http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
I agree with your entire review, though my fingers must be a bit smaller than yours as I don't have a problem hitting the Select button but do have to strain to open the phone with one hand.

One thing to note is the Speakerphone feature. It's absolutely excellent. My friends can't tell I'm using it and the loud speaker is crystal clear. It also took a bit of testing, but you can even close the lid while using the speakerphone, making it very convenient.

As for the issue of seeing the clock while the phone is closed - that bugged me for a bit as well until I realized that hitting the small side button (lower button on the left side of the phone) turns on the backlight for 10 seconds. This makes it much more convenient when it comes to seeing missed calls, messages, and the time.

Overall, this was an excellent review of an awesome phone. Thanks for taking the time to put it together!]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
Could you do us Mac OS X users a favor? See if you can sync it up with the USB cable on a OS X system and sync the address book, etc. Apple doesn't support Motorola phones over Bluetooth (a big reason I don't like Motorola phones, but not the only one), but see if it pairs over Bluetooth as well. I have a friend interested in this phone and he's on a Mac. Thanks!]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
It's stunningly beautiful, but I do have a couple of gripes:

The address book is crap. By default it shows every number for every person separately, which really clutters things up a bit. You can switch that to the primary number only, but the address book is still very limited when compared to other phones that cost this much.

Also, you can sync with iSync over bluetooth. You *can* if you use a USB cable, which is what I'm doing now, but it's a pain.

Beyond that, I have no complaints. It plays great games, too. Cingular's collection's really weak, but you can buy some spectacular ones directly from Gameloft (gameloft.com) and have 'em SMSed to your phone.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/ RAZR V3

One word; Smartphones.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
How do I know this, I worked last summer at a cell phone store.

Choose GSM, choose Nokia, choose Sony Ericsson and choose anything that comes out of Japan; but don't choose Motorola.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
http://carbon.ambitiouslemon.com/]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/LCD by hitting any of the buttons on the outside of the case
also. As far as the bluetooth key, it can be ANY four numbers
as long as both sides input the same 4 numbers. So the only
time its really an issue is with things with no input capability
and in that case its usually 0000.

One other thing they did change from other V series phones is that
the smart key on the edges are now on the top flip not the
bottom half which makes them somewhat harder to use.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/I have used the RAZR as a bluetooth modem with my powerbook
and it worked fine btw. Others have reported success with Windows
either using bluetooth or over a USB cable.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
Other than that I also find the phone as the most amazing one in terms of design on the market. Once used to the keypad it works great.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
• You can use iSync via USB cable (such as a digital camera one or the acutal motorola data cable) as stated

• You can use Bluetooth File Exchange to transfer photos, audio, and video to and from the V3

• You can use ThinAir to install Java apps/games to your V3 over bluetooth

• BluePhoneElite is also a good program to check out for some limited SMS and proximity scripting options w/ OS X and the V3... though support is limited right now.

Links:
• ThinAir (download) http://www.diggory.net/grazing/ThinAir.zip
• BluePhoneElite http://www.reelintelligence.com/BluePhoneElite/]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
My 72 hours with a V3 (and why it went back to the shop) are reported here:

http://dotdot.thezpace.com/home/zview/view/329

Oh and the s700 won.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Thanks.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
Thanks for the tips regarding the side buttons everyone! :)]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
This thing isn't even a smartphone and they're charging $700? Gimme a break.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/It does look great, though. I haven’t had so much fuss over a phone since the Startac.

BTW, on contract in the UK (1 year) you can pick one up for £50. I guess cell phones is the one market where we are cheaper than the US, even with the weak dollar.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
The general consensus is that it is Motorola's awful Bluetooth implementation that is at fault. Apple _could_ build in to iSync a special driver for just Motorola phones but really Motorola need to get their head out of their arse and FIX IT.

What is particularly ironic is that Apple and Motorola have announced a deal to link iTunes with (a future) Motorola phone. If they don't fix the Bluetooth problem by then, then it is going to bomb big time.

Perhaps the new iSync in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger will help.

Without iSync support (via Bluetooth) I shall not be getting a Motorola phone (not even one as gorgeous as the V3).]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
One thing I haven't been able to configure is AIM... MMS and WAP GPRS works fine but can someone guide me through the AIM settings? (IM server, IM port, post URL, secure login?) Can this be used with MSN as well or is it AOL only? Can it be used as a iChat account sincee it's AIM?]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
I have found a pretty extensive list of hacks, games, apps, etc... that we can use to completely change and modifiy just about ANYTHING, minus the core OS, on the phone.

http://forums.attwireless.com/attws/board/message?board.id=motorola&message.id=33419

I have followed the instructions on quite a few of the links on that page and ...

1. Removed all of the stupid Cingular 'branding'
2. Modified and added quite a few other 'skins'
3. Found and installed some really good Java games.

Anyway, check out the link as it has a great bunch of walkthroughs and instructions.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
And yes, your iChat account will work on AIM. So long as you created it on the AOL servers first.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
I see what you guys are talking about, but in respect to the memory, where the h*ll did you expect them to fit more in, the phone is tiny!

As for most of your gripes about bluetooth....well, I am not a bluetooth user, so I can not comment on that.

As for the person who said buy Sony Ericsson, I would actually not recommend them. My first phone choice would be Nokia, second - Motorola, third - Samsung. Sony Ericssons have caused me and my friends grief. I am a Nokia user now - Nokia 6820(yeah I know it is bluetooth compatible, I just don't use it!) I thoroughly enjoy my 6820...

Plus you can't complain with Cingulars coverage....they haven't got the new maps up on their website yet, which is rather disheartening for me to see. The new coverage map absolutely smokes the one they currently have on their site. Wait till you see the new one. Plus Cingular just announced that they are going to start large-scale rollout of the UMTS network(for you cell phone nerds out there that means 3x faster data transmission then EDGE, which is 3x faster then standard GSM. Therefore, UMTS is 9x faster then standard GSM, making UMTS the true 3G network.)]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/View by picture
Sort by name
View by primary contacts.
2. The review is unclear about what is included in the Cingular box. the phone tools and mini usb are not included. It is a $49 accessory that is only recently available through Motorola. The PhoneTools V.3 for bluetooth is also now available as $79 option including the USB bluetooth adapter.
3. Although typing a text message is an acknowledged stretch on the key pad, it is doable with the benefit of the backlight on the keyboard. In a bright light situation, you better know which letters are with which key are have pretty good eyes. Otherwise you are out of luck.

I have 2 Razr V3's and am generally very pleased with the phone because of the strengths as outlined in this review.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
However, AIM is uselessly slow (email's instant) and the SimCard/Phone contact doubling is annoying. But my biggest complaint is the stupid Cingular branding. Thanks JC for the link!! Unless Cingular is going to pay me to sport their logo, its coming off.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/View by picture
Sort by name
View by primary contacts.
2. The review is unclear about what is included in the Cingular box. the phone tools and mini usb are not included. It is a $49 accessory that is only recently available through Motorola. The PhoneTools V.3 for bluetooth is also now available as $79 option including the USB bluetooth adapter.
3. Although typing a text message is an acknowledged stretch on the key pad, it is doable with the benefit of the backlight on the keyboard. In a bright light situation, you better know which letters are with which key are have pretty good eyes. Otherwise you are out of luck.

I have 2 Razr V3's and am generally very pleased with the phone because of the strengths as outlined in this review.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
Thanks for the great review and comments.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
Who knows? That's for them to figure out. Put in a MiniSD card slot. Those are extremely small. Phones just need expandable memory, otherwise their usefulness is incredibly limited. Especially at this price, it better have it, otherwise, forget about it.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
Well, they've figure a way to fit $600 dollars into it, I don't see why they can't budge a little more for the money, ie: like an earbud or a car charger (mine: U.S. version) only came with a lousy little "pillow pouch" to clean the screen and a "usb" adapter. It is an unlock version and I got it for free w/ a 1 yr contract, so, limited complaints.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/Dec 19th 2005 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/1. Can I sync with the Tasks module of Outlook?
2. Is there an easier way to get to a contact number than scrolling through the entire list?]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM