can tell, from reading,
is that the Google Moto G is stock Android, while the
Motorola Moto G seems to be *almost* stock Android.
If that's all there is by way of difference, how
would YOU make the decision between the two?
(i.e., what matters anyway?)

Just to help confuse things, what was once Motorola got acquired by Google,
and its handset component has now been divested to Lenovo :-) . HTH.

Wrong tense, not "got" but "may be" acquired. That announced plan for
divestiture and purchase still requires regulatory approval by CFIUS and its
mention is a red herring of no relevance to the question posed by the OP.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/31/us-motorolamobility-lenovo-regulation-idUSBREA0U06C20140131

[tlvp]

Post by Anthony R. Gold

Post by tlvp

Post by Cordell James
What's the "functional" difference between an
unlocked Google Play & Motorola Moto G?
I want to buy for my grandkid, a GSM Motorola G,
and, for $200 I can get *either* the unlocked 16GB
Motorola brand, or the Google Play Edition brand.
From what I've read, there is almost no difference,
but, then, why do they bother with the two versions?
The only difference, that I can tell, from reading,
is that the Google Moto G is stock Android, while the
Motorola Moto G seems to be *almost* stock Android.
If that's all there is by way of difference, how
would YOU make the decision between the two?
(i.e., what matters anyway?)

Just to help confuse things, what was once Motorola got acquired by Google,
and its handset component has now been divested to Lenovo :-) . HTH.

Wrong tense, not "got" but "may be" acquired. That announced plan for
divestiture and purchase still requires regulatory approval by CFIUS and its
mention is a red herring of no relevance to the question posed by the OP.

Quite so, and quite openly so: "Just to help confuse things, ... ." Your

Post by Anthony R. Gold
<http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/31/us-motorolamobility-lenovo-regulation-idUSBREA0U06C20140131>

however, suggests approval is fairly likely. But I'm ready to wait and see.
Cheers, -- tlvp

[Anssi Saari]

Post by Cordell James
From what I've read, there is almost no difference,
but, then, why do they bother with the two versions?

I have no idea. Looks like the Motorola version has the better camera
app. GPE version presumably has timely updates for 18 months like Nexus
devices. Other than that, they seem the same.

[Cordell James]

I have no idea. Looks like the Motorola version has the better camera app.
GPE version presumably has timely updates for 18 months like Nexus
devices. Other than that, they seem the same.

I bought the Motorola version, because it didn't seem to
matter which, and the Google Play Edition Moto G required
me to log in.

As soon as I powered up the Moto G, it asked to update the OS,
so, I don't know if the OS matters.

The biggest disappointment is that NO CHARGER comes with the phone!
I'm not sure WHY I didn't read that in ANY review, but, they saved
themselves $15 or $20 dollars by only supplying a USB cable.

This is the FIRST device in my life, that needed a charger, that
didn't come with a charger!

So, the "true" cost, of the $200 16GB Moto G is something like:
$200 for the phone
$ 20 for tax (California)
$ 20 for the missing charger (includes tax)
-----
$240

Of course, this brings up the amps I need to charge it, so,
I will need to first look up how many amps it requires, and
then buy the requisite charger. Nothing in the documentation
that comes with the phone explains what the wattage needs to
be for the power supply.

[n***@nada.com]

On Tue, 4 Feb 2014 06:29:20 +0000 (UTC), Cordell James

Post by Cordell James

I have no idea. Looks like the Motorola version has the better camera app.
GPE version presumably has timely updates for 18 months like Nexus
devices. Other than that, they seem the same.

I bought the Motorola version, because it didn't seem to
matter which, and the Google Play Edition Moto G required
me to log in.
As soon as I powered up the Moto G, it asked to update the OS,
so, I don't know if the OS matters.
The biggest disappointment is that NO CHARGER comes with the phone!
I'm not sure WHY I didn't read that in ANY review, but, they saved
themselves $15 or $20 dollars by only supplying a USB cable.
This is the FIRST device in my life, that needed a charger, that
didn't come with a charger!
$200 for the phone
$ 20 for tax (California)
$ 20 for the missing charger (includes tax)
-----
$240
Of course, this brings up the amps I need to charge it, so,
I will need to first look up how many amps it requires, and
then buy the requisite charger. Nothing in the documentation
that comes with the phone explains what the wattage needs to
be for the power supply.

Surely you must have a USB wall charger around, Any will do. If not,
you can buy them on eBay for $3-4 for a US supplier, and about $1 if
you can wait a couple weeks for it to come from China (shipping
included).

[Allodoxaphobia]

Post by Cordell James
From what I've read, there is almost no difference,
but, then, why do they bother with the two versions?

It's called "Marketing" by the Pointy-Haired Boss(es).