Motorola outs Z10, ROKR E8 media phones

Motorola on Monday released two of its more media-centric phones to date. The MOTO Z10 effectively replaces the Z8 and shares the same angled kick-slider action that curves the design when open. The new version chiefly upgrades the camera: in addition to a sharper 3.2-megapixel image (up from 2 megapixels), the camera starts in a relatively quick 1.5 seconds and takes burst shots as quickly as 3 frames per second. It continues to focus on video with full-speed video playback, quicker uploads through ShoZu and YouTube, and a microSDHC slot that holds as much as 32GB of movies and other media.

The phone connects to 3G via HSDPA or UMTS in Europe but supports a 2G EDGE connection and calls around the world, including the US; it ships in the first quarter of the year and may launch first with British carrier O2. Pricing should vary by the carrier.

The ROKR E8 is Motorola's first phone distinctly changeable controls. A toggle on the candybar handset changes the touch-sensitive keys from phone to music controls with illuminated labels that reflect the new role; the device also offers a fast-scrolling jog wheel for spicking music and a native headphone jack. On Windows systems, the E8 syncs directly with Windows Media Player 11. It ships with 2GB of memory built-in and can add another 4GB through a microSD slot. Motorola ships the new ROKR in early 2008 and notes that it works on both American and international networks for calls and EDGE data.

Both phones are accompanied by the launch of several new wired and wireless stereo headsets, including an upgraded version of the ROKR S9 Bluetooth headset that adds SRS WOW HD sound enhancement and more comfortable earpieces. Two new wireless speakers are the highlights of the launch, Motorola says. The EQ7 is co-designed with help from JBL and is designed to provide bass despite its small size; its four-cone design provides either stereo sound for Bluetooth music phones and some media players or hands-free calling for most any Bluetooth cellphone. At the lower end, the EQ5 is smaller but adds a kickstand for facing the stereo speakers towards the listener. All of the add-ons are expected to arrive in the spring.

Filed under: peripherals, gadgets, audio
Other story tags: Motorola, ROKR