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Bird launches UK's first scooter sharing service on one London path
London faces some of the biggest transport problems in the world, but one startup thinks its electric scooter scheme could be the solution -- as long as it can get around the UK's draconian vehicle laws. US company Bird is set to launch the UK's first scooter-hire service in the capital, but it's only got permission to do so along a single path in the east London Olympic Park.
Motorola split official tomorrow, we hope you like red
Here we go. Perfectly timed with this week's festivities, Motorola's split, wherein one become two (a "reverse Spice Girls," if you will) is crossing the final t's and dotting the remaining i's. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that by Tuesday, the Motorola stock ticker (MOT) will stop trading, being replaced instead by Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) and Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI, no relation). The latter will focus on public-safety radios and handheld scanners while the former, with a bright new logo, will be the smartphone / set-top box-focused company that for all intents and purposes we mean when we simply write "Motorola" from here on out. It just rolls off the tongue better.
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.
Motorola W218 makes Hong Kong appearance
Motorola is rolling out its W218 uninspired-model-nameness handset to Hong Kong customers, who we fear will camp out at carrier locations to be the first one to snap up this first offering from the Motomobile line. To us, this entry-level unit is slightly reminiscent of the SLVR and L2, so again, Motorola is regurgitating old tech here. The W218 gets a built-in FM radio with all that gloriously-sought-after advertising, along with a 2004-era VGA digicam and a 65,000-color display (do we see 128 x 128 there?) and capacity for 500 contacts, though we doubt the target market for this phone has a need to store that much calling information.
Samsung poised to top Motorola for global number two?
There was a brief period in 2005 where Samsung leaped ahead of Motorola for the number two spot in global mobile handset sales, and the South Korean company may be poised to do it again in the second quarter of this year, which ends at the conclusion of June. Considering Motorola had 22 percent global market share in 2006 and Samsung had 11.4 percent, the shift in 2007 would be quite significant. With all of Motorola's problems shipping units and keeping up with the advanced handsets from Finland's Nokia and South Korea's LG and Samsung (among others), 2007 may not be very kind to Motorola. Would the RAZR 2 and other devices in the Moto pipeline be enough to stave off a permanent dethroning?
Motorola RIZR Z8 reviewed
Motorola's multimedia powerhouse "kick slider" Symbian handset has gotten reviewed over at mobile-review.com. We appreciate the extreme detail Eldar and his crew go into when reviewing handsets, and the Z8 review is no different. Although this recently announced handset is not yet available from what we can see, it looks to easily be one of Motorola's flagships soon. Mobile-review's breakdown on the Z8 is that it's a handset with no competition (based on its form factor combined with feature set) along with it having one of the best displays available on any handset. Add to that the Z8's improvements in the UIQ interface, a better iTap text input system, that QVGA screen, 2 megapixel cam and A2DP Bluetooth and it all adds up to a very well-rounded handset. One caveat: you'll have to get used to the form factor if you're not a slider fan.
Moto's Red KRZR released by Rogers Wireless
Motorola's KRZR K1 has landed at Canada's Rogers Wireless dressed all in red. The current "it" flip handset that comes in a rainbow of colors from Moto will set Canadian customers back about $150 (after instant rebate) and appears to be available now from Roger's consumer website. If you're a Canadian GSM customer who has not yet picked up an unlocked and unbranded KRZR from somewhere else, you now have the chance to pick one up pretty cheap with a Rogers contract.
Motorola patents the "Smellophone"
Since Motorola needs to get back on the profit wagon, apparently the second largest mobile phone maker in the world believes cultural novelty may be the answer. Moto has just patented the "Smellophone" that packs a scent pouch which releases olfactory goodness when talking. The mobile's battery is put to good use powering the phone and heating the scent pack as well, so we're wondering what kind of standby time reduction we can expect once we have our hands noses on one of these beauties. The patent references a "Communication device having a scent release feature and method thereof." We can't wait to get our mitts on one of these and rate with our noses, but until then, we love Motorola's cheeky patent app. The colorful language for the MOTOSNIFR (our name) includes this: "Some cellular telephone users are the same individuals who enjoy having plug-in scent units located around their homes, and may miss not having a nice smelling fragrance while they are on the go." Awesome.
Icahn loses bid for Motorola board seat
Motorola's annual shareholder meeting took place last night, and from initial results, billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn was not elected to the company's board of directors. The fire between Icahn -- who owns 2.9 percent of Motorola's shares -- and MOTOMNGMNT has turned into a venomous circus recently. The mud from all that slinging was still fresh last night at the company's annual shareholder's meeting where Moto's board of directors was up for election. Although Motorola CEO Ed Zander responded to Icahn's failed bid by saying "we remain steadfast in our commitment to continue building value for all of our stockholders," that sentiment had not been flying with the feisty billionaire investor. Although final tabulation of board election votes is still not 100 percent final right now, it looks like Icahn will need another venue to light a fire under Motorola's butt as the company struggles to return to profitability.
Motorola slams back at Carl Icahn
Billionaire financier Carl Icahn has a history of investing in companies where he can start exuding his influence for reform. The latest saga in Icahn's quest for corporate justice involves Motorola, where he wants CEO Ed Zander out (now). Motorola's troubles recently have been amplified in the financial media, as the company can't seem to replicate its RAZR success to save its life. The magic seems gone, and Icahn is pitching for a board seat so that he can instigate some management changes. In other words, Zander should be worried -- very worried. If the wireless giant can't return to sustainable profitability like, yesterday, Icahn may press even harder. The pressure has been so intense that Motorola recently sent an open letter to shareholders where it dissed the man (well, to a point). One thing is for sure -- Motorola is not leaving the cellphone biz for the action figure market like we were playfully guessing recently.
New MOTOSTORE opens in New Delhi
While Motorola suffers through some financial losses, it still plans on global wireless domination through strategic retail locations. Well, sort of. The company's flagship retail locations worldwide (like Nokia's in Chicago) have been joined by a new flagship store in New Delhi, India. The new location is smack dab in the middle of that city's National Capital Region (NCR) and joins other "Flagship" Motorola locations in Shanghai, China and Moscow, Russia. Moto's new theme with these locations features a consumer-focused, interactive wireless phone experience along with laser etching and customized Motorola "phone tattoos." We suppose those tattoos come on the phones themselves and not on customer's shoulders, right Moto?
Sprint's Motorola Q left out of WM6 party?
Shelled out for the newer Sprint Motorola Q with Windows Mobile and EV-DO goodness? That's great -- but don't let the next sentence steam you. Word on the street is that Sprint is not going to be providing a Windows Mobile 6 update for its version of the Q. It's already a bummer that Sprint's Q doesn't have some of the carrier's flagship features (Picture Mail, Wireless Backup, Video Mail, Sprint TV, and so on) four months after release; now, the unit may never even see Windows Mobile 6 in its Sprint lifetime. Ah, what could have been, eh?[Thanks, Ice Cold]
Motorola's rosy RIZR Z3 on T-Mobile website
All things are rosy these days at T-Mobile (we think), as the GSM carrier has just landed the Motorola RIZR Z3 handset in that superb rose color. It's about to become available for purchase at T-Mo's website sitting alongside the blue version. If you like the KRZR but love the slider form factor, you're a Motorola fan, you love the burgundy color and you subscribe to T-Mobile, the RIZR Z3 Rose may be your true love (or like, perhaps). The RIZR really doesn't present much to the scene of midrange or higher-end sliders, but it does look cool. Although pricing is set as "coming soon", we suspect the same after-rebate $100 tag as the blue version carries.[Thanks, Marco]
Motorola gets in the action figure business
Since Motorola is having a bit of a rough time making a profit in the mobile handset business (the RAZR is sooo 2005), the world's second-largest cellphone maker has turned its attention to manufacturing action figures in order to boost profit margins. No, not really, but Motorola's new partnership with famous toy designer Eric So to create action figures makes us wonder what marketing directions the Motorola folks are going in. You'll have to be in China to have access to these, as Motorola will be giving three limited-edition action figures depicting China brand ambassadors Jay Chou and Zhou Xun with Motorola handset purchases from www.18900.net. We'll just call them MOTOFIGRS.[Via textually.org]
Black Motorola KRZR K1m comes to Telus
Looks like Canada's Telus Mobility got hooked up with the Motorola KRZR K1m in yet another shade -- this time, black. We've been waiting for a while to see when new K1m colors would start showing up, and here's a pretty decent first stab at black we think (or second stab, if you count Sprint's). Anything new besides the color here? Very doubtful. If you just bought that pretty solver K1m from Telus recently, we feel for ya. Just don't break out the Sharpie marker for that new black-colored mod, mkay?[Via HowardForums, thanks Jay]
Motorola ic902 iDEN / CDMA hybrid approved by the FCC
Our revealing pals over at the FCC have just approved the Motorola ic902 iDEN / CDMA hybrid handset, which will be the flagship hybrid sold by Sprint Nextel sometime very soon -- we hope. Specs so far include dual color displays with a nice 2.2 inch QVGA main diplay and stereo speakers for that onboard music player. Of course, no iDEN / CDMA handset would be complete without one of those 2 megapixel shooters and a microSD card slot. If you're into the EV-DO world of Sprint but like Nextel's Walkie-Talkie feature (formerly Direct Connect), this may be your new love. Now that it has been approved by the FCC, we expect an announcement from Sprint Nextel -- the question, though, is when?[via phoneArena]
Motorola T805 and T815 navigators: for most Bluetooth phones
MOTONAV -- what a natural name that is for a Motorola navigational product, eh? The world's second-largest handset maker wants to supply customers with even more navigational abilities right from the source it appears, as the manufacturer would like to sell you a Bluetooth-linked and satellite-aided navigation to your BT-enabled handset. The two navigation models -- T805 and T815 -- are meant for Bluetooth-enabled handsets at this time -- and not just Motorola handsets. The T815 has just a bit more features than the T805 -- but both fit in your pocket, have visual and spoken directions and points-of-interest location (like the hole-in-the-wall burger joint). The Motorola T805 comes with a car charger, cell phone mount, dash mount and visor clip -- with a requirement for a 12-month MOTONAV national subscription (including up-to-date maps). The Motorola 815 comes packaged with a phone holder, visor clip, dash mount, car charger, and the MOTONAV service pre-installed on a memory card. No pricing or exact availability from Motorola yet, though.[Via Mobilewhack]Read - Motorola T805Read - Motorola T815
Alltel to get the black Motorola Q
Just like the Sprint boys before them, it seems CDMA carrier Alltel will be getting the Motorola Q sometime soon based on the rather blurry (but legible) cellphone cam shot of the above box. Yes, that's the black version of the Motorola Q in a trademark purple Alltel box. Dates? We can only guess, but with this full box in plain view (somewhere), we're guessing pretty soon enough. Specs? The standard specs from Sprint's recent Q unveiling most likely, which means everything we know about the Q already along with sweet EV-DO data speeds.[Thanks, Ray D.]
