Review: Motorola's Slim SLVR L7

Motorola SLVR L7

Motorola SLVR L7

Connectivity

Although originally slated to be available in two triband GSM/EDGE versions, the SLVR L7 that has finally made it to market is a quad-band GSM/GPRS handset. For many people the extra GSM band will be worth the lack of EDGE, but now that EDGE networks are really starting to get serious traction, especially here in North America, the lack of EDGE support won't go unnoticed.

With the price of unlimited data plans dropping, and the L7's thin design and Bluetooth Dial Up Network (DUN) profile support, this SLVR would have made a fine Bluetooth EDGE modem. As is, the GPRS system works well, but it just can't compete with the faster data rates one can get with an EDGE connection.

The Bluetooth system in the SLVR L7 works very well. In addition to the forementioned DUN profile, it also supports the Headset, Hands Free, OBEX Push, and OBEX Xfer profiles. Considering the iTunes client that is on board, it is a real shame that it does not support the A2DP Stereo profile. The profiles that are present, however, all functioned perfectly. I don't recall a single case of even the slightest hiccup when using Bluetooth on the SLVR L7.

Because of the iTunes support and the TransFlash/microSD memory card slot, the SLVR L7 will probably get a lot of use out of its miniUSB port. I was able to copy files over to the L7's memory card at a rate of about 14MB per minute. That equates to about 36 minutes to fill the 512MB memory card that shipped with the device with the maximum of 100 songs for iTunes. To give you some perspective, I was able to transfer files about 11 times as quickly using a USB 2.0 memory card reader.

It is worth noting that the USB port on the SLVR L7 has two different modes. The first is for using the handset as a mass storage device. This is what is needed to sync with iTunes or to copy files to/from the built-in memory card (access to the internal phone memory is not possible except with the Bluetooth OBEX Xfer profile). You have to switch the USB port to the modem mode if you wish to use the phone as a GPRS modem or use it with synchronization software.

In the case of the Cingular branded SLVR L7 we received, the Mobile PhoneTools application that is required for contact and calendar synchronization was not included. I have the software, though, and can say that it worked fine over both Bluetooth and USB connections.

 

Featured products from the MobileBurn store