[Kris Kumar]

Firmware .342 Update:

- Volume on the earpiece and the speaker has been increased. But it is still no where near the MPx200 level. I would have preferred it to be even louder, so that I have to turn the volume down by one notch then having to keep it at the max all the time.

- Microphone problem seems to been solved. Have been using the handset to answer the calls. And glad that the other party can hear me loud and clear.

- Camera - I wasn't expecting any fixes in this department and there isn't any.

[Kris Kumar]

Firmware .342 Update:

- Volume on the earpiece and the speaker has been increased. But it is still no where near the MPx200 level. I would have preferred it to be even louder, so that I have to turn the volume down by one notch then having to keep it at the max all the time.

- Microphone problem seems to been solved. Have been using the handset to answer the calls. And glad that the other party can hear me loud and clear.

- Camera - I wasn't expecting any fixes in this department and there isn't any.

[Ned]

Kris, I add my thanks for a great and thorough review.

I have a question about the part in the review about Bluetooth and voice recognition. You, along with other reviewers I've read, had indicated that a Bluetooth headset and voice recognition won't work together. I want to be sure that I understand the problem.

The voice recognition works by pushing the volume up button on the phone and then you go through a serious of prompts. Are you saying that if you're using a Bluetooth headset that after pushing the button you either can't hear the prompts on the headset or if you try to respond to the prompts by speaking through the headset the phone doesn't "hear" you, or both?

Or is there a different explanation? I look forward to your reply. Thanks.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by Ned

The voice recognition works by pushing the volume up button on the phone and then you go through a serious of prompts. Are you saying that if you're using a Bluetooth headset that after pushing the button you either can't hear the prompts on the headset or if you try to respond to the prompts by speaking through the headset the phone doesn't "hear" you, or both?

Glad that you asked this question. I thought I had covered it in the review. But I guess I didn't carry over all my notes into the review. ops:

This is how I would phrase it. The Voice Recognition application is not truely compatible with the BT headset.

Lets say you have the headset On and you press the volume up button to turn on Voice Recognition application. You will hear the voice prompts of the application thru the phone's speaker. You can speak out the command and then when prompted say the name or number. And the phone will dial the number. So all the Voice Recognition is taking place using the phone's speaker and mic. Once the call is connected, this is the good part, if the BT headset is On, the call will auto-magically switch to the BT Headset.

This workaround to the voice dialing madness may work under some circumstances. But since the speaker on the phone is not loud, it does not help if I am in a car or if the place is noisy. Plus its not hands free. You have to flip open the phone and press the volume key on the phone. Respond to the prompts on the handset first and then the call is switched to the BT Headset.

[Ned]

Thanks for the quick reply. You're right. It's madness.

I wouldn't mind it if you just had to push the button to activate the voice dialing, but to have to use the phone's mic and speaker instead of the BT headset to dial is nonsense.

For me it's the final nail in this phone's coffin, as I use the phone a great deal in the car.

I've also been told, although I can't directly confirm it yet, that this phone's BT is not compatible with the BT-handsfree link in Acura and BMW cars. Other non-smartphone Motorola phones with BT are compatible with the system in the cars.

[thefunkunfaked]

i have a motorola mpx220. my firmware is .325

where can i download the latest firmware (.342 and future versions)?

[Jerry Raia]

You can't download it anywhere. Where did you get the phone?

[Ned]

If you got your phone through Cingular or for a Cingular account, contact Cingular and ask them to replace the phone.

Many people have reported that Cingular has been replacing the phone. They are aware of the problems with the phone, volume, which has firmware earlier than the 1.3 version.

[thefunkunfaked]

i did not buy my mpx220 from cingular, although i use it with cingular. i got it from an online retailer. it's an unbranded black model

can i send it in to motorola to have them update it?

i don't have any problems with the volume or microphone as anyone mentioned. i'd just feel more comfortable with a newer firmware.

i think the only real problem i have is a strange constant digital clicking/buzzing during calls from the earpiece.. it hurts my ear. is that normal?

also, if i didn't previously mention it, thi review is great. very in-depth

[Jerry Raia]

I got mine at BestBuy and use it with Cingular also. Call Cingular at (800) 801-1101 and tell them you are having trouble with the phone (can't hear the audio etc). If you just tell them you want the ROM upgrade they might not help you.

They sent me two replacements until I got the ROM I wanted (1.30). They were very helpful.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by thefunkunfaked

i did not buy my mpx220 from cingular, although i use it with cingular. i got it from an online retailer. it's an unbranded black model

Ooh...you have got the black model. Wow!

As long as it is not a pre-production model or engineering sample. (Check the sticker under the battery. Also look at the H/W version. Ours I believe is .6) I am guessing that the ROM varies according to the H/W version.

Your best bet is to talk to the Moto Customer Service. And you will have to send it in for upgrade. The turn-around time according to them is 14 days. And I believe they ask for proof of purchase (for date) for warranty purposes. But since this phone is new in the market, it may not be needed.

Also since you are a Cingular customer. But you didnt buy the phone from them or Best Buy. So not sure if Cingular will replace it. But IF they do, I believe you will get a Silver model instead of the Black one. Just one of those things to keep in mind. ;-)