Tired of my friends poking fun at me for continuing to use a Motorola StarTac phone despite my role as publisher of TechnoLawyer, I set out to find a replacement. Actually, I had periodically searched for a replacement, but found nothing compelling. Finally, Motorola released the Razr, which seemed to provide everything I wanted.
What do I like about the Razr? Thanks to its slim profile, I can keep it in my pants pocket (even jeans!). It has a speakerphone, which I like using when listening to voice-mail messages. It synchronizes with my PowerBook using the same USB cable that I use for my digital camera (don't waste your money on the official cable).
Once you synchronize your address book, you can set up customized voice dialing. For example, I can click the voice dialing button, say "Julia Work," and the phone will dial my friend Julia's work number. Because you decide what you'll say, you can endlessly amuse yourself -- use your favorite expletive to voice dial an adversary!
The dual LCD displays enable you to view caller ID information without opening the phone. Cingular's coverage here in the New York metropolitan area is excellent (no dead spots yet), and the Razr provides crystal clear sound -- almost as good as a land line in my opinion.
What do I not like? Just two complaints so far. First, voice dialing does not work reliably outside in noisy environments (like midtown Manhattan). Second, when you receive a voice-mail message, the phone does not provide a persistent audible or visual alert. For example, my StarTac would flash its red LED until you retrieved your voice-mail. The Razr plays a one-time audio alert after receiving a voice-mail message, but after that the only way to see if you have a voice-mail message is to check the LCD display, which requires pressing a button. (If you know how to configure a persistent alert, please reply to this Post.)
I paid $299 for my Razr phone. Of course, it now sells for $199 and comes in a black version. If you wish to keep your current telephone number, you must order the Razr directly from Cingular.
Do you have a Razr? If so, what do you think?
Read Mobiledia's review and CNet's review.
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A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.
