Motorola ROKR, take two

Today Motorola announced ROKR E2, the successor of the ROKR E1 phone. With many innovations like USB 2.0 (E1 has only USB 1.1), hot-swap SD card slot (TransFlash in ROKR E1), Linux-based OS, iRadio, the phone promises to be a very successful model. The 2" TFT display with 240 x 320 resolution gives you the ability to enjoy your photos, taken with the 1.3 MP camera. It also comes with 3.5mm headset jack, Bluetooth stereo headphones support and a built-in FM tuner. The surprise is that there's no iTunes support in ROKR E2, but there's also no limit in the amount of songs in the music player. There are dedicated music buttons on the left side of the panel, which makes music playing much easier. It seems that with ROKR E2 Motorola has made a major upgrade, replying to the many complaints about the previous ROKR. The Motorola ROKR E2 is expected to be available in the first half of 2006.

Motorola press release

The ultimate fusion of music and mobility, the next generation Motorola ROKR E2 delivers an optimized multimedia experience. Tuned into you, the ROKR E2 lets you wirelessly groove while on-the-move to the latest tracks via Bluetooth® wireless technology and integrated MP3 player. Capture the sights and sounds with enhanced photo and video capabilities, or catch up on world news via Motorola’s SCREEN3 technology for zero click access to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content*. Complete with direct downloads from your favorite CDs or digital music collections via a fast USB 2.0 connection and up to 2GB of optional SD Card memory to store all your favorite files, the Motorola ROKR E2 can satisfy any creative craving.

Music Master
Wherever you are, whenever you want, the Motorola ROKR E2 delivers a distinctive music experience. Downloading tunes from your favorite CD or digital music collection is a snap -- advanced USB 2.0 connections provide faster data transfers than USB 1.0 from your PC straight to your handset’s integrated MP3 player where you can create and manage playlists on the go. And, designed with music in mind, the ROKR E2 features are optimized with dedicated music controls on the side and front to Play, Pause and Skip Forward / Backward between songs, plus a standard 3.5mm stereo headset jack and up to 2GB of removable memory for storing all your favorite tracks, pictures, videos and more.

Rock Out Wire-Free
Complete with instant access to the latest artists and songs, the ROKR E2 takes mobile music to the next level – no wires. Keep your phone in your pocket or in the other room while you listen -- embedded Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream audio from your ROKR E2 to compatible Bluetooth-enabled stereo headphones** for up to 30 feet away. Time for a musical intermission? When a call comes in, the music pauses, allowing you to answer the call then resume listening where you left off.

Live it Up
Step out in style with the ROKR E2’s sleek compact candy bar form factor and large brilliant color screen, perfect for capturing and viewing your adventures via picture or video capture and playback. Snap shots of the DJ spinning in the club with the ROKR E2 phone’s 1.3 Megapixel camera or MPEG4 video, then send them to a friend across town via MMS* technology. View your pictures in landscape or portrait format, then manipulate the image with digital effects and then download* it onto your PC via USB or Bluetooth wireless technology. Your night will last forever.

Summary of features

• Dedicated music player buttons on the side (Play/Pause, Skip Forward/ Backward and Hold) and front
• Full stereo audio via industry standard 3.5mm headset jack eliminating the need for adaptors
• Optional hot swappable, SD™ mass storage memory card
• Approximately 500 songs in a single 2 GB SD card (4 MB per song, approximately 4 minutes in length)
• USB 2.0 High Speed connectivity
• 1.3 Mega Pixel Camera with flash
• Video capture and playback (15fps)
• Display: 2 inch, 240 x 320 TFT (262k colors)
• Built in FM radio with up to 30 presets
• Multi-Media Messaging (MMS)
• Integrated Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free connectivity with compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices.
• PIM functionality with Picture Caller ID
• Motorola's SCREEN3 technology solution featuring zero-click access to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content.
• Opera® Browser