Motorola today expanded its ROKR family of music products with the introduction of the ROKR E8, the new generation of ROKR products offering a complete music ecosystem.

Motorola ROKR E8 More Photos View Specs

Motorola designed the ROKR E8 to deliver an uncompromised consumer experience for music or talk. Using ModeShift technology from Motorola, the quad-band GPRS/EDGE device presents users with only the controls they need, at the time they need them, instantly transforming from music player to phone with the touch of a button.

When powered off, the surface of the ROKR E8 is smooth, with no visible keys. Power on the device and it presents a virtual numbered keypad on the front surface. With one "press" of the virtual music key, the phone keypad disappears and control keys for the music player - play, pause, fast forward and rewind - appear in its place.

Using innovative vibrating haptics technology, the device provides the tactile feedback consumers expect from a traditional keypad, providing confirmation they have pressed a virtual key.

The ROKR E8 also marks the debut of the new FastScroll navigaton wheel from Motorola, a variable-speed touch control that lets consumers easily scroll through all of the content stored on the device. With a gentle slide of the thumb, the wheel quickly scrolls through music (music mode), contacts (phone mode), calendar (phone mode), or multimedia (imaging mode) content. Information is easily viewed on the landscape 2.0-inch QVGA display.

In music mode, the ROKR E8 delivers sound through a three-dimensional stereo feature that enhances two-channel audio and an on-board equalizer. Music can be enjoyed on the built-in speaker, with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled stereo headset, or through a wired headset plugged into the 3.5mm jack.

The ROKR E8 also helps consumers discover new music with a built-in FM radio and support for Song ID. The 2GB internal memory can store up to 1,500 songs, and the external memory is expandable up to 4GB with an optional microSD card. Music transfers quickly with USB 2.0. The device is compatible with Windows Media Player 11 on the PC, which also provides access to more than 200 online music stores.

In phone mode, the ROKR E8 provides outstanding voice quality using Motorola CrystalTalk technology. The device can receive calls while downloading or playing music, text messaging, surfing the Web or taking pictures. Quality construction and materials help make the ROKR E8 durable and reliable, and a high-gloss front, aluminum soft touch back, spun metal side keys and engraved banding offer the modern style expected from Motorola.

The ROKR E8 is expected to be available in Q1 2008.

- Motorola ROKR E8 Specs