The new Moto X is now even more awesome. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Motorola’s second-generation Moto X is now available with 64GB of storage if you buy it through Moto Maker. The device was originally available in 16GB and 32GB options only, but without a microSD card slot, some potential adopters felt that just wasn’t enough.

OnePlus delivers its own take on Android. Photo: OnePlus

OnePlus has been promising its own Android software for a while, and that’s exactly what it delivered to kick off 2015. The new custom ROM, which is currently in alpha, is based on pure Lollipop and can be flashed using the TWRP custom recovery.

The new LG G Flex could be a big improvement. Photo: LG

We’ve already heard whispers that LG’s second-generation G Flex will be making its debut at CES 2015 next week — and now a new report from South Korea promises the device will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest 64-bit Snapdragon processor and have LTE-Advanced connectivity for ultra-fast data speeds.

Amazon is giving away a whole bunch of Android apps again, and just like last time, there are several titles you won’t want to miss. In addition to games like Monopoly, Angry Birds Star Wars, and Riptide GP2, you’ll find AVG AntiVirus PRO, Xtralogic Remote Desktop, and BuildCalc — all completely free.

Is the iPhone 6 Plus the best smartphone of 2014?. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Android

Smartphone innovation may have stalled in recent years, but that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from updating and improving upon their best devices. This year, we’ve seen big changes to devices like the iPhone, the Galaxy Note, and the LG G — as well as new contenders like the OnePlus One. But what are the best smartphones of 2014?

Here are our picks.