Motorola Cliq takes aim at social network users

Just don’t call it the Click.

Today, Motorola trotted out a shiny new device called the Cliq – the first phone from Motorola to use the Android operating system originally developed by Google. The Cliq, pictured at right, utilizes the Motoblur interface to allow users rapid access to email, text messages, and photos. But most of the early hype surrounding the Motorola Cliq has concentrated on the phone’s social networking capabilities.

“With Motoblur we are differentiating the Android experience for consumers by delivering a unique mobile device experience designed around the way people interact today,” Sanjay Jha, co-CEO of Motorola and CEO of Motorola Mobile Devices said today. “Motoblur, which will be available on our first Android-powered device and on multiple Android devices in our upcoming portfolio, helps us to create phones that are instinctive, social and smart.”

From what we’ve seen so far, the Motoblur interface collects friend updates, conversation threads, and links as widgets on one interface. Users of Facebook and Twitter would no longer have to flick through different applications – or worse yet, sign on to a clunky web browser. Everything would be pre-sorted on the Cliq’s small screen – and it would all be updated in real time.

According to Motorola, Motoblur – and the Cliq phone – will be available to T-Mobile subscribers later this year. The Cliq is expected to come with an array of features: A 5 megapixel auto focus camera with video capture and playback at 24 frames per second; a 3.5mm headset jack.Wi-Fi and Bluetooth access; a 2 GB microSD memory card with support for up to 32 GB cards; and a GP