Motorola V265 was a staple to the Verizon Wireless line-up, providing uncompromising business phone looks and essential functionality. Twelve months since the launch of the V265, Motorola has released an upgrade, the V276. Featuring a different external look and improved Verizon Wireless software, the V276 is essentially identical to the V265. Similarly bundled with an integrated speakerphone, advanced voice recognition, and location based service capabilities, the V276 has essential tools necessary in any business device.
But the V276 isn't all work and no play. Including a built-in VGA camera, BREW technology for downloadable games and applications, and multimedia messaging and chat capabilities, the V276 a device for both professional and personal needs.
Diverging from the sleek black exterior of the V265, the redesigned V276 is encased in a metallic shell. Offering similar conservative designs, the brushed metal front plate gives the V276 an edgier feel. Measuring 91 x 46 x 23 mm, and weighing 107 g, the V276 is the same size and weight as the V265 and average among clamshells.
Closed, the front plate houses an external grayscale LCD, displaying basic information such as time, network status, and battery strength. Situated above, a VGA camera lens is able to take photos up to 640 x 480 px in resolution.
Offering quick access to shortcuts, the Voice Key on the right side allows users to record memos and issue voice commands, while the left side contains Volume Keys and the Speakerphone Key, doubling as a Smart Key to provide access to frequent functions by anticipating likely subsequent actions are to follow.
Outlets for the Headset Jack and Charger / Accessory Port are located on the top and bottom respectively.
Open, the V276 reveals an internal 65K-color 128 x 128 px screen. Positioned below, Menu and Left and Right Keys offer convenient navigation through the menu structure, while a 5-way navigation keypad is flanked by Send, Camera, Clear, and Power / End Keys. Fairly standard, a numeric keypad allows iTAP predictive text messaging with a few simple key presses.
Out of the box, the Motorola V276 comes with a standard 820 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Travel Charger, Quick Reference Guide, and User Manual.Released as a Verizon Wireless' exclusive, the V276 is built on AMPS 800 / CDMA 800 / 1900 technology, making it capable of using analog networks when digital is lacking.
With the standard 9-icon display that most Motorola devices share, the V276's menu is easily navigated through with the use of the Menu and Left and Right Keys above the keypad. Consumers are able to additionally bind personal shortcuts to allow more convenient usage.
Motorola rated the V276's 820 mAh Li-Ion battery at 3.5 and 300 hours (12.5 days) of talk and standby times respectively. However, those are under optimal conditions. Handset manufacturers and carriers often list talk-time and standby-time ratings with disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.Able to overlay up to 64 chords simultaneously, the V276 can play polyphonic ringtones. With more chords, more realistic sounds are capable by overlaying several instruments, much like in an orchestra. And the V276's 64 chords are state-of-the-art.
But MP3s ringtones are becoming the norm in ringtone technology. Contrary to polyphonic tones, which recreate sounds by playing "sheet music" through a local synthesizer, MP3s are straight recordings from the audio source. The result is, MP3s provide accurate playback of the real audio; CD music with lyrics or recorded voice. Anything that can be recorded can be turned into an MP3 ringtone. It should be pointed out that the V276 has MP3 ringtone capabilities, but lack functionality of a full MP3 player.
Aside from ringtones, the V276 also supports speakerphone and advanced voice recognition functionality. Without having to record a voice dial, the speaker-independent feature can automatically match the name spoken with a name in the PhoneBook; even asking if users want the mobile, home or work number.Through the V276's Openwave UP 6.2 web browser, web pages are rendered upon WAP 2.0 markup languages, including WML, xHTML Mobile (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) and xHTML Basic.With Verizon Wireless' optional Mobile Web package, consumers can read and send emails, chat on Mobile IM, or view and trade stocks online, access flight information, and get movie listings on the way to the theater.
Capable of transferring at speeds of ISDN-speeds of up to 144 kbps, the V276 uses Verizon Wireless' cdma2000 1xRTT service. Short for single carrier (1x) radio transmission technology, cdma2000 1xRTT is a wireless technology based on the CDMA platform. But unfortunately, the V276 does not feature EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) technology. As Verizon's new 3G broadband network, it's the backbone for VCAST streaming video service.Verizon Wireless is notorious for crippling connectivity functions on their phones, forcing customers to use its fee-based Get It Now services. The Motorola V276 is no different, lacking Bluetooth and infrared functionality.
For the office professional, Mobile Office Kit is also available for purchase, allowing users to connect a laptop onto Verizon Wireless' NationalAccess network. It includes a Mobile Office Configuration CD, USB Driver CD, USB Connector Cable, and Quick Start Guide.
Users can also connect the V276 to a PC with the purchase of an optional data cable accessory. Consumers who want to find a device with full connectivity on Verizon Wireless' network will be hard pressed to find one.
Motorola V276 Features
* Vivid 65K-color display (128 x 128)
* 64-chord polyphonic speaker supporting MIDI ringtones
* Integrated VGA camera with auto-focus and auto-timer for self portraits
* Enhanced iTAP predictive text for messaging via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), and Short Messaging Service (SMS)
* Speaker-independent voice recognition with full-duplex speakerphone
* Personal Information Management (PIM) features including Calendar, Calculator and Currency Converter, Datebook with Reminder Alarms, and Alarm Clock
* WAP 2.0 compliant Openwave browser with cdma2000 1xRTT for high-speed data transmission
* BREW 2.1 for downloading games, wallpaper, screensavers, ringtones and applications
