The Motorola ROKR E1 is here. And it's the image we've been seeing for months. I liked the fake iPhone images better—how about you?
To clear up the first big question: 100 song capacity, and it uses an iTunes-like interface. It's a tri-band GSM phone, color screen, built-in camera with stereo speakeres and a mobile headset. One button access to iTunes, USB 2.0 connection for transferring songs and random autofill or manual fill.
PC or Mac, natch, and the music pauses when you get a call (duh!) and resumes when you finish (ahh). It's 3.7 ounces, 4.25-inches long and under an inch thick. On this display side, just 262 colors (176 x 220) to support the VGA camera, 4x zoom and video recording. Talk time: 9 hours.
Cingular is the exclusive carrier in the US, they will start airing three TV commercials tomorrow (they are cheesy, KISS and tell??), and the phone will be in stores this weekend. Available for $249.99 with a two-year contract.
Here is what's in store for the rest of the world.
- U.K. - expected to be available first with Carphone Warehouse in mid-September and with O2, Orange, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile and other top retailers by late September
- France - expected to be available by late September through key retailers
- Italy - expected to be available by late September through key retailers
- Canada - expected to be available in mid- to late-September with Rogers Wireless
- Hong Kong - expected to be available by late September through multiple retail outlets and operator channels
- Australia, Singapore and the Philippines - expected to be available late September through early October through retail and operator channels
- Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and other markets throughout the world - expected to be available in the fourth quarter
"The Motorola ROKR represents the ultimate convergence of mobile communications and music," said Ed Zander, chairman and CEO of Motorola. "Fusing iTunes with your always-with-you mobile phone, we're revolutionizing the way the world experiences mobile self-expression and entertainment."
"We've worked closely with Motorola to deliver the world's best music experience on a mobile phone," said Eddy Cue, vice president of iTunes. "We're also thrilled to be working with some of the largest wireless carriers in the world to bring this pioneering phone to market."
The Motorola ROKR features a color display for viewing album art, dual built-in stereo speakers and stereo headphones that also serve as a mobile headset with microphone. Music fans can randomly autofill or manually fill the mobile phone with playlists of their favorite music, audiobooks and Podcasts from their iTunes library via a USB connection. The Motorola ROKR pauses music automatically when users take a call and offers the ability to listen to music while checking messages or snapping a photo.
Loungin's Photos
Motorola and Apple Launch ROKR iTunes Phone [Mobiledia]