Moto RIZR Marco Leak

Motorola is readying a version of the RIZR Z3 that will be the first phone from the company to embrace Wi-Fi, as confirmed by a hands-on test with a new unit. Nicknamed only the "Marco," the spin on the Z3 will have the same core 2-megapixel cameraphone design with Bluetooth and microSD, but will also have the mentioned Wi-Fi chipset for browsing and other features; users can already update the phone's software over the Internet. Motorola has also replaced its old Synergy interface with the Linux-based JUIX interface that should help with networking over both local wireless and EDGE.

Although the phone has been tested on AT&T's network, the prototype is currently unlocked and may ultimately become an option for T-Mobile's Hotspot@Home service if further investigation proves that the Marco supports UMA for transferring calls between GSM and Wi-Fi networks. The release date of the new RIZR is uncertain and may be pushed back to early 2008 based on a Motorola strategy to give the RAZR2 full attention during its North American launch. [via BGR]

By Electronista Staff