[Eug Wanker]

I'm not sure I buy this is the actual phone, but the screens look like what I expected.

Actually, I hope this isn't the actual phone, because a VGA camera on such a phone isn't very impressive.

[f1000]

Bah, no EDGE. That's a show stopper for me.

[ThinkInsane]

That's not the same picture I saw before of the iTunes phone, but it's the same style. If I remember, it was a pitcure released by Moto along with the Slivr (the non-flip version of the Razr) for the big cell phone trade show. I seem to recall it being black, not white. I'll look around and see if I can find the pic. I think it was posted on howardforums or wirelessadvisor.

[ThinkInsane]

These are two pictures I found, put I don't think either one is the one I was thinking of.

[Ambassadeur]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

I'm not sure I buy this is the actual phone, but the screens look like what I expected.

Actually, I hope this isn't the actual phone, because a VGA camera on such a phone isn't very impressive.

I don't know about the phone and it's design, but the screen is pretty sure a fake. Similar screenshots of the alleged iTunes phone's screen appeared on some sites in the last days and on closer examination they appear to be photoshopped.

So no reason to panic on the ugly/not modern enough/weird/whatever phone. But true, for THE iTunes phone one would expect something... special.

Screenshots at mobilemusicblog

[macintologist]

I've been holding onto my T68i for more than 2 years now. My next phone will be the iTunes phone, so long as it is as compatible with my Mac as my T68 has been.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

I really don't think Apple will put there name on something as boring as that. If Apple is just providing iTunes software that other phones can also download than maybe.

[Eug Wanker]

Le Figaro is reporting that the iTunes phone will be released very soon, and that it looks like the E398, but in white.

"This mobile telephone, codenamed "Key Largo", will have the form factor of Motorola's E398 model. It is equipped with Apple's iTunes software, adapted for a portable."

If that's the case it should indeed look like the picture in the first post.

I'm not buying if the specs are also like the E398. I'd want a much better camera. It'd be a bonus to see quad band support too. OTOH, if it's a new E790, it may be more desirable. The initial rumours suggest it is a tri-band phone, but I will point out the the A780 is a quad band phone, if that means anything. (The A780 is a totally different form factor, but the numbering is similar.)

However, these supposed scans (if they're real) suggest that it really is just a warmed over E398:

[Eug Wanker]

Now www.MacNN.com and www.MacOSXRumors.com (not MOSR) are reporting the same thing: iTunes GSM phone release imminent

[osxisfun]

Originally Posted by macintologist

I've been holding onto my T68i for more than 2 years now. My next phone will be the iTunes phone, so long as it is as compatible with my Mac as my T68 has been.

Drat. if those specs are correct its longer than my t68i which i too have kept because its very small and syncs well...

grrr... i was hoping it would be smaller. oh well.....

[JHromadka]

I've always used Sony Ericsson phones. Is there a site with Motorola user-interface screens? I'd be interested in comparing its interface with S/E.

[Eug Wanker]

I hope the phone in this Motorola presentation is just a mock-up.

[Lancer409]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...tunesphone.jpg

the examples going around seem based on that phone in the link.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

I hope the phone in this Motorola presentation is just a mock-up.

Originally Posted by Lancer409

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...tunesphone.jpg

the examples going around seem based on that phone in the link.

Yeah, despite the fact I posted the link to the Motorola PDF above, I'm not convinced it's the actual phone. It just doesn't look right:



However, everyone now (like AppleInsider & Engadget) seems to have run with it, even though it looks so odd.

I'm still thinking the iTunes phone is more closely based off the E398 (which you've shown in your pic), just like the other rumours (like Le Figaro's article) say. More likely white too.

[Miniryu]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Yeah, despite the fact I posted the link to the Motorola PDF above, I'm not convinced it's the actual phone. It just doesn't look right:



However, everyone now (like AppleInsider & Engadget) seems to have run with it, even though it looks so odd.

I'm still thinking the iTunes phone is more closely based off the E398 (which you've shown in your pic), just like the other rumours (like Le Figaro's article) say. More likely white too.

Are you kidding me? that black and green phone looks SWEET!!! If that is it I'm buying it for sure. I don't think it will be something as plain as the first post since the phone itself is joinly designed by Apple and Motorola.

[JHromadka]

That phone is butt-ugly. Looks like an xbox mini.

[Eug Wanker]

If you change your screen display to 256 colours, the purple Podcast icon in the iTunes 4.9 prefs changes to this:



It looks different from the phone icon that macprime found in iTunes 4.9 though:

[ajprice]

Just viewed that 256 colour Podcast icon in Preview and enlarged it. It looks like a silver V3 RAZR.

[osxisfun]

That xbox phone is monkey butt ugly...

[Eug Wanker]

[MaxPower2k3]

s'ugly.

[Miniryu]

Holy cr@p is that touch well over the regular phone keys!?!?! How cool is that!!! Now a feature like that makes me believe that this is the real deal. Plus, if this thing doubles as an iPod suffle/mini I want it to look somewhat like an mp3 player when i'm in the gym- that would look lame using a phone as an MP# player. Although I don't quite see the point of buttons on the side if there is a touch weel over the keypad. Maybe it is just a fake?

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by Miniryu

Holy cr@p is that touch well over the regular phone keys!?!?! How cool is that!!! Now a feature like that makes me believe that this is the real deal. Plus, if this thing doubles as an iPod suffle/mini I want it to look somewhat like an mp3 player when i'm in the gym- that would look lame using a phone as an MP# player. Although I don't quite see the point of buttons on the side if there is a touch weel over the keypad. Maybe it is just a fake?

If it were real, the buttons would make sense. It would be like a 3G iPod where the scrollwheel and play, menu and other buttons were separate.

[JHromadka]

I really hope that switch is a volume mute switch like on the Treo. Why other phones don't have that feature is beyond me.

If that is the phone, it better be available in silver too.

[jersey]

that is by far the ugliest thing i have ever seen. but if it is the phone......what will one do?

oh yeah....and this: http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1158

Existing Motorola handsets talking to iTunes 4.9

[Mediaman_12]

One extremely odd thing about this iTunes Phone, Which is very 'un-phone industry' like. It seams to be being made available in the USA first. On a American network, Cingular (not an international network, like Vodafone or T-Mobile, who could roll the phone out Globally), at the end of the Appleinsider article it mentions them releasing it 'after' a black version of the Moto' RAZR has come out. Over here the black RAZR has been out for at least 3 months.
Looks a bit on the big size though, at that size (and cost?) it will be up against full 3G phones (like this Nokia) which come with high speed internet, video calls, 1.3 megapixel cam, and reasonable quality mpeg recording AND an mp3 player.

[jersey]

Originally Posted by Mediaman_12

... Which is very 'un-phone industry' like. It seams to be being made available in the USA first.... at that size (and cost?)...

agreed it is very un-industry like to go usa first......but imagine how pissed all us yanks would be if this arrived in the uk or japan before here.

ohhh.....i'm sure it will be as expensive as balls* . And for that type of $ is best be sportin' at least a 2gig card.


*balls = 400.00usd


edit: i just saw the mdn pics of it again and i would like to reiterate how u g l y that thing is. oh...and that joystick...it'll last about 7 minutes before it gets broken.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Yeah, despite the fact I posted the link to the Motorola PDF above, I'm not convinced it's the actual phone. It just doesn't look right:



However, everyone now (like AppleInsider & Engadget) seems to have run with it, even though it looks so odd.

I'm still thinking the iTunes phone is more closely based off the E398 (which you've shown in your pic), just like the other rumours (like Le Figaro's article) say. More likely white too.

Glad to see saner minds prevailed:

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

The look of it is rather boring and unapple. But still a nice idea. Hopefully they will come out with more designs that are as distinctive as an iPod.

[Miniryu]

Originally Posted by Mediaman_12

One extremely odd thing about this iTunes Phone, Which is very 'un-phone industry' like. It seams to be being made available in the USA first. On a American network, Cingular (not an international network, like Vodafone or T-Mobile, who could roll the phone out Globally), at the end of the Appleinsider article it mentions them releasing it 'after' a black version of the Moto' RAZR has come out. Over here the black RAZR has been out for at least 3 months.
Looks a bit on the big size though, at that size (and cost?) it will be up against full 3G phones (like this Nokia) which come with high speed internet, video calls, 1.3 megapixel cam, and reasonable quality mpeg recording AND an mp3 player.

Whoa whoa whoa my friend- remember that Apple and Motorola have already said that this phone (at least not the initial offering) will not sport a premium price- this is a product they want to grab markett CHUNKS with. Expect it to be under $300, if not under $200. It proabably will be lacking features, and future models will probably have these feature for more money.

From what I have read so far, I suspect that TWO products are being released here:
ONE is a Motorola phone that simply has iTunes software installed on it.
TWO is an actual iPod-like phone with Apple styling and added features, like viewing album artwork, etc. What do you guys thinks?

[Eug Wanker]

I'd expect an E790 to go for at least $300, if not more (especially if it gets a large flash card). I also think the initial launch might just be one product, with other products to come later.

[Miniryu]

I'm bumping this thread in light of the new news that this thing is finally gonna come out.

[DigitalEl]

A couple of mobile phone sites are saying expect the unveiling at a Motorola event in the U.S. on September 7th, with a European launch event to follow.

For as long as we've waited, I'll be very disappointed if this is just a regular old Moto phone with an iTunes button and Moto's Gods-awful operating system/UI. As long as it's all just rumor and conjecture, here's to hoping the Motorola/Apple partnership comes up with something altogether unexpected and wows us. A redressed E790 with an unusably bad camera and that boring form factor is likely not the answer.

<fingers crossed>

That being said, The Wife has already been briefed for my right-after-the-announcement purchase. If it is a major disappointment, I guess I'll wait for Rev. B ...or Nokia's hot-lookin' N91.

Best case scenario: The rumors are true and Apple is also working with Nokia to put iTunes on the '91... And I can skip Moto altogether.

[Link]

As I said on Macrumors, the difference between this and the fancy pancy Sony "Walkman phone" is that this will be seen for free after ~6 months from phone companies, and the sony phones won't even be in the US for at least another year.

[k2director]

I'll be very angry if the phone doesn't offer some improved compatibility with Mac applications, like AddressBook and iCal. They announced this partnership ages ago, they better have something to show for it besides the ability to play a song. Woopee.

[DigitalEl]

Agreed. Seamless .Mac integration is a no-brainer for this phone. I don't think I've ever so eagerly anticipated a product release. This is exactly what I've been looking for since before I even knew they were really working on it. I've ranted in other threads about wanting convergence... One Device to Rule Them All.

Of course, I'm just setting myself up to be disappointed. Like when I wanted the Atari 2600 (everyone else had) and unwrapped that Odyssey 2 system that one Christmas...

[osxisfun]

>Odyssey 2 system that on

ouch.

[ApeInTheShell]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

It looks like a decepticon to me. I wonder if it transforms too.

[trevorM]

I should post pictures of my Sony Ericsson K750i. There is a fantastic OS X theme for it, and honestly I think you'd confuse it for an iPhone.

[himself]

Originally Posted by trevorM

I should post pictures of my Sony Ericsson K750i. There is a fantastic OS X theme for it, and honestly I think you'd confuse it for an iPhone.

I've got the SE T616 and I've been waiting for the K750i to appear in the states to upgrade (for some reason, the W800 doesn't appeal to me). But, I'm waiting to see what this newfangled iTunes/iPod phone will offer... it's gonna have to be pretty damn good for me to jump on it, and will have to offer more than simple iTunes integration.

[DigitalEl]

I should post pictures of my Sony Ericsson K750i. There is a fantastic OS X theme for it, and honestly I think you'd confuse it for an iPhone.

Please do. I'd love to see it.

How do you like your SE phone? I had the fabled T610, which is almost universally highly regarded... But could never get into it. It froze up a lot, the reception SUCKED. I switched to Nokia and never looked back. The W800 looks hot and the K750i does, as well. If the iTunes phone doesn't appeal to me, I'll certainly be looking its way. Tell me more about yours. I've read the reviews, but what little things do you like/dislike about yours?

[trevorM]

Originally Posted by DigitalEl

[/b]Please do. I'd love to see it.

How do you like your SE phone? I had the fabled T610, which is almost universally highly regarded... But could never get into it. It froze up a lot, the reception SUCKED. I switched to Nokia and never looked back. The W800 looks hot and the K750i does, as well. If the iTunes phone doesn't appeal to me, I'll certainly be looking its way. Tell me more about yours. I've read the reviews, but what little things do you like/dislike about yours?

I'll be honest. As a general rule of thumb, I am not fussed with mobile phones. I don't see a great attraction in what is being offered nor do I want to be bothered with overly complex devices, and indeed have little interest in phone cameras.

I purchased the K750i because I needed to replace my much bashed about, featureless Nokia from years gone past. I choose the Sony Ericsson for one reason - Bluetooth integration is known to be the best. What's more, I know Sonys are reliable for use with BMW Bluetooth and since i have an E60 5 Series I want to use that capability.

Functionality wise, the phone is good. For me, the bluetooth is great. I sync my destop with my phone. I can keep my diary up to date and indeed my phonebook. Using Address book makes life easier when your handling lots of contacts and numbers. Other features on the phone include MP3 and video. The former I use occasionally, but I have an iPod - but its a nice backup. I also use MP3 for my ringtones. Its great to hear "Crash Into Me" by the Dave Matthews Band every time my phone rings. I don't bother at all with video, but one can download cartoons and alike, but honestly I don't have the time nor the interests. The Camera on the phone is...Good... I used it at the football yesterday and managed to get good pictures at 640x450px on a sunny bright day. The phone has two white leds which make for a nice flash or a light source if you need to find something in the dark. Another cool feature going back to the bluetooth is the ability of my phone acting as a remote control either to control itunes or alike or powerpoint or on the desktop. I can literally mouse around with my phone, select items, open them etc...The radio feature is nice and quality is 100%!

My one complaint about the phone has been resolved.. When you detach it from the USB cable any mac would simply hang and you'd be forced to restart. Simply downloading the K750i grabber off the net resolves the problem. Alas, with a 64mb memory stick in it, the phone serves as a nice portable device between the office and another location for carrying around word documents and alike.

The stock themes are not good looking at all. I downloaded from a UK source a perfect looking OS X theme and am as happy as can be.

My digital camera is sick so email me if you want pictures as the quality is not worth posting..

[DigitalEl]

trevorM, thanks so much for the info.