Motorola rolls Z6w, new W-series phones, mobile TV

Motorola's contribution to phone announcements on Monday involves an upgrade to one of its more ubiquitous sliders and two world phones. The Z6w adds Wi-Fi to the original design of the GSM-based Z6 for faster browsing at hotspots; it also offers Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) that allows it to start a call either through GSM or through VoIP (when on Wi-Fi) and to automatically switch from one format to the other if the phone's owner wanders out of range of one of the signals. Internet browsing between EDGE and Wi-Fi is also gapless, Motorola says. The Z6w continues to include a 2-megapixel camera and use Motorola's Linux-based MOTOMAGX OS. The phone ships in the spring and may see service through T-Mobile USA's HotSpot@Home.

The W161 and W181 venture in the opposite direction and are designed for both developing-world and budget callers who just want essentials; both strip out cameras, Bluetooth, and other extras except for an FM radio, which supplies music instead of a dedicated media player. The W161 opts for a monochrome screen to save costs while the W181 adds a color screen. Both will go on sale within the next month in versions tailored to North America as well as international users.

As a final update, Motorola released a quick upgrade to its mobile TV offering. The DH01n adds GPS and TeleAtlas map support to the original DH01, providing navigation on top of the DVB-H digital TV on the 4.3-inch set. Motorola says the DH01n is already available to TV carriers and other providers who are expected to set the end price.

Filed under: gadgets
Other story tags: Motorola, DVB-H, UMA