Introduction

Lately Motorola has relied on its design team to achieve success, releasing eye-catching devices which defy tradition. Gaining market share when Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson have all posted loses, Motorola continues to push the envelope, crafting radically new form factors to achieve a reaction few manufacturers have lucratively attained, desire.

Setting off a new wave of innovation, not through technological advances, but through aesthetic design, the new Motorola PEBL U6 hits T-Mobile stores this month. However, straying from the iconic RAZR, Motorola took the bold move to release, not an ultra-thin device, but an equally dramatic handheld without corners or edges, shaped by nature and inspired by the feel of a stone worn smooth by water.

Captivating the clamshell-stale consumer-base with never-before-seen, yet simple concepts, the PEBL features a vertical external display and unique dual-hinge mechanism for effortless, one-handed opening. Offering an array of communication options, including Bluetooth wireless technology, integrated speakerphone, and speech-activated dialing, the PEBL combines usability and function in a one-of-a-kind design.

Design

The PEBL's exterior seems to go against popularity, dismissing everything that made the RAZR a best-seller. Thicker and rounder than average, the 87 x 49 x 20 mm device is about the size of a credit card (86 x 54 mm), a bit larger than its moniker suggests.

Highly-polished, the PEBL's metal casing is wonderfully elegant, highlighted by a uniquely elongated monochrome LCD. Incredibly stylish, the external screen takes some getting used to, awkwardly displaying time (broken up into two lines), battery strength, and reception status. Also integrating a VGA camera, the lens below ensures consumers never miss a moment, capturing photos up to 640 x 480 px in size.

Volume Keys on the left adjust earpiece and ringer volumes during calls and standby times, while a Smart Key performs likely shortcuts to follow (such as selecting a menu item after it has been highlighted).

A Voice Key along the right records and initiates voice messages and dialing commands. And a mini-USB port within the top edge allows consumers to synchronize with a PC, also doubling as the charging port.

Using just one hand to slide down the top cover, a unique responsive mechanism opens the PEBL, revealing a brilliant 262K-color internal screen. Exposing an unorthodox "wave" keypad layout, users can text message through iTAP predictive input.

Out of the box, the Motorola PEBL U6 comes with a Standard 820 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Travel Charger, Earbud Headset, and User Manual.

Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2009 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.