• 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
This is the first Motorola phone shipped that it's based on the Chameleon UI non-touchscreen engine, instead of their EZX one. Having used both UIs, I noticed that the Chameleon UI is somewhat derived by the EZX one (albeit very modified). Both are based on the Qt Embedded platform (not Qtopia). This phone uses Linux kernel v2.4.20, modified by Montavista.
The Rokr E2 has an endless list of smartphone capabilities -- messaging of all kinds, PIMs, 1.3MP camera, contacts synchronization, Java runtime, games, video/photo/music players, Opera browser, and on and on and on. However, it is primarily positioned as a combination mobile phone and music player. As such, it competes directly with Sony/Ericsson "Walkman" phones.
The Rokr E2's headset's right speaker wire has a little pod that dangles at mouth level. The pod houses a microphone, and a small push-button. When a call comes in, the music pauses, and the phone starts ringing -- perhaps playing back an mp3 file that has been designated as the ringtone. The user pushes the button on the little pod, and answers the call, talking into the microphone on the little pod. When the call finishes, the music resumes right where it left off.
The Rokr E2 is an astonishingly functional device characterized by innovation, integration, and ingenuity. Physically, it's a gem to behold, much smaller and thinner than it looks in photographs. The device works well as a phone. The networking options are bountiful, even without WiFi. We liked the funny little music player well enough once we got used to it. The hardware buttons, such as keylock, are well-placed and well-chosen. The software user interface is fun and clever. Battery life is good... there's not much not to love here.
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