Moto unveils V Cast TV phone
Motorola Rizr Z6tv
(Credit: Motorola)Though there was much ado about Verizon Wireless' V Cast Mobile TV service when the carrier launched the service earlier this year, it's been eerily quiet since then. In particular, we've been waiting for new handsets beyond the original LG VX9400 and the Samsung SCH-U620.
Motorola Rizr Z6tv
(Credit: Motorola)Fortunately, our wait came to an end this morning when Verizon and Motorola announced the new Moto Rizr Z6tv. Sporting the familiar, and may we add quite attractive, Rizr slider design, the Z6tv offers a solid feature set beyond the Mobile TV support (which is quite enough by itself). You'll find Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, an expandable memory slot and a digital audio player. The Z6tv's dimensions are marginally bigger than those of the original Z3, and like the other V Cast Mobile TV phones, the display can switch to a landscape orientation for more comfortable television viewing. Yet we noticed that the Z6tv has a 65,000-color display, compared with the 262,000-hue screens on the VX9400 and the SCH-U620. We'll have to see how that affects the video quality when we get a review model.
It's important to note that you should only consider the Rizr Z6tv if you live in a V Cast Mobile TV coverage area. Otherwise, and that currently includes us in San Francisco, you'll miss out on all the fun. The Rizr Z6tv will be available October 5 for $179 with service and rebates. Check back soon for a review model.
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
