reviews · t-mobile · cell phones · motorola · russell jefferies
Review of Motorola's morphing ROKR E8
Review by Russell Jefferies on Friday July 25, 2008.
 Motorola ROKR E8 |
 Motorola ROKR E8 |
 Motorola ROKR E8 |
User Interface
The Motorola ROKR E8's user interface is quite unique in that it can change the appearance and purpose of its keys, or even remove them completely if they're not required. This makes the user interface very easy to use, as you're only given the necessary keys for each task. The menu system can be structured in one of three ways; grid, list, or 'spinner'. The spinner option just displays one icon at a time, but they drift on and off the screen as if they were on a carousel. In this view miniature versions of the icons are shown in a line below the main icon to aid navigation. All submenus from the main menu are in list format, and this cannot be changed. You can, however, change the order of the lists to bring frequently used items to the top. Should you want to browse the menus more quickly, the numeric keypad can be used to jump to items within a menu.
The ROKR E8 features a dedicated back/clear button, but its use was somewhat disappointing, I felt. For example, in the SMS/MMS inbox, pressing the back/clear button will make the device move back a screen, which seems logical enough, except that the right softkey just above it has the same use. A better use of this button here would've been for it to delete the selected message, as is the case on other devices. Overall though, the user interface was quite consistent, despite some oddly placed items and a well hidden option for turning Bluetooth off.
Unfortunately for those who like to customize their phones, there is only one pre-installed theme on the Motorola ROKR E8, called 'Onyx'. A quick search on the internet didn't reveal any results for downloadable themes either, though in future some may become available. For now, users will have to make-do with just a customizable wallpaper.
 Motorola ROKR E8 |
 Motorola ROKR E8 |
Conclusion
The Motorola ROKR E8 is a fantastic music phone, with an innovative keypad to enhance simplicity and usability. It's also very striking in its design, with a very stylish front panel and unusual wedge shape at either end. It makes a great music player, with its 3.5mm and Bluetooth A2DP headphone connections, and 2GB of on-board memory. It isn't without its flaws though, with no 3G connection, a poor camera, and only average battery life.
Its a shame that Motorola didn't include 3G connectivity in this device, as the E8's size would imply that more was packed into its body than actually is. I'd also like to see a higher quality camera, perhaps with a flash and autofocus thrown in for better results. Overall though, the ROKR E8 is a triumph in its own right, bringing a new concept in keypad design to the mass market. It also fulfills its main function as a music device very well, providing a very user-friendly experience - provided you can get used to the FastScroll touch wheel.
I rate this device as 'Recommended', as although its music credentials are very good and its innovative keypad works well, it isn't without some quite substantial flaws, such as its poor camera and lack of 3G.
You'll find a gallery of sample photos shot with the Motorola's ROKR E8 phone on the following page.
About the author
Russell Jefferies
Russell Jefferies reviews mobile phones for MobileBurn from his home located in Bristol in the United Kingdom.
scoobydoo @ 2:38:08PM EDT on Tuesday June 16, 2009
Hello I am wonduring ,how do I purchase a motorola rokr..?
joemoe @ 1:36:47PM EDT on Friday June 19, 2009
buy it with rogers or even a motorola store. if they have that
Vinci Raposo @ 2:07:57AM EDT on Sunday October 11, 2009
The E8 is a fabulous phone, no two ways about that. But
on my phone, there's no magenta patch visible; maybe a
batch had the problem?
The phone is definitely a design triumph,a i would
personally recommend it as a great hadset for the
serious business user.
g c @ 7:03:33PM EDT on Wednesday October 28, 2009
Don't buy this phone; it stopped working for me after just one year (one month after the warranty expired) when some of the buttons simply stopped responding. The only recourse offered to me was to pay Motorola another $75 for them to repair the phone, which frankly is a lot more than the phone is worth since although it is very pretty and reasonably functional, it is a bit clunky and gratingly slow.
funk @ 4:08:00PM EST on Tuesday November 3, 2009
when you test phones, its easy to tell how good the phones are by telling how fast you can get through them. this is important when you have to do hundreds at a time, and i cringe at the thought of looking at a ROKR. i have tested many of these phones and every one of them is a piece of garbage. it runs like crap and while the keypad is very interesting and theoretically simplifying and convenient, it will only infuriate you as the buttons slip on and off the face while it fails to confirm the processing of a request as simple as to go to the menu screen in under 5 seconds. the scrolling circle is terribly slow, and is very very annoying when you find yourself HAVING to use it to get through the menus....too fast, too slow, doesn't move at all, EVERY ONE of these phones, NEW OR USED is not worth your money.... get the 5310 and save
Auburnt @ 7:10:10PM EST on Wednesday December 9, 2009
At first, it was a really neat phone, better than most I'd had. I just got mine in July and now, by December, it has been lagging greatly. It's slow to scroll and sometimes when people call me, the buttons seem to freeze up and won't allow me to answer the call. And right now, the phone appears to have died, even though I just charged it this morning. What a waste!!
Dpscc @ 10:07:19PM EST on Tuesday February 2, 2010
I second g c's comment. Got this phone with a 2-year contract + $100. 13 months later, some of the keys stopped working, including the dial key, some function keys and a few numbers. T-Mobile said they don't care, since it's out of 12-month warranty, and now I'm stuck with it until contract runs out. While it's a nice looking phone, it has been nothing but problems. Either get a cheaper phone, or get an iPhone or Android. This phone is the worst phone I've ever had, simple.
chelsey @ 9:31:05AM EDT on Thursday April 15, 2010
i have one of these phone and actually this phone depends on who it is cause if you like to texts alot there you wont want it, but like i said it just depends but its a really kewl phone to show or loll