Keyboard Moto Mod for Moto Z series is cancelled
Back in February 2017, we told you that a QWERTY keyboard Moto Mod was seeking to raise funding through Indiegogo. The project was 115% funded on May 3rd of last year after more than $165,000 was raised. Known as the Livermorium Slider Keyboard Moto Mod, the accessory was introduced at CES earlier this year, and was expected to launch next month. Unfortunately for those with a Moto Z series handset looking to add a physical keyboard, the project has been cancelled.
According to the company, the Livermorium Slider Keyboard Moto Mod was cancelled for a number of reasons. One problem was the lack of demand from third party retailers. Moto Z handsets do not have a high market share and the number of potential buyers of the accessory was not high enough. Outside of the money raised through Indiegogo, there wasn't any funding for the project, which prevented the company from advertising it.
The Livermorium Slider Keyboard Moto Mod for the Moto Z series has been cancelled
Another problem was that the company could afford to produce only 3,000 units at first. But the source of a major and unusual component wanted a commitment for 14,000 pieces because it did not have the part in stock. In fact, the Keyboard Moto Mod used a number of "unique" parts that required long lead times. There were also issues with the weight and thickness of the product, and any changes to the layout required an approval from Motorola.
There is possibly some good news if you desire an Android phone with a QWERTY slider. The team behind the Livermorium Slider Keyboard Moto Mod is working on a high-end, premium handset code-named the "Q-device." The handset will be thinner, lighter and more premium than any Moto Z model, and will be offered for sale next quarter, equipped with a built-in sliding QWERTY. It will not be crowdfunded like the QWERTY Moto Mod was. Of course, with the cancellation of the latter, we now file the "Q-device" under W for "We will believe it when we see it."
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