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Motoblur — the custom Android user interface skin from Motorola — might soon be consigned to history less than a year after it was introduced. The move will be welcomed by Android enthusiasts as a sign that manufacturers are keen to get out of the way and let the operating system shine.
The company will focus more on the hardware rather than Motoblur as a brand name, Motorola boss Sanjay K Jha said in an earnings call, Android And Me reports. This explains why Motorola had stopped advertising the customised interface skin.
Motoblur was designed to provide a push-based service for Motorola users that brought all their social networks together in the form of widgets. Jha insists Motoblur will still exist and offer more functionality, but as a brand it won’t be a focus.
Motorola seems to be coming to terms with the idea that many of you
prefer Android without the bells and whistles offered by manufacturers.
Other phone-makers, such as HTC and Samsung, have developed their own Android skins. HTC’s custom interface — HTC Sense — is considered a particularly worthwhile addition to the user experience.
But most of the functionality has been duplicated by a regular stream of Android updates. Manufacturers then have to make sure the skins work with the new Android versions, which delays the update process — a frustrating experience for users who want to play with the new features. Plus, many of you would prioritise a faster operating system over a custom interface — which tends to slow the system down.
Motorola once dominated the mobile phone market, with popular devices such as the Razr selling millions due to its sleek clamshell style. But the company rested on its laurels too long and was eventually inched out of the market by superior smart phones.
Last year, Motorola made something of a comeback, focusing on the Google Android OS with a well-received new series of phones including the Flipout, Dext and Milestone.
