TECH - Google to launch Motorola X-phone, tablet: Report

Google is working with recently acquiredMotorola on a handset codenamed " X-phone", aimed at grabbing market share from Apple andSamsung Electronics, the Wall Street Journalsaid, citing people familiar with the matter.

Google acquired Motorola in May for $12.5 billion to bolster its patent portfolio as itsAndroid mobile operating system competes with rivals such as Apple and Samsung.
The Journal quoted the people saying that Motorola is working on two fronts: devices that will be sold by carrier partner Verizon Wireless, and on the X phone.

Motorola plans to enhance the X Phone with its recent acquisition of Viewdle, an imaging and gesture-recognition software developer. The new handset is due out sometime next year, the business daily said, citing a person familiar with the plans.

Motorola is also expected to work on an "X" tablet after the phone. Google chief executive Larry Page is said to have promised a significant marketing budget for the unit, the newspaper said quoting the persons.

Google was not immediately reachable for comments outside regular US business hours.

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