We can't remember the last time we purchased a phone because it possessed 700+ individual components, a stainless steel housing or a front plate that takes a fortnight to create, but Motorola's hoping you start to care about that kind of minutiae right about now. The admittedly gorgeous AURA (previously coined
V70) is the world's first handset with a 16-million color
circular display, and aside from making / receiving calls with the utmost clarity, it also boasts a Swiss-made main bearing, 62-carat sapphire crystal lens, a 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microUSB port, quad-band GSM connectivity, a microSD card slot, multimedia player and up to 7.3-hours of talk time (400-hours in standby). The 4.97-ounce handset is available exclusively from the MOTO STORE for $1,999.99, with pre-orders shipping out beginning December 4th. Who's in?
[Thanks, Paulo and Jake]
Read - Dedicated AURA website
Read - Motorola AURA press release
posted Oct 21st 2008 11:07AM
It's like a Helio Ocean but with a taillight lens glued to it.
Epic fail...
Geez moto, you are making a phone. In the world of electronics/computer, parts and cost reduction is the road to success. More parts = easier to break.
Epic Fail +1
You know with incredible products like this, I really can't understand how Motorola is hurting financially.
I remember when Motorola released their $1,500 StarTac back in the mid 90's. They'd probably have more success tossing the inards of this piece of crap into that old StarTac shell and selling it. Now that would be and interesting mod. The only life this dumbphone has is battery life.
All that "style* with a TWO megapixel camera.
Bamboozled...
Thanks to some friends/family that have worked for T-Mobile, I have been fortunate enough to use/try every single T-Mobile phone made for the last 10 years (Since Voicestream)...and the Motorola V-70 was my favorite phone :)
I absolutly loved this phone, it was so slick looking and always got compliments, good to see its somewhat back...
My 2nd favorite phone was the Samsung Slider D-415... Shame all the new Samsung sliders didn't match to the D-415 :( You were able to assign Videos for Caller ID, it was hilarious :D
Anyway, awesom phone this V-70
This device is not meant for Engadget readers, but the anti engadget readers (who dont read :P), since w
you will see this phone with celebrities (and money-to-burn people) who dont care much about the features, just the LOOK, moto's been doing this for a very long time
Wonder if it emits a backup alarm if you carry it your hip pocket...
@ Dave: I do miss my StarTac. If Motorola is flirting with bad ideas, how about cheap retro-styled phones with today's technology in them?
It's clearly photoshopped. Clearly. :P
http://www.mobile-review.com/review/motorola-motoaura-en.shtml
Review of the phone here. Seems like they liked it.
*jaw drops* I want one. Now I just need 2k to buy it. -.-
I like it. But I don't $2,000 like it.
I mean, at least give it wifi and a touch screen on that fold out part, yeesh.
Plus the 3 year contract...
This is a terrible idea.
In so many ways. In so many ways.
Great time to be releasing an uber-expensive phone btw Motorola. Good luck shifting that.
O?
It is due to such stupid products that Motorola is sinking like a brick.
Instead of concentrating to newer and better technology giving more features to the user, Motorola goes ahead and designs a phone for Paris Hilton.
Why would I wanna spend 2 grands on a phone, when I can get the same feature set in a 200 dollar phone!!!!
How many fucking iterations of the razor can they possibly release? Oh wait its the number 1 selling phone in America. Now are the consumers at fault or is it the carriers? Motorola like AT&T and GM have their head up their asses. In financial times like these they want to play on our society's need to keep up with the Joneses.... I'm not gonna rant because its too early for this.. but you catch my drift.
I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I won't buy that.
Yeah, this isn't doing it for me--not the design, the features, or the specs.
I'd rather have a diamond with an antenna in it.
Someone out there will ;-)
Magic 8-ball, when's the best time to release an obscenely expensive luxury product?
Magic 8-ball: After a major stock market crash.
Correction: Magic 8-ball, when's the best time to release an obscenely expensive luxury product that has better looking competitor luxury products with better functionality; all of which can be replaced with a FREE (subsidized) phone?
And yes, whoever buys this deserves to be ripped-off. Wish I could get my hands on the buyer list.... fertile ground for business opportunities!
You can never trust magic 8 balls. When i was i kid i asked it if i should break it open and drink the fluid inside...I puked blue for a week.
Turkleton?
Perhaps they were thinking along the "quality" per sale instead of "quantity"? You know, selling 10 phones at $2000.00 is like selling TWO HUNDRED phones at $100.00 a pop. Way to speed up the recovery process, Moto.
If the U.S government doesn't let these companies run out of businesses for releasing crap like this with tax payer money I don't see how the hell we are supposed to get out of this mess... The best way to deal with this is bite the bullet and let old bad corporations die and let the market clean itself and start anew later with fresh businesses with fresh ideas. They are only postponing the inevitable and making it worst so we can go into a deeper depression later.
I honestly had no clue that Motorola was an American company. Wow, you learn something new everyday. (I'm not being sarcastic, either, I just wiki'd it.)
Yeah, I realy wish Moto would get its act together. I mean, the economy is taking an economy class flight straight to hell--hold the peanuts if they cost extra. WHY THE HELL WOULD THEY RELEASE A LUXURY PHONE!? I understand that not everyone is really strapped, but why focus on that segment of the market right now?
Motorola, directions from me to you (not that I know anything): How about you keep going in the FONE direction. Make an ultra-low cost QWERTY--make it sexy and thin, just because people are broke doesn't mean they want ugly phones. Don't go over board. Make it nice and simple and for god's sake, PUT IT SOME DAMN 3G even if--especially if--it means you can't use your non-3G compatible OS. Android works perfectly.
Also, hire me, because I'm that awesome.
What the heck does tax payer's money have to do with Moto phones ? Wasn't the crisis about bancks borrowing too much money to people who can't afford paying them back ? You might not like the phone, but please make some sense !
It really shows how ignorant some people have become. You are "Highly Ranked"?!!?! I swear I live in a world full of retards. Tax payer money hasn't gone anywhere near cell phone manufacturers in America. The bailout was for the housing/banking market. It has nothing to do with a company that makes electronics....
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/10/opinion/main4513890.shtml
Corporate welfare anyone? yes back in 2006...
I wont doubt that the government will bailout motorola as they did chrysler if they continue to crumble. Were you guys aware of what was slipped to the automakers by the government (seperately) and quietly amidst all the bailout discussion?
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/709882.html
Given motorola's relationship with the U.S military this is very feasable....
looks somewhat Cylon to me tbh
I was thinking Chronicles of Riddick...
even if that big ugly red thing in the middle was a ruby i wouldn't buy this thing for 2k.
It's for people who have more money than brains. Kudos to Motorola for taking advantage of this demographic.
Fail definetly
"Definetly" Fail :-/
Ok fine. Fail, definetly.
A big step toward the microsoft oPhone
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=WazA77xcf0A
i will buy it!
And Motorola wonders why it's soaring high like a led zeppelin
I'll take 2
Looks like a bicycle light....
At least Ballmer can't whine about the iPhone being the most expensive phone in history any more! :-P
This show exactly what goes wrong when people think it's the chrome that makes successful products sell.
Motorola, give up. You are not going to repeat the Razr craze. You don't get it.
You people know that Nokia's Vertu line is very similar, right? High-end phones with very limited functionality which appeal to consumers with considerably large wallets. Recessions don't affect the buying habits of these people. You may not be interested in buying it, but you're not the target market. Relax a bit folks.
That is beautiful.
In the end, it is still a phone though. pass
I'll buy $2000 worth of beer brewing gear instead.
I do say that it looks quite exquisite. Would go great with my yacht. Though I do have a personal manservant who takes my calls for me and does not deserve such luxury.
Excuse me while I go throw diamonds and watch the poors fight over them.
Whoever buys this deserves the rip off. Win for everybody.
Well, Moto have built the first phone with a circular screen, so they beat this to market. Rear view only, but a different market, although similar build quality: ophone.com.
Well, it's for the same market that buys Nokia's 8xxx series or Vertu's. I see no reason why this might not be a moderate success - and I think it's an iconic product, something Moto needs right now.
I think most engadget readers don't understand what marketing luxury or exclusive devices does- it propels the brand image & brings people to the more available models.
It's why the Dodge Viper existed for as long as it did, it's why Ford made a GT40, why most every haute couture clothing designer does runway shows w/ clothing no one can buy.
While I would argue that phones are a stretch for this marketing model, it's certainly not for Joe Q "Geek Squad" employee to pick up - that would defeat the purpose.
Same thoughts. Release this in Russia, with the right marketing, and they probably can't build them fast enough.
Would I buy it? Of course not. Would many women want it after they've seen a huge ad of it Vogue or whatever? You can bet...
Ford built the GT-40 to beat ferrari at the 24 heures du Mans
And why do you think they wanted to win at Le Mans? That's right - because it sells cars. Not multi-million dollar race cars, either.
@ Anthony. You have got it completely. Well said
This phone will end up selling like the V70. The uniqueness generates the hype and the desire. Then they will come up with the intermediate version. Then the introductory version. Anyone who thinks this will only be available as a $2000 purchase doesnt get it at all. This may very well be a new RAZR. Maybe not on the success level of the RAZR, but enough to put their name back out strongly and create the most important thing they need, any wireless device manfacturer needs, BRAND AWARENESS. And you cannot put a price on that.
And for us V70 owners. Clean those puppies up. They will be the new "Poor Mans" version of the AURA. Now where did I put those 2 V70's?.
Somehow, I think that comparing this phone to ultra-exclusive sports cars just doesn't work.
And on a sidenote, I think you must agree that, for a flagship phone, its obscenely underspecced for $2000. 2MP camera, no 3G to speak of, doesn't perform fallatio on its owner.
how much did they spend on the research and how many of these do they expect to sell? maybe a hundred or so in china though.
Hang on... I have to go and dump my Motorola stocks.
First, this is not marketed to anyone reading this.
Second, there is a large market for people who will buy this phone BECAUSE it is $2,000.
Remember, there are people that would see two "escorts", one stunningly beautiful for $100 a night and one average looking beauty at $5,000 a night and pick the $5,000 a night - because they are "treating" themselves to the fine things in life.
Value is opinion. You value features, they value the feeling they get by being able to afford expensive things that exclusive.
The beautiful thing is, the market caters to both.
> First, this is not marketed to anyone reading this.
I think the comment system is broken. I assume you meant to say "this is not marketed to anyone."
> Second, there is a large market for people who will
> buy this phone BECAUSE it is $2,000.
A "large market"... really? How large? What market research do you have to support this? Does that also mean that there is a slightly less large market for a $10,000 feature phone?
> Value is opinion. You value features, they value the feeling they
> get by being able to afford expensive things that exclusive.
I agree that someone (perhaps just one) will buy this phone because dropping $2K on a phone reinforces his self-image. But I don't think there are enough people like that to support the manufacturing, marketing, sales and support of this phone.
Motorola might sell a few of these, but they won't make money doing it. Ironic, given the price, isn't it?
P.S. BTW... the $100/night escort probably has herpes. Stay away.
Really? You used escorts as an analogy? That's fucking awesome.
@ quag:
"Unity Marketing's Luxury Report 2008 is the definitive study of the U.S. market for luxury goods and experiences. The total market for luxury contributed some $321.9 billion in consumer spending in 2007."
In another article, it breaks down where High Worth Individuals (HWI, yes they have a name, as well as Ultra-High Worth Individuals, or UHWI) spend there money on luxury items. Around 16% goes towards jewelry, gems, etc... I would but this phone in that market. Simple math tells you that there is a $51.5 billion dollar market that this phone falls into.
Not that small of niche, is it?
And yes, there would be a slightly smaller market for a $10,000 feature phone, just like there is a smaller market for the $1 million Bugatti Veyron over the $250,.000 Ferrari.
That said, do you think large corporations sit around getting drunk and thinking up products? Do you know how much testing and market analysis goes into putting a product to market? Are you involved in any type of these activities?
And do you really think you know the market better than the people that are putting their money on the line?
Fail or not, they came to the conclusion there was a market for this phone. And to let you on the inside of such things, they don't have to sell volume. Items like these are such high margin, they make more money than with their high volume, low margin products.
@Evo:
Well, you always have to cater to your audience! :)
And actually, hookers are the best analogy for this discussion, since everyone understands sex, desire and what creates desire. And we all understand you aren't going to get a hot chick at $20, but you can at $500. But we know the NY Governor and many others like to frequent $5k hookers. What value do you get from $500 to $5k?
The only value is that most people can't pay $5k and you can...
@GeneMack
You have an abundance of data readily available to support your claim that this phone is a fantastic idea. And you have demonstrated a mastery of all the relevant acronyms. So tell us... do you intern at Motorola's marketing division or in their PR department?
As it turns out... neither you nor I get to decide this one. Ultimately the market will tell Moto whether or not this was a good idea. But my money says that the HWIs and the UHWIs are going to sit this one out because this isn't a badass phone that has a high price. It's a mediocre phone with a high price. The mere fact that rich people have $51.5B to spend on bling does not mean that people will buy this phone.
Anyway, Good luck with your B-school midterms!
@quag:
It's been a long time since I took my B-School midterms, but thanks for the luck anyway. :)
And nope, don't work for Motorola, but have been in one of the plants they are manufactured, by a company called Flextronics in Chihuahua, Mexico. I actually design and sell assembly robotics, but yes, have been to B-School.
Looks like a shoe horn
Tastes like a shoe horn too.
BUT WILL IT BLEND?!
No but it can play Crysis.
Oh wait....Ooops my bad. I got that totally wrong.
It's actually "if the company does not sell more than 100 of these a month then Motorola will be in a financial crisis"
D'OH
*Thumps RYan for mentioning blending*
Who's going to up their game and release the first 16mil color TRIANGULAR screen?
Will it blend?
"Behold the AURA"
"The AURA is mine!"
This is a just a redesign of the great Motorola V80 but with a ridiculous price tag
http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=19
If I remember correctly the V70 dropped at $800 - I had that phone and loved it.
HELLO! Is there a woman in the audience?
oh wow, way to go Motorola.... do you watch the news???? heard of what's going on in the markets lately? Am sure AIG already bought a couple thousands to give to it's employees as a xmas present.
Hey grandkids... gather around me. I want to tell you a cautionary tale.
Today's story is about Motorola, a company that was very successful when I was a young man about your age. Now, I know that none of you have ever heard of Motorola... that's because they went tits up many years ago.
The downward slide into oblivion started in 1994 when the company released a handheld device based on the Magic Cap operating system. (Don't ask). And they were completely finished by late 2008 when they shipped a $2,000 feature phone right in the face of a worldwide economic meltdown.
Don't let this happen to you, kids.
I simply refuse to belive that anyone could be so demented to buy one of these little ugly turds.
I would'nt pay 20 $ for it.
At least the Vertu, the B&O and the TAG Heuer try to conquer the "rich idiot" segment of the market with nice looks and materials, but asking to pay 3 times what the world's best and more avanced cell phones cost to get an ugly piece of outdated junk is going to be tough no matter what market segment you are aiming at.
I don't think that Motorola will sell a single one of these bad jokes , but should I see one in someone's hands I know th I would be unable to stop laughing.
Comes with a "Mug me. I'm a rich idiot" wallpaper and wearable sign.
This is a just a redesign of the great Motorola V70 but with a ridiculous price tag
http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=19
Hi! First look) http://www.mobile-review.com/review/motorola-motoaura.shtml
$2,000.00 Edge phone? No 3G? Goddammit Moto, you've even embarrassed me, you most loyal fan boy. Get all your stuff out of the bathroom and get all the clothes you've got here - we're done....and for the record it's YOU, not me.
Motorola is dead... Please don't put old wine into new bottle...
I'd rather get the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte
gawd that is ugly.
Yeah maybe, but the horrible thing is that the world is full of idiots
This post is missing one of those awesome Motorola pictures Engadget uses ^^
@GeneMak
Yeah maybe , but the horrible thing is that the world is full of idiots.
Most of you fail to realize that this phone has been in development for over a year, closer to two probably. The market has been in crisis mode for only a month or two. Motorola has no control over the market. They can't just spend two years and tons of money developing a product for the high end, wealthy, tier, then just decide to drop it rather than ship it because of problems in the market. They have to release it and do their best to capture the market it is intended for.
All those who suggest coming out with differet phones at this time, remember that it takes almost a year to produce anything. Just because the market tanks a few weeks ago, does not mean the whole portfolio can adjust to suit whatever some commentor feels is more appropriate.
There is zero excuse for releasing any non 3G phone, at any price.
The fact that this one is "built to the highest possible standards" and costs $2,000.00 but doesn't contain a 3G radio is absolutely ridiculous.
It's a cool looking phone but not a 2000 dollars worth of cool. I don't care what it's made out of and honestly, knowing it has Motorola's crappy OS, it's like a 2000 dollar pretty toy that doesn't work.
more parts means more cost for producing phone,
and because of that there wont be huge profit margin for motorola, as nokia is doing with 8800 series
this is niche segment of the market that competitors are very few low, and the profits are extremely high but have no idea who will pay $2000, even they want a phone that others dont have
Excuse my language but no matter our opinions, i think this will sell well if they reach the market they are going after ...
"Dicks"
I like the engine-milled look of the casing, though it is probably just laser-etched. Either way, it beats hell out of Swarovski crystals.
this is not for the average joe.
it's for those people who couldn't be bothered to pick up a $1000 note (because in the time it takes for them to pick it up, they'd have made five times that amount)
Those people wouldn't buy this since they'd make $5000 in the time it takes them to open the address book in Motorola's crappy OS
I would LOVE to buy one...and have it forward all my calls to my 3G iPhone.
you would think that, for $2,000, they could put some G3 and more than a 2 megapixel camera in it.
Ugly as heck
Its hideous!
I'd rather spend 2k on turnips!