Motorola's nearly unattainable AURA gets gobs of hands-on photos

When we hear "hands-on," we generally expect a smattering of images detailing the highlights -- you know, about as many as a fidgety PR person will allow, or about as many as one can take before they succumb to self-indulgence. In this "first look" of Motorola's ridiculously luxurious $2,000 AURA, however, the author not only took the time to detail his first impressions, but to also upload dozens of snapshots to show you exactly what this here handset looks like in just about every possible light. And that's a good thing too, because the chances of any of us simpletons actually seeing one in the flesh is slim to none.

[Thanks, Drei Drei]

[Bibbly53 @ Oct 27th 2008 2:33AM]

Form over function. Fully.

[Bibbly53 @ Oct 27th 2008 2:37AM]

O.K. my previous statement may be redundant to a point.
Artistry only goes so far as the eyes in most cases. And as far as cell phones go this one still only offers up the basics. It's not a really big upgrade to stuff that's already on the market. It's expensive sure. But it's ugly. The display is intriguing because it's the first spherical design of it's kind. All in all, it's more of the same with an interesting bevel. Looks like Motorola enterprising egotism in phone form.

[Dahk @ Oct 27th 2008 2:38AM]

Any form-lover (myself included) would rebuke you for what you just stated.

It's quite... hideous.

[TareX @ Oct 27th 2008 4:37AM]

Luxury phones are a disgrace to the world of gadget. I hate them.

There's nothing wrong with a beautiful form, but when it completely compromises function, there's A LOT wrong.

Now this aura, besides the cool rounded screen, it looks really bad when it "swings" open.

[zedz @ Oct 28th 2008 8:07AM]

God I'm feeling old! It's not the first of it's kind it's barely an evolution of their much older v70

http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_v70-333.php

[Orpheus @ Oct 27th 2008 5:31AM]

@Bibbly53

A phone with a spherical display?? Now that I would like to see...

[Flashpoint @ Oct 27th 2008 8:08AM]

There is not one thing in that picture that would make me take this $2000 Aura over a $200 V3x or a $200 iPhone 3G.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 27th 2008 9:28AM]

I took the pic link and looked. I think it's beautifully designed and the screens are gorgeous. It's some very serious implementation of metal and glass with virtually no plastic, save for the antenna which is necessary. Of course this is a prototype and those aren't sales pics. Not everyone is interested in an iPhone-ish smartphone or a flip phone. Some people want a phone that is primarily a phone, but I'm not so sure about how good it will feel to use. Still, it's way too expensive for me, perhaps even silly but if the price is no object fashionistas run with it, it could be a success. One thing is for sure, it doesn't look like everything else out there.

[Andrew @ Oct 27th 2008 2:34AM]

Sure pay $2k for somthing that looks like crap

[Dew @ Oct 27th 2008 2:34AM]

This looks great in which country?

[Bibbly53 @ Oct 27th 2008 2:43AM]

If you have a credit card, they'd ship it.

Check it out in the moto store: http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en/US/adirect/motorola?cmd=catProductDetail

Product Specs: http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=268

[Bibbly53 @ Oct 27th 2008 2:48AM]

Bad script for store AURA page.

http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en/US/adirect/motorola?cmd=catProductDetail&productID=93799XQBSA&showAddButton=true&filter=601600*&MessageType=catDisplayStyle&MessageType=catDisplayStyle&OP=filter&FormName=query&FormName=query&DispStyle=B2CStyleCategory&filterDispName=MOTOSTORE+Exclusives&catKey=601600&showAll2ndLink=false

*revised

If this one doesn't function, google: "motorola store USA" - click MOTOSTORE Exclusives in left side column. ARUA should either have a banner or a spot in the store listings very visibly.

[Jake B @ Oct 27th 2008 4:09PM]

In Soviet Russia you don't talk on phone, phone talks on you!

[Jon Nelson @ Oct 27th 2008 2:38AM]

I actually really dig the look. The screen placement and shape are pretty sweet.

The pricetag, though? Double that of my first car.

[Dahk @ Oct 27th 2008 2:40AM]

Aww you cheated the reply-game. But yeah, your second comment is spot on.

[Colin Jones @ Oct 27th 2008 2:42AM]

I know Motorola is in dire need of a cash injection and with the falling sales, this phone isn't going to do much for them. Period.

Bye Bye Moto.

[Dorris Day @ Oct 27th 2008 11:24AM]

Well, for all you haters I have seen and held this marvelous creation in person and it truly is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
It has a 62 carat sapphire crystal lens and with 700+ individual components all hand made, for those lucky enough to purchase one will have there aura experience extended to the highest standard. It doesn’t matter whether it has all the gizmo’s it’s an extension of your personality, it’s the look that counts and with the world 1st 16million color, circular lens it truly feel and looks the part

[ByronGman @ Oct 27th 2008 2:43AM]

The phone for the ultimate tool!

[wahkiz @ Oct 27th 2008 2:44AM]

Microsoft Ophone in disguise.

[sinai @ Oct 27th 2008 2:46AM]

this phone aint got no alibi.

[Jamesy @ Oct 27th 2008 2:49AM]

It ugly! It ugly!

[hitsthings @ Oct 27th 2008 4:25AM]

Y, L, G, U...

[Ray @ Oct 27th 2008 3:13PM]

"We must set goals to be a successful company in today's world. Gone are the days the razor(s), i present to you... THE MOTOROLA UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!"

[hitsthings @ Oct 27th 2008 5:49PM]

No, no, no. The last line is,

"Backwards you is ugly too!"

[Poom @ Oct 27th 2008 2:48AM]

I find it fugly... Everything looks nice but the big (relative to the whole phone) circle screen makes it look fugly to me.

[helloUser @ Oct 27th 2008 2:49AM]

That is actually a really slick design. Too many of the commentators here know dick about style (not surprising when all they ever praise is the iphone).

[Valicore @ Oct 27th 2008 4:05AM]

WTF? Some think the phone looks bad, some, like yourself, think it looks good. That's the extent of the differences between the two groups. If you're going to disagree, do it without being an arrogant self-important bitch. You obviously have a very superficial knowledge of style, if any, because if you did, you'd know that style is not objective. If it were, everyone would look pretty much the same. Next time you open your mouth to say something, well, just don't.

[Zorque @ Oct 27th 2008 4:25AM]

Counterpoint: your avatar is from a T-shirt Hell knockoff site.

[koala72 @ Oct 27th 2008 6:00AM]

Lets all agree they are both ugly...
But one will continue to sell for some reason.
And the other will sell about 5 and raise more questions about the future of the company.

[Pikl @ Oct 27th 2008 2:53AM]

Are Motorola's design team members humans?

I'd think you'd want the two panels reversed -- you'd want the part that goes to your ear behind the part that goes to your mouth -- not vice versa. Neat round screen though. Buttons are awfully weird.

[Ross @ Nov 19th 2008 4:56PM]

If it was like that you probably wouldnt be able to press it against your ear though.

[pachi @ Oct 27th 2008 2:54AM]

It would of been cool if it was a candy bar phone, not with a swivel.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 27th 2008 9:31AM]

It's been done. It's been overdone.

[allenvanhellen @ Oct 27th 2008 2:59AM]

Will it have an unintuitive and needlessly complex menu like other Motos?

[Alex @ Oct 27th 2008 3:08AM]

What's ironic is that the phone says right on it "DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH".

[Al Deezy @ Oct 27th 2008 3:52AM]

I actually like it, but would rather us that money toward food. =0

[Luca @ Oct 27th 2008 3:56AM]

Aside from the round screen, that phone really doesn't look good. Actually looks kinda cheap to me. Not well designed. It has none of the flashiness or precision construction that i'd expect from something that's $2000.

[Johan S @ Oct 27th 2008 3:59AM]

That has to be the ugliest least ergonomic and most dysfunctional phone ever.

If I were signing up to a low cost cell phone plan and that were one of the free phones offered, I would skip over it.

[Tristan @ Oct 27th 2008 6:31AM]

Never seen a Nokia 7600?

[Valicore @ Oct 27th 2008 4:10AM]

This design is clearly inspired by the timeless fashion of props designed for forgettable made-for-tv sci-fi movies filmed cerca 1992, most likely somewhere in Manitoba. Bravo Motorola, Bravo!

[A.C.E.R. @ Oct 27th 2008 4:18AM]

That phone kicks ass. I dare you to walk by me on the street talking on that thing

[Ed @ Oct 27th 2008 4:46AM]

Was the guy eating cheetos covered in fucking olive oil when he took the pictures?

Every single photo is covered with grimy ass fingerprints :)

[Patriks7 @ Oct 27th 2008 4:47AM]

This thing really looks like a phone my 5 year old sister just got.. It was filled with candy and makes nice sounds when you press the buttons.. and it cost 3 euro.. what's the big fuss about this one?

[JeffM @ Oct 27th 2008 10:38AM]

I've seen that candy phone, even here in the US! That one was modeled after the V70 which was obviously Motorola's inspiration for this phone.

[chansthename @ Oct 27th 2008 4:50AM]

the screen is absolutely gorgeous

[Lemmiwinks @ Oct 27th 2008 4:54AM]

me likey. reminds me of that old swiveling one they had back at the turn of the century.

[no, thank you @ Oct 27th 2008 5:29AM]

ewwww... this is soooo ugly, ridiculously ugly

[proffesso @ Oct 27th 2008 6:00AM]

actually I quite like it, I used to love my old V70 though, and that got quite a few comments.

im suprised at all the negativity personally.

if it wasnt 2k, i'd consider it

[vic. @ Oct 27th 2008 6:10AM]

I would like that the the next generation of mobile could cook. xd

[rH @ Oct 27th 2008 6:13AM]

Designed by Microsoft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WazA77xcf0A