The Motorola ROKR E8 is an unusual cell phone designed specifically with music in mind. It features a new virtual keypad that transforms with Motorola's ModeShift technology, giving users the controls they need, when they need them. Couple this with the device's unusual design and iPod-like scroll wheel and you've got a very intriguing device. We take a closer look to find out more.
Physical Aspects
The Motorola ROKR E8 is not a particularly small device, measuring in at 115mm x 53mm x 10.6mm. It isn't especially large for a handset these days, but considering that it's relatively light on features I'd have expected it to be smaller. Don't let that deter you though, because the device's size is offset by it's unusual, attractive design. When first gazing upon the ROKR E8, you'll notice that the keypad doesn't appear to have any numbers, or even any keys. Instead, you'll find three columns of raised dots where you'd usually expect to find the keys. This is probably the device's biggest talking point - its keypad.
The ROKR E8 uses Motorola's 'ModeShift' technology to allow the keypad to adapt to its current task. For example, the device will mostly show the usual numeric keypad, but pressing the music key will cause the keys to morph into their music guise. In music mode, the numeric keypad disappears, being replaced by traditional play/pause, skip forward/backward, shuffle, and repeat keys. It does this by using a membrane of sorts to display controls beneath the front panel of the device. Pressing any of the virtual keys gives the feeling that they are pushing in, but in reality, the front panel don't actually move at all. This illusion is created with use of small piezo devices under each key that vibrate when the key is depressed and released, to give the feeling that they are moving. Combine this with the 'squish' sound that the device makes when they are pressed and it's very difficult to believe that there's no movement.
The virtual keypad has several different sets of keys that it can display. The first are the regular numeric keys, displaying numbers and letters as you'd expect to find on most devices. The second are the music controls, as mentioned earlier. The third are the camera controls, which allow you to operate the camera/video camera, and look through the gallery. If you're in a menu where the numeric keypad is no longer required, the device will hide it, cleverly offering only the keys you need, when you need them. There are a few dedicated keys on the Motorola ROKR E8, such as the music key that takes you directly to the music player, and the clear/back key for moving backwards through menus or deleting text.
In the middle of the device there is a silver circular arc, known as the 'FastScroll' navigation wheel, which operates much like the scroll wheel on an iPod. However, the FastScroll navigation wheel isn't a full circle, instead being more of a horse-shoe shape. It is also speed sensitive, enabling users to select how quickly they scroll. Personally, I found it to be pretty tricky to use, often jumping past the option I wanted. More often I chose to use the E8's d-pad, which is the textured circle beneath the arc. The d-pad is slightly rough, whereas the rest of the fascia is made from a glossy plastic. Although the device appears to be black at a glance, closer inspection will reveal that it is in fact a very dark navy blue color.
In the centre of the ROKR E8's d-pad there is a small silver circle, which signifies the position of the d-pad's select button. Overall, the design looks very minimalist and attractive. Located just above the FastScroll wheel is the ROKR E8's display, which is positioned landscape on the device. Personally, I really like the display positioned like this, though it is a shame that it wasn't a bit larger. The display is a 2.0" QVGA 240 x 320 pixel item, capable of showing up to 262,000 colors. Its performance in bright environments was fairly average, being readable, but not with the greatest of ease. Just above the display is the device's earpiece, cleverly disguised as a metallic Motorola emblem. This same metallic looking plastic is used on the ROKR E8's volume and camera keys, located on the upper left side of the device. It is also used on the device's power/keypad lock switch that is located on the right side of the device. Above this switch, you'll find the E8's micro-USB/charging port, which is covered by a small plastic door. The bottom of the phone features only a small hole for the microphone, and the 'ROKR' logo engraved onto the casing. The top of the device features a lanyard fixing at the top left corner, and a headphone port in the middle that is covered by a rather poorly fitting flap.
The rear of the ROKR E8 is clad in a rubbery soft-touch paint, with another metallic Motorola emblem in the middle. Toward the bottom of the phone there is a slit in the case with a red mesh inside. This slit houses the device's loudspeaker, which performed very well in our tests. Overall the device weighs in at 106 grams (3.7oz), which is fairly average for a current handset.
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