Moto KRZR Review (Verizon) - October 4, 2006
As we mentioned last Friday, Skatter Tech was able to get a hold of the brand new Motorola KRZR K1m for Verizon Wireless. The KRZR’s features include a 1.3MP camera, MicroSD, speaker phone, external iPod-like touch-sensitive controls, Bluetooth, and V Cast Music/Video. We had high expectations and hoped that the phone would be as good as it looked, unfortunately we ended up being quite disappointed.
Motorola KRZR K1m Specs:
- Provider: Verizon Wireless (CDMA)
- Form Factor: Clamshell Flip Phone
- Dimensions: 4.05H x 1.73W x 0.67D (inches)
- Weight / Battery Life: 3.6oz / 4hrs30mins
- Digital Camera: 1.3 megapixels
- Storage Space: MicroSD expansion (2GB max)
- Communications: Bluetooth + USB
- Others: Speaker Phone and Music Controls
- Price: $199 with new 2 year contract
KRZR Body - 5/5 stars
The shape of the KRZR is much more comfortable and natural to hold compared the RAZR. The phone is way skinnier than the RAZR, but is slightly thicker and taller. At first glance the phone looks expensive, sleek, slim, and glossy, however just as a PSP or an iPod the, KRZR’s coat is prone to fingerprints from even the slightest touch. Motorola has improvised the keypad dividing them with more natural grooves which helps finding keys, without looking, much easier.
Digital Camera - 2/5 stars
The KRZR’s 1.3 megapixel camera is pretty much the same as the one in the RAZR v3m. Other KRZR models have a 2 megapixel camera, however Verizon’s K1m has been cut down to keep prices low. Motorola has also failed to add a flash to the phone, which although not too powerful often will be handy when taking close up shots in the dark.
Display - 4/5 stars
The internal display is much crisper and brighter than that of the Motorola v3m. However it is extremely delicate and placing even the slightest amount of pressure causes the “ripple effect” in the LCD which may damage the display. The external display is a bit dull and with the fingerprints all over, it may be hard to see in sunlight.
Music Playback - 4/5 stars
Unlike the RAZR, the KRZR supports Mp3 playback as well as WMA and V Cast Music. Verizon’s Media Player is well developed and makes browsing through music easy. Users can view songs by artists, albums, genres, or search just as iPods do. The media player also offers the use of playlists, library shuffle, and even display’s album art. The #1 problem is that users must navigate through many menus before they can get their music started. (Can be annoying for people who plan to listen to music a lot.)
External Controls - 3/5 stars
The addition of external touch-sensitive music controls, which the RAZR lacks, was a good concept, but is flawed. There is no way for a user to start music playback from the external controls, the phone must be opened to do so. The controls are also sometimes too sensitive and the current song may be skipped or paused when the phone is picked up.
Speakers - 4/5 stars
The speaker phone quality is quite clear and has minimal or no static. It sounds more clear and is louder than that of the RAZR, however it is still poorly position on the back of the phone. Both music playback and speakerphone will sound muffled if the phone is in your hand.
MicroSD - 3/5 stars
The KRZR now supports use of up to 2GB MicroSD cards. The space can be used for image, video, and music storage. The card slot is unfortunately placed underneath the battery pack lid making it a hassle to get to. If you don’t have a USB cable and the drivers to sync music back and forth, it will be a pain to remove the card every time to transfer files.
Bluetooth - 5/5
Because Verizon has finally “un-crippled” the Bluetooth, the KRZR can now send phonebook entries, pictures, and other data between devices. When testing the handsfree feature with the Lexus IS250, we found that he KRZR now sends the phone’s signal strength, battery level, and other data to the car’s display, unlike the RAZR.
Overall the KRZR is a decent upgrade from the RAZR v3m. There is however a major lack of innovation. Even so, the KRZR will probably be replacing the current RAZR’s place in the market. If all you need is a phone with basic features that can make calls and looks good, this maybe for you. If you are picky and like customizable feature packed phones, there’s not much that the KRZR can offer. The phone is a bit pricy, currently about $199 with a new 2 year contract or $99 for existing customers eligible for upgrade.
DEAL ALERT: FREE Motorola KRZR K1m (w/ new plan)
Related: Verizon Wirelesss - Moto KRZR
Update: Verizon currently charges about $30 for a USB cable and some drivers, but if you already have the cable and are just looking for the drivers you can get it from the link below. Once installed, your phone will be detected as a portable audio device and you will now be able to sync the music in your Windows Media Player Library with your KRZR. After installing you may need to restart your machine. But once complete you will be able to use your computer to charge your KRZR and sync music. To start, go to Get It Now -> Music -> Sync.
Download: Moto_KRZR_Driver.zip (Note: driver found on developer.motorola.com)
Update: If the driver above doesn’t work, try installing the patch from Verizon’s site.
Download: Sync_Music_Fix.exe [Thanks for the info Elizabeth]
posted by Sahas Katta in Mobile & Reviews
on 10/4/2006 at 01:32 AM with Comments (372) & TrackPings (9)
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372 comments.
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Dee Shneiderman says
After several weeks of trying to get my phone to recognize my computer through the USB port and monitoring this site and several others, I think that the problem is that my USB ports are all USB 1.1 and the phone wants USB 2.0. Don’t know why that should be a problem - my camera and flash drive are ok with the slower USB ports, but this phone is apparently more picky.
So I broke down and bought a MicroSD card (1GB) and found it to be super easy to load songs & pictures.
Here’s the process:
1) Put the little card in the phone and turn the phone on. The phone will format the card with its appropriate folders. (my_music, my_pictures, etc.)
2) Tell the phone that you want the card memory to be the default - Settings & Tools>8. Memory>Save Options>1.Pictures or 3.Sounds>Card Memory
3) Turn of the phone, take the card out and put it into a card reader and insert into your computer’s USB port - it may tell you that “This device will work better with USB 2.0…” - ignore that. You can even purchase a reader on eBay that accepts the little micro card without the adapter. I have 1 of those and 1 that needs the adapter (so 1 for home, 1 for work).
4) Use Windows Explorer (”My Computer”) to click & drag song and picture files into card’s proper folder - no messing with Windows Media Player, etc. I found I had to make smaller versions of my picture files (no more than about 400kb), but that’s no big deal to me.
5) To upload pictures, etc., to the PC, do the same.
I have purchased a case which protects the phone from breakage - I try not to drop it or step on it…So all-in-all, I’m now pretty pleased with the phone. I need to get a better headset to listen to music, I don’t like earbuds, but it’s good to actually have the phone working like I want it.
Barry says
To the person who asked if you can change the missed call alert on the KRZR. The answer is no! I just spoke with Motorola customer service and it seemed as if we were learning the phone together(idiots). Overall this phone is a 5 out of 10. Oh yeah, no flash on the camera. I have had the best luck with LG and Nokia. Good times!
Holly says
My Krzr completely froze. I was in the middle of using it and it froze for about 5 minutes. I tried shutting it then turning it off but nothing worked. After that, i removed the battery then put it back on but i got a white screen and nothing different from before. I cannot use it at all and this is after having it for just 3 months. Im phoneless, HELP!!!
William says
Your review mention that you tested the KRZR bluetooth with Lexus successfully. How do you transfer the phonebook to the Lexus?
B Money says
ok i got the driver downloaded but when i plug my phone in to the usb it cant find the software……….. What Do I Do???????
whit says
inside screen always freezes, turns white. wont even fix after restarting or taking the battery out and putting it back it. wouldn’t recommend it, there are better ones out there.
Chad.s. says
hey guys i successfully made a 20 second sound clip and transferred it to the phone but when i go to it and go options the “apply as” option doesnt show. so i dont know what the deal is. if you can help me out that’d be great????????
Gary says
Just had Verizon’s software update installed. It fixed the vibrate problem. Now all my contact Id’s work with the vibrate funtion on. Just make sure all your contact numbers have the area code or it won’t work.
Tara says
Hi, I bought an unlocked motorola KRZR K1 direct from motorola company and my bluetooth isn’t working. I mean other phones can find me once my bluetooth is on & I can accept files , but I just cant locate any devices. Don’t know what to do about it cause motorola says no warranty outside of the USA.
sahas says
The other phones you are testing it with might have their bluetooth mode in a hidden setting. Make sure you set the other phones into a temporary “discoverable” mode. The newer phones available through Verizon, Sprint, and others now hide the bluetooth for safety reasons. Hope that works!
Ken says
there is a way that sometimes you cant find them. If you select to copy or move a file via bluetooth and then search for devices, it usually finds the peron as long as they are visible. If you go through connections, and then bluetooth, it only finds handsfree and other devices of that type. Mine did the same thing and i had to figure it out
Tara says
Thanks Ken . I think I will try what you said and see if it will work. I am getting tired of trying to send stuff to people & i cant.what is this pairing mode they talk about with the motorola bluetooth?
I keep reading about it..
my provider is TSTT BMobile here in Trinidad so I have nothing to do with Verizon etc..
Thanks
Sandra says
My daughter’s V3m has been dropped in liquid. I’ve taken the battery out and alcohol’d everything I can reach. Does anyone know if there’s a way to get the lower back cover off? I can’t find the owner’s manual when I need it!
Harry says
I added some songs to my microsd card using the usb adapter. I put the MP3 player into the search mode but the 10 songs I added don’t show up on the play list. What am I doing wrong. I have Krzr K1m. The original songs I placed on the card are still there the new ones are nowhere to be found yet I know they are there on the card because I checked.
Tara says
ok ken, i tried that & it worked. But I had to save the songs on Multimedia->Sounds , but for the songs that I received already I saved it to the phone & not to the memory card . so I dont know how to transfer it to the phone.
can you assist me on how to transfer songs that I have on my phone to the memory card.Thanks
Chris says
Harry, I had the same think happen on mine. What you have to do is when you download the songs onto the card they have to all be seperate and not in playlists or else the phone wont read the songs. You can put them into playlists once on the phone
Ken says
if you go to the song, you should be able to move, or copy the song to the phone off the card…….
Dave says
DON’T DO IT! I’m on my third KRZR in three weeks. All the same version, same flash. Each has had it’s own problems - primarily the calendar, alarm, and mp3 player. Number three is going back tomorrow. By the way, good luck in trying to actually get a problem fixed - Motorola blames Verizon, Verizon blames Motorola. Trackfone is looking better all the time.
Ron says
What’s the best belt clip or holster for the krzr? I broke two in 4 months. The first one was a cheap $10 secondary market one. I expected it to break. My second one was the OEM $20 one from the actual Verizon store and it broke in about two months as well. What’s up with that. Anyone know a good belt clip for this phone? Thanks.
jasmine says
I just got my KRZR about 2 months ago it all started out nice and good and then my camera wouldn’t work and then it would….I took it to a verizon wireless store and they said the phone had water damage…i don’t know how that’s possible because i make sure the phone NEVER touches water…i paid the full retali price for the phone because my contract wasn’t up so I knew better to let it come near water i never dropped it or anything…I then go to another vzw store and the lady had the nerve to tell me that motorola phones are prone to water damage even if u don’t drop it in water it could just be humid out…has anybody else heard this????
Avram says
To everyone with the WMP problems - I wrestled with this forever, and it turns out I was misunderstanding the connection procedure. I uninstalled the drivers, including uninstalling the Motorola Driver Installer (in the Add/remove software control panel), and in the end that was all done correctly. Then, after starting V Cast Music Manager, you click on “Music on my Phone” = and it says you’re phone’s not connected. *THEN*, on the phone, go to Get It Now->Music->Sync, and click “Sync”. Then the phone & computer should recognize each other, and you’ll be able to push songs to the phone.
Avram says
Also, I’ve had problems where the phone stopped showing up as a USB device *at all*, not even getting to the point of whether you have the right drivers, nor any complaint from Windows of there being a new USB device. In this case, pressing Sync on the phone does nothing. When this happened, I powered the phone off and back on, and then it came up normal again.
emily says
my phone right i was a hammy down for my cuz he had it for 4 monthes then got a new cell from a friends and so i have had it for a month or so and when i go to use it it works for like 10 seconds flickers black then frezzes?!!??!?!?! has this happend to anyone and if so helppppp!!!!
kubie says
if you have an mp3 that you want to put as your ringtone, rename the mp3 whatever you would like and then at the end of whatever you want it to be put the letters qcp and it should come up under your ringtones
Emma Leigh says
Where do you rename the song at? are you doing this thru sprint or your memory card?
Pages: « 1 … 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 13 14 15 16 » Show All
9 trackback / pingbacks:
Skatter Tech » Verizon Wireless - Moto KRZR (October 12, 2006)Skatter Tech » Sprint Gets SLVR & KRZR (November 7, 2006)
Skatter Tech » Verizon Launches LG VX8600 (November 16, 2006)
Skatter Tech » LG VX9900 (enV) - Verizon (November 25, 2006)
Skatter Tech » V Cast Gets YouTube (November 28, 2006)
Skatter Tech » A Look Back At 2006 (January 1, 2007)
Verizon Wireless - Moto KRZR | Skatter Tech (January 23, 2007)
Samsung UpStage (M620) - Sprint | Skatter Tech (April 11, 2007)
Global Technopreneur » Motorola KRZR - Almost perfect technopreneur phone (March 27, 2007)
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