Motorola launches ROKR iTunes phone.

[Matt]

Two-part harmony

http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
APPLE CUES UP MOTOROLA'S ROKR CELL PHONE IN A BID TO CONSOLIDATE ITS DOMINANCE OF THE DIGITAL MUSIC MARKET
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By Dawn C. Chmielewskihttp://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif


Steve Jobs has got your number.

In a move to make music truly mobile, the Apple Computer chief executive is expected to unveil the aptly named Motorola Rokr cell phone Wednesday in San Francisco. The phone will play songs people already own, transferred directly from the iTunes music collection on their computers.

Apple's marriage of the popular iPod with a gadget we carry everywhere is a bid to consolidate its dominance of the digital music market. Cingular Wireless will offer the Rokr as other cell phone companies prepare to launch high-speed networks to allow people to download songs to their phones. No pods required.

The Rokr, we hasten to add, is not the only cellular phone that plays MP3 music files. There are no fewer than 70 music phones on the market. But we challenge you to name one.

See what we mean?

Apple is counting on its cachet to help it crack the potentially huge cell phone music market. If it succeeds, Apple will be poised to sell full-length song downloads, once high-speed wireless networks become broadly available in 2006.

The outcome will depend on a number of factors, such as the price of the Motorola Rokr phone and people's interest in hearing the full-length version of songs like Mariah Carey's ``We Belong Together'' on their phone rather than just the 15-second ring tone.

And it remains to be seen whether the Motorola Rokr will exude the same modernist, minimalist cool that made Apple's iPod and iMac such tech fashion icons.

Music industry veterans, cell phone company executives and analysts say musical phones are inevitable -- even if the idea might strike some as odd. Indeed, Jupiter Research predicts the number of music-playing phones will surpass the number of digital music players in the next five years, growing from 3 million this year to 77 million by 2010.

``Music is inherently mobile and something you enjoy on the go,'' said Rio Caraeff, general manager of Universal Mobile Music, a division of Universal Music Group. ``It's a natural growth avenue for the music business.''

Jupiter Research Vice President Michael Gartenberg expects a music phone would co-exist with the iPod, not replace it. The iTunes phone might be the music player you take to the gym when you want to bring just one gadget that holds a limited number of songs. Unconfirmed reports claim the Rokr will come with a 128-megabyte Sandisk TransFlash memory card that would hold about 30 songs. The iPod, with its capacity to hold as many as 15,000 songs, is the obvious choice when boarding a plane for a six-hour cross-country flight.

As evidence the iPod and Rokr can thrive side by side, Gartenberg points to the symbiotic relationship between digital cameras. Instead of cannibalizing sales, the mobile phones equipped with tiny cameras actually fueled digital camera purchases because consumers said it introduced them to digital picture-taking, according to a study released last week by research firm IDC.

If the mobile music revolution is inevitable, why did it take Apple and Motorola so long to get here?

Apple Computer and Motorola announced plans in July 2004 to jointly develop a phone that would let music lovers transfer their favorite songs from the iTunes jukebox on their PC or Mac to a next-generation phone.

But the giant cellular operators balked because they want consumers to pay them a premium for the music they put on their phones, according to sources who requested anonymity because of ongoing discussions with the carriers. Cell phone carriers already charge as much as $3 for ring tones, those 15-second snippets of songs that play whenever someone calls.

The carriers, in short, viewed Apple as a competitor -- not a partner, said Charles Golvin, an analyst for Forrester Research in Los Angeles. He said the carriers believe they can use their own cellular networks to displace Apple as the leader in digital music downloads.

Verizon; Sprint Nextel

Indeed, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel plan to offer their own music download services by the end of the year, as they roll out high-speed wireless networks nationwide.

Sprint's director of entertainment, Nancy Beaton, said downloads will augment a growing array of music services, from ring tones to downloadable concert information to commercial-free music streams from Music Choice, and soon, Sirius Satellite Radio.

``The key for us is taking advantage of the instant and immediate access of the phone,'' Beaton said. ``It's the whole premise that wireless phones are based on.''

Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless launched its high-speed network last week in the Bay Area that can deliver videos, music and ring tones to cell phones, said Rich Garwood, regional president for Northern California.

The key to enticing wireless downloads is that the song not be locked in isolation on the cell phone. Another copy must be delivered to the computer, where people can burn a CD or create music mixes. Neither Verizon nor Sprint would discuss future plans, although Sprint notes it already provides this feature with digital photos.

``When people have downtime they love playing with their mobile phones. So instead of playing a game of Tetris or buying their next ring tone, browsing for music and downloading a full track -- it's a natural and good thing,'' said Thomas Hesse, president of global digital business for Sony BMG Music.

Nonetheless, there are obstacles to offering wireless song downloads. People typically browse for music before they buy -- whether that means roaming the aisles of a CD store, or perusing an online catalog. The mobile phone, with its tiny screen and numeric keypad, isn't ideally suited to shopping for songs.

``Generally speaking, browsing on your mobile phone is a lousy experience,'' said Golvin.

The cell phone carriers, because of the economics of delivering bits across their wireless networks, want to charge a premium. And while people will pay triple the price of a 99-cent iTunes track for a ring tone to personalize their mobile phone, it's unclear how much they'll pay for a full-song download.

``By and large, consumers are going to opt for doing it on their PC, because that's the place where they want to manage their music, keep their library,'' said Golvin.

Partnership with Cingular

That's the bet Apple is placing -- along with Cingular Wireless, which is expected to be the first carrier to offer Motorola's Rokr phone.

Mark Nagel, Cingular's director of entertainment services, won't discuss specific partnerships. But he said Cingular plans to embrace the way people download and organize their digital music collections now -- on the computer -- in hopes that it will lead to other types of wireless entertainment purchases later.

``One of the things that's important for the industry to recognize is how people buy and store and use their music today,'' Nagel said. ``A lot of it has to do with taking the music you own and making it portable. If you're not cautious about how you approach an existing user behavior, you could stand to alienate people.''

Even before Apple's iTunes makes its formal announcement, competitors like Microsoft and Napster were busily issuing press releases to counter Wednesday's Apple media blitzkrieg.

``We want to remind everybody, before Apple takes credit for inventing the wheel again, there are a lot of handsets out there that support digital music,'' said William Pence, chief technical officer for the Napster music service.

[Jake]

Wow, sounds awesome!

[Matt]

Live updates http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/09/07/special/index.php

[icsedge1]

allow me to be the first Mac-Until-Death addict to say:

*yawn*

whoop tee doo...a mid level Moto phone with a java iTunes app that holds 100 songs.

wake me up when Apple launches their MVNO on the Sprint network and an actual iPhone comes out - that is, Apple software and hardware built together. until then...i sleep. at least until the 940 is released.

Sedge

[Matt]

I don't really get the hype myself. I'd much rather just use my memory card.

It would be cool if Moto would release an iTunes app for previous models.

The old moto MP3 player is getting abit long in the tooth.

[Matt]

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/952/itunes3hy.jpg

Now available.

[Jake]

OMG!!! Wow! I'm switchin to Cingular!

[Jake]

Accually, nevermind, I just gotta keep in mind with no service a phone is useless. :(

[New91]

Wasn`t Cingular also getting the Sony walkman phone?

[Jake]

Wasn`t Cingular also getting the Sony walkman phone?

Still are as far as I've heard.

[Madisn]

Apple Computers Inc. CEO Steve Jobs introduces the first mobile phone with iTunes during an announcement in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005. Apple, Motorola and Cingular Wireless announced their new mobile phone. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)


http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/APPLE_COMPUTER.sff_CAPS101_20050907144320.jpg

[Rafy186]

***YAWN***

Isn't that what most of us already have with our cellphones? I already use iTunes to send songs to my 5600 it just takes one more step and i'm not limited to 100 songs.

****WARNING*****
To those of you that use Quicktime 6.5 to make AAC Ringtones do not download iTunes 5 as it will update you to Quicktime 7 and you would have to purchase the PRO pack.

[sammyrocks]

VGA camera...what is this, 1999?

[harris]

OMG!!! Wow! I'm switchin to Cingular!

Actually you can get more music on to a MM5600/MM800/MM535 if you get a 1Gig card. I don't know the exact number but it would be close to 500 songs.

[bluecoyote]

It's a yawn on the spec sheet, but I think implementation (if done right) will be the winner, here. 100 songs is the memory (Transflash) limit.

Overall, I think it's a winner if it performs. The spec sheet is comparable to the MM535 (picking up Bluetooth in light of the MP camera) . It's got stereo speakers, too (one thing that's awesome about the MM535- it's like a laptop speaker.

Edit: This phone comes with a $70.00 memory card too, mind you. The price is closer to $179.00 when you figure it. It also contains a USB cable and earphones (another $50.00 if you're an MM535 owner.)

What's up with those awful orange headphones?

[psychojoe3354]

Wait'll you see the plans Moto has for it's baby Nextel :)

[h8te_cstmers]

boring............

i tlooks alright but it not worth the big deal they are making about it

[mcurtiss1970]

it's an interesting first dip of Apple's big toe into the pool.

[mcurtiss1970]

Still are as far as I've heard.

The W600i is a quad-band so that may come to cingular but I'd bet its more than likely sold direct on SE's website

http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=us&lc=en&ver=4000&template=pp1_1_1&zone=pp&lm=pp1&pid=10296

the W800i is triband 900/1800/1900 so no go for cingular.

[Quill]

I thought there were plans for the SE w800 to come in a NA version with 850.

And someone enlighten me. This thing has expandable memory. In the package is included a miniSD card that holds 100 tunes. But, that's what, 512mb? Aren't the miniSD/TF cards capable of more at this point? I think 1GB is what I've seen. And that capacity will surely grow larger.

I am, by no means, a proponent of the phone at this stage. I don't need a convergence device that plays music. And at $249 with contract, it seems a bit pricey. But, I'm also not at a point where I'll dismiss it out of hand. From what I've gathered, this is an iTunes phone appetizer. I wouldn't cast too much judgement ... yet.

[tuolumne]

Don't be suprised when MOD luanches for Sprint in the forthcomming month...

A920/940 will be luanch phones. $349 and $399 respectively, vastly undercutting this Motorola.

This should be interesting.

[mcurtiss1970]

luanch is my favorite meal besides dinner. :clap:

undercut? i see tons of people going to the rokr for the Apple name. maybe not a migration from other carriers, but quite a few

[bluecoyote]

Eh, I don't see people clamoring for this phone ala RAZR, but I do think it'll sell reasonably well. Basically, if you're looking for a phone that can play mp3's, that's the one to get.

Had the phone been released on Sprint (although let's be honest- it would've had no Bluetooth) as-is, I think it'd smoke every high-end phone in the lineup in terms of sales, but as a GSM phone, there's not much to discuss other than the whopping memory it's graced with (512, people)

I'd like to see how it performs. A phone with an mp3 player is nothing new, but if this phone's mp3 player works well... well, then it is :-)

[tuolumne]

Sprint/Verizon need to spend some serious marketing cash if they want to take on Cingular/ROKR with their MOD service and MOD phones.

Serious.

[bluecoyote]

I want iTunes compatibility if I'm purchasing a phone for its musical prowess. Whatever it is isn't going to hold my entire music collection, so I want a fast way to pick and choose songs and playlists.

Sprint had an opportunity and they're going to blow it. I'm not paying $2.00 for a song I can pay $1.00 for AND listen to on my iPod.

[sneak]

I personally love this! I love iTunes, iPods, and the lot. I think this is a great idea, and I'm so pleased with my Moto experience (a la v551), I would consider it if/when it comes to Sprint.

If I still had Cingular, I would own THAT phone.

[mcurtiss1970]

I thought there were plans for the SE w800 to come in a NA version with 850.

the reason i don't think so is because it's being sold on SE's USA webstore as a 900/1800/1900. if it was only on their UK store, i'd hold out hope for it coming to teh US in a 850 version.

[CoreyTheGent]

And someone enlighten me. This thing has expandable memory. In the package is included a miniSD card that holds 100 tunes. But, that's what, 512mb? Aren't the miniSD/TF cards capable of more at this point? I think 1GB is what I've seen. And that capacity will surely grow larger.You were right on the money. It's limited by the card's capacity and not the Apple/Motorola software. At least that's what Phonescoop claims. It uses microSD instead of miniSD however, which would explain the 512mb cap. Whenever microSD cards increase, I assume you'll be able to have more music.

Apple and Motorola Finally Launch iTunes Phone

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5072/rokr3eq.jpg

Apple today launched the first phone that will sync with their iTunes software. The Motorola ROKR is almost the model expected after months of leaks and rumors. It is built on Motorola's e398 phone and shares many of the same features: a VGA camera with flash, tri-band GSM/GPRS, 176 x 220 display and TransFlash slot. It also has stereo speakers, a stereo headset jack, and a lighted bezel that syncs to ringtones.

The difference is that the ROKR syncs to iTunes, like any other iPod, via a USB cable. It can play tracks from the iTunes Music Store and can be filled with iTunes Autofill. Because TransFlash cards currently top out at 512 MB, it can only hold about 100 songs, however that is a memory limit and not artificially imposed by Apple software. Like the Walkman phone, the ROKR will feature an airplane mode to listen to music with the phone off. The ROKR will be available exclusively on Cingular in the US, and should be in their stores this weekend.

Phonescoop (http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=1362)

[tuolumne]

1GB MSD cards are on the way soon.

[CoreyTheGent]

Yeah right. SanDisk has been saying that since the end of 2004. I personally believe that, with TF/microSD created specifically with handsets in mind, it is purposely being held back. For the sake of content providers/carriers, I don't know.

[tuolumne]

Yeah alright...

[CoreyTheGent]

The 512 just launched and isn't even widely available yet (though Cingular stores will come up with a hefty amount soon).

http://www.sandisk.com/pressrelease/20050713.htm

And you think a 1gig is coming out in a few months? Lol.

[tuolumne]

And you think a 1gig is coming out in a few months? Lol.

Yes.

[CoreyTheGent]

I hope so. They'll come in handy for Cingular when they release the Samsung D600.

[tuolumne]

Sure will.

[Matt]

I hope so. They'll come in handy for Cingular when they release the Samsung D600.

Cingular? Bah. Time to get out the ole' unlock codes. :)

[CoreyTheGent]

That was sarcasm, Matt.

[Matt]

I kinda figured that it was. ;)

[tuolumne]

Truthfull Sarcasm at that :Popcorn2:

Cingular will be getting the Samsung SGH-D600 in Q4.

[CoreyTheGent]

We'll see.

[tuolumne]

Yes we will.

[CoreyTheGent]

Is it already being tested?

[Stevecccc]

Kind of a strange clip here. Described as :

In this clip, the phone responds with light and sound to music coming from another ROKR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=eMalhIKyvLs

[tuolumne]

Is it already being tested?

I don't know how Cingular testing is.

[CoreyTheGent]

I didn't ask what the process consisted of, it's just with you being so confident of a Q4 release and all, I figured your source spoke of the handset already being in testing.

[tuolumne]

No.

[Jaggrey]

Great concept. It'll sell just cuz of the names (Moto and Apple).

[gla17624]

hey everybody!!!! here's another mp3 phone!!! the nokia 3300:
and guess how many songs it can hold? since it doesn't use microsd but uses regular SD cards, it can hold up to 1,600 songs. yup, all you gotta do is buy one of these 2 gigabyte sd cards here for $128 with shipping included:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7544131980&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

then you can buy the nokia 3300 here for $64 with shipping included:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7544131980&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

so total for everything with shipping is only $192 with NO CONTRACT and you get 4 TIMES THE STORAGE SPACE AS THIS PIECE OF %$#@* ROKR PHONE FOR $58 DOLLARS LESS.
did i mention that the nokia 3300 has been out for a couple of years now?
motorola bites and i guarantee you that cingular will sell a ton of this phone, because they'll advertise for this phone like crazy (juse like the razr), and everyone will think that this is the first mp3 phone in the world.

[bluecoyote]

Actually, and I think Tuo will thank me for this, the Samsung Uproar predated that phone. That said, the ROKR features such things that Nokia doesn't... like backlighting!

[tuolumne]

LOL....The Uproar was wayyy ahead of it's time.

[Jaggrey]

yea that it was... wasn't it a pretty decent phone as well?

[gla17624]

the samsung uproar was $400 when it came out in 2000. crazy, huh? look at this review that i found of it on ign. the qualifications for a good phone were much different so long ago! lol:
http://formen.ign.com/news/27874.html

[Jake]

i see tons of people going to the rokr for the Apple name. maybe not a migration from other carriers, but quite a few

definetly! I saw it on the news and they interviewed like random people on the street and they heard the apple/itunes name and freaked. A HUGE selling point! :music:

[tuolumne]

For dumb people.

[Matt]

Different people will have always have different preferences when it comes to just about anything.

It does not mean that want to buy and use the RORK are dumb.

[sammyrocks]

100 songs, limited by the iTunes software...

edit: spec-wise, this phone isn't in the same league as the w800

[CoreyTheGent]

Believe it or not, I actually agree with tuolumne. You've gotta be a friggin moron to want this phone. I'd rather just buy the Black Razr or a V635.

[CoreyTheGent]

Yeah. Engadget's reporting that iTunes limits it to 100 songs, but you can fill the card up with mp3's to its capacity. Odd.

They also say Apple wanted the original limit to be like 10 songs and Motorola had to struggle just to get 100.

[bluecoyote]

I really need to see the phone in action. I've heard fairly mixed reviews about the UI- calling it "decent" but "not up to iPod standards." The real question will be how it compares to other cell phones- none of which (other than the W800) come even close.

I really wish they would've given the design more cachet. It's as if Samsung designed this phone. :hee:


100 songs doesn't make or break this phone for me- it's got iTunes autofill, and frankly I only keep about 50 songs on my MM535. 512 MB... most of my songs are 5-6 MB, so I probably won't even hit it.

I'm concerned about
-Volume
-Video playing ability
-iSync compatibility
-Media Player ability (I think the ability to run it in the background would be nice.. oh well)
-Sound quality
-Ease of Use
-Battery Life


None of those are things we can assume from a Spec sheet, and none of them are things we know. I can't wait for it to arrive.

[CoreyTheGent]

To just take an old Motorola, with what sounds like the same old slow software, and add iTunes was a very, very stupid idea. This thing probably won't flop but I hope it does. It should've all been built from the ground up, including either a mobile Apple OS or something new from Moto in which Apple had the steering wheel.

It should've been a Nokia. At the very least one of the new Razr candybars. I thought maybe the Rokr E3 would change things around but Moto is saying that it'll just be a regular music phone with no relation to Apple/iTunes.

[bluecoyote]

Nokia has already told Apple they could build iTunes support into their music phones.

Because they're Nokia. Apple won't, of course, but they COULD. I think it's safe to say that Motorola's future efforts with the ROKR lineup will be more bold, but I'm not sure why they went so tepidly. This is Motorola!

Hint to Apple: go with Nokia!

[tuolumne]

I agree.

For some reason I don't see this doing to well. I see just like the 6200/400 was for Sanyo...People think it is a very nice phone, but on the other hand, would rather just get the next phone, in Cingular's case, the Black Razr, which is FLYING off the shelves at it's new price.

People are going to be buying the NANO up as is, and for them to drop another $299 on a phone to listen to 1/10th of the songs, and most likely have 1/2th of usability raises serious questions for me. It also doesn't help that Verizon is marketing their VX8100 and Vcast everywhere like crazy. I would need to see this device priced more competitively ($149-199 with 2 year) for it to really sell. After all, how far does $329 get you in Apples real iPod line? That gets you a lot, and truth be told, I believe that people would rather go for that.

[Willie_Esco23]

I really don't see what's the big media hoopla about this phone. I can do all that and more on my LG-535. All that phone is a some motorola phone with iTunes software on it. And the phone can only hold 100 songs!! what a joke. I have over a 160 on my 1 gig Mini SD with the LG and will be able to hold even more once 2 gig mini's come out. It just seem like cingular has another over hyped phone that's nothing special or new. I mena there's tons of phone out there with MP3 player's and none of them are even mentioned as if the iTunes phone is the first mp3 player phone. What a joke!!,

[bluecoyote]

I just heard iTunes works in background mode, which actually makes this device pretty compelling.

[tuolumne]

For battery life:hee:

[bluecoyote]

They said it gets about 9-15 hours, which is petty damn good. 6-8 hours talk time, too!

For an iPod, it's not up to snuff, but for a cell phones this is most certainly above what we have at Sprint.

[tuolumne]

What do these phones last for?

[Moogle]

I really don't see what's the big media hoopla about this phone. I can do all that and more on my LG-535. All that phone is a some motorola phone with iTunes software on it. And the phone can only hold 100 songs!! what a joke. I have over a 160 on my 1 gig Mini SD with the LG and will be able to hold even more once 2 gig mini's come out. It just seem like cingular has another over hyped phone that's nothing special or new. I mena there's tons of phone out there with MP3 player's and none of them are even mentioned as if the iTunes phone is the first mp3 player phone. What a joke!!,

Yep.

The big deal with the iTunes phone is... you can use iTunes with it -- So for those people that use the Apple Music Store - they can transfer DRMed songs to the ROKR.

[bluecoyote]

In short:
1) The phone syncs up with iTunes. While it can only hold 100 songs (you can manually put more on there if you want, and this is about on-par with the 512 MB TF Memory limit anyway) , it can autofill or playlist fill, which your MM535 cannot do.

2) The phone supports playlists, which your MM535 cannot do.

3) The phone doesn't have stupid bouncing notes, which your MM535 cannot claim. :hee:

4) The phone is able to play music in the background while still accessing the phone's functions (at least I believe / hope) , and always offer one-button access to the mp3 player. It can also resume playback after a call (which your MM535 cannot do.)

5) The phone offers battery life comparable to a regular iPod, which your MM535 cannot claim.

6) The phone can display album artwork, which your MM535 cannot do.

7) The phone can display ID3 tags, which your MM535 cannot do (certainly not to the extent of the ROKR)

8) The phone comes with a 512 MB memory card, which your MM535 does not, despite being similarly priced. It also comes with headphones and a USB cable. The price of a USB cable alone (or headphones, for that matter) would make the Mm535 MORE expensive. Adding in all 3 would make the Mm535 nearly $130.00 more expensive (assuming $40.00 for the USB cable, $60.00 for the 512 MB chip, and $30.00 for the headphones- S&H included)

9) The phone exceeds your MM535's specifications in all regards except for the memory card format and the camera- but it adds Bluetooth connectivity.

I'm not calling the ROKR great, but I think it's more of an iPod shuffle alternative rather than anything- to which I think it's a fair start. I'd like a more captivating design. It's not an iPod phone, it's a phone with iTunes.

[Willie_Esco23]

In short:
1) The phone syncs up with iTunes. While it can only hold 100 songs (you can manually put more on there if you want, and this is about on-par with the 512 MB TF Memory limit anyway) , it can autofill or playlist fill, which your MM535 cannot do.

2) The phone supports playlists, which your MM535 cannot do.

3) The phone doesn't have stupid bouncing notes, which your MM535 cannot claim. :hee:

4) The phone is able to play music in the background while still accessing the phone's functions (at least I believe / hope) , and always offer one-button access to the mp3 player. It can also resume playback after a call (which your MM535 cannot do.)

5) The phone offers battery life comparable to a regular iPod, which your MM535 cannot claim.

6) The phone can display album artwork, which your MM535 cannot do.

7) The phone can display ID3 tags, which your MM535 cannot do (certainly not to the extent of the ROKR)

8) The phone comes with a 512 MB memory card, which your MM535 does not, despite being similarly priced. It also comes with headphones and a USB cable. The price of a USB cable alone (or headphones, for that matter) would make the Mm535 MORE expensive. Adding in all 3 would make the Mm535 nearly $130.00 more expensive (assuming $40.00 for the USB cable, $60.00 for the 512 MB chip, and $30.00 for the headphones- S&H included)

9) The phone exceeds your MM535's specifications in all regards except for the memory card format and the camera- but it adds Bluetooth connectivity.

I'm not calling the ROKR great, but I think it's more of an iPod shuffle alternative rather than anything- to which I think it's a fair start. I'd like a more captivating design. It's not an iPod phone, it's a phone with iTunes.

Ok And your point is??? The phone is still no big deal. It syncs with itunes! big deal. If the user that need itunes to organize music knew how use windows explorer they do the same things themselves. And I never said the 535 was perfect but it gets the job done. I see the iTunes phone as no big deal just like the Razr. And even the regular iPod is a over hyped gadget, there are plenty of players with crap loads of features over the pod. People in this country buy into fads way too easily and have limited knowledge technology. You should see how many people ask me is my phone an ipod when they see me listening to music on it.

[Matt]

Well, the great thing is Willie. You don't have to buy it or use it. :D

[kush_14]

In short:
1) The phone syncs up with iTunes. While it can only hold 100 songs (you can manually put more on there if you want, and this is about on-par with the 512 MB TF Memory limit anyway) , it can autofill or playlist fill, which your MM535 cannot do.

2) The phone supports playlists, which your MM535 cannot do.

3) The phone doesn't have stupid bouncing notes, which your MM535 cannot claim. :hee:

4) The phone is able to play music in the background while still accessing the phone's functions (at least I believe / hope) , and always offer one-button access to the mp3 player. It can also resume playback after a call (which your MM535 cannot do.)

5) The phone offers battery life comparable to a regular iPod, which your MM535 cannot claim.

6) The phone can display album artwork, which your MM535 cannot do.

7) The phone can display ID3 tags, which your MM535 cannot do (certainly not to the extent of the ROKR)

8) The phone comes with a 512 MB memory card, which your MM535 does not, despite being similarly priced. It also comes with headphones and a USB cable. The price of a USB cable alone (or headphones, for that matter) would make the Mm535 MORE expensive. Adding in all 3 would make the Mm535 nearly $130.00 more expensive (assuming $40.00 for the USB cable, $60.00 for the 512 MB chip, and $30.00 for the headphones- S&H included)

9) The phone exceeds your MM535's specifications in all regards except for the memory card format and the camera- but it adds Bluetooth connectivity.

I'm not calling the ROKR great, but I think it's more of an iPod shuffle alternative rather than anything- to which I think it's a fair start. I'd like a more captivating design. It's not an iPod phone, it's a phone with iTunes.


haha yeah right in short...

thanks for the info tho :clap:

[CoreyTheGent]

People in this country buy into fads way too easily and have limited knowledge technology.Then why does the iPod have 40% marketshare in Japan, with iTunes making Sony's music service irrelevant within its first week of introduction?

It's not about America, and the iPod was a "fad" four years ago. It is now an iconic piece of music history. To call the iPod a fad in terms of music is like calling Windows a fad in terms of computers. Neither one of them are going anywhere. While everyone claims the competition is "chipping at Apple's marketshare," I just see them picking up unclaimed territory. They gain, yet I don't see Apple losing. Apple takes ten steps forward every year for every step their competitors take in the same direction. While everybody else is barely establishing themselves, the iPod/iTunes market is expanding consistently throughout the world.

Now, back to this handset. This thing has a high chance of success because the grand majority of Americans don't know about the E398 (or whatever it was called, temporary brain freeze). Most people outside of Engadget and these message boards think the Rokr E1 is some brand new handset. It even looks like an iPod turned into a phone, though not as much as the Rokr E3. It will do better than the majority of Cingular phones, though I'm not sure if it'll be up there with the Razr. It also serves to further strengthen the relationship between Motorola and Cingular.

I'd never buy either. Though the Nano can be tempting at times, it and the Rokr are far too overpriced (plus Cingular won't be impressive to me until UMTS launches and expands). The Nano should've been $150 for 2gigs and $200 for 4, in my opinion. I think that by next year we will see pricedrops for the current Nanos and bumps in memory to 6, 8, 10, 12 gigs perhaps.

[bluecoyote]

Ok And your point is??? The phone is still no big deal. It syncs with itunes! big deal. If the user that need itunes to organize music knew how use windows explorer they do the same things themselves. And I never said the 535 was perfect but it gets the job done. I see the iTunes phone as no big deal just like the Razr. And even the regular iPod is a over hyped gadget, there are plenty of players with crap loads of features over the pod. People in this country buy into fads way too easily and have limited knowledge technology. You should see how many people ask me is my phone an ipod when they see me listening to music on it.


I just gave you 9 reasons / points. You can get the job done with anything- hell, take an old casette player and tape-record songs you hear on the radio.

And if there's one thing the iPod has taught us, it's that superfluous 'features' don't equate to a great mp3 player. (FM Tuner, image support-but-no-simultaneous-image-and-audio) , etc.)

[CoreyTheGent]

I still don't get what people want with an FM tuner. Part of what catapulted the mp3 craze was the ability to have a portable, non-stop list of commercial free music. I can't turn on the radio without hearing an ad for Levitra, that's why I've got the damn iPod.

Now Sirius/XM, that's a different story. But it'll be a while before somebody converges a completely portable satellite radio device with an mp3 player the right way.

[bluecoyote]

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/moto_rokr/index.php?p=a

Looks damn good to me!

[tuolumne]

Now Sirius/XM, that's a different story. But it'll be a while before somebody converges a completely portable satellite radio device with an mp3 player the right way.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/samsung-nexus-xm-satellite-radio.jpg

[CoreyTheGent]

But it'll be a while before somebody converges a completely portable satellite radio device with an mp3 player the right way.I included those last three words in anticipation of your response, tuolumne.

Samsung’s New neXus XM Audio Player

Well, here it is, the Samsung neXus—their first stab at an American satellite radio device. It’ll come in 512MB and 1GB flavors for playing back pre-recorded XM programming, and will include a docking for retrieving your content—including MP3 and WMA audio. It stacks up to be 3.4 x 1.9 x 0.7-inches, so it’s fair sized, but still slightly smaller than its competition, the Sirius S50. Still nothing you can’t handle, right?

Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000037057030/)

Comment #3:
"Where, WHERE are the XM fanboi's now? This thing must be in a cradle to receive a signal, juuust like the S50. It's not a "true" (is that how they put it?) portable device. But I thought Samsung was gonna introduce a device that could receive a signal while walking around, etc?"

Thanks, but no thanks.

[tuolumne]

Yes, I know your the ulti-endagdget whore:lol:

I was just waiting until you brought that up.

But yeah, Samsung and XM signed an agreement for a combined device.

[bluecoyote]

This would be why Steve Jobs said "no" to the whole Sirius-iPod deal- Podcasting has these devices beat. I do want satelite radio ON THE GO, though.

P.S. Corey , Congrats on your recent Engadget post (or maybe it was phonescoop)

[CoreyTheGent]

Nah, an iPod with satellite radio would go much further than Podcasting ever will. At least in my opinion. I think perhaps the device would be too big, which is obviously the exact opposite effect Apple is trying to have on the iPod lineup. Either that or Steve just wasn't down with it. That's why I wish the competition would step up already. If Apple started to sweat even in the least bit, we'd have an iPod with satellite radio, Bluetooth and video capabilities. But as long as they can keep smacking people around with devices such as the Nano, why bother?

[bluecoyote]

Nah, an iPod with satellite radio would go much further than Podcasting ever will. At least in my opinion. I think perhaps the device would be too big, which is obviously the exact opposite effect Apple is trying to have on the iPod lineup. Either that or Steve just wasn't down with it. That's why I wish the competition would step up already. If Apple started to sweat even in the least bit, we'd have an iPod with satellite radio, Bluetooth and video capabilities. But as long as they can keep smacking people around with devices such as the Nano, why bother?

It would, but not iPod with preprecorded Satellite radio, which is why Jobs was not interested (which at first, to me, seemed absurd.)

Bluetooth seems like one of those 'what's the point' deals. What the hell could you do with a Bluetooth iPod? Send eachother pics? BT synchronization for music would be way too slow. If you want a Bluetooth iPod that plays videos, get the ROKR :hee:.

Now, WiFi (ala Nokia N91) might be interesting (Nokia is including wireless to download new tracks at hotspots) but then again, so would be EV-DO or the like, which is where I think the iPhone will eventually wind up.

As for Video, I'd like it, but there's just no compelling solution at the moment- there would be if I could purchase episodes of "The Simpsons" like songs on iTunes and play my own, but there isn't. We need that to have a compelling video iPod. (Well, at least to reach a large audience.)

[CoreyTheGent]

It would, but not iPod with preprecorded Satellite radio, which is why Jobs was not interested (which at first, to me, seemed absurd.)

Bluetooth seems like one of those 'what's the point' deals. What the hell could you do with a Bluetooth iPod? Send eachother pics? BT synchronization for music would be way too slow. If you want a Bluetooth iPod that plays videos, get the ROKR :hee:.

As for Video, I'd like it, but there's just no compelling solution at the moment- there would be if I could purchase episodes of "The Simpsons" like songs on iTunes and play my own, but there isn't. We need that to have a compelling video iPod. (Well, at least to reach a large audience.)When I say "Bluetooth iPod," my mind is more wrapped around the idea of an iPod with built in capabilities for stereo, (obviously) wireless Bluetooth earphones and headsets. It would really go far to putting BT on the map worldwide. I can already see the ad campaign, the dancing silhouettes moving with what appears to be a normal iPod until suddenly the white cords fall to the ground. Now how cool would that be?

As for the video iPod, I know good and well that Apple would end up with some kind of movie store first. iFlicks, perhaps? Episodes of TV shows would be a great addition. That's why we won't see a video iPod anytime soon, everything must be perfectly ready and the time must be right. 2005 is too soon. Let Creative launch the Vision first, see it catch some steam, and watch Apple once again turn another one of their small ideas into a revolution.

[tuolumne]

It is a major let down that Motorola didn't add BT 1.2 support to the ROKR E1 for stereo bluetooth headphone support. That feature is what has me looking at that sexy A920 so much.

[FloorMatt]

It is a major let down that Motorola didn't add BT 1.2 support to the ROKR E1 for stereo bluetooth headphone support. That feature is what has me looking at that sexy A920 so much.

You said the magic word! Sexy A920! :clap: It will be mine (unless the BLADE is priced right ;) )

Heh, AOTS on G4 was talking about the ROKR being a joke. :)

[bluecoyote]

It is a major let down that Motorola didn't add BT 1.2 support to the ROKR E1 for stereo bluetooth headphone support. That feature is what has me looking at that sexy A920 so much.


THAT's the major letdown? I guess it's all relative

[Phone Miz-aster]

Just saw the CEO of Motorola on Charlie Rose talking about the ROKR and some other stuff. Forget his name but as you can imagine he was old, white, bald, and clueless. He did say a couple of interesting things though like that initially no one wanted to cary the RAZR including Cingular, mostly because they felt it was too expensive. It took several months of persuasion before Cingular took the bait and are now cashing in. This means that Sprint and Verizon missed the boat, although he said that they have an agreement to bring the RAZR to T-mobile.
The key seems to be advertising, people need to be told what is cool. I can imagine that the ROKR will outsell all sprints SD capable phones that can also play MP3 put together.
He also talked about SLVR which will be just like RAZR except candybar stlye. He said the phone will be big in the middle east where he claims people don't like flip phones as much (I wonder why?) Also PEBL which looks like an egg and will be a more femanine counter design to the RAZR.
Sprint needs to strike a deal with Motorola too and start advertising their MP3 capable phones or they are loosing potential customers.

[Jake]

Does anyone have pics of the ROKR E3
I saw Corey mention it but I have no idea what it is.

[bluecoyote]

Go to Cingular.com and see it.


The PEBL is HOT. I'm a guy and I want it

[Jake]

Go to Cingular.com and see it.


The PEBL is HOT. I'm a guy and I want it

I LOVE the PEBL!!! I want a green one! :)

EDIT:Also is that was directed at me, I was talking about the e3, not the e1... which is all thats on Cingular.com

[atown303]

wow i love reading from the start to the last post... well heres how i see it right now i have an a800 i love it just waitin for larger transflash cards comin out gezz i cant even find a 256 here :irked: anyways the only thing ur gainin on that rokr is the ipod ui... other than that wha? cause u can put acc/m4a, mp3 (and play them in your media player just like the ipod)both dont play the wma though :bang: , and i heard that later on with some new software updates samsung might allow u to play wma, but who knows... but on e thing is for sure that in the next firmware update i heard they are goin to put in the option to go fullscreen :) and hide the controls :fingers:... thats my 2 cents

[bluecoyote]

Who gives a rats ass about WMA?

(Psst, keep in mind, the ROKR features Background Playback which none of our phones feature. THAT'S a big deal!)

(Unless you've got an S60 Symbian, Windows Mobile, or SE Walkman device)

[atown303]

actually wma is a very nice format... considering of them all mp3 are the worst both wma and acc/m4a sound the same as mp3's at low bitrates/quality... and if im listening to my music on my phone its most likely in my pocket not in my hand textin someone so i dont dont give a "rats ass" bout that... other than that wha other features are we improvin on here.. wait lemme nothin u get an ipod but the camera quality of a 6225 ill stick with my 800 and the media player till something nicer comes along :headbang2

[CoreyTheGent]

Does anyone have pics of the ROKR E3
I saw Corey mention it but I have no idea what it is."That was all there was to see or hear about an iTunes phone, but that wasn't the only thing said about music phones. The company also mentioned its forthcoming ROKR line of music phones, including the flagship model, which was on display on stage:

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/2787/e310rt.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4016/e323kp.jpg

Frustratingly, nothing was said about the phone other than its name. But a simple glance at the phone reveals a PEBL-like keypad, a large scroll wheel, and a front-facing camera, implying it will be a video-calling-capable WCDMA phone. We do know that this particular ROKR will not have iTunes."

-- From Phonescoop's MOTONOW coverage.

The E3 will make the E1 look like the piece of garbage that it is.

[Jake]

Thanks Corey! That thing is HOT! I would love to have Itunes on that thing though :(

[bluecoyote]

I think they will put itunes on it- that it was just a 'decoy' to help pitch the E1.

So far, the only bad thing I've heard (other than the looks of it) is the slow transfer rate. Yikes!

Background Play makes it a definite winner, though, in my book.

[tuolumne]

"From the day it was born, the ROKR was trouble. Apple isn’t selling it—Steve Jobs even had some trouble getting it to work the right way on stage—Jobs says he hit the wrong button, but people in the know say that the feature that lets you resume play after a phone call doesn’t work properly. What’s more, the iTunes client has been surgically connected to the Motorola V-series interface and the scars are showing. The screen isn’t wide or colorful enough to do the music store justice. The orange headphones shown in the Cingular ad weren’t the phones used for today’s unveiling. There is no support for Bluetooth headphones. But hey, thank goodness all the rumors of a 25-song capacity, 3G over-the-air downloads and $2 per song charges proved false. "

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portables/early-returns-nano-good-rokr-bad-124308.php

[Jake]

Anyone seen the commercial? It SUCKS! You seen the phone for about half of a second. It does not even tell you what it is other than putting various artist in a phone both.

[FloorMatt]

I finally have seen both commercials......Ehh.

[kush_14]

this is a depressing device out of of the apple camp

[CoreyTheGent]

It's a depressing device out of the Motorola camp. Apple's just in it for the royalties, iTunes sales, buzz, brand recognition and their initial experience jumping into the mobile handset market. Both sides (Moto and Apple) will learn a lot from this.

[CoreyTheGent]

You know what's funny? Both Motorola and Apple would've been better off just releasing a white version of the Razr with iTunes software. Even better would be the introduction of the Razr II in white/gray with iTunes software, more colors to come later. Simple ideas, yet Motorola felt the need to dig up some 2 year old design and just complicate everything.

[Jake]

You know what's funny? Both Motorola and Apple would've been better off just releasing a white version of the Razr with iTunes software. Even better would be the introduction of the Razr II in white/gray with iTunes software, more colors to come later. Simple ideas, yet Motorola felt the need to dig up some 2 year old design and just complicate everything.

Never thought of an ipod colored RAZR, good thinkin Corey, that would sell REALLY well! It would be even better if the could find somewhere to put a clickwheel. :deal:

[bluecoyote]

Here is the challenge I pose to you slamming this phone:
Tell me how, at $250.00 (including memory card) , this phone's music capabilities are trounced by any other phone in Sprint, Cingular, T-Mobile, or Verizon's lineup. Even more expensive phones such as the Samsung A800 lack media playing capabilities this phone has. In fact, the only phone with capabilities matching/exceeding this are the significantly-more-expensive Walkman phone, and the not-released Nokia N91.

Critics, there you go.

(Sure, it's got a smaller screen than your A800, but it didn't cost $350.00 with new activation, and it's not intended to compete with an imaging-only phone)

Initial hands-on reviews have been mixed. But from what I've heard, it plays Mp3's better than any other phone out on the market. Actually, I haven't heard a negative review from those familiar with the competition- mainly the current crop of phones that play mp3's. http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/hands_on_review_of_motorola_rokr_apple_itunes_mobi le_phone/ (Here's a good one.)

I do smell another NGage though- a perfectly competent device bashed for not being jaw-dropping in its execution. If it came to Sprint (without any uh.. castration of Bluetooth), I'd be all over it.

And I've seen background play and play-resume work properly, so I'm not led believe that it does work properly.

The device could be much more (and will be with future iterations) , but it's a start. It plays Mp3's better than any other Cingular, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint phone.

[CoreyTheGent]

What you said would sound nice, blue, if this wasn't the first iTunes phones, a joint project between Apple and Motorola. The outcome should've been a bleeding edge handset with flawless design and innovation abound, not some old phone with an application to play 100 songs from iTunes. To top it off, you made us wait a year through pushbacks for this crap? And then you've got the Razr and iPod Nano as your new #1 products to contrast this offering?

You and I both know that this could've and should've turned out better.

[tuolumne]

Here is the challenge I pose to you slamming this phone:
Tell me how, at $250.00 (including memory card) , this phone's music capabilities are trounced by any other phone in Sprint, Cingular, T-Mobile, or Verizon's lineup. Even more expensive phones such as the Samsung A800 lack media playing capabilities this phone has. In fact, the only phone with capabilities matching/exceeding this are the significantly-more-expensive Walkman phone, and the not-released Nokia N91.

(Sure, it's got a smaller screen than your A800, but it didn't cost $350.00 with new activation, and it's not intended to compete with an imaging-only phone)



The E1 is $399 retail, and the A800 goes for $199 new.

Now, As for the other devices with comparable memory, you forgot to include the 3GB Samsung SGH-i300 which luanches on O2 in Europe this month for $150 with an agreement. Furthermore, it includes a QVGA, and Windows Mobile and even includes an Apple-esque scroll wheel which even Motorola's long drawn out iTunes phone lacks.

[CoreyTheGent]

The SGH-i300 is a Windows Mobile Smartphone with a 3gb HDD. The only reason it goes for $150 in Europe is on account of O2's heavy subsidization. That is actually very expensive for a European handset with contract. If offered in the United States, the same phone would probably go for $499 with a new 2yr agreement. It would be up there with Nokia's N-Series handsets and you know it.

[tuolumne]

$599 is the retail price it would be if it luanched in the US, which it just might.

[bluecoyote]

The E1 is $399 retail, and the A800 goes for $199 new.

Now, As for the other devices with comparable memory, you forgot to include the 3GB Samsung SGH-i300 which luanches on O2 in Europe this month for $150 with an agreement. Furthermore, it includes a QVGA, and Windows Mobile and even includes an Apple-esque scroll wheel which even Motorola's long drawn out iTunes phone lacks.


It's Windows Mobile, which means it's going to absolutely BLOW. The fact it's a Samsung with Windows Mobile is... well (have you read the i730 reviews? Not pretty.)

Actually, to all of you naysayers- there is a phone that beats the snot out of this. The Nokia NGage- the only other phone I've seen with a lower price that offers background play and additional features.


And Tuo, according to SprintPCS.com , and the local Sprint store, which is whom I'd be buying from:

http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccess ories%7CallPhones%7C&selectSkuId=samsungmma800&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476015&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1126634392984

Read that and tell me where it says $200.00 new. I see $349.00 new, which is echoing what my local Sprint store tells me.

Nobody who demands a lot from their phone uses Windows Mobile.

[CoreyTheGent]

He's probably talking about the Best Buy price. Either way, both pieces of his so-called "evidence" were misleading, especially the i300 talk in which he was banking on nobody knowing the truth. And you can't compare the price from a 3rd party, offering a heavier subsidization, to a carrier price. You'll need to wait until the E1 hits those retailers as well.

[tuolumne]

It's Windows Mobile, which means it's going to absolutely BLOW. The fact it's a Samsung with Windows Mobile is... well (have you read the i730 reviews? Not pretty.)

I've heard plenty of reviews.

Their sales aren't anything BUT "pretty" :)

[Jake]

I've heard plenty of reviews.

Their sales aren't anything BUT "pretty" :)
Sales have nothing to do with quality of the phone and how well it functions. The RAZR had nothing to offfer except style and I'm sure thats out sold every Samsung know to toots.

[viperboy]

i didnt have time to read about this whole thread, so i dont know if anyone has posted this, but here is a 1 gb miniSD card

http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?refer=froogle&id=1004768

[Matt]

A miniSD card for what? The ROKR uses microSD or Tansflash cards.

[viperboy]

A miniSD card for what? The ROKR uses microSD or Tansflash cards.

sorry about that. i just read the 1st page real quick.

[Matt]

No worries. :)

The 1 gig TF card is rumoured to be right around the corner. :)

[CoreyTheGent]

Sales have nothing to do with quality of the phone and how well it functions.It's called a double standard, Jake. For the iPod and Razr, their large sales volumes are irrelevant. For Samsung products, a high amount of items shipped suddenly speaks wonders to how well that device must be.

[tuolumne]

Sales have nothing to do with quality of the phone and how well it functions. The RAZR had nothing to offfer except style and I'm sure thats out sold every Samsung know to toots.

Blue Black phone is tipped to sell a landmark 10 million. (http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507170005.html)

[atown303]

bc honestly man give it up.... every post ive read from u has been knockin on the a800 i just wanna state that while havin the nicest camera out right now in america it also does everything the rokr phones does except play the songs in the background/shows picture of the cd other than that wha? a800 plays acc/m4a, and mp3s in its media player, they both use transflash so they will be able to hold the same amount of songs... next id rather have a great camera and a media player than a camera from two years ago and an "ipod" player on my phone....

[bluecoyote]

bc honestly man give it up.... every post ive read from u has been knockin on the a800 i just wanna state that while havin the nicest camera out right now in america it also does everything the rokr phones does except play the songs in the background/shows picture of the cd other than that wha? a800 plays acc/m4a, and mp3s in its media player, they both use transflash so they will be able to hold the same amount of songs... next id rather have a great camera and a media player than a camera from two years ago and an "ipod" player on my phone....


Did you not read my post? Did you miss my whole thing about background play (which the A800 doesn't have, which means you can't listen to the mp3 player and surf the internet or text message or even check your schedule.) That just because they both hold the same amount of songs that one's media player can offer a VERY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN USABILITY AND FUNCTION over the other? In fact, that's the whole point of this phone?

Did you miss that? I think you missed that. Now tell me, why did you miss that, because I've mentioned it several times, and even Tuo has given a relevant response.

Individual preferences aside (which is understandable- some people would rather have a nice camera than a nice media player) , you're missing the point, which is to emphasize MUSIC CAPABILITIES.

Also, the A800 doesn't do everything the ROKR does... and vice versa (no speakerphone, no T9 OR iTap, no Bluetooth, no iSync or Synchronization period, no stereo output, etc, vs. No QVGA, No MP camera)

So again, anyone up to the challenge, ROKR HATRs?

[atown303]

ok since u obiviously didnt read my post at all check agian buddy i stated in there that yes the a800 in fact doesnt have that!@! so yes u get a speakerphone and t9 really isnt a feature (dun know why we have ezicrap but ive come to get used to it so its no biggie) but other than that i really dont need a speakerphone to let everyone hear my convo thats what a headset is for... but me myself im waiting for the update for the sammy that will let us have bg play and when ur in the media player the displayed controls will have a hide/show feature so its all good :)

hmmm i coulda sworn someone on here got there a800 to sync... ahhh who cares my points prolly arent valid to u in one way or another so i dont care i dont get worked up over this ***** as much as u i can tell so ill just leave it alone...

[sammyrocks]

A couple of SOLID reviews for this over-hyped pos can be found here:

pcmag.com (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1857265,00.asp)
cnet.com (http://reviews.cnet.com/Motorola_Rokr_E1/4505-6454_7-31515635.html?tag=prmo1)

As for my own opinion, it comes from 15 minutes of actual interaction at my local Cingular store, extended exposure to other Motorolas, and a cynicism towards software imposed limitations on functionality. The icing on the cake is any comparison with the Sony Walkman phone, which the ROKR loses by a landslide. VGA camera? 100 song limit? USB1.0 file transfer ONLY?

edit: oh yeah, w800 review links for comparison:

gsmarena.com (http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_w800-review-47.php)
pcmag.com (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1852462,00.asp)
cnet.com (http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Ericsson_K750i/4505-6454_7-31313351.html?tag=pdtl-list) (750 is almost identical to the w800)

Ladies and gentleman, that is a swing and a miss by Motorola and Apple. I wouldn't even consider the ROKR a foul tip...

[sammyrocks]

btw, HERE (http://www.slashphone.com/111/2533.html) is a music phone...check out those headphones with the true inline remote :)

[bluecoyote]

ok since u obiviously didnt read my post at all check agian buddy i stated in there that yes the a800 in fact doesnt have that!@! so yes u get a speakerphone and t9 really isnt a feature (dun know why we have ezicrap but ive come to get used to it so its no biggie) but other than that i really dont need a speakerphone to let everyone hear my convo thats what a headset is for... but me myself im waiting for the update for the sammy that will let us have bg play and when ur in the media player the displayed controls will have a hide/show feature so its all good :)

hmmm i coulda sworn someone on here got there a800 to sync... ahhh who cares my points prolly arent valid to u in one way or another so i dont care i dont get worked up over this ***** as much as u i can tell so ill just leave it alone...

Please take a picture of your Samsung A800 playing an mp3 while simultaneously surfing on the web or checking your calendar.

Thank you.

(And the A800's crappy ringer speaker does not compare to the ROKR's built-in stereo speakers, which sound like the MM535... or a laptop.)

[tuolumne]

USB 1.0?

Bluetooth 1.1??

176x220???

VGA camera????

No scroll wheel?????

Transflash Under the battery???????

2 year old Moto design!???

$399!????!?!?!?!


Sounds like a half-assed attempt to try and sell a phone based on the iTunes label alone. What a shape.

[Jake]

The only thing I didn't like about my Nokia 6620 was the memory card being under the battery... too bad this is the same way :indiff:

[sammyrocks]

The sad thing is all the build-up that came with this phone, only to have it be an exact replica of a 2year old Motorola, with iTunes software added...

[bluecoyote]

http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Page=7&Id=1648

Motorola ROKR gets the Highly Reccommended rating from Mobileburn.com.

One of the best GSM handsets + iTunes = a winner, the only two negatives (well, I'd add a third) being the 100 song limit and the low-resolution (if good for VGA) camera.

By the way, T9 is a HUGE feature. It grinds my gears not having it in the web browser on the MM535 (fortunately I use Emailviewer most often, a java app)

[sammyrocks]

I must admit, a 2 year old phone with Itunes software added to it getting a Highly Recommended rating from any review site is a huge surprise to me. When I add up all the features (or should I say, lack of features) along with my limited exposure to the phone, it was a huge disappointment for me. Obviously, the things that make a phone stand out, or be groundbreaking, are different for me than for the person who wrote this review.

[CoreyTheGent]

Unfortunately, the Mobileburn review is incomplete. They failed to list the number of bottles of Jack Daniels the reviewer had before giving that handset a "Highly Recommended" approval.

[bluecoyote]

What do you disagree about, specifically, Corey? (Besides the slow USB transfer issue)

[Jake]

So far the only issue I have had with mine is the USB issue. :indiff:
Its horribly slow, but you only have to experience the pain once, :lol: