The Price: $199 (after 2-year contract)

The Verdict: Long story short, the hardware is great, the music interface is decent, the T-Mobile interface sucks. But let's start with the good. Not only do I like build quality, and how the button layout changes according to the phone's function, I also like that the haptic feedback really feels like the phone has buttons (Herrman is still convinced there aren't haptics). As a music player, the capacitive ring and menu system give it an iPod sort of feel, which is nice. It's pretty easy to use, and doesn't suffer from much lag. Syncing with Windows Media Player is a relatively painless process, but that means it's also Windows only (Mac Users have to transfer files via MicroSD, ugh).

The thing that makes me never want to touch the phone again is T-Mobile's UI skin, which takes competent phone software and turns it into a laggy, unresponsive pile of crap. Seeing as this phone is a T-Mo exclusive, I think it's important to highlight how much I dislike it. Frequently I try to enter into a menu for the camera, or text messages, only to be thrown back to the MyFaves home screen. After hitting another button in response, the phone decides it wants to go to the app I was originally trying to use, and then respond to my subsequent button pushing. The dialog boxes also like to clash with the menus, which allow for frequent input errors. I liken the process to playing voicemail tag with someone, which is to say it's totally annoying.

Other than that, it's just slow, the capacitive ring is no good for navigating the main menu, and trying D-pad feels cramped. So while I think the phone is an above average candybar, I'd hold out for a version running different software.

1.4 128 160 px 65K Color OLED display
Measures 90 48.6 16.4 mm
Weighs 87.5 grams
GSM850/900/1800/1900, GPRS/EDGE
2 megapixel camera (no autofocus, no flash)
1.8 QVGA 240 320 px 262K color internal display
MicroSD memory card slot
MP3 player
USB and Bluetooth stereo connectivity
Touch-sensitive keys.
But hey, I'm just a disgruntled Motorola user, so what do I know? [PC Pop via Unwired View]

It can either play it through speakers, or transmit it via FM to your car stereo. I am leery of this double-wireless action, and the demo was in too noisy a room for quality evaluation, but the Moto folks seem confident. One cool thing: it scans for clean frequencies, and when it finds one, it says aloud, "Tune your radio to 90.7." It also speaks caller ID out loud, and has 20 hours of battery life. Pricing and availability are not yet announced.

It's got RAZR2-like music controls, mini USB headphones (no 3.5mm jack), and the same round PEBL design. PhoneScoop is guessing that the "9" in U9 will mean this is going to have 3G, like other 9-series phones from Motorola, but it's still unconfirmed. [Phonescoop]

Old rockers never die. Unless you played for Thin Lizzy. Or Lynyrd Skynyrd. Or bought an original ROKR, the music phone that defined how music phones should never ever be done. If you bought one of those, you probably were dead already or wanted to get shot after a few minutes with it.

Motorola wants to change this (again) with the ROKR Z6, including 64MB of RAM inside and up to 2GB memory expansion slot, Windows Media Player sync and USB 2.0 High Speed connection in a 16mm thick slider phone with dedicated playback keys. Have they finally got it? More information after the jump.

ROKR Z6 Specs

Thin, narrow slider with a multi-modal design and rich colors, materials and finish
2.0 megapixel camera
Supports a variety of audio formats such as MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA and other popular formats
3.5mm headset jack connection, and a dedicated lock switch
Bluetooth stereo support of Advanced Audio Distribution profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
Internal memory and up to 2 GB of microSD* removable memory for extra storage for music, pictures and other media
USB 2.0 high speed connectivity for fast file transfers and data access
Video capture and playback
CDMA 800/1900, CDMA 1X/ EV-DO, 1900 Mhz receive diversity
Display: 2.0" QVGA with vivid colors
Browser: WAP2.0
BREW: 3.1.4
Messaging via MMS, SMS
Mobile Phone Tools support for PC synch of phonebook, contacts, and media
Integrated Bluetooth™ Class 2 wireless technology for hands-free connectivity

In other words, nothing new under the sun. Motorola claims their connectivity is better than the competition, transferring a song in 2 to 3 seconds. Whether that's Led Zep's "Stairway to Heaven" or The Sex Pistols' "God Save The Queen" is yet to be known. They are also selling the ROKR S9, a Bluetooth stereo headset that matches the phone styling.

Hopefully, the software will really be better than the previous generations. Otherwise, they don't stand a chance against the Samsungs and Sony Ericssons of this world. – Jesus Diaz

Product page [Motorola]

All in all, Noah says the phone isn't very polished. You can't go into widescreen mode, but it does run Linux and have some nice hardware features. Since it doesn't "rock as hard as it should," he's sending this back to Asia where it came from. You can make up your own decision though. – Jason Chen

Phonedog [Threebase]

When we saw the E6 passing through the FCC in October, we thought it might have iTunes on board, but now it sounds like Motorola's getting out of the way of something. What could that be? Oh, yeah, perhaps the iTunes contract has expired just in time for Apple's upcoming iPhone. Looks like cannon fodder for the looming Apple juggernaut.

Nevertheless, we're liking the way this E6 has a 3.5mm headphone jack instead of that oddball size of the Motorola Q's phone jack which won't let you use regular earbuds. Also along for the ride are a 2-megapixel camera and a relatively large 2.4-inch display. It also has an FM radio and an SD card slot for up to two gigs of storage.

Overall, it's similar to its predecessor, with the advantage of running Linux underneath but still making us wonder why it exists at all. No price was announced, but it'd better be cheap or it will again be DOA. – Charlie White

Motorola unveils iTunes-less ROKR [Reg Hardware]

The phone will have a touchscreen instead of a keypad, and will be loaded with a 2-megapixel camera, FM transmitter, and stereo Bluetooth capabilities. The iTunes integration seems like a long shot, seeing as this runs Linux. But, it does have GSM capabilities, which means it may be in your Cingular-stained hands someday soon. If you're looking for a break from the "me too" pretty, but low functionality thin phones, this may be the one for you. – Jason Chen

FCC Filing [FCC via Crunchgear]

The sound quality was good with both the iPod and the Bluetooth phones, but with the NaviPlay there was some distortion in the high end, possibly due to Bluetooth 1.2 not being able to handle that much data being streamed. Other than this, the calling part is acceptable and the buttons located on the left and right side are pretty easy to reach.

It's available now for $249. The NaviPlay for iPod integration costs $99. – Jason Chen

Review: Oakley O ROKR with NaviPlay iPod Transmitter [Mobile Mag]

The original ROKR E1 flopped and rumors of Apple's move to make a mobile phone means that manufacturers will probably be kept away from the iTunes license for the time-being. However, if the E2 is a big enough improvement, there may be some hope. No mention of it on the Motorola page, though.

Product Page [Motorola]

Motorola ROKR E2 to Include iTunes After All? [MobileBurn]

airplane mode
...You can use the phone's iTunes music player and other non-calling features in airplane mode

ROKR E2 Manual (pdf) [FCC via MobileTracker]

Other tipsters added that some Asian providers are allowing their customers only 50 songs on their ROKR phones, and that this is a page that lets them pay to upgrade to 100. One can only wonder if there is indeed some movement on this 100-song limit, though, especially with recent talk of a deal between Motorola and Microsoft and rumors of Apple's own 'Mobile Me' MVNO cellphone network.

Upgrade Your ROKR [3/25/84 via TUAW]

We've seen an overabundance of iPod docking speakers, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to be bombarded with Qool Labs Xensaxion for your Motorola ROKR. A neat little gadget, it's a pair of docking speakers that also allows you to charge the phone, synchronize your files and even take a call using a hands free option. Also works with PCs, desktop, notebook, MP3 Players, CD players and even a portable DVD Players through a a mini-jack audio input. No price just yet.

The Xensaxion, A Set Of Docking Speakers For The ROKR [Oh Gizmo]

Best pricing on the ROKR [Shopping.com]

Yes, it's hard to believe, but CES has brought out the second incarnation of the Motorola ROKR phone, the ROKR E2. It's based on a Linux OS and of course comes loaded with a MP3 player that's compatible with a bunch of different audio formats. A USB 2.0 connection gives you fast transfer rates and you'll be able to drag-and-drop your music from your PC directly to the phone. Has up to 2GB of optional removable SD mass memory, a built-in FM radio, dedicated music keys on the handset s side and front, as well as play/pause, skip backward/forward, and hold. Oh, and don't forget the "airplane" mode which lets you listen to your tunes while in the air. Other features include a 1.3 megapixel camera for pictures, video capture and playback and SCREEN3 technology for zero-click access to news, sports and entertainment content. The best we can do for availability is sometime in the first half of next year. No price set as of now.

Admitting the fact the the original ROKR phone was not only bulky and unattractive, but limited in space for downloaded songs, Ron Garriques, the head of Motorola's mobile unit, has finally stood up and made some promises for the next generation. First of all, the next ROKR will be slimmer and sleeker for sure (he even showed a phone that looked a lot more like a RAZR than a ROKR, with a megapixel camera and stereo headsets to make his point). And no carrier has to stick to just iTunes. They can put whatever music software they want in the new phone.

"Any time a carrier wants iTunes they can have it," Garriques told investors at the UBS Global Communications Conference.

Motorola sees launching new Rokrs in 2006 [Reuters]

Prices and Reviews for first generation Motorola Rokr E1 [CNET]

"For mobile music, the Sprint Music Store powered by Groove Mobile succeeds where the iTunes ROKR phone failed... The iTunes ROKR phone also requires a computer, a broadband account, a iTunes subscription and a credit card, BEFORE the songs can be transferred to the phone. Young people - who are the largest demographic for music - want instant access to the hottest new bands. And the Sprint Music Store powered by Groove Mobile delivers."

That's gonna ruin someone's morning in Cupertino. More details after the jump...

Right now, only phones using the Sprint Power Vision Network can use this new service and that includes two new phones, the Sanyo MM-9000 and the Samsung MM-A940 (more on the new phones later).

Sprint has also arrayed a fine collection of music providers for W-O-W. Partners include EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group. And while the fee is too high, you'll get two copies of the song: One for your phone and a higher quality version you can download to your PC. I'm looking forward to seeing this interface, because the song browse and play function could make or break it.

Sprint Launches the First Instant, Over the Air Music Download Service in the U.S. [Sprint]

Push Pause On The Mobile Music Revolution

The launch of the Motorola ROKR was hyped as a seminal moment for music and mobile phones. While there had been plenty of handsets before that could play music files, the combination of Apple, the iPod and a mobile phone was too enticing to resist.

Then Motorola unveiled the phone, held everybody's attention for about 10 minutes, then lost it to the iPod nano. And rightly so, really. There's been plenty written here and elsewhere about the ROKR's shortcomings, so we won't dwell on that. But one of the most common complaints about the phone—its rather arbitrary 100-song limit—is illustrative of the conflicts that promise to keep mobile music a niche application for the time being.

The ROKR is limited to 100 songs, apparently, so that it won't cannibalize iPod sales. It's a short-sighted restriction designed solely to protect Apple's interests—it doesn't really help Motorola, and it certainly doesn't do anything for people that buy the phone expecting it to live up to the iPod's reputation. The quality of the device itself takes a back seat to a company trying to put its interests above everybody else's, even the consumer's. These sorts of decisions are par for the course in the mobile industry, usually perpetrated by wireless carriers who have turned the phrase "show me the money" from an annoying movie tagline into a business model.

Carriers care about handsets only as vehicles to sell other services, whether it's a monthly voice plan, music downloads or the kitchen sink. So until they can set up a way to make owners of music phones spend more money, the devices will largely stay in the background. The carriers don't care about helping you carry around one less device; they see music phones just as a way to create another revenue stream.

"The carriers don't want to create a phone that's a great music player that doesn't drive some other form of revenue," says Mark Donovan, senior analyst at wireless research firm M:Metrics.

Perhaps this partly explains why the ROKR is so disappointing. Operators don't really care how good it is as a music player—since users just download tracks from iTunes and move them over to the phone, the carrier's not making any money out of it. The only potential benefit, then, is that they might attract some new users and sell some phones based just on the iTunes compatibility. But if it's not driving any additional revenue for them, they're not going to want to subsidize it very heavily, so it's got to be cheap on its own. This could explain why Motorola went with a retooled version of a year-old handset, rather than putting iTunes in a RAZR.

For a long while, carriers had the idea that the only music people listened to on their phones would be music they'd bought from the carrier's download service. Any consumer, of course, recognizes that this is a stupid idea. Who would want to give up their entire music library, and who wants to have music they could only listen to on their mobile phone?

This conflict is furthermore set against the backdrop of record labels that want to drive up the standard $1 per download price consumers have accepted. Carriers don't have a problem with this, since they see the idea that people can download music from anywhere, not just when they're in front of their computer, as something for which they can charge a premium. But the idea that somebody would go through a cumbersome process on their phone to pay more for a download with more restrictions just so they can listen to it right away, rather than wait and download it on a computer then sync it to a portable device is pretty questionable.

"When I think about how people browse or buy music from iTunes or a similar service, I have a hard time seeing that being a great experience on a mobile phone," Donovan says. "If as I'm doing that, the big payoff is that I get to pay twice as much for the music as I could on my PC, that just doesn't add up to me as something that's going to be more than a novelty for quite a while."

The end result of this is most mobile carriers sitting on the fence when it comes to combining music and mobile phones. They're happy to push the streaming services they sell, but often end up playing a little fast and loose when it comes to people listening to their own music on phones. At worst, they disable the file-transfer or music playback functionality of the devices, and and best, they do what they can to de-emphasize the fact that it's actually possible.

"In the United States, just about everybody with a mobile phone has an Internet-connected PC, and in many ways, that's where their hub is, in the entertainment space, for things like a music collection," Donovan says. "So somehow trying to turn the mobile phone into an island is not a strategy that's going to work."

But, things are changing, and for all its faults, the iTunes phone might yet have some importance as a tool to induce competition, if nothing else. Verizon, for instance (which has a history of disabling certain Bluetooth functionality on some phones), released the LG VX8100—which can play MP3s and has music controls on its front—back in July, but only made the music-playback software available the day before the ROKR's release. And Sony Ericsson's W800, the first model in its Walkman range of music phones, is available in the US directly from the manufacturer—but isn't being sold by any carriers.

In the meantime, users are generally left to figure out how to play music on their mobile phones on their own. It's straightforward on some devices from some carriers, but requires some workarounds on many others. Until it's as easy for Joe Public to listen to music on a phone as it is on an iPod, the standalone MP3 player is safe.

"Companies like Nokia and Motorola know how to create great devices," Donovan says. "But creating the great consumer-acceptable music experience that also has a business model with margin in it for the labels and the carriers—that's much more difficult."

Carlo Longino is a writer and analyst that follows the mobile industry. He's co-editor of MobHappy, and also an analyst for Techdirt. He can be reached at carlo@mobhappy.com.

The review, otherwise is pretty good. But the last paragraph made me poop a little.

Mke wy fr ROKR, the iTunes phone [MSNBC]

UPDATE - Plus, not only was it a bad joke, but we did it long ago.

A bit of leaked documentation after the jump.

iTunes mobile detailed in Motorola user manual [AppleInsider]

According to the documentation, users of the E790 will be able to launch iTunes via a physical 'iTunes' key and then use the navigation key to operate the software. From the iTunes menu interface, pressing the navigational key up or down will scroll through playlists, while pressing the key right or left will make a selection or return to the previous menu, respectively.
Once a user has selected a song, iTunes mobile switches to a display screen that will allow users to pause, rewind, and fast forward tracks by pressing the navigational key up, right and left. Meanwhile, the iTunes key will return the user to the menu interface and provide access to a 'shuffle songs' function.

Say hello to ROKR [MotoRAZR]
Motorola Razr V3 in Redish Pink? [MotoRAZR]

UPDATE - They've got all sorts of colors. I want the blue!