Motorola CEO Ed Zander has “some harsh words for Apple’s new iPod nano, which many analysts believe stole the spotlight from Motorola’s ROKR phone during a recent launch event,” Tom Krazit reports for Macworld UK.
“‘Screw the nano. What the hell does the nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs?’ Zander said,” Krazit reports. “People are going to want devices that do more than just play music, something that can be seen in many other countries with more advanced mobile phone networks and savvy users, he said.”
Full article here.
Now, now, just because Motorola’s ROKR was completely overshadowed and it completely underwhelms…
Related articles:
Cingular partnering with Apple to launch iTunes direct-to-phone music download service in 2006? – September 22, 2005
Fortune’s Lewis: Apple iTunes software the only cute thing about Motorola’s ROKR mobile phone – September 21, 2005
Consumer Reports: Apple’s iPod nano ‘sizzles,’ Motorola ROKR mobile phone ‘fizzles’ – September 21, 2005
BBC: Motorola ROKR iTunes mobile phone design ‘feels like yesterday’s phone by UK standards’ – September 17, 2005
Hands on review of Motorola ROKR Apple iTunes mobile phone – September 12, 2005
Motorola ROKR iTunes-enabled mobile phone greeted with cool response – September 12, 2005
If Apple isn’t working on their own iPhone, they’re making a stupid mistake – September 12, 2005
Music phones pose no threat to Apple iPod – September 09, 2005
Does Apple need a mobile phone of its own design? – September 09, 2005
USA Today: Motorola ROKR iTunes mobile phone provides ‘snazzy’ first impression – September 08, 2005
NYT’s Pogue: Motorola ROKR iTunes phone ‘great-sounding, reasonably priced and a lot of fun’ – September 08, 2005
Tech pundit Enderle: ‘iPod Nano is a hit,’ Motorola ROKR ‘simply doesn’t have enough Apple in it’ – September 07, 2005
Video of Steve Jobs introducing iPod nano, ROKR iTunes phone now available online – September 07, 2005
Apple announces Motorola ROKR iTunes phone, Cingular partnership, iTunes 5 – September 07, 2005
Apple, Motorola & Cingular debut world’s first iTunes mobile phone – September 07, 2005
Motorola ROKR Apple iTunes mobile phone availability dates for Europe, North America, and Asia – September 07, 2005
Mo & Ted,
I held off getting a RAZR cause I wanted it with iTunes. I would buy a RAZR with iTunes, no question. In fact, the iTunes phone stories started to come out as the RAZR was introduced. I was hoping with name like ROKR, that the design would be all RAZR. As it turns out, the ROKR is at best disappointing. If appleinsider reports that the RAZR/ROKR will be heftier, well, sorry, it probably will tank also.
MW = cold, as “motorola will be left out in……”
Maybe if he made the ROKR a totally new phone, instead of an old one with a face lift and stereo speakers, he woultn’t have too much to complain about.
Actually, he should’ve let Apple design the phone. I bet it would run circles around the RAZR- but then he’fd probably complain that the ROKR is doing better than the RAZR.
“Screw the ROKR. People want a device that will enable them to talk to others around the world and thats all they want.”
And the contradicting words will continue, and so on…
So, in one sentence he basically insults his partner (Apple) and every American user of iPods out there. He said, “‘Screw the nano. What the hell does the nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs?’ Zander said,” Krazit reports. “People are going to want devices that do more than just play music, something that can be seen in many other countries with more advanced mobile phone networks and savvy users, he said.”
So, we’re not savvy users either. Whatever dude. You just made a lot of friends among those that would have been the biggest supporter of your disappointing ROKR phone.
MW: “time” as in it’s TIME for Apple to make their own iPhone and show you guys how it’s done.
Well, Steve did say that working with Moto on the ROKR was a ‘learning experience’.
I guess one of those lessons learnt was not to let clueless amateurs do the design work on the hardware in future. Which probably explains why the phone was delayed, and delayed, and delayed… until the Nano was ready.
Steve no doubt thought, “Urgh, this thing is ordinary.” He seemed rather underwhelmed at the launch.
I’ve always hated the UI on Moto phones, and every other brand I’ve used isn’t really much better. Not to mention the generally infuriating pre-emptive text input on mobiles – they really need some basic pre-emptive grammar and syntax checking. I’ll just wait for Apple to release their own branded phone.
Sounds like Mr. MOTO got such into the RDF a bit.
I was as shocked as you all were of the statment made by Mr. Zander. However, the whole situation seems a little to weird. First, why would Zander say that in such a negative context that it would take away the exact market the ROKR is targeted for. Second, why would Zander say 1000 songs is nothing when the ROKR has only 100. Third, why would Apple have the Nano come out at the same time to “take away” from the ROKR when the phone is their product too. Plus, if Apple did want to make their own phone, they’ll have to partnet with a cell company. Maybe it won’t be Motorola, but they’ll still want to sell their software to them. The markets are merging and no one would want to sever ties this early. If one CEO is mad at the other, I doubt either would take it out in such a manner as this. I think everyone should relax and realize that Apple does a great job with their products and Motorola does a great job with their products. You can’t much better cell phone quality and UI than a Motorola phone, so before you all go on strike about either Apple or Motorola products, take a breath and relax.