In the few months since I started this blog, Motorola somehow found my site and has lurked it enough to leave several comments. The first comment was a blatant ad for Motorola, whereas the next two actually commented on what I wrote (which I can appreciate). Curious as to why I would even be on their radar (I did blog about a phone handset once), I clicked on the link. It led me to a site for the company’s new phone – the “Rokr E8” – which I assume is supposed to be a badass version of “Rocker” (a la “Razr” and “Slvr)” but is literally SO two-years-ago.
Displayed prominently in the center of the screen, the new phone looks shiny and sleek. And (most importantly) its site seems to promise a participatory/interactive experience. But sadly, it just seems that way. All Flash, no interaction. There are buttons to the side of the page that change the Rokr’s screen display, but there’s no user control or engagement otherwise. Basically, the site is aesthetically-pleasing but disappointingly anticlimactic overall.
Even the music player doesn’t function like a music player should. Out of several displayed song titles on the playlist, only one automatically starts up (and you can’t even choose or change it) – “Touch Your Button Carnival” by Wyclef Jean. Okay, but then it makes no sense because I can’t. touch. the buttons. on the phone. Trust me, I tried clicking everything, but to no avail. So no, Motorola, I will not “touch your button” because you won’t let me. Well, that and I was planning on getting a Blackberry as my next phone anyway.
