Motorola ROKR E1 iTunes Phone (AT&T)

Average customer rating:

Assortment of problems

Great phone...

Alphanumeric Issues; Slow Sync Time.

better than I expected

Don't get this phone

Motorola ROKR E1 iTunes Phone (AT&T)

Manufacturer: Motorola
ProductGroup: Wireless
Binding: Wireless Phone

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Product Features:

The first phone to feature Apple iTunes software

Micro-SD (Transflash) Memory Card slot

Built-in VGA camera w/ Video Recording capability

Easy file transfer with USB connectivity

Bluetooth Technology for convient hands-free use

ASIN: B000B8WJ3M

Amazon.com Hands-On Review

Motorola's much-hyped "iTunes phone," the ROKR E1, is a compact triband GSM phone with a lot of fun features, not least of which is the ability to sync up with the same iTunes software on your PC that you use with iPod devices. Based heavily on Motorola's fine E398 handset, the ROKR E1 weighs 3.9 ounces and measures up at 4.3 by 1.8 by 0.83 inches. It has a pearl-white exterior finish that houses a pair of stereo polyphonic speakers, a 262k color display, and a good, video-capable VGA camera with flash, as well as a nice keypad and dedicated camera and volume controls.

Music, camera, and calls: it's easy with the ROKR.

The keypad offers a good feel, and the green and red call control keys and joystick are sufficiently separated from the rest of the keys to keep from being pressed accidentally. The joystick offers has good action and is accurate, but its chrome finish can sometimes be a bit slick. A dedicated music button directly left of the menu key launches the iTunes application.

The iTunes app lets you play music and playlists that have been transferred over to the ROKR E1 from your desktop computer using the included USB cable. The music is stored on the included 512 MB microSD memory card. Even though a card of that capacity could hold more 120 or more tracks, the iTunes application on the ROKR E1 is limited to a maximum of 100 songs. The phone does support the swapping of multiple 512 MB cards, though, meaning that you can have up to 100 songs on each of the fingernail-sized memory cards.

I enjoyed the fact that iTunes syncs up the album art for each song and that the ROKR E1 displays that album in not only the iTunes application, but also on the standby screen when iTunes has been minimized. When iTunes is running in the background in this way, the joystick can be used to control the playback, which is handy.

The iTunes application on the ROKR is much like that on a regular iPod. You can access your music by playlist, album, artist, or individual song name. You can listen to the music through the included stereo headset, or you can use the included adapter to make use of your own headphones. If you wish to share the music experience, you can play the music through the built-in stereo speakers, which offer surprisingly good sound for their size. The ROKR should be good for up to 8 hours of music when played through the speakers and 15 hours if used with a headset.

The ROKR E1 offers an "airplane mode" that will turn off the main GSM phone system so that you can safely use the device on a flight. When on, the phone module can run for up to 8 hours of talk time or several days of standby time. Bear in mind that all aspects of the phone use the same battery, so if you play music through the speakers for 4 hours, you will only be able to get about 4 hours of talk time from the ROKR. Overall call reception was good, and the audio was very clear.

Other highlights include Bluetooth support for mono headset, data connections, a full featured contacts system, and a nice calendar application. Motorola's Rhythm Lights system, first seen on the V80, are a lot of fun at parties and bars since the multicolor lights behind the speaker grills, the keypad, and display backlights will glow and pulsate in sync with the sound in the room. Motorola's haptics system, which vibrates the phone in time with the sound from games, ringtones, and music apps, also provides some good entertainment.

The Motorola ROKR E1 is a good solid phone, and can be a handy addition to your music-playing arsenal for those times when you just can't afford to carry around a separate music device.

Pros:

iTunes support
Can use your own headphones
Bluetooth

Cons:

100 song iTunes limit
No Bluetooth stereo support

What's in the Box:
ROKR E1 handset, Battery, Travel Charger, iTunes PC software with USB cable, Stereo headset and 3.5 mm headset adaptor, Removable 512MB microSD memory card (microSD memory card must be installed in the device in order to use iTunes), ROKR E1 Manual, Quick Start Guide, iTunes insert.

--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com

Customer Reviews:

Assortment of problems.......2007-08-31

With my less than two years service with the rokr, this is the 2nd one that died on me.

When the phone worked, it was great. However, these are the problems I have had:

* USB is very flakey. I could excuse the slow transfer time if the thing didn't decide to give up on me 1/2 way through a mp3 !

* Charging the battery is also very flakey. I would try to get a lot of 'Unable to charge' messages when trying to charge the phone. Both of my rokr's did this. I tried 3 different ac and one car charger, so it were the phones

* Could not figure out how to voice activate dailing. Couldn't find it in the manual.

* Flakey battery life. Sometimes it would last for days, other times I'd have to charge it twice a day !

Reception was fine, but since I can't charge this phone any longer, I am getting a new one today. Going back to Nokia.

Great phone... .......2007-08-03

I haven't had a better phone yet. the multimedia capabilities are cool. Really the only thing that could be better is the battery life, if you listen to the music on itunes or just use it like a regular phone a battery carge usually only last about a day to a day and a half... Maybe im the only one experiencing these issues but the battery life on these phones blow. other than that.. it a great phone.

Alphanumeric Issues; Slow Sync Time........2007-02-09

This review comes 1 year after my initial purchase. Tired of toting both an mp3 player and phone, I logically purchased this item to consolidate. It worked wonderfully.

Initially, I was quite pleased with the phone. Though it only held 100 songs, I was able to easily switch out and/or update iTunes playlists via my computer. (Mind you, they sync capabilities were rather slow and cumbersome. At the time, I figured this was normal for any item with this type of multiple phone/player functionality.)

The phone itself was small, compact, and easily fit into my pocket. It functioned well: Bluetooth, text messaging, IM, Internet access, and phone reception. What I enjoyed most and still do are the speakers, which for such a small device, pack quite a punch. Sounds better than most alarm clocks. Full bass, etc. I could connect it to my car stereo or listen on my headphones. Very versatile.

It wasn't until recently that my phone started to become problematic. I babied it the entire time I had it so it came as a huge surprise that after 9 months its messaging capabilities died. More precisely, I was unable to enter alphabetical characters whether it be for messaging or to store a name with a phone number. And yet I could dial numbers ... just not alphabetical characters.

Again, having never dropped or misused the phone, I was insanely disappointed by this. It was around this time that other quirks about the item started to bother me: the sync time, the camera resolution/megapixels, and the phone casing itself which seems to start chipping.

Bottom line is I would have liked this phone to have lasted much longer. It really is a cool phone. Stylish. Lots of blinking lights. Great sound. But alas, seemingly cheaply made. I can't say that all ROKRs will perform the way mine did, but if my experience with the item can shed light on any buyers perception then I've done a good job.

better than I expected.......2006-12-05

I got this phone thinking "well if it does not meet expectations I can always give it to my daughter" however I could not be happier (my daughter however is not!). I went from a motorola V3 to this and while it certainly is not as sleek as my previous phone it has not given me any problems (none of the problems mentioend by other reviewers). I also am fine with the implementation of itunes. I did not expect the phone to be everything and ipod is, I just wanted easy integration with itunes and the aiblity to have about 100 tunes available to me anywhere I am. This phone gives me that, the sound quality is quite good through the little built-in speakers (that is amazing in itself) so hotel room listening is quite enjoyable. I also have to say the supplied heapdhones are quite good. *warning, you cannot use normal headphones with the rokr it has a different plug configuration and size so upgrading sound via better headphones is out but, as I said, the supplied phones are quite good anyway. someone mentioned that you can connect it to external speakers but I have not found any way to do so and considering that the heaphone jack is non-standard I suspect the reviewer who mentioned that was wrong. overall it is a good phone with itunes added nothing more, nothing less. if that is what you want buy it. I did and am quite happy with it.

Don't get this phone.......2006-10-31

I have a horrible experience. I have it for a year now. On the second month, it began ringing by itself. I filed a complain to cingular, they reboot the phone and it stopped acting by itself. But, I was shocked twice while I received the calls. I was on the top of Empire State when it happened. dunno if the cold weather was the reason of the battery run. The phone stop working properly. At the time, I had it for 3 month only. I contacted cingular several time, but they didn't do anything till now. I still carry this phone because I have no other choice. (yeap, a reason I was in amazon searching for a phone) It doesn't ring. I keep missing calls and bad reception at 4 bars. I still have one more year contract with them...

If you get cingular, make sure to get a good phone or purchase an insurance.
This phone deserve no star.

Product Description

You will receive 1 high quality Rechargeable Battery. This Rechargeable Battery 100% fits and is properly matching !

Ni-Cd Rechargeable Battery (originally packaged factory-new merchandise)

This high capacity rechargeable battery definitely disposes of more power than the original rechargeable battery included in delivery of the unit. This rechargeable battery can be used instead of the original rechargeable battery without any problems and can be recharged with the available standard power supply.

Features of this rechargeable battery:

safety due to heat and overcharge protection
more power than the original
excellent fitting accuracy, certified quality merchandise, not an original accessory
the standard battery charger can still be used

Product Description

94-99 Oldsmobile 88 & 94-97 Oldsmobile 98 Cell Phone Car Mounting Bracket by Panavise Mounting location left side of glove box. InDash custom mount eliminates exposed holes in vehicle. For clean, easy, nearly invisible phone mount installation. Complete instructions included.

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