Motorola MPx220 pulled off of store shelves
posted Nov 15th 2004 7:03AM
So after a couple of months of delays Motorola's new MPx220 Smartphone finally hit stores (well Best Buy stores, since they had the exclusive on it), but it wasn't very long before complaints began to surface about problems with the phone's volume. Motorola's finally doing something about it, and on Friday Best Buy sent an internal memo around to its stores ordering the MPx220 to pulled off of store shelves and returned to Motorola, which would be upgrading the all of the phones' firmware. If you've already bought one and noticed any problems with the earpiece, apparently Motorola will have a number you can call for a replacement. Everything ok over there Moto? With the V600 recalled, the MPx Pocket PC Phone postponed until next year, and some serious problems with the V710, it seems like there might be some quality control issues you might want to take care of.
Yep, dont forget the mysterious A630 no-show. Whats next? They put a recall on their Bagphone 4000 from 1990 because apparenty, when you drop it on your foot, it really hurts.
Motorola phones have gone downhill in quality ever since the star tac. The T720 was flimsy and the C343 collected more dust in the screen than any other phone I ever owned. I had my star tac for years without problems. I tried several times to e-mail motorloa about the quality of their phones but apparently they don't want to here it. I won't be buying another.
4
My understanding is that Cingular stores should have the fixed version in stock; some Best Buy stores will have the fixed version and some won't, but they all will in a week or so. Before you buy, look for an orange sticker on the box-- if you don't see it, it's an old version. MS, Motorola, and Cingular have been silent about how they'll fix the problem for existing customers, but I assume at some point there will be a firmware upgrade.
I am a cingular master agent. The MPx 220 is not available at all for us to order. So I'm guessin they will be available when motorola fixed their damn phones. Phones which have potential are failing because Motorola aint making them right. The v600 is a very nice phone except for the reception and freezing problems.
A long-time user of Sony Ericsson phones, I decided to risk a major brand change and purchase the Motorola MPX220. I purchased it from a Massachusetts located Best Buy (3 hours to complete purchase) and that was my first mistake. I called the Best Buy store that I purchased it from and spoke to the customer service person and a sales rep in the cellphone department. Both cared little about my problems and instead asked me when I purchased the telephone. Their attitudes were so bad, I will not step into that store again. I had purchased the MPX220 16 days before. They enthusiastically informed me that cellphones have a 14 day replacement policy (30 days for other products apparently) or else the customer must deal directly with the manufacturer. I then called Motorola Support Services (15 minute wait) before being told that I needed to send my telephone to their authorized repair shop and they will try and fix it (no replacement and no compensation). Both Motorola and Best Buy reps (including the Best Buy online customer service service) denied that there was any recall and any replacement for the Motorola MPX220. If any one actually gets this magical recall telephone number, please post it. I'm sure there are many disgruntled customers like me scratching their heads.
You can loose a bet with Bestbuy having enough MPx220 phones. The store I went to in Lutherville, MD only had 10 and all were gone within 5 minutes of the store opening. I wonder why such a large rebate for the new phone too?
My MPx220 experience (so far): My brother and I saw a "Thanksgiving Day 6-hour sale" at a Best Buy in Los Angeles for the MPx220 phone on sale for only $49.99 after $300 mail-in rebate. We both jumped on it and were one of the fortunates ones who were able to purchase one. And for the record, the phones we purchased were NEW with the 'orange sticker' on the boxes (indicating that they were new, fixed versions). Although it is early on, we're happy with our new 'smartphones' considering the price and the considerable upgrade from our old cell phones. So far, the only two issues I've come across so far is the volume control on the side of the phone that can be accidently adjusted and the less-than-what-I-expected camera feature. However IMHO, the camera feature on cell phones should only be considered as a bonus feature. People expect too much from the camera feature on phones. C'mon now, if you want a camera that produces hi-res pics, buy 4.0+ mega-pixel camera. Furthermore, after the purchase we went to a local Cingular company store to add lines on a family talk plan. Even the employees were in awe with the phone. It was the first they've seen so far of the MPx220. For those skeptical about the camera being pulled from the market, the Cingular sales reps provided us a in-store brochure available to customers of the latest phones lines available, including the newest lines coming to Cingular stores- which included the MPx220 and the Razr (which is already out). Anyway, that's all for now. I'll post more news or updates on my experience whenever possible.
My MPx220 experience (so far): My brother and I saw a "Thanksgiving Day 6-hour sale" at a Best Buy in Los Angeles for the MPx220 phone on sale for only $49.99 after $300 mail-in rebate. We both jumped on it and were one of the fortunates ones who were able to purchase one. And for the record, the phones we purchased were NEW with the 'orange sticker' on the boxes (indicating that they were new, fixed versions). Although it is early on, we're happy with our new 'smartphones' considering the price and the considerable upgrade from our old cell phones. So far, the only two issues I've come across so far is the volume control on the side of the phone that can be accidently adjusted and the less-than-what-I-expected camera feature. However IMHO, the camera feature on cell phones should only be considered as a bonus feature. People expect too much from the camera feature on phones. C'mon now, if you want a camera that produces hi-res pics, buy 4.0+ mega-pixel camera. Furthermore, after the purchase we went to a local Cingular company store to add lines on a family talk plan. Even the employees were in awe with the phone. It was the first they've seen so far of the MPx220. For those skeptical about the camera being pulled from the market, the Cingular sales reps provided us a in-store brochure available to customers of the latest phones lines available, including the newest lines coming to Cingular stores- which included the MPx220 and the Razr (which is already out). Anyway, that's all for now. I'll post more news or updates on my experience whenever possible.
I bought two MPX220's on the Thanksgiving morning with a family talk plan. Both my boxes had orange stickers, but then another person who was buying told me that the stickers meant that the units had been repaired. The ignorant me insisted to get pieces which did not have the orange stickers, and got them! :( But as I realize now, that was not the smartest move to make!)
The phones are awesome as such. The voice problem that people mention is real. I guess there are two elements to it: First, the ringer volume, which is very low, and does not change when you move the setting to 5 from 1. Its so low that I don't hear the phone ring when its in my pocket. Second, the ear-piece volume is also low, and seemingly does not change with the ear piece volume change switch (The switch itself is awkwardly positioned and many times when I pick up the phone, I accidentally change the volume settings).
I spoke with Best Buy at Burbank (CA) to replace the phones. They are willing to, but only if they had one! They told me to check at the near by Culver City store, as they had 23 on stock. When I called them, all 23 were defective, waiting to be sent back. Also got to know that there were none is the warehouse, and none enroute. Guess will have to wait and watch for the next few days.
More about the phone:
The camera produces pictures which are nowhere near to be an alternative to even a 1 mega pixel standalone digital camera. The dimension is 1280 X 960 with a typical size of 187 kb. But still there is grain on the picture. No, print outs don't seem to be an option!
IR transfer worked, but from very close distance. Which is still ok.
Haven't been able to make Bluetooth work as yet.
More later....
I bought two MPX220's on the Thanksgiving morning with a family talk plan. Both my boxes had orange stickers, but then another person who was buying told me that the stickers meant that the units had been repaired. The ignorant me insisted to get pieces which did not have the orange stickers, and got them! :( But as I realize now, that was not the smartest move to make!)
The phones are awesome as such. The voice problem that people mention is real. I guess there are two elements to it: First, the ringer volume, which is very low, and does not change when you move the setting to 5 from 1. Its so low that I don't hear the phone ring when its in my pocket. Second, the ear-piece volume is also low, and seemingly does not change with the ear piece volume change switch (The switch itself is awkwardly positioned and many times when I pick up the phone, I accidentally change the volume settings).
I spoke with Best Buy at Burbank (CA) to replace the phones. They are willing to, but only if they had one! They told me to check at the near by Culver City store, as they had 23 on stock. When I called them, all 23 were defective, waiting to be sent back. Also got to know that there were none is the warehouse, and none enroute. Guess will have to wait and watch for the next few days.
More about the phone:
The camera produces pictures which are nowhere near to be an alternative to even a 1 mega pixel standalone digital camera. The dimension is 1280 X 960 with a typical size of 187 kb. But still there is grain on the picture. No, print outs don't seem to be an option!
IR transfer worked, but from very close distance. Which is still ok.
Haven't been able to make Bluetooth work as yet.
More later....
*** UPDATE: Recall of the MPx220:
For Cingular customers (which probably could also apply to T-Mobile users; check with your carrier!), apparently some of the early problems with the phones was resolved thru updates on Firmware. Earlier problem models with firmware versions 0.325 and below have these general problems (but not limited to these). For example: (1) Low ring and earpiece volume, (2) Microphone cuts out during calls (3) keypad backlight stayed on for only 2 seconds, etc. To check firmware version on your phone, power up the phone with SIM card. Then press Start->Settings->About. Look for the Manufacturer version. It should read at least .342 or higher. If not, Cingular customers can call their Xchange By Mail program at (800)801-1101. Let the rep know that there is a PRODUCT ADVISORY for this phone model and the problems you are having with it. After confirming this and the firmware version on your phone is in fact less than 0.342, they will take down your info and in most cases send you a replacement phone with the updated firmware version via overnight (after a nominal fee of about $8 shipping). You will, of course, have to send in your old phone back. From experiences with customers who have done this, early indication seem to suggest that some, if not most of the issues faced by most MPx220 owners is resolved enough to meet a more acceptable level of performance for a 'smartphone'. Allow me to throw in a word of caution: Please do not take the info provided here as "CURE-ALL" for the problems with the phone. However, some MPx220 owners have even suggested that the updated firmware also improved the resolution level on the camera feature; not significantly but still some improvements were made. Again, it's important to point out that as with all cell phones, please remember that the phone is first and foremost a PHONE with an added, convenient camera/video feature whose photos should not be compared to the quality of photos taken with a stand alone digital camera! Anyway, I know it's a mouthful, but I hope this info helps ease the frustration some of you are still facing with your MPx220 phones. Good luck!
First thing my wife and I recently purchased an Audiovox smt5600. So far works great except for a few little things that are missing which make the in my opinion not perfect. Sound wise, speaker phone, and reception have been on the average more than decent. I'm just pretty anal about little things that I feel are missing from the motorola phones that should be on the audiovox phone. Vice versa being some of the features should be on the motorola phones. Secondly, we were interested in switching to the MPX220's and step back into the cingular store. Speak to the rep there he shows us the boxes with the orange labels which are supposedly the reflashed versions of the mpx220's. We try out the spreaker phone which is a big part for us and with a plain and simple description of it it DAMN SUCKS. I was pretty disappointed. I mean why the hell does motorola take the mpx200's reflash put the mpx220's on the shelf and there's another damn recall. We just want a complete phone with reliablity and consistent at the same time that fits our needs. It's just damn frustrating as hell on our end. So now we decline switching our phones and will be stuck under the at&t sim cards for a year until a new phone comes out. Hopefully motorola gets there act together and handles business. Go figure is Motorola a small time cell phone handset maker and distributor? NO! How long have they been in the business? Another question is do they have phone testers to actually test and use the phones. If my wife and I can pick up a phone and see that things are missing from making a phone complete what the hell do they do to decide to put a phone out there. I just think this whole cell phone world is just out there to make themselves richer by always leaving things out and coming out with a better phone with the one addition to try to make the public excited thinking they have a complete phone.
The audiovox is good like I said but dust seems to accumalate behind the glass in a couple months I'm hoping my screen is not covered all the way over. It's beyond me how it gets back behind there but it does. Again, I just wanted to voice that I'm pretty pissed that motorola is virtually dropping the ball on all of us and it's customers. Soon alot of their faithful customers will be swinging another direction and go else where. MOTOROLA GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER PLEASE THIS CRAP IS REDICULOUS! Anybody, have any comments please let me know. Also, any other audiovox smt5600 users let me know any other comments as well on how the use of your phone is so far. Thanks for listening!
i would like to purchase this phone. so iwould be glad if u can send me the cost to ship it down to nigeria soonest
If you want a pda, get the hp. If you want a cell phone get another phone. Volume sucks. Doesn't work as a cell phone and not a true pda. Good first shot but no cigar.
I just wanted to add my two cents on how to return the MPx220. I called Cingular's 800 number for phone repairs (800)-801-1101 and told them the phone was recalled. The agent said it wasn't being recalled, but asked me what the problem is, when I said the volume was low, he then "found" the issue in the computer. He had me punch in some phone numbers to validate the firmware was the old version. He then took down my mailing address and mailed me a new phone (including packaging to mail back the old one).
So it was basically a five minute call to get a new phone...
I called the 800 number today to get my replacement phone. Haaa! Cingular won't even replace it with another MPx220. They want to give me a Motorola V551 which isn't even a Windows Mobile Smart Phone! Motorola says to return it to the place of purchase and see if they can upgrade the firmware. If they had that capability, why would they be replacing other users phones? And I'm sure the stupid schlep at Best Buy has any clue how to update the firmware. Motorola, you suck and I'll never buy a Motorola anything again!
I just purchased a Motorola Mpx220 from Bestbuy a week ago. I had experienced the low volume on the earpiece and speakerphone. I went to cingular to ask if they had the same issues. The cingular rep told me that they did. I went back to Bestbuy to return it and was informed by my friends boss that there will be an upgrade available for download on Cingular's site.