Google Moto X knows what you are doing

How do you distinguish your phone from the more than 4,000 other touchscreen phones? (That's not a joke. There have actually been 3,997 different Android phone models so far. And six iPhones and a motley assortment of Windows and touchscreen BlackBerry phones. Heaven help the landfills.)

Moto X, from Google, is being spoken of as an iPhone killer. With its 4.7-inch screen, it looks great, but it isn't as big or sharp as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. The phone is fast, but processor isn't the latest and greatest. Here are some features that sets it apart from others. 

It mutes during meetings

Assist feature enables phone to detect what you are doing, and to suitably adjust the mode. t If you are driving, the phone detects motion, and reads out text messages and routes calls to speakerphone. t If you are at a scheduled meeting, going by calendar, the phone goes into mute on its own. If you choose, it can automatically send text messages to calls, saying you are driving or you are in a meeting. 

Move it to know the time

Just move the phone to know what time it is. No need to wake up the phone or press a button or unlock it as is the case normally. Any missed event is indicated by an icon. Hold down finger on it to view the details. Or swipe upward to open the corresponding app to reply. But this feature shows you only one notification — the most recent. 

Twitch wrist to turn on cam

Fire up camera app by twitching your wrist a couple of times. The camera works whether the phone is on or off. Within two seconds, you're ready to take a shot by tapping anywhere on the screen. t But it takes a while to come into focus. So expect a bit of blurriness sometimes. 

Talk to your phone

Command the phone to dial a number, send a text, open an app, set your alarm, look up a fact on the web, and so on. t Precede your command with the salutation, "OK, Google Now." For example: "OK, Google Now. Remind me at 8 pm to give the dog his pill." t For best results, train your phone to recognize your voice. t Doesn't reply to your queries like Siri, but obeys all your commands.