Reviewed by: Allen Tsai - Feb 04, 2006
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.
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