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Motorola's RAZR 2 V9m now available on Verizon
It's August 29th and that can mean only two things: Nokia is about to drop a slew of handsets and the Motorola RAZR 2 V9m just went live on Verizon. As expected, $250 (after online discount and 2 year contract) takes home all the V CAST Music and Video downloading you can handle over EV-DO with microSD expansion, 2 megapixel shooter, and Bluetooth stereo in tow. Yeah, nothing groundbreaking but this is as good as it gets for Moto fans.[Thanks, Jon]
Verizon getting Motorola RAZR 2 V9m on August 29?
How refreshing is this? Despite initial promises of September for its own version of the V9m, it now looks like Verizon will be offering up the hotly anticipated (or at least Motorola wants it to be hotly anticipated) successor to the RAZR starting August 29 on the 'nets. That'll apparently be followed by an in-store launch on September 4, giving Sprint just about the shortest exclusivity period ever. AT&T, we don't suppose you have any August surprises for us too, do ya?
Motorola day: Verizon gets Q9m, Sprint gets V9m
As expected, Verizon and Sprint have given Motorola a venue for its latest and greatest hardware today, releasing the Q9m Windows Mobile smartphone and RAZR 2 V9m flip respectively. Though the media centric Q9m's $350 price on a two-year contract ain't exactly pocket change, it's interesting to note that it whittles right down to a more manageable $250 after rebate -- a mere $20 more than you'll pay for an old school Q Black. Meanwhile, minions from the other side of the CDMA camp (yes, we mean Sprint) have prepped the V9m for launch today at the same $250 price point after rebate, making it the first of several US carriers committed to a RAZR 2 launch to actually get it out of the door. If everything goes the way we expect it to, both of these devices will land on the other carrier in the next few weeks, so the "grass is greener on the other side" effect should be kept to a bare minimum here.[Thanks, Dan and Boy Genius]Read - Verizon Motorola Q9mRead - Sprint Motorola V9m
Sprint's roadmap for remainder of '07 outed, too?
Following a thorough run-through of Verizon's plans for the rest of the year, this broader peep into Sprint's near future than we've seen before -- if real, anyway -- means that we now pretty much know everything there is to know about the wide world of CDMA here in the States for the next few months. It's a warm, fuzzy feeling, ain't it? Anyway, let's have a look: Palm is said to come swinging in with two, the 500 on the low end with a $99 price point on October 14 and an 800w ("w" stands for Windows Mobile 6 here, friends) up top -- though the latter doesn't grace shelves until Q1 of '08. Novatel gets down with an updated version of the U720 dubbed U727 (what else?) come September 30. Sanyo meanwhile should add the S1 candybar to replace the SCP-4930 on October 14, but November 4 is allegedly when things really start to heat up. That day should bring the LG LX260, RIM BlackBerry Pearl 2, HTC Vogue, and the UTStarcom PX-00, a low-cost Rev A data card to replace the PX-500. The Motorola Q9c -- possibly with GSM international roaming -- should drop by a little later in November, while a dual-mode CDMA / GSM rendition of the Samsung BlackJack replaces the IP-830w early next year. Again, this is all unconfirmed, but it seems plausible enough. We'll throw up any corroborating info as we get it.[Via Slashphone]
Four versions of Moto's RAZR 2 compared
With the Motorola RAZR 2 set to drop on Sprint next week as the V9m, the handset will then be released on Verizon Wireless in September. No solid word on AT&T's official release date with the V9, though. How about Alltel? You'll see the V9m with them too, apparently (not sure when). Until then, PC Magazine has reviewed the plethora of differences between the RAZR 2 when it comes to these four carriers (T-Mobile to come later with the EDGE-only V8, according to reports). The review breaks down the per-carrier deets, mentioning that T-Mobile's version will run Linux while the other versions will use Moto's Synergy software platform. The phone books and web browsers are different on the CDMA variants, as well as the overall UI being starkly different on each one. Want CrystalTalk background noise suppression? It's only on AT&T's model. There are so many intricate differences on each RAZR 2 that you just gotta hate carrier branding and custom software. Use the read link below for a full smattering of all the RAZR 2 differences so far.
Sprint, Verizon both announce Motorola RAZR 2 V9m
Neither carrier has launched it just yet, but yes -- the RAZR 2 V9m has now officially found a home on both Sprint and Verizon, with both promising availability in the next few weeks. To split hairs, Sprint will be beating its sworn enemy by a few days, launching its variant on August 22, while Verizon's just promising "September" at this point. Unless AT&T manages to pull a rabbit out of its hat, it looks like the two will be the first in the US to launch what Motorola hopes will be the centerpiece of a turnaround for its flagging handset business. Thanks to EV-DO, attractive styling (yes, we realize we'll be really tired of it in a couple years, but it's still hot for now), and a gargantuan external display with touch controls, the phone is being positioned on the higher end of both carriers' dumbphone offerings -- and the price reflects it. Look for it for $300 with a $50 rebate on Verizon, $250 on Sprint, both on a two-year agreement. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Looks like AT&T didn't want to get left out of this little party after all! The carrier joins Sprint and Verizon in announcing its version of the RAZR 2 today, the HSDPA-powered V9. Look for it in "early September" for $300 on contract. Check the release here.Read - Sprint press releaseRead - Verizon press release
Motorola intros MOTOMAGX mobile Linux platform
On the same day that Palm names Wind River Systems as its preferred Linux provider, Motorola has gone and unveiled a new mobile Linux platform of its own. The "next-generation" MOTOMAGX package is supposed to "lay the foundation to deliver new levels of openness, flexibility, and support for third-party applications on Motorola mobile devices." Notably, Moto also stated that up to 60-percent of its handsets would be based on Linux "in the next few years," and announced that the MOTOROKR Z6 and RAZR2 V8 mobiles would be the first two based on the platform. Best of all, developers interested in creating applications for the MOTOMAGX platform using Java ME can get their hands dirty today by downloading the corresponding MOTODEV Studio, and be on the lookout for WebUI and "native Linux plug-ins" to be available to "select" individuals by the end of Q4.
Motorola V9m RAZR 2 coming to Sprint next month?
What, no Verizon exclusivity? Boy Genius appears to have scored some intel suggesting that Sprint will be releasing the V9m RAZR 2 next month, bucking the typical Verizon-first, Sprint-second trend. As with the KRZR before it, it seems that the two carriers will be rocking slightly different color schemes for the phone, with Sprint's taking on a slightly more understated monotone look. Naturally, the V9m will slot in on the upper end of Sprint's dumbphone lineup, featuring Power Vision (read: EV-DO) access and Sprint Music Store compatibility. Any Sprint peeps out there just sorta want to close their eyes and wake up in four weeks or so?
Motorolas, BlackBerrys, and Pantechs in the coming weeks for AT&T?
If it seems like there's been a lull in AT&T's 3G handset launch cadence, that may be about to change. Boy Genius has the Motorola Q9 and RAZR 2 V9 both coming out on August 24, making for one heck of a double whammy. The EDGE-only SMT5700 may finally rear its head on the 24th (wow, a triple whammy?) or the 28th of the month, while the BlackBerry 8820 should hit on the 13th or 14th. Finally, the Pantech C810 will allegedly follow on around September 9th. Not bad if it all holds up, eh?
Verizon's product pipeline in the wild
We can take this picture and file it under "sneak peek" and "blurry" all at the same time. From what we can make out here, it seems Verizon sets in motion plans to launch several devices in the month of August. From the Motorola Z6tv at top left, to the Q9M (remember the iPhone killer?), the Motorola RAZR 2 (aka V9m), Samsung i760, and UTStarcom XV6800 should all be making an appearance this coming month. Let's hope Big Red can pull off these launches we can be a happy bunch![Thanks, HTC Kid and Omie]Update: Thanks to everyone who submitted the new picture!
Motorola's RAZR 2 V8 spotted on sale in Hong Kong
Yeah, it's already on sale in South Korea, we know -- but still, there's something that warms our hearts about seeing an in-the-wild shot of a hot new phone with a sticker price proudly displayed right below it. This example comes from Hong Kong, where the V8 (GSM plus EDGE only, no 3G) rendition of the Motorola RAZR 2 is available for $3,380 HKD (about $432). The travel distance-to-price ratio is too high on this one to justify us flying out to grab it, but with any luck, maybe AT&T can come through for us before too long.
Motorola RAZR 2 V9 hits FCC in AT&T livery
Yep, here's that "Wildcat" we've been hearing about. With the V3, V3i, V3r, and V3xx in its rear view mirror, the synergy between the 3G RAZR 2 and AT&T's lineup seems pretty obvious, so we're not at all surprised to see this one passing through the FCC's tender embrace. Strangely, the pictures clearly depict Cingular branding -- complete with dedicated Jack and Cingular Video buttons -- but the draft manual here is chock full of AT&T and Cellular Video references, so we're not too concerned that it's been axed or anything rash like that. We're still expecting a summer release for this one, though for all we know, that could mean September; we'll keep ya in the loop.[Via Boy Genius Report]
South Korea gets first dibs on RAZR 2
While most of us have to wait until next month (or later for CDMA-dependent folks) to get our hands on Motorola's shiny new RAZR 2 (otherwise known as the other big phone coming out this summer), those in South Korea can now lay claim to a few early bragging rights, as Moto's decided to give them first dibs on it. According to Motorola Korea, the somewhat unusual move is being done "in recognition of tech-savvy and fashion-aware Korean consumers." The perks end there, however, as they'll still have to cough up a hefty 580,000 Korean won (or $630) to call the phone their own, although that price is before the usual discounts and subsidies.
AT&T's busy launch roster (and no, we don't mean the iPhone)
A trusted source has slipped us some 411 that should be music to the ears of anyone on AT&T that isn't getting an iPhone. Believe it or not, AT&T hasn't forsaken you -- in fact, the network's upcoming launches are looking very promising indeed. From Samsung we'll see the A537 "Lion" and A737 "Peridot," and while we don't have any intel on what these might be, the A537 should reveal itself no later than August and the A737 may be an ultra-thin 3G slider to accompany the A717 and A727 flip and candybar. From Motorola, the RAZR 2 V9 is apparently in AT&T's sights -- if you hear AT&T employees discussing "Wildcat," this is the phone they're referring to -- while the V3xx gets yet another color: bubblegum pink. Finally, LG chimes in with the CU575 (a phone we saw way back at Spring CTIA) and the CE110. Stay tuned for details as we get 'em![Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Motorola RAZR 2 V8 hands-on at Engadget Mobile
Hungry for some more pics of Motorola's RAZR 2? We thought you might be. Head on over to Engadget Mobile, we've got a boat-load more shots of the RAZR 2 V8 and some initial thoughts on the handset. That should tide you over until every carrier in the friggin world starts making plans to stock the thing.
Motorola RAZR 2 V8 hands-on
Oh fun, we finally got to fool around with a fresh n' new Motorola RAZR 2 V8 on our own time. (The last time we caught one was at its launch -- we were a little rushed and had a severe lack of decent lighting.) Unfortunately, Moto's only JUIX device-equipped RAZR 2 is the 3G-free V8 (the V9 has HSDPA, but uses their crappy Synergy interface, as does the EV-DO capable V9m), but it was nice to take it for a spin even if we couldn't get high speed data on it.Funny thing about the RAZR 2, even though the internal screen is 0.2-inches larger, it's actually the external display that seems more capacious. Also, don't laugh, our favorite part about this thing is the rear -- it's just got really nice, clean lines. The rest, well, it's a Motorola phone, so take that how you will and adjust your expectations accordingly.%Gallery-3738%
RAZR 2 V8 gets hands-on review
MobileBurn got themselves a hands-on with the hot new Motorola RAZR 2 V8 --- if you don't think it's hot, at least admit that it's what the original RAZR should have been. The most notable change is obvious, and very welcome: no more hump, chin, or lump used to accommodate the chunky internals. The semi-touch screen is also an interesting variation on the usual touchscreen style, with tactile buzzing feedback when one of the three touch buttons on the external screen are pressed. The pre-production model had a poor shutter button, which is a bit of a disappointment since this is usually a well used button, and considering the effort put into the external screen. (Let's hope that this'll get fixed for production models.) The reviewers found that the main keypad was great, with a not-too-rubbery feel, and the UI is an improvement in all the areas that count -- snappy, clear, and customizable. The refinements make the RAZR2 V8 sound like a winner to us: a pity it had to be such a long time coming.
Switched On: RAZR d'tre
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment: Last week's fake iPhone delay memo may have served as a rare marketplace laboratory. When Apple announced that Leopard was slipping four months, the investors mostly shrugged, but news that the iPhone was being delayed sent Cupertino's Apple tumbling faster than the one that fell on Newton's head. (However, of course there are no perfect lab conditions in the market, and the reaction may have been compounded by this being a second delay for Apple's OS.) Yes, Apple is a latecomer to the handset market, but the iPhone is early to market in some ways. Had Apple not announced it back in January, it might not have stood out as much from an increasing wave of touchscreen handsets from LG, Samsung and others. But the most ostensible reason for Apple to launch the iPhone is to strike back against a rash of music phones that enjoy the luxury of prime pocket real estate and carrier subsidization. Although the distribution of such phones is growing every quarter, they haven't yet seemed to slow the sales of iPods. Over-the-air wireless services offer promising capabilities such as song identification and the untethered building of playlists on the fly. Handset manufacturers, though, are still several years behind in terms of Apple's technology -- or at least marketing -- if last week's official unveiling of Motorola's handsets was any indication. Motorola touted the superiority of its ROKR Z8 "media monster" over other music phones due to its use of USB 2.0; Moto also spoke of the benefits of being able to swap out multiple microSD cards without having to remove the Z8's battery in order to provide users with nearly infinite storage.
Motorola RAZR 2 hands-on
Well, it's finally here, the RAZR 2, proper sequel to the Motorola RAZR, one of the best-selling cellphones of all time. This newb's got big shoes to fill, but at least in its GSM / EDGE and CDMA variants it's 2mm smaller (sorry HSDPA fans, it's the same thickness for that flavor of 3G). For fans of the RAZR form factor, though, this is what you've been waiting for: two huge, crisp QVGA screens, Moto's JUIX Java Linux platform, 3G, HTML browser, the works. All that's yet to be seen is the price and carriers; we're guessing somewhere in the range of $500, like where the original RAZR debuted. (Also, we did spot Alltel and T-Mobile up in here.) We've got plenty of gallery shots to indulge yourself with, so enjoy.%Gallery-3136%
The Motorola RAZR 2
Motorola has today officially unveiled the successor to one of the most iconic mobiles ever made, the RAZR 2. Available in 3.6Mbps HSDPA, EV-DO, and GSM / EDGE variants as the V9, V9m, and V8 respectively, the GSM and CDMA versions of the device comes in 2 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor and -- on some versions, anyway -- will be the second to use Motorola's new Linux-based platform (the first being the Z6). It includes something Moto is calling "Crystal Talk" technology that automatically adjusts volume and tone based on ambient noise. Other features include external music controls, haptics (read: vibration) for tactile feedback when external touchscreen keys are pressed, a full HTML browser, 2 megapixel cam, the full suite of Bluetooth profiles, Windows Media Player sync, a 2-inch QVGA external display, 2.2-inch QVGA internal display, and twice the screen resolution of the original RAZR. GSM versions start shipping in early July, with CDMA following up later in the summer.
