What's new with APX radios
Stay informed on the latest innovations for APX radios, including new models, software updates, smart applications and enhanced security features for critical communications.
APX product updates
September 2026
SmartEvidence: New APX smart application now available
We are excited to formally announce the launch of our latest APX smart application - SmartEvidence. As we continue to evolve our APX device portfolio capabilities and strengthen our ecosystem, SmartEvidence brings radio audio and metadata directly from the field into CommandCentral DEMS, helping evidence and records technicians efficiently build stronger cases.
Unlocking complete case context: What is SmartEvidence?
Evidence and records technicians frequently face overwhelming administrative workloads. They spend hours manually searching disparate logging recorders, inputting metadata and attempting to synchronize radio logs with body-worn camera footage. Traditional network logging recorders can also leave major blind spots in incident reconstruction by missing critical communications on conventional channels, off-network simplex talkgroups or tactical edge channels.
SmartEvidence is a Motorola Solutions APX smart application designed to help eliminate these evidence gaps while allowing your agency's operations to run more efficiently. By capturing audio and metadata directly on the APX NEXT or APX N70 portable radios and uploading it to CommandCentral DEMS, SmartEvidence turns everyday radio communications into organized, court-ready digital assets.
Key features and functionality:
SmartEvidence captures and synchronizes field communications with advanced functionality built directly into the radio:
- On-device, high-fidelity audio capture: Because recording happens directly on the radio device, the audio is unaffected by over-the-air signal degradation. It records both transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) audio across both LMR Trunking and Conventional channels.
- Automated metadata collection: Along with voice recordings, SmartEvidence captures contextual metadata—including PTT actions, GPS tracking, radio statistics and emergency button triggers.
- Flexible recording modes:
- Continuous (shift-long) recording: Records all radio transmissions throughout an entire shift and automatically uploads audio files in hourly blocks.
- Event-driven recording: Automatically triggers audio recording based on specific incidents, such as radio emergency alerts, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) incident assignments or closures, and body-worn camera (SVX) video activations.
- Customizable pre- and post-event buffering: For event-driven setups, agencies can configure pre- and post-event buffer windows ranging from 1 to 120 minutes (with a 10-minute default). This ensures crucial context immediately before an incident begins or after it wraps up is marked and preserved.
- Synchronized DEMS integration: Audio and metadata seamlessly upload over broadband (Wi-Fi or 4G LTE/5G) into CommandCentral DEMS. DEMS automatically aligns radio audio side-by-side with corresponding body-worn video timelines, CAD incident IDs and metadata markers.
- Granular agency control: Agency administrators can configure policy compliance by setting channel-by-channel recording permissions in the radio codeplug and selecting upload networks (Wi-Fi only vs. Wi-Fi/LTE) to manage bandwidth usage.
Value to public safety agencies
SmartEvidence addresses key operational challenges for law enforcement and emergency services:
- Significantly reduces administrative workload: Instead of evidence technicians manually retrieving audio files from separate logging servers and hand-syncing them with video feeds, SmartEvidence automates evidence collection, tagging and correlation. Audio assets arrive in DEMS pre-tagged with CAD incident numbers, ready for review or automated transcription.
- Delivers complete 360-degree case context: SmartEvidence closes critical evidentiary gaps by capturing conventional channels, off-network talkgroups and tactical communications that traditional console recorders miss. Investigators and prosecutors receive a synchronized timeline featuring video, crisp radio audio and metadata markers (such as exact GPS locations and emergency triggers) for flawless incident reconstruction.
- Strengthens accountability and agency compliance: Whether verifying that an officer received a crucial dispatch directive or confirming exact event timelines for internal affairs reviews, SmartEvidence provides definitive proof of what was transmitted and received. Flexible continuous or event-driven policies allow agencies to meet strict local mandates without compromising operational ease.
SmartEvidence bridges the gap between land mobile radio (LMR) communications and digital evidence management. By shifting evidence capture directly to the field radio, agencies gain complete operational context while empowering evidence teams to build stronger cases in significantly less time.
Please note: SmartEvidence requires a SmartLocate subscription and other external components such as CommandCentral DEMS and Unit Management Service.
To learn more about SmartEvidence, click here.
ASTRO Subscriber new feature release: 2026.2
The latest ASTRO Subscriber release 2026.2 is now available for all APX N Line, standard portable and mobile radios. This feature update delivers new capabilities to enhance situational awareness and streamline your field communications.
This feature release includes several new capabilities to our APX radios, including:
- Dual SIM Dual Standby for APX NEXT
- SmartEvidence
- SmartVideo, SmartIncident & ViQi enhancements
- Multi-codeplug support in RadioCentral
- Per personality emergency profile
- Configurable received message alert tone
By upgrading to this latest version, you will also gain access to all features introduced throughout the 2026 releases.
To learn more about these updates and features, check out the 2026.2 new feataure brief.
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July 2026
Introducing APX NEXT XN
We are excited to announce that the APX NEXT XN 4G LTE + 5G device is now available. Our fire market can now take advantage of the new features that were recently introduced for APX NEXT as well as meeting the latest NFPA 1930 standard, helping ensure optimal communication even in the most extreme environments.
APX NEXT XN meets the new NFPA 1930 certification
The NFPA 1930 standard includes everything in NFPA 1802 but expands on the previous standard to include:
- New voice announcements for the following:
- Critical battery level
- Antenna failure (previously covered under 'self-check fail')
- Battery level at power-up (High/Medium/Low/Critical)
- New minimum volume levels in HZM and voice announcements
- New visual indication for antenna failure
- New logs added to the persistent data logging:
- NFPA 1930-2025 compliance statement
- Bluetooth device connection/disconnection with friendly name
- Detectable PTT rejection with channel name also logged
Latest enhancements to APX NEXT XN
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4G LTE & 5G standalone: Continuing our dedication to being the future-forward mission-critical technology provider.
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Partnership with T-Mobile: Expanding our network to better meet your needs.
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eSIM & Dual SIM capabilities: Ability to use two carriers in one device.
- LEO satellite connectivity: Built-in support for Low Earth Orbit satellite communications.
To learn more about APX NEXT XN, click here.
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May 2026
ASTRO Subscriber new Baseline Release 2026.1
APX NEXT | APX N70 | APX N50/N30 | APX Standard Portables | APX Mobiles | Device Management
The new ASTRO Subscriber Baseline Firmware Release 2026.1 is now available for all APX N Line, standard portable and mobile radios. This 2026.1 baseline update delivers new capabilities to enhance situational awareness and streamline your field communications.
Key enhancements include:
- View the RSSI dBM signal strength directly on the top display.
- Enable data transmission alongside voice communications using SmartConnect.
- Access SmartMessaging directly within the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity (CCCS).
By upgrading to the latest version, you will also gain access to all features introduced throughout the 2025 releases.
To learn more about these updates and features, check out the New Baseline Release 2026.1 brief.
APX Smart applications: SmartQuery and SmartTranslate
Empower your frontline workers with new smart applications designed for APX™ NEXT and APX N70 radios. Explore how our newest additions help provide instant expertise and break down language barriers in the field:
SmartQuery: Instant expertise on your radio
Finding the right answers can be difficult when policies are trapped in physical binders and calling dispatch ties up radio traffic.
SmartQuery provides a secure voice gateway to Assist Chat directly through your radio's ViQi button. Simply query ViQi to securely access agency policies and procedures, keeping critical air-time clear for emergencies.
SmartTranslate: Eyes up, hands-free translation
Current emergency translation services often force responders to look down at screens, pulling their focus away from the scene.
SmartTranslate enables hands-free, real-time voice translation, keeping the focus on the incident at hand. Using the ViQi button, officers can safely bridge language barriers with audible translations while maintaining safe tactical separation up to five feet away.
To learn more about SmartQuery and SmartTranslate, click here.
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January 2026
RadioCentral is expanding
APX Portables | APX Mobiles | Device Management
We are excited to share expanded RadioCentral compatibility to now include APX N50/N30, standard APX portables and most APX mobile radios. To learn more, click here.
ASTRO Subscriber Release 2025.3
APX N Line | APX Portables | APX Mobiles
New Feature Release, 2025.3, is now available and introduces several key enhancements. This release features SmartVideo for APX NEXT and APX N70 through SVX integrations and includes SmartMessaging updates powered by Messaging in CommandCentral. Additionally, the update allows RadioCentral to program WiFi-based modes for standard APX N50/N30, APX Portables and Mobiles. Read more here.
September 2025
ASTRO Subscriber Release 2025.2
APX NEXT | APX N70 | APX N70 XE | APX Portables | APX Mobiles
The new feature release, 2025.2, brings several new features and capabilities to our APX Radios, including: Intelligent Noise Reduction, SCBA Voice Amplifier and RadioCentral enhancements. Read more here.
June 2025
APX N70 VHF
APX N70
Motorola Solutions is now offering the APX N70 in the VHF band. The APX N70 combines superior audio and sophisticated features in a rugged, trusted design and allows access to a suite of smart applications designed to expand intelligence in the field via LTE. Radio details are easily accessed through voice, touch and hard controls.
Read more here.
April 2025
Introducing the APX N70 XE
APX N70 & APX N70 XE
Easy to use and manage, the rugged APX N70 XE keeps firefighters and EMS personnel informed and connected with crystal-clear speech quality. It also offers seamless on-the-go access to productivity-focused apps and services that enhance situational awareness and tighten collaboration between team members. To learn more, click here.
ASTRO Subscriber new Baseline Release 2025.1
APX NEXT | APX N70/APX N70 XE | APX Portables | APX Mobiles
APX radio baseline firmware update, 2025.1, brings significant enhancements to functionality and security. Key improvements include the FedRAMP authorization on Smart Applications, along with Data Modem Tethering on Cradlepoint Routers.
Read more here.
February 2025
Management
Management
RadioCentral migration
APX NEXT | APX N70/APX N70 XE | Device
We are excited to announce the launch of the new RadioCentral platform. Throughout this year, all existing customers will be migrated from the existing RadioCentral (MT) application to the new platform by our migration teams. The existing RadioCentral (MT) application will be sunsetted by Q1 2026, but will be supported through SR 2025.1 for new features and then enter maintenance mode. To learn more, click here.
FedRAMP on APX NEXT/N70/N70 XE Smart Applications
APX NEXT | APX N70/APX N70 XE | SmartConnect | SmartLocate | SmartProgramming | RadioCentral | CommandCentral Aware
We are happy to announce that APX NEXT SmartConnect, SmartLocate and Smart Programming Applications are now shipping in the Motorola Solutions Authorized Cloud with StateRAMP/FedRAMP® approval. What is this Motorola Solutions Authorized Cloud (MSAC) and how does this apply to FedRAMP®? MSAC is the cloud environment that we have tested and gotten approvals on for StateRAMP and FedRAMP® needs. APX NEXT/N70 radios that are ordered with this cloud configuration will be loaded into MSAC from the factory.
Janurary 2025
ASTRO Subscriber Release 2024.3
APX NEXT | APX N70/APX N70 XE | APX Portables | APX Mobiles
APX radio firmware update, 2024.3, brings significant enhancements to functionality and security. Key improvements include the ability to update radio aliases directly through the Digital Voice Recorder (DVR), introducing multi-codeplug support, allowing users to configure and switch between multiple codeplugs directly on the radio via the user interface and two additional transmit power levels offering greater flexibility in various operational environments.
Read more here.