“A slightly heftier version of Motorola’s top-selling RAZR mobile handset is under development and it includes new features such as Apple’s iTunes software, according to multiple reports,” Katie Marsal reports for AppleInsider. “In an online report, howardchui.com posts several photos allegedly taken from an prototype of the phone, dubbed the Motorola RAZR2. The photos appear to be genuine and depict the same device shown briefly to the media by Motorola CEO Ed Zander at this year’s MOTONOW conference.”
“Earlier this month, Motorola said it plans frequent updates to its iTunes-enabled mobile phone offerings,” Marsal reports. “‘This (the ROKR) is the first phone in a series of phones that we will be launching over the next year,’ Carson Schmidt, Motorola’s general manager of regional operators, recently told Pocket Lint. ‘You can expect an announcement on a quarterly basis for new phones in the range.’ Carson also confirmed that Motorola’s iTunes deal with Apple is not exclusive and that other handset makers could follow suit in offering similar iTunes functionality in the near future.”
Full article with more info, pictures, and links here.
Advertisement: Apple iPod nano. 1,000 songs. Impossibly small. From $199. Free shipping.
Related articles:
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
OK, now THIS I would buy in a half-second.
MW: morning, as in, I’ll be there first thing in the morning the day they release an iTunes RAZR.
This should shut up the geeks living with their parents who don’t understand that a RAZR comes with a bloody high pricetag.
The ‘cheap’ ROKR is supposed to be mass market, you morons.
I’m shocked, I was sure that the ROKR would be the only phone ever released with iTunes.
Nice. Oh, and … re the ROKR … bet it sells pretty good once the RAZR with iTunes is out. Bet we’re all prolly gonna be blushing about the early hesitation we had towards that ROKR phone.
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…yawn….I dunno… just can’t get excited over a phone…
the RAZR is truly a drool-worthy phone
plus itunes makes it awesome
make sure it supports EDGE and I’m sold!
mike – there have been promotions to get the RAZR V3 for free after rebate. It took a while, but it happened. Also, there were earlier offers at $150.
Since I want to get a RAZR anyway, having the iTunes feature is a nice bonus. It won’t be my primary music player, but will work in some situations.
RAZR is free on Amazon and many other sites, which offer a 100% rebate on the purchase price as well as a discount which makes the initial cost $129-$149 before the rebate. Usually you have to wait 1-2 months before you can apply for the rebate from Cingular.
I just got a RAZR, and it sucks. Really “digital” sounding audio, garbled beyond intelligibility, hollow… bad DSP in the phone I think. Also the speaker is hard to position on your ear, plus has a constant high-pitched whining, and distorts easily, and is not easy to hear (not loud enough). Overall it needs a lot of work – nice concept, but it’s a POS, IMO. Luckily I have 30 days in which to cancel the service and return it for full refund.
Isn’t Katie Martel the twit who reported that the intel demonstration was done with quad pentium processors? That story was pulled off the front page, just like the recent errant Paris Macworld article.
What awful photos.
By the way, this isn’t that new and it is not called the RAZR2. It’s called the V3x. Here is a blurb about it.
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_v3x-1120.php
I like their bar form too, the SLVR.
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_slvr_l7-1053.php
I hope Motorola is gonna be able to keep their traps shut this time. The ROKR was pre-hyped to death.
Current RAZR + nano + new battery cover that attaches the two = everything you need
Shaun…. Sounds like you have a defective product. I’ve had the RAZR for a couple of months now, and not only do I NOT experience any of the problems you listed, it’s actually the best cellular phone I have ever owned… and believe me I go through phones at least once every six months for the past several years!
Besides not being the RAZR 2, this won’t even be in the US:
http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2005/07/18/motorola-razr-v3x
The RAZR V3x is not a replacement for the V3. Sorry kids.
And it having iTunes is not news–most future Motorola phones for that tier will.
Even if it won’t be in the US, I think they should throw iTunes into the current RAZR- then we’re happy too