Motorola RAZR2 V8 review: New edge to RAZR

Talking to me?

The default view of the calls log in V8 is the all calls view. Dialed, missed and answered calls however can be set to appear separately as well. Multiple calls to or from one and the same number are stored independently, instead of keeping the most recent one only. Call timers and a data counter are available too, with submenus offering detailed information.

Call Log and data counter

Thanks to its Linux platform, RAZR2 V8 is yet another Motorola to offer a very handy feature called Talking Phone. An aid for the vision-impaired or a boost to handsfree operation, Talking Phone provides voice assistance throughout the phone interface. Users can enable it for various aspects of handling the phone, including caller ID, menu, contact list, digits, etc. There are even email and text message readouts. Those who love fooling around should be warned that there's no censorship and the application will read out just anything. Obscenities or particularly naughty texts could make them wish some things went without saying on the RAZR2 V8.

Talking Phone settings

While we're at it, Talking Phone is probably the most notable feature in the messaging department. Otherwise, the RAZR2 V8 has pretty much standard SMS and MMS functionality. When writing a text message, a character counter is available. It also indicates the number of separate messages to be sent should the 160-character limit be exceeded. Of course, the iTap editor is there too. We do like it better than T9, for its superior user-friendliness and handling of new vocabulary entries.

Inbox • composing a text message • available input methods

While we're at it, Talking Phone is probably the most notable feature in the messaging department. Otherwise, the RAZR2 V8 has pretty much standard SMS and MMS functionality. When writing a text message, a character counter is available.

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New text messages can be viewed and read on the external display, but replying with the flip closed is limited, you can only return a message using the available SMS templates.

Reading SMS on the external display • replying with templates is also possible

Once you enter a picture or file, the text message turns into MMS. The MMS editor offers no novelties either.

Creating MMS and options

Email completes the messaging capabilities of the RAZR2 V8. Incoming emails have a dedicated Inbox. The email client offers plenty of setting options and support for encryptions, and we're quite pleased with it. A readout option is settable as well. Additionally, the phone offers full Exchange server synchronization.

Email folders and composing a message