In the hopes of creating a more positive outlook for their 2008 product portfolio, Motorola has introduced a host of new products and accessories at the 2008 CES International in Las Vegas - with two phone products, in particular, taking centre stage.

First up is the ROKR E8, a device that virtually shape-shifts between a mobile phone and dedicated MP3 player - simply by a press of a single button. This is made possible through its unique aesthetics - specifically, the keypad-less design which opens up those greater possibilities of widening its practicality and usability amongst its users. But having said that, it's still up to Motorola to get the design elements right - no matter how good the product looks in the flesh...

And with all devices that come with "virtual" keypads, there is the issue of nil-response from user keystrokes. But not on the ROKR E8, where Motorola has included their haptics technology - providing tactile feedback each and every time a drawn-out key is pressed. While this emulation of response may not seem (or feel) identical to what you'd expect from a physical interface, it unquestionably beats having no response at all!

The ROKR E8 is a quad-band GSM handset supporting high-speed GPRS/EDGE data networks, comes with 2GB worth of internal memory plus support for microSD cards of up to 4GB each, and is compatible with Windows Media Player 11 (for the purpose of transferring music to the phone via USB 2.0 connectivity). In the phone department, Motorola's CrystalTalk technology offers exceptional audio quality for calls - while for music, the ROKR E8 natively supports both wired (3.5mm) and wireless (Bluetooth A2DP-enabled) audio accessories, plus those software add-ons to make the music sound better (equaliser, 3D stereo). An FM radio is also available whenever the need for local broadcasts arises...

Next is the MOTO Z10, being an obvious design spin-off of the current MOTO Z8 product - but taking on a much-more down-to-earth look. On the inside, this refined model shares many similarities with its predecessor (3.5G HSPDA support, UIQ smartphone platform), as well as receiving a variety of upgrades intended on making it superior, in its own way...

With the MOTO Z10, the focus is on its on-board 3.2-megapixel camera, which isn't really all that fascinating anymore (given the number of 5-megapixel models out in the market already). However, it was the capturing of "high quality video at 30 frames per second" message that Motorola wanted to convey, as well as the advanced post-capturing capabilities made available to its user - including the ability to instantly publish images and videos to web sties such as Google, YouTube and Yahoo!, and the ability to edit video footage as well as adding soundtrack, commentary and visual effects directly from the handset. Wow.

On more basic features, the MOTO Z10 comes with full music playback support, Bluetooth wireless and USB data connectivity, and the ability to handle microSD cards of up to 32GB (making it "future-proof", as Motorola had put it). It is also quad-band GSM compatible and supports GPRS/EDGE data connections whenever 3G isn't available.

Again, these two products may seem interesting on paper. But when you're dealing with stuff from Motorola, one really needs to give it a go before making the decision to hand over the money. At this moment, I am more hoping to get my hands on the ROKR E8 because of the unique design direction they've taken with this product - but have serious reservations on just how good it really is...

Resources: ROKR E8 - general product page | MOTO Z10 - general product pages

October 11th must have been a good day to show off new products and services…

And on the other side of the Atlantic, we have Motorola presenting us with their latest handset range, to be released in the coming months. One of the star attractions was the MOTO U9, a model based on the original PEBL form factor. On the surface, it gets the Motorola aesthetic treatment - especially on the outside, where the front clamshell cover looks like a design deviation of Sony Ericsson's Z610i and Z750i models (hint: look at the pictures of the red model). The keypad area has also been reworked to match those used by more recent models (for example, the KRZR and RAZR² models).

On features, the MOTO U9 is a GSM quad-band, EDGE-enabled device with the proper music accompaniment. Compatible with Windows Media Player 11, it also supports the following audio fie formats: AAC / AAC+ / AAC+ enhanced; MP3; and WMA 10 plus Janus DRM - all of which can be stored on either the internal memory (25MB) or optional microSD card (supports cards of up to 4GB), and accessed via a USB 2.0 connection. The touch-sensitive music controls, located on the front side of the clamshell, helps make seamless music playback a reality.

Some of the other complements include Bluetooth 2.0 (which also includes A2DP / wireless stereo audio streaming support), a 2.0-megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom, and Motorola's renowned CrystalTalk technology allowing for near-perfect audio communications at all times.

Motorola expects to have the MOTO U9 out, in most world markets (except their own), sometime during the fourth quarter - to make the Christmas rush, no doubt.

Resources: General product pages | Detailed specifications

Only a few months after the debuting of the RAZR² V8, we are already seeing the materialisation of "special edition" models from Motorola. I don't know whether I should see this as a good sign, or a model deemed to be ill-fated...

Branded as the 'RAZR² V8 Luxury Edition', the thin clamshell will be decorated in 18K and 24K gold plated accents, feature a soft-touch snakeskin texture on its backing, and have a diamond-cut pattern engraved into its sideband. To those who are sold by Motorola's designs, this glorified version of the V8 will only appeal to a selected audience (I personally prefer the original, more low-key, variants - given what I've seen thus far).

The Luxury Edition will be based on the RAZR² V8 model with the 2GB internal memory capacity - and everything else will stay as-is. So, therefore, it's all just about looks (which is the case for most, if not all, of their creations anyway).

And on other fronts, Motorola has also presented their latest W-series models, which are targeted for "Everyday Communication" (or the mass-market). Seven new models were announced - and I've provided the relevant links below should you be interested in learning more about any of them.

All these models are due for release prior to Christmas - or more specifically, sometime in Q4.

Detailed specifications for…
RAZR2 V8 Luxury Edition | W377 | W206 & W213 | W175 & W180 | W156 & W160