Motorola on socializing the mobile experience

Social networking has infiltrated all things mobile from applications to address integration to the user interface of many devices. It has become so popular that Motorola (NYSE:MOT) is counting on getting social to guide its recovery.

Motorola plans to include its own social networking service, Motoblur, in many of its new smartphones, starting with one of its first Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android-based devices, the T-Mobile (NYSE:DT) Cliq. The service presents a departure from iPhone-inspired icon interfaces and promises a new way of interacting with the phone – and the network. Connected Planet spoke with Josh Campbell from Motorola’s consumer experience design team about Motoblur and the intersection of social networking and mobility.

On the design philosophy behind Motoblur: Motoblur was designed for the way we interact today, so you spend less time managing your life and more time living it. The challenge we had was to keep the conversation moving. So many relationships and accounts to manage – not just the people, but the accounts, threads, logins and passwords, too – means you have to actively manage all your relationships. With Motoblur, we focused on creating a service to automatically deliver and organize your conversations, friends and favorite content from so many sources directly to your phone in easy-to-manage streams. 

On coupling a service with a user interface: Motoblur is an integrated mobile solution. It combines content-forward, deeply integrated software applications with a unique user interface. Plus, it’s all managed by secure servers that gather, organize and deliver fresh content and data while backing-up contacts, account information and device configurations.

On taking a cue from social networks: Cliq with Motoblur addresses the challenge people have today with managing multiple accounts and social networks. It syncs and streams contacts and content from sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to Gmail and work email, without having to open and close different applications or menus, and feeds it straight to the device’s home screen, which can be customized based on your preferences. In fact, it was designed so that you can focus on what people have to say, rather than how or through what service they are using to say it.

On a new way of interacting on mobile: Motoblur helps you always be in the know even in a hectic world. For example, when you go to call someone you also see their latest Facebook status or tweet. So even before you pick up the phone you know what’s going on in their life. Motoblur also lets you connect with your friends any way you want. Right from the contact's view you can send them a text, write on their Facebook wall or even direct message them through Twitter. That way, you can focus on what you have to say and your relationships, rather than how you are getting the word out.

On working in Android’s open garden: Open solutions mean greater flexibility, enabling us to create a rich and differentiated experience like Motoblur.

On customization, personalization: Motoblur brings together updates and info from today’s most popular sources to have all your conversation threads, friend updates, stories, links and photos automatically delivered to live widgets.  Your phone is custom because it is filled with your friends, your applications and all your information. Your friends’ pictures populate the home screen and various applications throughout the phone creating a unique user experience. Plus, you can customize the home screen panels by adding shortcuts to applications, contacts, widgets, folders, or browser bookmarks. You decide what information is right at your fingertips. You can even customize the universal inbox and select which accounts are synced together.