The new Motorola Razr HD smartphone is displayed at the launch of three new smartphones under the Razr brand that will become available for Verizon customers on September 5, 2012 in New York City. – AFP

NEW YORK: Motorola Mobility on Wednesday added three powerful Android smartphones to its Droid family ahead of Apple's much-anticipated debut next week of a new-generation iPhone.

The additions of RAZR M, RAZR HD, and RAZR MAXX HD to the Motorola line-up came as the first major product news from the company since it was bought by Internet giant Google a year ago in a $12.5 billion deal.

The RAZR smartphones are powered by Google's Android software and synched to the US telecom network of Verizon Wireless.

“We turned these things from phones into super computers,” Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt said of the overall evolution of mobile phones as the companies introduced the new devices at a media event in New York City.

“They shouldn't be called cell phones anymore,” he continued. “They should be called computers.”

RAZR M smartphones priced at $100, after a $50 rebate for a new two-year Verizon service contract, could be pre-ordered at verizonwireless.com/droidm and would be available on September 13.

Motorola head Dennis Woodside said that the other new RAZR models would hit the market by the year-end holidays at prices yet to be disclosed.

Apple is hosting a media event in San Francisco on September 12 at which it is likely to unveil an “iPhone 5” as its champion in the battle for the hearts of smartphone lovers.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...