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You can't talk about Motorola's cell phone division without hearing gloomy predictions about its future. Such a prognosis is understandable considering the litany of bad news that's come out of the company over the past year. Indeed, plummeting earnings, layoffs, executive departures, and Carl Ichan haven't done much for Moto's image. Yet, I'm struck by how the cell phone world appears to be shrugging off the decline of a storied and pioneering company. Instead of hearing a lot of hand wringing over Moto's troubles, many consumer and industry watchers seem to be content to let Moto go.
An old classic.
(Credit: CNET Networks)This sentiment is both unfortunate and uncalled for. While Moto is largely responsible for its declining market share, I don't think it deserves the schadenfreude that goes along with it. We're not talking about some two-bit company; we're talking about a firm that gave us some of the most popular cell phones ever. We can't underestimate the impact of models such as the Startac and the V60, nor can we forget that Moto's iDEN phones continue to power Nextel. And I couldn't have agreed more when PC Magazine's Sascha Segan explained the dangers of a world without Moto. While competitors such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson consider North America an afterthought, Motorola gives equal attention to its home market. Instead of waiting in line behind Europe and Asia to get Moto's phones, usually we get them first. That's a benefit I don't want to lose.
History, however, can be a strength and a hindrance. When we talk about Moto now, we talk more about its past glories than its current hits. Like many of my colleagues, I've criticized the company over the past couple years for that very reason--it's been a long time since it has wowed us with something completely new. Just consider what Moto's record this year. After an exciting CES where it introduced the promising Rokr E8, it barely made a ripple at GSMA and at CTIA, it gave us just the Motorola Z9. Though the Z9 proved to be a satisfying phone, it was more of the same.
Moto's last big hit
(Credit: CNET Networks)I'm confident that Moto has the potential to surprise us, and I'm hopeful that it successfully spins off its cell phone business as it has promised. At CTIA CEO Greg Brown insisted that the company is committed to the mobile business but the Wall Street Journal isn't too optimistic on the prospect. The newspaper estimates that an independent cell phone division would need about $4 billion to support itself. It also reported that Hewlett-Packard executive Todd Bradley, who was being considered to head the new company, has pulled his name from consideration.
I'm not going to postulate about what Moto needs to do to save itself. Frankly, that's already been discussed many times over and I don't think I'd have anything new to say. But let me tell you a story. In late 2005, about a year after the iconic Razr V3 went on sale, I had the chance to ask former CEO Ed Zander what the Razr meant to his company. He replied that it had a huge effect not only on the company's external its external but also its internal morale. Because of the Razr, Zander said, Moto's employees began to believe in the company again and that it could do great things. After riding the Razr wave for so long, I wonder if the company still believes that. Please don't hang up on us Mototola, this is one caller that would hate to see you go.
Would you mourn Motorola? Let us know below.
Ed Zander
(Credit: Motorola)The imminent departure of Motorola CEO Ed Zander marks the close of an interesting period in Moto's history. Three years ago this month, the company emerged from its post-StarTac hibernation to give the world the now iconic Motorola Razr V3. As any gadget geek can tell you, Moto had a winner with the V3. It spawned several revamps and scores of imitators, and it launched a cell phone design revolution that continues to this day.
Since that time, however, some Moto watchers (us included) have suggested that the company was attempting to ride the Razr wave a bit too long. And while Moto has had a few non-Razr successes under Zander's tenure, it has had its share of bombs as well. We take a look at Zander's cell phone hits and misses in our slide show.
Motorola Razr V3xx
(Credit: Cingular)Brace yourself, dear Crave readers, as Motorola has given us a Razr in yet another hue.
This time, however, we're paying a bit more attention because the phone in question is the Motorola Razr V3xx from Cingular/ATST. Already available in charcoal and gold, the V3xx now comes in a platinum color as well. Features are the same; you still get such offerings as HSDPA support, Bluetooth, a music player, and the disappointing 1.3-megapixel camera. With a service contract, you can get it for an affordable $99.
The Motorola Razr V3xx in gold
(Credit: AT&T)Just in case you needed another reason to be mugged, AT&T and Motorola today launched the Motorola Razr V3xx in gold, for those of you who wanted an updated version of the Dolce & Gabana Razr. Sporting the same goodies as the original dull gray version, it features a 1.3-megapixel camera, a music and video player, stereo Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, the built-in Opera browser, and support for a screaming-fast 3.6Mbps HSDPA network. After rebates and a service agreement, it'll only cost you $20 more than the gray version, at $99.99.
Motorola Razr V3xx
(Credit: Cingular)We mentioned earlier this month that Cingular/AT&T was going to update its 3.5G HSDPA phone lineup with the much-awaited Motorola Razr V3xx. Well the time has come because the carrier just launched the Razr V3xx today, and even more details of the phone have been released. The most notable of which is that the Razr V3xx will be Cingular's first 3.6 Mbps HSDPA handset. Previous HSDPA phones from Cingular (like the LG CU500) were capped out at 1.8 Mbps due to network limitations, but the company is planning to increase the network's data speeds later this year.
Touted as the "next-generation Razr," the Razr V3xx is decked out with Cingular Video and Cingular Music support, which suits its high speed nicely. There's even a dedicated Cingular TV button to get your video fix quicker. Other interesting features include a 1.3-megapixel camera, a music and a video player, stereo Bluetooth, mobile e-mail, a microSD card slot, and a built-in Opera Web browser. The tri-band GSM phone is available right now for $229.99 but after a two-year contract and a mail-in rebate, the price is cut down to a very affordable $79.99.
Motorola Razr Maxx Ve
(Credit: Howard Forums)We know the HSDPA Motorola Razr V3xx is coming to AT&T/Cingular but we still haven't heard anything regarding U.S. carrier availability on the equally powerful Motorola Razr Maxx. And that's too bad as the Razr Maxx promises to be the most appealing Razr to date.
But now it appears we may get our wish, just in a different form. Howard Forums has published marketing photos of a promised EV-DO variant of the phone, the Maxx Ve for Verizon Wireless. Details are sketchy at this point but it's rumored the Maxx Ve will offer a 2-megapixel camera and a microSD card slot. V Cast video and music support should be onboard as well but apparently it won't be compatible with Verizon's new V Cast TV.
Motorola Razr V3xx
(Credit: Motorola)Razr fans (yes, there are still a lot of them) can rejoice again as Cingular picks up the Motorola Razr V3xx. Though it resembles Cingular's original Razr V3 (except for the darker color), the V3xx is compatible with Cingular's growing 3.5G HSDPA network. Cingular Video support is also included, and the phone sports a dedicated Cingular TV button in the navigation array. Other features are standard for the Razr series. You'll find Bluetooth, a speakerphone, and a digital music player. Though the phone has been shipped to Cingular, Motorola said it's still not available in the carrier's stores at the moment. Look for it soon, though, for around $150 with service.
Motorola Maxx
(Credit: Motorola)Motorola also showed its previously announced Motorola Razr Maxx at CES. As a reminder, it has a sleeker Razr shape and offers two cameras (a 2-megapixel shooter and a VGA model), Bluetooth, HSDPA supports, a speakerphone, and a digital music player. There's still no word on availability with U.S. carriers, but we're not optimistic.
On Sale Now: $89.99
View the latest prices for Motorola Razr V3xx - gray (AT&T)
It's taken them a long time, but Sprint has finally decided that the still-popular Motorola Razr is a must-have. Today the carrier put on sale its signature versions of the Motorola Razr V3m and the Motorola Krzr K1m. Both handsets should share the same basic feature set and design as their Verizon counterparts, but Sprint promises that its exclusive Power Vision programming will be a strong differentiator. The Razr V3m is $49.99 with service, while the Krzr is a pricier $199 with service. Sprint already offers the special-edition red Razr V3m.
Though the Razr family is beginning to show its age, that hasn't stopped Moto from pumping out a version of the phone for almost every carrier and in a rainbow of colors. Up until now, Sprint proudly stood aside from the Razr rush, but apparently it agreed with analyst reports that suggested that the carrier's anti-Razr stance may have been bad for its business. Sprint is also expected to launch its version of the Motorola Slvr L7c later this week.
(Photo: Motorola)
Dear Motorola,
Congratulations on the phenomenal success of your Razr cell phone. It showed a true spirit of innovation and it sparked a cell phone design revolution that ushered in the thin handset craze. You certainly made the world sit up and notice your company once again. I just have one small request, however. Stop it already! After two years we're up to our ears in Razrs and we need something else. Please?
All right, I didn't write such a letter but I stand by my belief that Motorola has milked its record-breaking thin phone for far too long. But to my dismay today the company formally announced more Razr models. On the purely cosmetic front, T-Mobile is selling the Razr V3-Miami Ink (or V3t) collection. As we reported two weeks ago the handsets feature designer prints (or tattoos) on their front face. Both the magenta Razr V3 Cherry Blossom and the pearl gray Razr V3 Dragon are available for $89 with service. The feature set is unchanged from the T-Mobile's original magenta and pearl gray Razrs so a new coat is the only change you'll see.
Moto also confirmed what we told you last month that Sprint will be getting a new Razr of its very own. Up until a couple weeks ago when Sprint started offering a Razr V3m in red the carrier had spurned the Razr in favor of comepeting (and in our opinion better) slim models from Samsung. But after analysts said Sprint's Razr-phobia was bad business it seems the carrier finally has jumped on the Moto bandwagon with the Razr V3m in gray. The feature set looks unchanged from Verizon's V3m but Sprint says its EV-DO programming will set the phone apart.
(Photos: Motorola, CNET Networks)
When Motorola launched the Razr V3i Dolce & Gabbana, the most ridiculous thing about it wasn't its brash gold skin but rather its sky-high $400 price tag. After all, it was just a regular old Razr. The only difference was it came with a label and a Dolce & Gabbana cell phone dangle.
But now there's good news for anyone itching to flash the device on the street but lacking the necessary dollars to make it happen. As of today T-Mobile now offers the phone for a somewhat more reasonable $300 with service.
Interestingly, though, the Dolce & Gabbana handset does not come with integrated support for iTunes. We're not fans of the iTunes/Motorola marriage by any means, but the support for Apple's popular service is one of the major selling points of Cingular's original Razr V3i. T-Mobile customers will have to live with Moto's generic music player, though all other features are the same.
(Photo: CNET Networks)
On Sale Now: $227.95
View the latest prices for Motorola Razr V3i Dolce & Gabbana (T-Mobile)
