The original Moto G Google Play Edition has been available since January of last year, and now Google has removed the device from the Google Play Store in the U.S.
Both the 8GB and 16GB versions of the Motorola Moto G Google Play Edition are now showing as ‘no longer available’ on the Google Play Store.
Background and Features
The handset was based on the original Moto G smartphone, which was a significant release for Motorola. The Moto G was praised for its balance of performance and affordability, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers. The Google Play Edition of the Moto G offered a pure Android experience, free from the bloatware and customizations that often come with carrier-specific versions of smartphones. This meant users could enjoy faster updates and a cleaner interface.
The original Moto G featured a 4.5-inch 720p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 5-megapixel rear camera. It also came with a 2070mAh battery, which provided decent battery life for its class. The Google Play Edition retained all these features while offering the added benefit of a stock Android experience.
Transition to Second Generation
The original Moto G has now been replaced by the second generation Moto G, which brought several improvements over its predecessor. The second generation Moto G features a larger 5-inch display, an upgraded 8-megapixel rear camera, and front-facing stereo speakers. It also supports expandable storage via a microSD card slot, which was a much-requested feature from users of the original Moto G.
The Moto G Google Play Edition is one of a number of Google Play Edition smartphones that have been discontinued over the last year. Other devices in this lineup included the HTC One M8 Google Play Edition and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition. These devices were part of Google’s effort to provide a pure Android experience on popular hardware, but the initiative has since been phased out in favor of the Nexus and Pixel lines.
The discontinuation of the Moto G Google Play Edition marks the end of an era for Google Play Edition devices. These smartphones were beloved by Android enthusiasts who appreciated the combination of high-quality hardware and the latest Android updates. However, the market has shifted, and Google’s focus has moved towards its own branded devices, such as the Nexus and Pixel series.
The removal of the Moto G Google Play Edition from the Google Play Store is a reminder of how quickly the smartphone market evolves. Devices that were once cutting-edge can become obsolete in a matter of months as new technologies and features are introduced. For consumers, this means more choices and better devices, but it also means that older models are quickly forgotten.
The Moto G Google Play Edition was a significant device in the history of Android smartphones. It offered a pure Android experience on a budget-friendly device, making it a popular choice among consumers. While it is no longer available on the Google Play Store, its legacy lives on in the second generation Moto G and other devices that followed in its footsteps.
Source Android Police
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