Cingular began selling
Motorola's SLVR L7 just three days ago, but critics have wasted
little time checking it out, and the net is already being flooding with reviews. Not surprisingly, a lot of the reviews
reach similar conclusions: stylish phone, so-so music player. After all, the SLVR L7's iTunes implementation is
basically the same as the one on the much-beloved ROKR E1, meaning it's limited to just 100 songs. That hasn't stopped
Cingular from promoting iTunes as the main feature behind the SLVR; promotional materials and the phone's retail box
proclaim "iTunes Cingular" in big letters, with the phone's model name in almost invisble text. However, we
suspect that most buyers will know what they're looking for. This isn't the ROKR, and people will be buying this as a
SLVR first, and a musicphone second, no matter what Cingular says or does. Here are the reviews we've found so far. Be
sure to add any others that you've found in the comments so we can keep the list up to date!
posted February 2nd 2006 4:45PM
When will Cingular FINALLY have the RAZR V3i in stock? Every time I ask them, I hear "in a few weeks."
will the new 1gb microsd card work with the slvr v7? and support 200 songs?
djaladin
When i set up my contact as "Primary", then go back throught the phonebook... i can still see every friggin number for a single contact but its listed as a whole seperate contact. And when i dial with my bluetooth headset, it doesnt ask me if i want to call "home", Work, Mobil or other like my Sony Ericson does. anyway to set this up. My T637 was obviously way ahead of its time.
Just got this phone! Had the T637. that phone was great but obviously way ahead of its time. On the SLVR is there a way to only read 1 persons Contact with all of their numbers combined or collapsed instead of a different contact folder for each persons "home, work, mobil & other"??? I tried to set a "primary" but once i get back into the phonebook, all the different numbers are all spread out again??!!
Also, when voice dialing with my bluetooth set on my T637, a first beep asks me for the name, and a 2nd beep ask me for "home, work, mobil or other" anyway to do this with the SLVR?? or do i just have 1 choice? this is not going to work.
Any help would be appreciated.
Haha, just ordered the phone today. $199 at the moment, and $100 rebate few months later. Hopefully it'll be worth it. One question to anyone that already has it- does the phone scratch easily? Thanks in advance.
Any body have problems with the slvr memory card not reading all the time. Sometimes I have to take out the card and reinstall it to get it to read the card. I tried to reformat the card and reinstall music but the problem still exists.
does the the l7 gms (not the cingular phone) have itunes. and can the gms phone hold the 1 gig flash memory card minisd
According to Motorola's webpage, this phone has PTT, but Cingular doesn't list it. Did Cingular disable this? Also, I've heard the RAZR antenna is very good .. how is everyone finding the L7?
I just picked up this phone and like it better than the RAZR. This phone is slimmer, smaller and generally easier to hold than the RAZR (when it is open). One comment and one question - The microphone produces some static feed back if you are talking on the phone with it perched between your shoulder and ear. And question - Has anyone noticed that when you migrate your songs over from itunes that the lowest setting on the volume is extremely loud? In fact it is louder than I would listen to music at the loudest level. If you turn the volume down, the music disapears. Anyone else having similar problems with music volume?
So far i really like this phone. I just picked it up today and i like it. The only thing i don't like is that when i bought it i was told it would do data sync with the pc to transfer my pix & music to and from so i could make my own ringers & backgrounds and save my stuff.. As far as i can tell that was crap i can get the itunes player to play but without dling cingulars music i cant get any other music as a ringer, nor my pix to it. is it possible or was the salesguy just full of it? To the guy who asked if it scratches easy... yeah the case does but so far ive been lucky and the screen hasn't. i accedently dropped mine twice today.. 2 nicks in the case. music quility is pretty decent and the ease of use is pretty good for the itunes. overall i'd say good phone.. worth 200 bucks?? I dunno.. if the sync really works then definatly yes. if not then no.
The music volume is really loud, and there seems to be no way around it. I tried reducing the song volume before moving the songs over from iTunes, but that didn't do anything. Kinda stuck on that one.
I've had mine for about a week now, and I haven't had any problems with call clarity, and the thing seems pretty durable. I have noticed some scuffing on the *-key from having to use the keypad lock all the time, and the screen gets dirty, but no scratches yet. All in all, I like it alot.
urg stupid double post by email lol sry bout that.. ok well i figured out you CAN data transfer threw the phone. and after alot of playing around with the phone. i must say i love it. It takes alil getting used to but once you figure out the system its cool. My buddie has a Razr and he likes mine better and not just for the itunes.. i said before worth 200 bucks?? well now the answer is definatly yes. :)
Can someone tell me step by step how to get songs to become ringtones?
For the Slvr L7, Could it use Push to talk (PTT)? It would be perfect if it had this last feature. The little button at the top of the phone is it a light or something?
I've had this phone for a little more than a week, and so far, I like it.
The antenna is great. I get a bar or two when I made a call in the NYC Subways and Cingular usually sucks around that area I hear.
The iTunes is great. Although 100 songs isn't a whole lot, just think of the sheer size of the phone and what else it could do. Plus, with the additional flash card, you could fit more. But anyway, 100 songs is usually about 300-500 mins. I don't have to worry about an extra iPod or anything.
I've dropped it twice so far and it hasn't scratched, but the only times I've dropped it was in my car. I'm careful when handling it in concrete or sitting on it when I put it in my back pocket.
I've got a few issues with it, because let's face it, it's not the perfect phone. It's always competing against the many RAZRs out there. A lot of them try to disprove the whole "it's even thinner than the RAZR" fact (I find it's about the same size but the RAZR is just wide as ****). Firstly, it gets dirty very easily. My pocket is probably one the dustiest place on Earth. I breed lint. About half of it ends up on my phone. You can easily wipe this off with a hot breath and whoever happens to have a cotton T-Shirt nearby. Secondly, the Speakerphone quality isn't the best. I would've preferred it if it actually still had the PTT option. Thirdly, you can't really take a picture of yourself. I tried, but it was just off center. Still, I don't use the camera solely for taking pictures of myself, so it's not really that big of an issue. Just note that if you want a picture of yourself in there, ask someone else to take it. Fourthly, iTap just sucks compared to T9 in my opinion. Still, I think it's better than the old fashioned ABC so I'm willing to get used to it. Lastly, you can't use any songs in your iTunes as Ringtones. I think that's basically one of the biggest complaints about this phone. You technically SHOULD be able to... but if Cingular is going to start putting iTunes on a lot of their phones, their MediaNet is never going make any profit from selling Ringtones. Therefore, they can't overcharge you for the Ringtones that you hope sound okay because you've never heard them or you're not sure if that's exactly the one you're looking for. Their solution: disable it so they can continue to do this.
But hey, I understand. It's profit first and people second. It's the way it works. Overall though, the phone looks great and definitely competes with the flip phones out there. Is it worth $200? Well, apparently, the RAZR is about $175... and it has no iTunes. It's about the same thickness... and not as wide. So if you're looking for a stylish showy phone with OK battery life that you want to take out and have people surround you for some quick and easy popularity (only good for probably about a month or two from today) that can play 100 songs of your choosing, it's worth it. If not, it's about $180 to get a new phone anyway for your plan, right? So what's an extra $20?
I have a Black Razr and love it. I don't really listen to muxic on my cell, its for making calls. is the video quality good on the L7? is it in the same calss as the razr? I want one but hesitant if I am doing an upfrade form my razr or just getting a razr that isnt a flip phone?
Will the Motorola SLVR be able to play mpeg 4? It has a 512 mb flash card, so like the psp enough for one movie or a couple of shows?
Will the Motorola SLVR be able to play mpeg 4? It has a 512 mb flash card, so like the psp enough for one movie or a couple of shows?
Will the Motorola SLVR be able to play mpeg 4? It has a 512 mb flash card, so like the psp enough for one movie or a couple of shows?
SLVR does not resume playing iTunes when call is finished
I wanted to see if anyone is having the same problem I am having with my new SLVR 7. So far I am very pleased with it. There is one small thorn in my side though. Unlike the commercials, when the guy is done talking on the phone he ends the call and iTunes starts playing where it left off automatically, my SLVR does not. This really bums me out! I have gone through every conceivable preference and setting on the phone to see why the music stays paused when the call is over and I have found no solution. When the call ends I just see the iTunes icons on the screen, set to pause. Now I know this is hardly the end of the world, but I really would prefer not to have to pull out my phone and hit play again after every call. If that is going to be the caseI may as well just stick to my Nano.
Anyone else having, or heard of this problem.Are people NOT having this problem? I am looking for feedback or a solution. I really don't want to trade my phone in for a replacement after having set it all up.
If anyone has any advice I'd truly appreciate it.
Thanks
John B.
Please can somebody xplain how to put song on Motorola slvr 7 ?
Here's how I figured out how to put an mp3 onto the SLVR and use it as a ring tone [on a Mac, at least].
1. Connect the phone to the mac and make sure disk mode is enabled [you can do this in iTunes].
2. Open the phone in the finder and go to: mobile > audio
3. Copy your mp3 to this folder.
4. Eject the phone.
5. On the phone itself, go to the Main Menu > My Stuff > Sounds
6. Use the top-middle button above the 5-way directional button to access the Sounds menu, and select Switch Storage Device.
7. Select "Card" from the menu.
8. Now your mp3 will be listed under the Sounds menu. Highlight it and press the top-middle button again.
9. Select "Move", and choose "Phone" from the next menu.
NOW, you can switch storage devices back to the phone and your mp3 will be listed under the Sounds that are actually stored on the phone. Highlight your mp3, hit the top-middle button again, and select "Apply as Ringtone".
Done and done.
Enjoy!
I've had the phone for about a month now. I think it's pretty cool compared to the sprint phone i used to have. I figured out how to set an MP3 as a ringtone a while back.
If you move an MP3 over it only lets you move one, no matter the size of the file, but if you download off their site, you can have multiple.
It doesn't really make sense and is kinda shady on their part, hopefully they'll be some sort of hack out there soon.
overall though, i get good reception, the phone has the nice heavy sturdyness to it. my case isn't scratched yet, and the screen seems to be glass.
it would be cool if they came out with silicon covers for then, like how that have them for the ipod shuffle and nano.
I've had my phone for just under a week and I am liking it. NOT loving it, LIKING it. I am scouring the net for cracks/hacks for the 100 song limit in iTunes, nothing yet. I just read about mobile media maker though. Has anyone tried using this to make movies for their phone. I wanna know if it's worth 'buying' the software.
#30, Why not make your own ringtones for the RAZR or SLVR? You can use mobile PhoneTools, which is a moto product, but everywhere on the net for "free" hint,hint :) or a free tool called MOBILedit! It's so easy to make you own ringtones and at "high quality"..all you have to do is move a slider to the section you want as a ringtone, as in my case I use normal the first verse and then the chorus. Note, you can also make you own movies and upload them, you own wallpapers, edit you phonebook entrys and even sync with "outlook" if you actually use that forsaken thing :) The RAZR is as in a phone one of the nicest out there, just purchased the SLVR today, just for mere enjoyment :) I've wanted a mp3 player phone for awhile, it get boring at work, it just looked to be a very cool phone, although I am very concerned with the screen, but hey that's the what my extra $3.00 on my bill is for, incase of a defect I get a new one. We'll see if the phone is worth the $200 or not?
what if it says insufficient storage when you go to transfer it back to the phone from the card.
I definitely agree about the minor scratches. There are so many minor scratches it makes me so sad since I am very anal about these things. The scratches are only on my keypad though and can only be seen when glared by the light and looked at very closely. But still, i don't expect it to be scratched when I am so careful.
Hi. Seems the only songs I can import into my SLVR are those I purchased from the iTunes website. Songs that I ripped from my CD collection transfer without issue into my iPod Video but not my SLVR. Anybody have this problem or have any ideas what might be going on? Win XP Pro OS. Thanks in advance!
#40, got a question for you about mobile Phone Tools - so far I've downloaded the program (deluxe 3.11)and it doesn't recognize the model number (L7 SLVR - SLVR L7), and I've been updateing the program to try and compicate for this problem (right now, in fact, I'm downloading the update for version 4). Im wondering if either it's under a different model number or if I need to just check updateing the program (which, I'd do anyway because software is really only as good as it's latest version, right). Any help would be nice.
Also, I've seen that many people have asked questions in regaurds to the SLVR's keypad, screen, body/shell, and iTunes. I think I can answer these... Also, here's a site for those that wish to find out more in detailed info for themselves (tech-heads like myself, would love this site's review of the product):
http://www.mobile-review.com/review/motorola-l7-en.shtml
The keypad is like the RAZR, only this time, Motorola has covered the keys in plastic to protect them from scratches. I also feel that this gives a better "hold" onto the keys as well as when useing them.
The screen, or so they say, is made from scratch proof material - it's a 262K TFT matrix by Sharp, and the resolution is 176x220 pixels (30x38 mm).
The body, on other hand, is probably the only part that will scratch easily or at all, because it's but isn't this where a phone cover or holder comes into play - why would you buy a brand new cell phone, and NOT get a cover for it.
With iTunes, I haven't had a problem with uploading songs onto it, except for MIDI files, which won't load onto it. As far as MP3's go though, I've only had 1 single file that wouldn't upload - why though, I haven't figured out yet. No, you CAN NOT use your iTune songs as ringtones (which is it's biggest set back I'd say as well as others too, especialy if Motorola is thinking about produceing more phones with the program capability).
Speaking of ringtones though, has anyone found any ACTUAL free ringtone sites, that you don't have to subscribe too? Yeah, I'm cheap and I don't think it's worth spending $2 on just a single ringtone, if the costs were lower than that (say, like $0.25 for each ringtone), then I'd have no problem with spending the money on them, lol.
I've had mine for a few weeks now, and I'm starting to love it a lot (although I'm sick of the factory ringtones, lol). Only other set back to it, besides the iTunes as ringtones thing, is the camera (which is alright, but it really needs a flash - and if the megapixels where greater, that would be a plus too).
Also, I wish the phones that are being sold now would all have AT LEAST 1 full-version game on them, instead of 3 demo version games (I mean, come on man, at least give us Tetris for free, you know).
Nevermind #40, I got it to work now, lol. I'd suggest that everyone who wants to use MP3's as ringtones, to download mobile Phone Tools (and if you're on dial-up, then plan on spending a good 8 hours devoted to downloading and updateing the product, lol).
Does anyone know how to setuo email account info in SLVR L7 to receive email?
I have the SLVR L7, but it sits in a drawer at home. The first time I dropped the phone getting out of my car (maybe a two foot drop), the large face shattered (it's made of glass!!). In trying to find a remedy to this fragile glass face issue Motorola has been totally unsatisfactory and unresponsive. Has anyone else had a broken face issue? and how was it resolved?
I just got the SLVR in the mail today. Al of my enthusiasm slipped away as I patiently familiarized myself with the interface. I CANNOT FIND THE iTUNES APP ANYWHERE IN THE MAIN MENU OR ANY MENU. NEITHER IS THE iTUNES MENTIONED IN THE MOTO MANUAL...am i the only guy that bought a SLVR with no iTunes programmed into the phone? I live on an island so here we always give this kinda stuff the benefit of the doubt, but for a price over $200, my patience will soon run short. SOMEBODY tell me that i'm not the ONLY ONE that has a SLVR L7 phone that gives no reference to iTunes.
#47, If you got the unlocked version of the phone, it won't have itunes. Only the CINGULAR version has that feature. Kind of sucks ass but, not much you can do. I'm still waiting for my SLVR to come in. *excited*
Hi. Seems the only songs I can import into my SLVR are those I purchased from the iTunes website. Songs that I ripped from my CD collection transfer without issue into my iPod Video but not my SLVR. Anybody have this problem or have any ideas what might be going on? Win XP Pro OS. Thanks in advance!
#49, i've downloaded songs from anywhere and everywhere...not going into detail but all the songs ive tried to upload into my SLVR have worked just fine, no hassle or problems...I don't know what your phones deal is :(
#46.....I too dropped the phone once and the glass shattered. I couldn't believe it was glass. I mean, why?!! I'm in Canada and the phone isn't even here yet, and I talked to Motorola and I'd have to fix it at my expense anyway. But what's the point...They'll just replace it with another glass face that will just shatter the next time I inevitably drop it. They should mail out re-issued plastic screen faces to owners who've experienced this...and we all will. EVERYONE'S GLASS WILL CRACK. JUST WAIT.
My solution...I was thinking ob buying a dummy SLVR phone off eBay, and hoping that I can just do a transplant...and with any luck, it'll be plastic too.
What the hell was Motorola thinking by exposing glass like that on a phone. Especially a non-flipper. My email is manitou_00@hotmail.com for anyone that has experienced this too or if you have a better solution.
I've had the same questions about the Phone Tools. For the life of me I can't get them to work. Horrible product in that respect.
However I did have the same problems with some songs not wanting to load onto the phone. Then I figured it out. Those songs are encoded at a higher bitrate than 128k. There's an option on the phone (right click it in iTunes on the PC, for Mac's I don't know... probably Command+Click) and have it automatically convert songs to 128K. This worked for me, though I inexplicably add a few back to the phone after I did this.
Good luck. If anyone can explain Phone Tools to me I'd greatly appreciate it.
- Scott
Being worried about the scratches I went looking for a case for my L7. I didn't want anything bulky because hey, thats why I bought the phone in the first place. I finally found the almost perfect case for my L7... Ultra thin and fits like a glove. It is from a european company called Krusell.
About 20 - 25 bucks and is far better than any other I have found. I bought mine for $20 at sfplanet.com
I'M SUPPOSED 2 BE GETTIN A SLVR L7, BUT THE FACE IS GLASS?!?!?!?!? I'M ALSO GETTIN IT UNLOCKED SO NO ITUNES?!?!?!?! HOW NICE :-(. I STILL WANT IT THOUGH I'M REAL CLUMSY BUT I'LL MANAGE.......HOPEFULLY
I cant seem to get my iTunes to recognize my SLVR phone, and therefore cannot use the ipod feature... anyone else have this issue or heard of it and know a fix??
Thanks! Loving this phone so far. Size is awesome!
It's a very nice phone, but there are several major issues. I have no option to save text messages to my phone's memory. Since the SIM memory is small, I can only hold a couple dozen text messages. The phone forwards the calls to your voicemail after only 15-20 seconds, which is ten seconds shorter than my old Samsung phone. There's no option to change this. 20 seconds might sound like enough, but it helps out a lot to have the extra 10, especially if you're in another room or doing something else and can't pick up the phone right away.
The worst thing about this phone is that in the user manual, it explains how to store texts to your phone's memory (although it should by default). But, the menu option is simply not there. Calls to Cingular and Motorola yielded no help, as they basically read to me the same instructions that are in the manual. It's not just my phone, though, because I have tried to find the setting in all SLVRs that I have come across, with no success.
You have to store things like ringtones, pictures, and phone numbers on your actual phone memory in order to use them for ringtones, picture IDs, and backgrounds. This is kind of stupid considering the phone comes with a 512 MB TransFlash card, and the phone has a mere 6 MB in comparison.
The vibrate ringer is very weak. It is so weak that at times, I do not even feel it, especially when I'm driving.
Also, when you use a bluetooth headset, it seems like the phone switches your ringtone to the standard one. I am not sure why, but it does.
Apart from these illogical faults, the phone is very good. I get good reception, the speaker is very loud and clear for ringtones and music (but not very loud when in speakerphone), the display is bright and clear, it works perfectly with my Jabra JX10 headset, and it looks great. The keypad isn't too bad once you get used to it. I text message a lot, and I can type (iTAP mode) and dial almost as well as I could with my old Samsung (T9 mode) phone.
If anyone has any info about my problems with the phone, please let me know.
#53.
Does your Krussell case really protect the glass face? I looked online and I didnt see a product that looked like it protected the face of the glass, just the overall casing of the phone. just curious...thank you for the heads up as I too am concerned about scratching the glass.
#57:
Just get some screen protectors for an iPod/DS/PSP etc. and cut one out to match the screen size. I got some PSP screen protectors from Pelican awhile ago and used them for my iPods. I was so satisfied with their durability and clarity that I bought a new pack for my SLVR. I cut out one for the screen and another for the small camera part in the back. If you put them on right, it's nearly impossible to tell that you have them on at all. They are crystal clear and only come off if you pick at a corner with something really thin. I've had it on for a few days now (on my SLVR) and it's still on perfectly even though I take it in and out of my pocket and case all day.
#49 Make sure your mp3's are all 192kbit/s or lower for the SLVR to recognize them. CD quality I believe is around 320kbit/s so that may be why.
#55 All I can think of is update iTunes to the latest version maybe. I have version 6 and it works just fine.
personally i love this phone but the only thing that i don't like is that when i play music using the player that it has - i cant lock the keyboard and put it away... put when i play it through the menu as a multimedia file - it does not go to the next song.
As for iTunes - don't know what that is, since i bought this phone unlocked from ebay which cost me about $205 and got it with all accesories including 128 mb memory card, headphones, carcharger, USB cord and CD. The CD is actually great - because you can cut youre own music and put it in youre phone to use it as a ringtone. The memory card is great also, especially that now they have one that is 1 GB.
I am thinking about purchasing the SLVR and I have been reading everyone's comments. I called Cingular and was told that I can get the phone for $250 and the only reason I called them was becuase of a previous comment about not having ITUNES if I do not purchase from them. Is that still true? I have been to other websites, and they are cheaper than what Cingular is selling them for. Please help!!!!!!
60, what they mean by buying it from Cingular is that you need to buy it from one of their authorized dealers, I saw a slvr for $123 at Wal-Mart with 2 yr contract from Cingular.
PS I've enjoying my L7, dont have a real complaint, execpt that its hard to get to the standard tools like calculator and calendar.
Just got the unlocked SLVR.
Overall it is a nice phone. The menu could be better (Nokia menu still rocks).
Tried to copy 128kbit mp3 file last night using that mini USB cable from my PC. It started the copy then in the middle of it, it failed with some kind of device I/O error (and while it was trying to copy the phone kept beeping and it seemed to set the style to loud).
Am I the only one with this problem?
I will try to stick this tiny (pysically) memory stick to that SD stick case and use one of those all-in-one memory reader to copy mp3 and then plug it to my phone to see if it will play
I just got mine on friday and I do like the Itunes addition but I dont like the 1oo song lock, even though I all my music is at 192k bit rate so I know that 120 songs are suppose to fit on 512mb when its at 128kb. right now I have I have 13 songs and a few small jpegs and I have taken up already 130mb. So I could realistically get 60 songs or so with my library on here. Which isnt too bad considering it came with the phone. But the biggest dissapointment is not being able to have any of the Mp3 you out on your phone be used as a ring tone out of the box (though you can but you have to either buy one from them or transfer a song over when you download it from your pc. Even then it is a waste because the phone has 6mb of space so 1 song will eat it up.) I dont want to d/l mobile phone tools to be able to do this. Its just a bad idea my motorola/cingular for this. But other than that I really like the phone. And a good idea to protect your screen buy buying the screen protector for pda/psp and cut it to shape.