Motorolla Announces Android Device With Social Skills

Motorola announced its first Android device, the Cliq yesterday and it’s the first phone with social skills, according to the company. The struggling phone maker is banking on it to power features that will attract consumers looking to use their phones to connect with friends, family and colleagues. The phone weighs 5.6 ounces, has an HVGA touchscreen, Qwerty keyboard, Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS. The Cliq also has a five-megapixel camera and the rated talk time is six hours, with a standby time of 13.5 days.

The built-in software let users aggregate contact information from various social networks and e-mail accounts. Small application “widgets” will show such information as your friends’ Facebook status updates on the home screen. The company’s Android-based phones could be key to luring back customers. The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company hasn’t produced a hit since the wildly popular Razr phone in 2005.

Motorola plans to unveil a second Android phone in the coming weeks. It will also be available for the holidays, most likely through Verizon Wireless, which has already said it will be one of the U.S. carriers for a Motorola smart phone.