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Product: Tri-band cellular phone

Developer: Motorola

Minimum Requirements: Bluetooth and iSync for use with a Macintosh

Retail Price: $450 for phone by itself (available for less with phone contract)

Availability: Now

The v710 cell phone is a study in contrasts: things that go right vs. things that go wrong, ease of use vs. crippled features, amazing audio quality vs. embarrassing picture quality.

To start with, it's a great phone. It's a tri-band, which means that it can operate on the newer digital frequencies (common in larger cities and highways) and older ones as well, giving you coverage in pretty much every area of the US. The call quality is very good, and even in problem areas like basements and elevators, I was usually able to get some reception.

End of the review? Hardly, because like most modern cell phones, the v710 ships with a cornucopia of extra features; most of which are designed to get you spending even more money on your phone.

Let's start with the digital camera, which is terrible. I've seen and used many cell-phone cameras in my life, and I have to say that, despite the expensive nature of the v710, it takes the worst digital picture I've ever seen. Unless you're standing in full sunlight or the artificial equivalent, the picture is grainy and grey, with lots of lines and other artifacts. The camera has a small lamp on the faceplate that's supposed to act like a flash (the lamp must be turned on and off manually), but really has no effect on picture quality. Unless you're in ideal lighting conditions, you probably won't use the camera. It also features a digital zoom which closes in on the subject, but also makes the picture size smaller. The only way it could be worse is if it took pictures that showed the tormented faces of the damned in the background. Terrible, terrible, rotten, awful, terrible digital camera.

If I can say one nice thing about the design, it's that you can take pictures with the phone closed (using a side-mounted button). The faceplate also displays what the camera sees, allowing you to take pictures of yourself easily. It can also be used for video capture, but for that, you're going to want more than the included memory (see below).

The v710 ships with a crippled version of Bluetooth, designed only to let you use wireless headsets. If you attempt to use your phone with a Bluetooth-equipped Mac, you'll find that you can only officially use it as a wireless modem. I say "officially" because after spending a few minutes on Google, I discovered that by rewriting one line of code in iSync, the v710 will pair with your Mac, allowing you to sync your contacts just like you're supposed to be able to do. Motorola, of course, wants you to buy a special software package/USB cable to add this functionality. What's really odd is that this seems to be the only Motorola Bluetooth-equipped phone to have this crippled version. How odd.

Speaking of crippling software, let's talk about MP3s. The v710 has the ability to play them (along with MIDIs). However, getting an MP3 onto the phone is another exercise is corporate chicanery. I'm not sure if it's a Motorola issue, or one with the carriers (Verizon, in my case), but someone's making it very difficult to get music on the phone without paying for it. For example, you can e-mail text, pictures and other attachments to the phone. However, if you e-mail an MP3, the message will be delayed for a few moments while the MP3 is converted in a QPC audio format. A format which the phone does not recognize as a ringer format. There is a workaround: rename the file to a .mid (MIDI) format and e-mail it in a plain-text message.

It's things like these that make me appreciate Steve Jobs' stand on iTunes music being 99 cents per song. I mean, I'm not someone who wants my phone to start shouting "Get UR Freak On" every time my accountant calls. In fact, one of the ways I know my phone is ringing (and not someone else's) is that it sounds like a phone, and not like the incidental music from Sailor Moon. Still, it's incredibly frustrating that the desire to nickel-and-dime me for a phone I've already bought is so strong, they're willing to go the extra mile and disable features that should be enabled by default.

That, fortunately, is the last terrible thing about the phone. The screen quality is very clear, for one, which means that if someone who doesn't own a v710 sends you a picture, you'll be able to enjoy it. The battery quality is also good, lasting up to three days in standby mode with casual use (the stated life is six days standby, three hours talk).

Navigation is very simple, using a control button that's not unlike an iPod: a four-direction circular wheel with an action button in the middle. There are also two other buttons underneath the screen (the screen displays the function of the button in that particular screen), and an options button in the middle that displays everything you can do in that screen (useful until you get the hang of the interface, where the most common commands are assigned to the left and right ones). You can assign shortcuts to different areas (like, say, Bluetooth options) that you use frequently, selecting it from the main screen or using a numerical hot key.

Typing is done using the numerical keyboard. The pound sign (#) allows you to switch between number entry, symbols (@, dollar signs, brackets, and anything else you'd use to cuss if you were a cartoon character), and alphanumeric. The latter does a good job of guessing what you're trying to type, and also remembers the last word you entered if you use that combination again.

The v710 comes with 10MB of built-in memory, enough for 500 contacts. This is expandable with the micro SD/TransFlash card slot, especially if you want to take any video or use the v710 as a music player. The phone also supports wireless internet browsing. However, I frequently had dropped connections, even in areas with strong signals.

Despite all its faults, I really like the v710. I was able to work around the Bluetooth issue (which makes me just shake my head in wonder), and the cameraphone issue, while annoying, doesn't really bother me much. I bought this phone to use as a phone, and the strong sound quality and ability to get a signal just about anywhere in the country fit the bill. However, those of you looking for a "lifestyle device" may want to consider a phone with add-ons you don't have to work around.

Strengths: Good sound quality. Can be made to sync with Macs.
Weaknesses: Crippled Bluetooth. Crippled MP3 support. Worst. Camera. Ever.

Bill's been using Macs since the late 80s. When he's not making smartass remarks to amuse Kirk Hiner, he enjoys fighting for the user.