[PPCMD]

Here is what I asked and I will post the response.

I am looking to purchase the MPX220 from Cingular, I have some concerns and reservations about this phone based on initial reports I am reading from users who have final production units purchased just this week through select Best Buy Stores (Cingular) who have them for sale.

Among my concerns are:
(1) Volume level, it seems the volume control does little to increase the volume and its hard to hear the caller.

(2) Camera quality is poor, while the camera is not my primary concern since I also have a V710 that works fine.

(3) My biggest concern is firmware updates from either Motorola and/or the carrier specifically Cingular. Indications from previous users of the MPX200 Motorola and Cingular did not offer firmware updates and the initial issues users reported were left unresolved.

(4) Does Motorola plan to offer firmware updates for the MPX220 to address user concerns and if so must we wait for the Cingular to offer them and if they do not can we send an MPX220 in for any updates.

Thank you.

[PPCMD]

Here is what I asked and I will post the response.

I am looking to purchase the MPX220 from Cingular, I have some concerns and reservations about this phone based on initial reports I am reading from users who have final production units purchased just this week through select Best Buy Stores (Cingular) who have them for sale.

Among my concerns are:
(1) Volume level, it seems the volume control does little to increase the volume and its hard to hear the caller.

(2) Camera quality is poor, while the camera is not my primary concern since I also have a V710 that works fine.

(3) My biggest concern is firmware updates from either Motorola and/or the carrier specifically Cingular. Indications from previous users of the MPX200 Motorola and Cingular did not offer firmware updates and the initial issues users reported were left unresolved.

(4) Does Motorola plan to offer firmware updates for the MPX220 to address user concerns and if so must we wait for the Cingular to offer them and if they do not can we send an MPX220 in for any updates.

Thank you.

[Beowulf]

The pictures are better than the prototypes, but are still not up to par with normal 1.2mp digital cameras, which is disapointing. Its very odd; it looks like they have the resolution of 1.2mp cameras but not the DPI. It almost makes me think there is some DPI variable that is not properly being updated with the resolution.

I know Cingular did not mean to release all of the phones unlocked. Best Buy is renowned for selling you products that are supposed to be held.

According to Motorolla this phone is not offically released. I think we will see a major firmware upgrade as the official launch rolls out.

[sclui56]

Pix of Phone

Here you go Kris, wife has the Cingular SIM so I'm using TMo's:





Post Edited by Kris: I moved the images to Smartphone Thoughts server. :-) The original images can be accessed here: Home Screen and Logo. Thanks sclui56 for the images.

[apeguero]

Looks to me like Moto is just dumping off it's first batch of junky MPX220s to the first few that buy them. I mean, why would they offer a free BT headset worth over $130.00 to the first 1000 to buy this phone? Looks like a bait.

I bet when it becomes generally available through AT&T WS and the other stores then it will be the updated, fixed phone. As much as I want to, I think I'll wait until mid-November to buy it. Hopefully it will be fixed by then and will be offered by AT&T WS. I'll also only have 1 1/2 months to go on my Sprint subscription at which point I can drop that subscription to the absolute minimum monthly charge and therefore avoid the $150.00 per phone fee for an early termination (from Sprint that is) .

Which service do you all prefer? Cingular or AT&T? Or does it even matter anymore since it's the same company?

[kidshyleen]

I visited our Best Buy and took a look at the phone. No one knew anything about the phone; I guess because it is so new. They told me that it was locked to Cingular. So I took my ATT sim card and put it in the phone and of course it worked just fine. The volume is very very very low. In fact with all the noise in the place and the volume maxed I could hardly hear the person on the other line. The phone seemed responsive enough. I did not try the camera. The hinge did not alarm me as to poor quality. I can say that the mpx200 seemed a bit more solid. This phone was very light. I don't know about battery life as I did not buy the phone. I just wasn't very impressed. They were selling the phone for $249 with a Cing plan. $499 without. Just my observations.

[ben865]

Originally Posted by windmiller

Thanks for the link Aristobrat.....I really hope these problems can be worked around. The one big one is the bluetooth voice dial issue.

Cingular rep last night stated that BEst BUy has an exclusive for 2 months. No sure if its true or not.

Bluetooth voice dial is a limitation of the Bluetooth implementation by Microsoft. My understanding is that it won't be resolved until the next version of Windows Mobile.

[PPCMD]

Originally Posted by PPCMD

Here is what I asked and I will post the response.

I am looking to purchase the MPX220 from Cingular, I have some concerns and reservations about this phone based on initial reports I am reading from users who have final production units purchased just this week through select Best Buy Stores (Cingular) who have them for sale.

Among my concerns are:
(1) Volume level, it seems the volume control does little to increase the volume and its hard to hear the caller.

(2) Camera quality is poor, while the camera is not my primary concern since I also have a V710 that works fine.

(3) My biggest concern is firmware updates from either Motorola and/or the carrier specifically Cingular. Indications from previous users of the MPX200 Motorola and Cingular did not offer firmware updates and the initial issues users reported were left unresolved.

(4) Does Motorola plan to offer firmware updates for the MPX220 to address user concerns and if so must we wait for the Cingular to offer them and if they do not can we send an MPX220 in for any updates.

Thank you.

Here is the response I received today. I must say they were very prompt . . .


Dear Mr. XXXX XXXXX

Thank you for contacting Motorola e-mail support.

Regarding your concern, the maximum level of volume for the earpiece and the ringer is 7 and this level should provide strong volume sound. A unit that does not provide strong volume sound or through which you can barely listen, could be defective.

Regarding your other concern, this is no doubt one of the best phones we have manufactured. This cellular phone has a high quality camera.

Regarding your other concern, software upgrades are done through the Carrier, not through Motorola. However, if in any way your unit goes through any kind of problem that can be considered a mulfunction, Motorola is here for you. You may contact our Customer Care Center at 1-800-331-6456. The agent who handles the phone call will be able to assist you.

Our hours of operation are from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 7PM Central Standard Time.

For more information about our products and services you may search through our Web Site at:
http://www.motorola.com/us

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be of your service.

Best regards,
Kimberly

my response is next.

[PPCMD]

Thank you for the prompt response. Having owned many Motorla phones I have yet to purchase any where volume control was a major issue and I wanted to confirm if this was a part of the MPX220's design. Since it is not I will have a copy of this email with me when I get my MPX220 in case the Best Buy Associate doesn't believe me.

With regard to the camera I have seen several sample photos taken at full resolution and they appear to be very out of focus. This link can take you directly to an on going discussion on the MPX220 including sample pics.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...hreadid=475148

Any further information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[aristoBrat]

Originally Posted by Zensbikeshop

Bluetooth voice dial is a limitation of the Bluetooth implementation by Microsoft. My understanding is that it won't be resolved until the next version of Windows Mobile.

The OS doesn't include it, but HTC put in a 3rd-party app on the C500 that allows voice dial over bluetooth.

[Kris Kumar]

Thanks sclui56 for the photos.

Surprised that Cingular went for a vanilla home screen. :? No special wallpaper, only the Cingular Xpress Mail link.