[schalliol]

I'm just going to go ahead and put this in the iPod forum, because afterall, it is an iPod...with a phone integrated. So don't move it!

Ok, that said, I can't determine if there's expansion on the device to go beyond 100 songs no matter where I look. 100 is rediculous. That's what it sounds like the "Cingular upgrade" includes from the Apple site. Does anyone have more info? It says that it has Bluetooth for talking, but you can't use it for iTunes, it seems. An auto-sync would totally make sense in your pocket. Unlike the RAZR, hopefully it supports Salling clicker.

[MAC-ALEX]

Forget about ROKR, it's sucks, Apple will release next year a cell phone, pretty sure.

[schalliol]

Hopefully it will help with the "Plays for sure" crap.

RAZR + duct tape + iPod nano = Better than ROKR

[typoon]

Interesting thing I found on the specs on Cingular's website

Easily store up to 100 songs with included microSD memory card, Does that mean it can be changed?

[k2director]

I was told by an cingular industry analyst that there's a limit not on memory (which is expandable on the phone), but actual tracks. In other words, you could have 100 lengthy books-on-tape if you had the space, or 100 3 minute singles. But no more than 100 tracks, whatever they are.

Don't know how accurate that is...

[GSixZero]

I think they should have called it the YAWNR.

[schalliol]

Interesting. There are 2GB microSD cards it seems, so if it could handle that, it might be another story.

[MAC-ALEX]

Originally Posted by schalliol

Interesting. There are 2GB microSD cards it seems, so if it could handle that, it might be another story.

W800i or K750i much better that this old E398 with iTunes on it.

[spencers]

Originally Posted by MAC-ALEX

W800i or K750i much better that this old E398 with iTunes on it.

But due to lack of GSM 850 compatability, those phones would suck in terms of reception in the USA.

[Stratus Fear]

I'm personally not too impressed with the ROKR either (but I own a Moto V635 so...), but then again I realize that this is targeted at a completely different market than what I typically buy from, so I say more power to them. It'll be successful where it's intended to be sold, and I think most people are missing that point.

[schalliol]

And where is it targeted? Who wants to pay $249.99 with a TWO year contract for what appears to be a relatively clunky phone?

[Stratus Fear]

Originally Posted by schalliol

And where is it targeted? Who wants to pay $249.99 with a TWO year contract for what appears to be a relatively clunky phone?

The general public. Duh.

For comparisons sake, I said the same thing when the iPod mini came out. "It will sell." A lot of people I know said it was stupid, it wouldn't sell, who would buy an iPod that looked ugly, had less space, and cost almost as much as the normal iPod, etc. And guess what? It sold like hotcakes. These people will buy the ROKR. Know why? The RAZR doesn't have iTunes on it. People in general won't buy phones out of contract (or they don't know that they can). All this = sales of this phone and profit.

Edit: For that matter, many uninformed people bought the RAZR when it was $500 with a 2year contract. Even more buy it now that it's $200 with a 2 year contract. The ROKR has all the same features as the RAZR (minus the higher resolution screen and one European band that most people won't use) and iTunes, and to most people it'll be "it's only $50 more!!" It'll sell.

[schalliol]

So you don't typically buy from the market of the general public? The V635 is about the most general public-marketed phone out there.

Sure, some people will buy it. Not many at that price though. When they blow it out for a low price, sure they will then. Hands down more people will continue to buy the RAZR over the ROKR E3.

[Stratus Fear]

Originally Posted by schalliol

So you don't typically buy from the market of the general public? The V635 is about the most general public-marketed phone out there.

Sure, some people will buy it. Not many at that price though. When they blow it out for a low price, sure they will then. Hands down more people will continue to buy the RAZR over the ROKR E3.

Not in my country it isn't. I don't buy in the general American market that much. Out of contract phones and phones only available internationally aren't general market products in the US.

FYI, the V635 isn't yet available here.

[typoon]

Originally Posted by spencers

But due to lack of GSM 850 compatability, those phones would suck in terms of reception in the USA.

According to the specs for the ROKR E1 on the Cingular page:
Technology: 850/1800/1900 MHz Tri-band GSM/GPRS

[dkitsmiller]

I'm shocked and suprised that Steve Jobs would endorse this monstrosity, with all it's buttons, grooves, whistles, bells and whatnot. It's such a departure from the minimalist aesthetic embraced by Apple. I'm sure the user manual is an inch thick.

Instead of adding iPod features to a cell phone, I think the fine folks at Apple should be thinking of a way to add cell phone features to an iPod. Cell phones are one group of products that could really benefit from Apples knack for making complex technology dead simple to use.

For now, I think I'll just superglue an iPod nano to the back of my RAZR.

[Avenir]

Does anyone think that the SLVR will have the same iTunes software on it? It's still not available here (is it in Europe?) and it says on phonescoop that it'll have a microSD card and an MP3 player... seems like a step backwards for Moto to release their newest of the new cool phone, but not without the software on the ROKR. but then that's just me, and I really want the SLVR

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

The phone can have the card upgraded but the software in iTunes and the phone don't let you add more than 100 songs because they don't want it to hurt shuffle sales.

[Miniryu]

I said this in the other forum, but does anyone know if you can use any song from your music collection as the ringtone? It doesn't look like it =(

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by Miniryu

I said this in the other forum, but does anyone know if you can use any song from your music collection as the ringtone? It doesn't look like it =(

Oh god lets hope not.

[schalliol]

hahahha, awesome, I totally agree.

[giggs11]

Originally Posted by dkitsmiller

Instead of adding iPod features to a cell phone, I think the fine folks at Apple should be thinking of a way to add cell phone features to an iPod.

Uh, what? That's like designing a car radio, then building the car around it. Making an iPod into a cell phone wouldn't just consist of adding "features". There's a whole crapload of hardware that needs to be put in there as well--far more than in any MP3 player.

[addiecool]

dont know about others but the phone sucks bigtime. It is no match for a iPod. What a stupid phone.

[Stratus Fear]

Originally Posted by addiecool

It is no match for a iPod.

I'm not sure it's supposed to be. Does anyone here actually understand the market for a phone like this? Or any phone capable of playing music in any capacity?

[ibugv4]

a phone like this has a market: it's called spoiled emo kids with parents who pay to shut them up.

It's bragging rights. I've got a coworker on vacation, I bet he'll come back with one in hand and bragging about it; only to sell it when no one has them for a profit.

This phone IS NOT WORTH $249. It's not worth $49 with no contract to have to deal with Cingular. Fortunatly, for us, part of the Motorola-Cingular "first with us" agreement is that (1) Cingular had to forfeit the hopes of their own download music store and (2) Moto said no more network locking (V400+). So lets hope I can slap my SunCom chip into the phone (in 3 months when I buy it for $200 on ebay) and see what happens. If not, SunCom should be able to unlock it since it's an E series, and moto is not big on changing locking schemes.

[schalliol]

Why emo kids?

[giggs11]

Originally Posted by Stratus Fear

I'm not sure it's supposed to be. Does anyone here actually understand the market for a phone like this? Or any phone capable of playing music in any capacity?

Doesn't seem that people understand what it is in the first place. It's first and foremost a cell phone, one that happens to have an iTunes interface on it. I don't see it in any way being intended to replace any of the iPods.

[schalliol]

yeah, so it shouldn't be $250 with a TWO year contract. A RAZR is free...

[Stratus Fear]

Originally Posted by giggs11

Doesn't seem that people understand what it is in the first place. It's first and foremost a cell phone, one that happens to have an iTunes interface on it. I don't see it in any way being intended to replace any of the iPods.

That's a good point, and is actually what I've been thinking. Yes, it's a phone.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by schalliol

I'm just going to go ahead and put this in the iPod forum, because afterall, it is an iPod...with a phone integrated. So don't move it!

The ROKR isn't an iPod ... it's a cell phone that can play music; nothing new there.

[schalliol]

umm, yeah, it is new. It can play Apple DRM.

[ibugv4]

Originally Posted by schalliol

Why emo kids?

generalizing and stereotyping: emo kids (and punk rock kids) tend to have parents who throw money at them so they leave them alone when they are home. it's a mix of american's "I don't care" parents and a generation that's out to "find itself" that results in spoild kids with parents who do little to no research and buy whatever the kids say they want so they shut up, at any price. That's why I said emo kids. (this opinion stems from the two years of observation of the traingle area college students habits.)

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

No way is this phone worth $249 with a contract. The Sony Ericsson w800 holds a gig or more and is a much better phone overall.

[schalliol]

Wow, well, ok, never heard such correlation between emo & punk kids as you suggest. Must be an RT thing.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by schalliol

umm, yeah, it is new. It can play Apple DRM.

Is being able to play restricted rights music a "feature"?

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

The phone is ass. It is that simple, no advantage over the Sony's.

[Miniryu]

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

The phone is ass. It is that simple, no advantage over the Sony's.

Sony's what? You used a possesive "'s" (ya know, with an apostrophe), so that means that Sony owns something. So what does Sony own, you forgot to say.

And its trendy and funny to make fun of Emo kids. You should try it, its what all the cool kids are doing these days.

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by Avenir

Does anyone think that the SLVR will have the same iTunes software on it? It's still not available here (is it in Europe?) and it says on phonescoop that it'll have a microSD card and an MP3 player... seems like a step backwards for Moto to release their newest of the new cool phone, but not without the software on the ROKR. but then that's just me, and I really want the SLVR

Not necessarily. My v635 has a microSD (TransFlash) card and an MP3 player. The MP3 player isn't iTunes (and it isn't very good - but it works). It can't play Apple DRM tunes, or any AAC, for that matter. My guess is that the SLVR would have software more like the v635 than the ROKR.

Actually paid less for the unlocked v635 than the ROKR - and it's a flip too, which I strongly prefer...

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by Miniryu

Sony's what? You used a possesive "'s" (ya know, with an apostrophe), so that means that Sony owns something. So what does Sony own, you forgot to say.[/IMG]

http://www.sonyericsson.com/w800/

[Paul Stephen C.]

The ROKR phone is a horrible clunky cheap-looking item that Jonathan Ives would, I imagine, loathe to be even vaguely associated with. A real disappointment to see such a product held up by Steve Jobs at an Apple event. We'll snigger even more at this in a year or two - it looks dated already. Just like lots of other crap on the shelves. Where is the styling, the must-have wow factor. 100 songs - jeez could it be less inspiring?! I think the silence that greeted the ringing 'phone during Steve's keynote said it all - "so what".

On the other hand, the best bit of the event: Steve sets up the jeans pocket closeup, and pulls out the nano. I just got a shuffle as I use it sometimes when I wouldn't want to risk losing my 20G (at sea, hillwalking, running); but yes I want a nano!!

[LDCahan]

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

http://www.sonyericsson.com/w800/

Is it OS X compatible? Isn't clear if the Cd ripping software it comes with will work with Mac

[Appleman]

Well, I have a SE P910i which can play AAC. It does use Memory Sticks, up to a gig if you want.
But it certainly isn't slick, it's more like we use to call it a "fridge", let say back to the eraly nineties....
Imho, I would like to go back to a phone which I can use to make phone calls and SMS.
Besides that, I would like it to be able to sync it with my Mac, and I would like to use it with Salling Clicker, and Address Book & SMS.
The latter isn't possible with a SE P910i, which is really a pain in the ass. I mean my former T68i could do that wonderful!

[MAC-ALEX]

It's mount flash as flash drive in MacOS X and you could use iTunes to just drop music to MP3 folder, iTunes doesn't support sync with this phone automaticly at the moment, but you could use any SYNC-BACKUP application to sync your W800 or k750 phone with your iTunes Library. Both phones (W800, K750) support AAC and MP3 and there is no limitation to 100 songs and there is 2Mpix camera on board and much more!

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by LDCahan

Is it OS X compatible? Isn't clear if the Cd ripping software it comes with will work with Mac

You still use iTunes as normal.

[apposite]

I love all these opinions from people who don't even own one! Until you try it . . . don't judge.

I got a free ROKR from work with Cingular service. I am lucky enough to be able to get all the newest phones to test with. After having used it for a week here are my thoughts:

1. it is a cell phone with tunes, not an ipod replacement!
2. it is a trendy toy, no real use in a business environment
3. best speakerphone from CINGULAR in California
4. easy to use, really it is!

5. hate the keys backlight - there is an ambient light sensor which switches backlighting of the keys on/off. this is NOT user adjustable
6. it's not an iPod
7. only worth $250 if you want the latest toy, but overall a good phone

quit hating until you try it!

[I.P. Freely]

It's a good start... still waiting for Apple Smart Phone though.
Have Mail, iCalendar and Address Book, iTunes and running on EDGE. Let Motorola built the phone parts and let Apple sell it. Business model similar to Sony Ericsson p910.


I don't think it will happen anytime soon, but man can dream.

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

So for every reviewer and analyst isn't the least bit impressed. How could they be on an 18 month old phone with a crappy camera, bad/slow interface and a artificial 100 song cap.

[mactalent]

I agree, let's hear from folks who own one! I was at the Cingular store the hour it was announced and got the first ROKR to come in. I don't usually buy the first one off the line (I held off on upgrading Tiger for months) but this phone meets my needs. I would have liked to wait for an Apple phone but my old phone was on its last legs. And my 5GB iPod battery too! I had a 2 year old basic Nokia from Sprint with worn out buttons, and Sprint's Bluetooth offerings suck. So hello Cingular, goodbye Sprint!

I bought this phone because:
1. It's Bluetooth and iSync with Address Book actually works (at least via USB, have not done Bluetooth yet)
2. I like the idea of having my tunes with me. 100 is fine for me, and I can update when I want to.
3. Unlike the Shuffles I can pick the songs
4. The speakerphone works well and I can use to listen to music and listen to "on-hold" messages withut using the headset.
5. It's a compact candybar phone, I prefer to clamshells which always have small incoming number displays
6. When I finally find a discreet BT headset I like, I can use it. Don't want to look like a trekkie.
7. It's cool!

I don't like the buttons much, too small. Luckily I am NOT a text messager! And I would like the incoming numbers to display larger, that is my objection to most phones today. I had a Kyocera with huge print till a couple of years ago, I miss that display. Why can't they offer a font size option for the display, the display itself is plenty big.

I read a Chicago Sun-Times review which said he had difficulty syncing to iTunes, but maybe he did not have iTunes 5 and iTunes phone driver. I downloaded those first and worked like a charm. The USB connection is very, very slow to upload music but I was not in a hurry. Blutoosh syncing for music would be nice but not available yet.

[MAC-ALEX]

Originally Posted by mactalent

I agree, let's hear from folks who own one! I was at the Cingular store the hour it was announced and got the first ROKR to come in. I don't usually buy the first one off the line (I held off on upgrading Tiger for months) but this phone meets my needs. I would have liked to wait for an Apple phone but my old phone was on its last legs. And my 5GB iPod battery too! I had a 2 year old basic Nokia from Sprint with worn out buttons, and Sprint's Bluetooth offerings suck. So hello Cingular, goodbye Sprint!

I bought this phone because:
1. It's Bluetooth and iSync with Address Book actually works (at least via USB, have not done Bluetooth yet)
2. I like the idea of having my tunes with me. 100 is fine for me, and I can update when I want to.
3. Unlike the Shuffles I can pick the songs
4. The speakerphone works well and I can use to listen to music and listen to "on-hold" messages withut using the headset.
5. It's a compact candybar phone, I prefer to clamshells which always have small incoming number displays
6. When I finally find a discreet BT headset I like, I can use it. Don't want to look like a trekkie.
7. It's cool!

I don't like the buttons much, too small. Luckily I am NOT a text messager! And I would like the incoming numbers to display larger, that is my objection to most phones today. I had a Kyocera with huge print till a couple of years ago, I miss that display. Why can't they offer a font size option for the display, the display itself is plenty big.

I read a Chicago Sun-Times review which said he had difficulty syncing to iTunes, but maybe he did not have iTunes 5 and iTunes phone driver. I downloaded those first and worked like a charm. The USB connection is very, very slow to upload music but I was not in a hurry. Blutoosh syncing for music would be nice but not available yet.

Looks like you live in the place in nowhere, have you seen Sony Ericsson W800 or K750? That's the best music phones on the market today with 2Mpix camera and really cool design. ROKR is really smashed by this phones from Sony Ericsson!

[MAC-ALEX]

Originally Posted by LDCahan

Is it OS X compatible? Isn't clear if the Cd ripping software it comes with will work with Mac

You don't need Sony Ericsson ripping software, you could use iTunes and just drop files from iTunes directly to phone flash drive that mounts on your desktop as regular ext'l disk.