Rumors surfaced last week that Google and Motorola will let you customize the X Phone when you place your order. This would be a first in the smartphone world.
Motorola recently hired former Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki as an advisor on its mobile products. Kawasaki promptly took to his Google+ account and posed the question, "Wouldn't it be great if you could personalize your phone like this?" He posted a link to a Porsche You Tube video showing how you can build the car of your dreams by customizing it based on the features that are important to you. It's pretty safe to assume that Kawasaki is giving the world a huge hint that Google and Motorola will be taking a similar approach in smartphones.
Google has not shied away from trying new ways to sell more of its Nexus smartphones. It began offering the unlocked Galaxy Nexus on its Google Play Store in April 2012, letting customers bypass carriers and purchase the smartphone for $399, a relatively low price for an unlocked smartphone.
Google took things even further when it bypassed carriers again by offering its Nexus 4 smartphones on the Google Play Store for $299 and $349. Google wanted to take matters into its own hands by directly selling its smartphones to consumers without going through carriers and contracts. Guy Kawasaki's G+ entry and last week's rumors of customizing the X Phone at the time you order isn't a coincidence. He's doing the same thing he did when he worked for Apple as chief Apple evangelist: he's spreading the word and drumming up interest in what's next from Google and Motorola with some not-so-subtle hints.
To answer Mr. Kawasaki's question, yes, it would be great if we could customize our phones. Thanks for confirming your company's plans!
