Motorola RAZR V3 Mobile Phone
The Motorola RAZR V3 Mobile Phone is probably the thinnest cellphone in the world.
Considered the flagship product of Motorola, it packs a lot of features. After the initial
release, there has been the V3c, V3i, V3i DG, V3m, and V3x versions that adds features but kept
the original styling. Next generation versions of the RAZR keep popping up including the V6, V8, V9, and V9m. This review is mainly
for the original V3, but applies to newer models in certain cases.
A sample of the more prominant features:
- 640x480 pixel digital camera
- 176x220 pixel TFT 260K color main LCD display
- 96x80 pixel CSTN 4K color outer LCD display
- GPRS Class 10
- MP3 audio playback
- 3GP video playback
- Bluetooth
- Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) MHz
- Java
- WAP Browser
- Neptune LTE v1.2.2
- ARM7T Processor (Motorola LTE-ARM7TDMI-S)
- ATI Imageon 3200 (Image processing chip)
You can surf the internet or download Java games and applications with it. A nice feature via the built-in Bluetooth allows
you to use the cellphone as a dial up networking device when the V3 is configured as a GPRS modem.
The most interesting thing about this phone, though, is its ability to record and play back 3GP video (a special mobile version of MPEG4 video).
Using conversion software, you can convert any MPEG or AVI movie to 3GP and upload it to the cellphone via Bluetooth. Another
option is to search for 3GP using the browser and download it directly into the phone. The same applies to MP3 audio.
You can actually use this phone in lieu of a MP3 player.
Some of the nicer aspects of this mobile device are noticeable after more careful examination:
- Timer for automatic picture taking.
- Tiny mini-USB port for charging batteries and making external connections.
- You can use a PC or notebook to charge this phone via USB port.
- Attaching photo to phone list entries, allowing photo caller ID.
- Voice Recognition (for phone number lookup by calling out name)
- Voice Recorder (audio memos)
- Speaker
- MP3 playlists for playing MP3 music in custom order through speaker.
- Video recording and playback
Because this phone is so feature-packed, it might be easier to list the features it left out:
- Megapixel digital camera (added in Razor V3i)
- Flash (for digital camera: added in Razor V3x)
- AM/FM/TV reception and recording off of the air.
- Function as a USB storage device (via the USB connection)
- Memory Stick slot (it only comes with 5.5MB of internal storage). (added in Razor V3i and above)
But of course the future is coming, so might as well list some predictions...
- Built in Wi-Fi (access point)
- Built in webserver
Connectivity
Because the phone comes with Bluetooth built-in, you can use it to send and receive files with other bluetooth devices.
Just turn on Bluetooth on the RAZR V3, and then send files to it via a Bluetooth enabled device. The opposite direction
works similarly, but you should initiate "receive file" function first on those machines before sending a file from the RAZR V3.
Secrets
- Holding * and # key while powering up shows the bootloader version and firmware version.
- Flash bootloader 08.26 and above use RSA encryption to encrypt the firmware (makes it more difficult to downgrade and change splash screen).
- Flash bootloader 07.D0 and 07.E0 allows you to change the splash screen by recompiling the firmware.
- SEEMS can be edited (search for them) allowing you to change behavioral aspects of the phone.
- All the animations, icons, startup sounds, and shutdown sounds are can be changed (using special uploader and SEEM editing).
Motorola RAZR V3 discussion group
If you want to talk about this phone, visit this forum.