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Velocity211 · May 23, 2006, 03:15 PM

My Cingular contract is about to end and I want to try a new provider and heard that Verizon has pretty good reception. So I got my eye on the RAZR. Does it play MP3s or use MP3s as a ringtone? All these sites say no and some say yes

. How is the reception on it, camera (no flash

), user interface?

Socially Awkward Solo · May 23, 2006, 03:23 PM

Motorola phones take 9 out of 10 spots in the highest radiation emitting cell phones. Motorola's OS is also the worst on the market.

Every trendy teenager and stuffy businessman on the planet has a razor or wants one.

You might want to look at other options.

CharlesS · May 23, 2006, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Velocity211

Does it play MP3s or use MP3s as a ringtone?

It does, but on Verizon you won't be able to transfer MP3s to the phone from your computer, since they block it. You'll have to buy whatever crap MP3s VZN is offering on their online store, and you'll have to buy them for $2.

With a phone from Cingular or T-Mobile (and maybe Sprint - no idea whether they block Bluetooth file transfer or not), you can just take any of your CDs, grab 15 seconds of sound, save it as an MP3, and bam, you've got a ringtone.

::maroma:: · May 23, 2006, 05:55 PM

From my experience with Moto phones, they are the worst for reception. I've had 3 that all have been horrible. Me and my girlfriend are on the same plan, live in the same house. She has a Nokia, I have a Moto phone, and she gets full bars in our house. I get 1 if I'm lucky. Its also the same way in other various spots where I get no reception and she gets good reception.

My advice, go with Nokia or some other brand of phone if you want good reception.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · May 23, 2006, 07:28 PM

If you want a MP3 phone Sony ericsson is the leader, and for good reason, the phones are amazing.

Velocity211 · 07:56 PM

So the RAZR isn't worth it? I also had my eye on the Samsung A970. Does verizon also block the sending of MP3s to the phone? My Sony Ericsson K700i broke so that's why I'm getting a new phone. It's an awesome phone but it's basically useless now (I can only answer calls).

edit: PC Magazine says they can transfer their MP3s to their RAZR in paragraph 2

Can someone clear this up?

zmcgill · May 23, 2006, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Socially Awkward Solo

Every trendy teenager and stuffy businessman on the planet has a razor or wants one.

Oh barf. Every little teenage girl wants an iPod, so they must suck. The fact that a majority of people wants one TOTALLY discredits any advantages it has. Let's all boycott iPods.

starman · May 23, 2006, 08:18 PM

Verizon cripples their phones.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · May 23, 2006, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Oh barf. Every little teenage girl wants an iPod, so they must suck. The fact that a majority of people wants one TOTALLY discredits any advantages it has. Let's all boycott iPods.

But the iPod had the Mac computer geeks backing the iPod for years before the teenagers hit, the RAZR was teen material the day it came out.

ghporter · May 23, 2006, 08:57 PM

Actually it's a pretty good phone-as long as you're interested in a phone and not something a lot more than a phone. I'll admit their OS interface is pretty lame, but I can get to where I need to (silence ringer, check address book, etc.) pretty quickly. And I have computers for surfing and games, and a PDA for keeping track of appointments and so on, so the limitations in the RAZR aren't limitations for me.

Of course if they just hadn't come out with the PINK RAZR, I'd be a lot happier...

Peter · May 23, 2006, 09:03 PM

Sony Ericssons phones are the best at pretty much everything in my opinion... w810i rules.

CharlesS · May 23, 2006, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Velocity211

So the RAZR isn't worth it? I also had my eye on the Samsung A970. Does verizon also block the sending of MP3s to the phone? My Sony Ericsson K700i broke so that's why I'm getting a new phone. It's an awesome phone but it's basically useless now (I can only answer calls).

edit: PC Magazine says they can transfer their MP3s to their RAZR in paragraph 2

Can someone clear this up?

Pretty much any phone on Verizon is going to have Bluetooth file transfers blocked so that you can't transfer MP3 files to the phone. That means all phones, Moto, Samsung, SE, Nokia, etc. will have the Bluetooth crippled. If some of the V3c phones are allowing Bluetooth file transfer as the PC World article says, then it's probably a bug (the article seems to think so, anyway), and I wouldn't be surprised if they silently "fix" this in the next version of the firmware. Of course, Moto phones are supposed to be very hackable, so you could probably disable the block through hacking the phone, but I don't really know how to do this or whether the apps you'd need would require a PC or not.

If you want to transfer MP3 files to your phone, Verizon is not your carrier.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · May 23, 2006, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Of course if they just hadn't come out with the PINK RAZR, I'd be a lot happier...

I think they have 3 shades of it plus a purple one.

ink · May 23, 2006, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Verizon cripples their phones.

Yes, they do. They are the worst major provider in the US.

ThinkInsane · May 23, 2006, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

It does, but on Verizon you won't be able to transfer MP3s to the phone from your computer, since they block it. You'll have to buy whatever crap MP3s VZN is offering on their online store, and you'll have to buy them for $2.

With a phone from Cingular or T-Mobile (and maybe Sprint - no idea whether they block Bluetooth file transfer or not), you can just take any of your CDs, grab 15 seconds of sound, save it as an MP3, and bam, you've got a ringtone.

Verizon has actually opened up their handsets to support OBEX now. Even older Verizon bluetooth phones can be fixed with a firmware update at a VZW shop. It's not a bug, it's a fix after the Class action V710 debacle.

I'm waiting for them to release the V3m, as I want a phone with a memory card. It's proved rather handy on my current phone.

marissa · May 23, 2006, 11:21 PM

I transferred some cut mp3s to use as ringtones from my old Powerbook to my Motorola e815. I don't think I did any sort of hack on it, but I believe I used Bluetooth to transfer it. BTW, compared to Cingular, Verizon has MUCH better reception here in CA.

starman · May 24, 2006, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Peter

Sony Ericssons phones are the best at pretty much everything in my opinion... w810i rules.

qft. I love my 800i. Everyone should own one.

Velocity211 · May 24, 2006, 05:49 AM

I agree Sony Ericsson is the best because all of my cell phones were them but they are GSM. My friend works for Verizon and can get me cheap service so that's why I'm switching. I had a Sony Ericsson K800i and believe me, it was the best phone on the market. I'm waiting for the RAZR V3m to come out because it has a memory card slot.

starman · May 24, 2006, 07:14 AM

I'm telling you that you won't be happy with the phone if you want to sync it with your Mac and do all the cool things non-Verizon users can do with them.

ghporter · May 24, 2006, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

I think they have 3 shades of it plus a purple one.

YAAARRRRGHGGGGGGHHHH!!! They can't come out with ANY blue, but PURPLE????!!!!

At my (last) school there were plenty of sorority queens wandering about with pink RAZRs AND the matching Motorola Bluetooth headset. It made me retch. Neither of the pinks I've seen are decent colors (too silvery in the lighter shade, and not saturated enough in the darker one). Black and silver seem to be the best colors they've come up with. Now a nice, cobalt blue... that might change my mind. But not likely.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · May 24, 2006, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Velocity211

I agree Sony Ericsson is the best because all of my cell phones were them but they are GSM. My friend works for Verizon and can get me cheap service so that's why I'm switching. I had a Sony Ericsson K800i and believe me, it was the best phone on the market. I'm waiting for the RAZR V3m to come out because it has a memory card slot.

Well if you are switching from a Sony you are not going to be happy with any phone, cheaper service or not.

DarwinX · May 24, 2006, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Verizon has actually opened up their handsets to support OBEX now. Even older Verizon bluetooth phones can be fixed with a firmware update at a VZW shop. It's not a bug, it's a fix after the Class action V710 debacle.

I'm waiting for them to release the V3m, as I want a phone with a memory card. It's proved rather handy on my current phone.

Really? So I can take my e815 in, get a firmware update and OBEX will be supported?!?! Any more info on that would be great. Thanks ThinkInsane.

ThinkInsane · May 24, 2006, 09:42 AM

I know that its definitely supported on the RAZR and a couple of the other newer phones, and I've been told that there are firmware fixes for older models, including the E815. You might want to call a VZW store to check and make sure that's the case. I haven't actually gone in yet as I just filed with insurance to get my phone replaced with the E815 to tide me over until the V3m arrives. And from what I've heard, that should be coming out in the next month or two.

Here's a video of VZW's new flash UI that will be replacing the phone specific UIs we currently have. Looks better than what I have now, that's for sure. I'll reserve judgement until I I actually get to play around with it though.

Socially Awkward Solo · May 24, 2006, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Here's a video of VZW's new flash UI that will be replacing the phone specific UIs we currently have. Looks better than what I have now, that's for sure. I'll reserve judgement until I I actually get to play around with it though.

Yickes. that is still really really bad.

ThinkInsane · May 24, 2006, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Socially Awkward Solo

Yickes. that is still really really bad.

Maybe, but still better than the garbage that LG and the like provide. And although I don't think the Moto UI (at least the version of it on my phone, I was looking at a friend's V3e and thought it had gotten worse) is as bad as people say, it looks better than that as well. And I can understand using one UI for all brands they carry. Saves a lot of time trying to figure out how to use the damn phone when you switch handsets.

zmcgill · May 24, 2006, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

At my (last) school there were plenty of sorority queens wandering about with pink RAZRs

What's wrong with sorority girls? You're simply perpetuating a stereotype. I'm dating one, I know a ton of the girls in her house, they're not all naked pillowfights.

ThinkInsane · May 24, 2006, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

What's wrong with sorority girls? You're simply perpetuating a stereotype. I'm dating one, I know a ton of the girls in her house, they're not all naked pillowfights.

The lack of naked pillowfights is the problem. Sorority girls should be required by law to live up to that stereotype. And you know it. Don't try to play that "enlightened man" thing here!

zmcgill · May 24, 2006, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

The lack of naked pillowfights is the problem. Sorority girls should be required by law to live up to that stereotype. And you know it. Don't try to play that "enlightened man" thing here!

Note I said "they're not all." I have it on good authority that it's happened...

Velocity211 · May 24, 2006, 01:46 PM

My awesome K700i that I'm giving up. Yay, no joystick!

climhazzard85 · May 25, 2006, 11:07 PM

I love my V3C, the phone with the most recent software update works great, and the service is by far the best that I have used.

ThinkInsane · May 26, 2006, 12:37 AM

It looks like June 5th is the release date for the V3m at a price point $50 higher than the V3c. Can't say that's written in stone, but I got the info from someone that has proved reliable on VZW releases in the past.

MindFad · May 26, 2006, 12:45 AM

This one's looking pretty snazzy.

MrForgetable · May 27, 2006, 12:14 AM

i have the SE K750i. best phone, ever. honestly. get it or any of its walkman successors and you will be set for life. you will want nothing else in a phone until they learn how to make coffee.

hickey · 12:54 AM

I think I saw a dl.tv podcast about the phone Mindfad posted.

I was thinking about getting a slvr and moving to cingular when my sprint contract runs out this july, but after looking at some sony ericsson phones real quick, Im pretty sure I want one. And all the rave reviews they're getting.

EDIT: for those with the ericssons, which provider do you have and how do you like it?

goMac · May 27, 2006, 01:16 AM

Don't go for Verizon. They cripple their phones.

hickey · May 27, 2006, 10:26 AM

How exactly does Verizon cripple their phones? Do they limit the actual usage of all the phone features?

CharlesS · May 27, 2006, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by hickey

How exactly does Verizon cripple their phones? Do they limit the actual usage of all the phone features?

Someone in this thread claimed they have changed this, but I'd need to see some corroboration of this before I would go sign up with them again. When I used to use them, they blocked the Bluetooth feature so that pretty much the only thing you could do with it was use one of those wireless headsets. If you wanted to transfer files between a computer and the phone, you were out of luck. The reason they did this is because if you could make your own ringtone from any MP3 file or MIDI file, then you might not spend the ridiculous $2 on a ringtone from their store.

hickey · May 27, 2006, 12:26 PM

Gotcha.

Could anyone give me a step buy step list of how to get an unlocked phone activated on a new plan? I plan on getting a K750i from myworldphone.com then using it with a new Cingular plan. Are you shunned if you walk into a cingular store with an unlocked phone that they do not sell and ask them to add it on your plan?

CharlesS · May 27, 2006, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by hickey

Gotcha.

Could anyone give me a step buy step list of how to get an unlocked phone activated on a new plan? I plan on getting a K750i from myworldphone.com then using it with a new Cingular plan. Are you shunned if you walk into a cingular store with an unlocked phone that they do not sell and ask them to add it on your plan?

AFAIK you shouldn't need them to "add it on to your plan" at all. If it's unlocked, you should be able to just pop in the Cingular SIM into the SIM card slot and go, at least if I'm understanding things correctly. AFAIK, only the CDMA providers such as Verizon and Sprint require you to actually call the provider to put a phone on the plan. This is because, although the CDMA standard actually in theory is supposed to have some variation that supports the SIM card technology, these providers (surprise, surprise) make sure you'll never have this feature so that you're sure to be under their control.

hickey · May 27, 2006, 12:37 PM

Since I dont have a phone with a SIM card now, all I have to do is wait for them to ship me one, then im good to go, right?

Does anyone have Cingular that uses a Sony Ericsson? I read somewhere they dont work well with cingular towers and most people need to use T-mobile because of that.

starman · May 27, 2006, 02:54 PM

Put it this way. I have a SE w800i with Cingular. It's a Tri-band phone, not Quad-band which you need in the US. I got the phone months before the American version was released. Despite the fact it's a Tri-band phone, I have very few issues with it in my area. Now, YOUR area may be different, but I'm very happy with it, so much so that I haven't gotten the w810.

MindFad · May 27, 2006, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Put it this way. I have a SE w800i with Cingular.

After checking out some specs on it, the US version appears to be quad-band, so it should be fine on T-Mobile, right? That's a cool-ass lookin' phone. How does the MP3 playing work, though? You just plug it in and drag MP3s onto the Pro Duo stick, after it mounts in the Finder?

hickey · May 27, 2006, 03:46 PM

does anyone else have a tri-band phone in the US?

Because Im super psyched to get the k750i, but I dont want to get a phone that wont work consistently.

ghporter · May 27, 2006, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

What's wrong with sorority girls? You're simply perpetuating a stereotype. I'm dating one, I know a ton of the girls in her house, they're not all naked pillowfights.

I have no problem with the majority of sorority sisters-they join for fellowship and public service, and they act like real people. But... there are a few in every chapter who look like they really, REALLY wanted to be princesses, and they use their sisters for gain instead of fellowship. These are the girls that show up 15 minutes late so they can "make an entrance" (and disrupt the whole class), and they're all about their "look" and not about being college students.

I'm really sorry if I came off as being against sororities and sorority members. Just the phonies who are all fluff and no substance.

I do have some problems with certain frats in Austin, at least the way they were 20 years ago. Dropping stuff on people from balconies onto the people on the sidewalk is dumb. Putting soapy water on hilltops so you can watch cars spin out is dangerous.

starman · May 27, 2006, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by MindFad

After checking out some specs on it, the US version appears to be quad-band, so it should be fine on T-Mobile, right? That's a cool-ass lookin' phone. How does the MP3 playing work, though? You just plug it in and drag MP3s onto the Pro Duo stick, after it mounts in the Finder?

It should be, but I don't know for sure.

As for the MP3s, so long as they're in the right directory, yes, the phone will recognize them right off the bat.

It also supports WAV and AAC.

ghporter · May 27, 2006, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Someone in this thread claimed they have changed this, but I'd need to see some corroboration of this before I would go sign up with them again. When I used to use them, they blocked the Bluetooth feature so that pretty much the only thing you could do with it was use one of those wireless headsets. If you wanted to transfer files between a computer and the phone, you were out of luck. The reason they did this is because if you could make your own ringtone from any MP3 file or MIDI file, then you might not spend the ridiculous $2 on a ringtone from their store.

Here's your corroboration. I guess Verizon got tired of people jumping ship because they couldn't use all the features their phones had.

I would stay away from Verizon simply because they're still 100% CDMA while "all the good stuff" (including built in privacy and better online performance) are GSM features.

hickey · May 27, 2006, 04:53 PM

I just read a bunch of reviews of the K750i, and lots of them report having troublesome joysticks, apparently they stick sometimes and then just dont work at all. Anyone who owns one have that problem? and where did you buy your k750i?

production_coordinator · May 27, 2006, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by ink

Yes, they do. They are the worst major provider in the US.

I guess it all depends upon what you want our of your mobile. I have a Moto. e815 with Verizon, and I like the phone and the service. The OS has a few quarks to it, but it works well 95% of the time. I'm not a big camera/video/mp3/ringtone person... I just want a phone that I can hear and a nice battery life. Everything else is just... extra IMHO.

It also works well with iSync.

CharlesS · May 27, 2006, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Here's your corroboration. I guess Verizon got tired of people jumping ship because they couldn't use all the features their phones had.

Unfortunately, that's not corroboration, since that's the same link that the first guy posted in the thread, IIRC. I'd like corroboration from a different source.

The reason this article doesn't make me fully confident is the wording:

The V3c also might bring unrestricted Bluetooth to Verizon customers. For years, the carrier has crippled its phones' Bluetooth capabilities, preventing you from transferring your camera-phone pictures to your PC. Both of our test phones allowed Bluetooth file transfers, and we were even able to assign our own Bluetooth-sent MP3s as ringtones. We heard about other V3c users having the same experience, too. This goes strongly against Verizon's past policies, so we asked both the carrier and Motorola about it. Neither got back to us with a definitive answer by press time; our suspicion is that less-restrictive Bluetooth is an unintentional but widely available feature.

Seems like there's no official word yet, and the authors of this article seem to think that it is probably unintentional. If this is true, it could be "fixed" at any time...

ghporter · May 27, 2006, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Unfortunately, that's not corroboration, since that's the same link that the first guy posted in the thread, IIRC. I'd like corroboration from a different source.

The reason this article doesn't make me fully confident is the wording:

Seems like there's no official word yet, and the authors of this article seem to think that it is probably unintentional. If this is true, it could be "fixed" at any time...

I'd missed that earlier link-sorry. I kinda thought their review was about as authoritative as it gets outside of Verizon's press releases, but then I have a Cingular V3 and haven't dealt with any crippling.