A Moto Evoke review? Honest, we're trying!

Last month we told you about the new Motorola Evoke touch-screen phone, which Moto unveiled at the CTIA show. The slider handset was worth a look at the time, mostly because it wasn't another Razr revamp. But the phone offered some promising features, including several onscreen widgets for applications, stereo Bluetooth, and a full HTML browser.

The 2.8-inch display is smaller than we'd like, especially when using the virtual QWERTY keyboard, but you can move between menu screens by swiping your finger.

Soon after we showed you our first look, several CNET readers wrote me asking for a full review. And after Alltel announced it was carrying the phone just two weeks after CTIA, we figured the time was nigh. Yet Alltel told us the phones "would not be available to the media." When I asked why, I didn't get a real answer. Moto says they're waiting for Evoke review models, but they haven't denied me an opportunity to see one outright.

Needless to say, I'm a little annoyed Alltel is holding back. Though I recognize the carrier has a lot going on, I still think we should get the opportunity to take the Evoke through its paces. I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you'd still like to see a review, I'll let Alltel know.

Hands-on with the Motorola Evoke QA4--photos

[jbisreal]

Hey Kent, I would really like to see a review on the Evoke cause my carrier is Cricket Wireless and they are Also carrying the phone too, it looks like a phone I want cause it is a Nice change from the past crap Motorola has been feeding us.............Suggestion, Y can't u get a Phone from Cricket to review?

[sting7k]

Call Verizon and ask them why their new company won't let you review a phone.

[Monica313]

I have the new Motorola Evoke and so far, I am not that impressed. It is unfortunate, but I am on my second one. The first one I had for about two weeks and it started to power off on it's own, then the touch screen became unresponsive. My second, I have only had for 5 days now, seems to be okay, so far, but, my husbands Evoke is having touch screen issues. We are thinking about taking the phones back to Alltel and getting the Samsung Delve. I am afraid, until Motorola gets the bugs worked out, this may be a 2 week, need to replace, disposable phone. Cute design, but we need something that is going to be dependable. Also, the slide key pad is a little cheesy. They should have made the phone a little bigger to compete with the IPhone and make it completely touch.

[Dbrudvig]

For those who are looking to get the Evoke, I have the Evoke through Cricket. Although I have not had any problems (as of yet), there are some quirks about it.
I like how it shows text messages as a back and forth conversation. However, If a pic, video or MMS message is recieved it provides a link (and password) I have to access on my computer. I have not yet been able to access a pic or MMS message on my phones browser, but an accessable direct link would be a great improvement. Also, If I want to send a pic or video, I must do so through e-mail or picasa.
I like having the physical slider, as I can quickly dial a number or text by feel. The onscreen QWERTY keyboard is useable, but needs getting used to.
The built in widgets are cool to use, giving you quick access to google, myspace, etc. If you prefer other sites, just put them in your favorites folder in the browser.
Good phone for those who like to stay connected (messaging, Myspace, e-mail, etc.), but omits features (MMS, pic messaging) found on cheaper phones.
Can't wait for an official review on this phone!

[peters502]

i have this phone thru cricket and it is the worse thing ever, i like to send and recieve pictures and this is one thing that cricket failed to mention to me, even after i called them and told them that i could not recieve pictures they had me come back to the store and they said they had to reprogram it so i took it in there they said give it about 2-4 hours to start working so i did. well when he still didnt work i went back to the store and the same guy that "reprogrammed" it told me that this phone can not recieve or send pics so of course i wanted to return it but in the process of waiting my 2 - 4 hours i talked over the 30 mins time limit to return the phone, they are all crooks so i have had this phone now for about 3 weeks. my fiance always tells me he cant understand a word i say on it. the internet browser is really small and mostly unresponsive hard to navigate. takes good pics but the inernal memory is HORRIBLE i literally have 1 pic and 1 video saved to my phone and it tells me my memory is FULL *** is that? so long story short since i couldnt return the phone i went to a local dealer and am waiting on a new LG dare from verizon that will be totally flashed and i am trading my phone even for it. i hate this phone only thing good about it is the battery is awesome. DO NOT GET THIS PHONE!!!!!!!

[peters502]

i have this phone thru cricket and it is the worse thing ever, i like to send and recieve pictures and this is one thing that cricket failed to mention to me, even after i called them and told them that i could not recieve pictures they had me come back to the store and they said they had to reprogram it so i took it in there they said give it about 2-4 hours to start working so i did. well when he still didnt work i went back to the store and the same guy that "reprogrammed" it told me that this phone can not recieve or send pics so of course i wanted to return it but in the process of waiting my 2 - 4 hours i talked over the 30 mins time limit to return the phone, they are all crooks so i have had this phone now for about 3 weeks. my fiance always tells me he cant understand a word i say on it. the internet browser is really small and mostly unresponsive hard to navigate. takes good pics but the inernal memory is HORRIBLE i literally have 1 pic and 1 video saved to my phone and it tells me my memory is FULL what is that? so long story short since i couldnt return the phone i went to a local dealer and am waiting on a new LG dare from verizon that will be totally flashed and i am trading my phone even for it. i hate this phone only thing good about it is the battery is awesome. DO NOT GET THIS PHONE!!!!!!!