Motorola's flagship devices still get updates relatively quickly, but its budget phones lag behind quite a bit. For example, the Verizon Moto G4 Play was just updated from Android 6.0 to 7.1.1 earlier this month, shortly after the international variants received it. Now Motorola has released the kernel source code for the G4 Play's Nougat update.
Read MoreVerizon Moto G4 Play gets Android 7.1.1 Nougat after being stuck on 6.0.1 for a long time
Motorola's excellent track record with updating devices fell by the wayside as it became part of Lenovo and started releasing more device variants than anyone can keep track of each year. Nothing is better proof of that than the Moto G4 Play's situation. The device, which was released on September of 2016, has been stuck on Marshmallow 6.0.1 for months and months as owners gave up on even getting an update. Then the unlocked international variant started getting Android 7.1.1 last month and now the Verizon one is following suit.
Android 7.1.1 is rolling out in an OTA to the Verizon Moto G4 Play and it takes the device from build MPIS24.241-2.35-1-17 to NPI26.48-38.
Read More[Deal Alert] Get the Moto G4 Plus for $195 ($105 off), Moto Z Play for $270 ($180 off), and more from B&H
Motorola isn't updating the Moto G4 line to Android Oreo as it said it would, and that's bullshit
You know who everyone hates? Liars. Nobody likes being promised something, only to have it taken away without explanation. At launch, Motorola advertised Android N and O updates for the Moto G4 line, but to the shock of many G4 owners, none of these phones were listed in the company's official Oreo update list. In fact, all mention of this promise has been wiped away. Motorola, this is bullshit.
Read More[Deal Alert] Get a 16GB Moto G4 Play for $99.99 from B&H
If there's one thing that Motorola consistently does well, it's budget phones. All three variants of the Moto G4 - the normal, Plus, and Play - were some of the best inexpensive phones on the market last year. Now that the Moto G5 is out, we've seen the G4 Play drop to $100 on occasion, and now it has happened again.
Read More[Deal Alert] The Moto G4 Play is $100 again at B&H with promo code ($50 off)
We're fast approaching MWC with some of the major highlights of the event, like the Moto G5, seeing some serious leaks. Like I mentioned yesterday, good phones from last year should not be discounted simply because they're a year old. Such is the case with this returning deal here. The Moto G4 Play is available for $99.99 from B&H with a promo code, a total savings of $50.
Read MoreMost Wanted: The top budget (<$250) smartphones of 2016
The budget smartphone segment in America seems to be a shrinking one of late (well, at least of good options), but we've rounded up the best we think the market has to offer consumers right now in the $250-and-under segment. The selected phones are presented in no particular order.
Read More[Deal Alert] Best Buy offers the Verizon prepaid version of the Moto G4 Play for just $35, no service required
The Moto G series has become something of a fixture of the mid-range and low-end Android market, thanks to a combination of competent hardware and clean software. That's no less true now that Motorola has gone modular with its flagship Z series - in fact, I'll bet that a few fans of the old Moto X models are moving down the line. Today Best Buy is offering the Verizon prepaid Moto G4 Play, normally $85, for a jaw-dropping $34.99. You don't even have to buy any service to get the phone - nice!
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Motorola's list of Nougat updates includes most 2016 phones, plus the Moto X and Droids from 2015
Motorola picked a pretty busy day to release its list of phones that are slated to be upgraded to Android 7.0 - make of that what you will. After previously confirming that the new Moto Z , Moto Z Droid, and Moto G4 lines would be upgraded to Nougat "starting in Q4," a more complete list was published to the company blog today. The list is fairly predictable, with some notable exceptions.
Read MoreMotorola posts Moto G4 Play kernel source code
If there's one thing Lenovorola (Motonovo?) has been consistently good at for its past few phones, it's releasing kernel source code quickly. The Moto G4 Play was made available for sale just last month, but its source code has already been published. This might be one of their quickest turnarounds yet.
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