a tasty mobile
So despite the fact my new phone is somewhat generic, it really is quite nice! Although I've always liked Motorola phones, it has been my opinion for some time that Motorola's US-centric (specifically CDMA/Verizon-centric) products really lag behind their cross-market GSM phones. I think the latter have better software, are better designed and probably get a lot more testing and refinement than their CDMA models.
First and foremost... it charges! More than I can say for my POS v710. The v190 uses a standard mini-USB charging and data port, which has a connector that firmly snaps into place. The v710 on the other hand has a weird three-conductor, exposed charging interface which when plugged-in, will become disconnected or interrupted if you breathe too deeply near it. My third v710 (replaced twice already for charging problems) has already begun fucking up. The other night it told me "Unable to charge" after I plugged it in.
Next, the ringer, or call notification, is very versitile. That's because this phone offers audible, physical and visual incoming call/message notification. It has more ring/vibe options than my v710, plus it has bright blue glow which pulses on and off underneath the Motorola 'M' logo when I'm receiving a call. This glowing blue LED also pulses periodically while the phone is charging; making it look like it's somehow alive. It's actually kind of cute.
Even the voice quality seems to be equal to, if not better than, my v710. It does lack some of the voice-command functionality of the v710, but that I can live without. Especially since the v710's voice commands piss me off--mostly because it frequently misinterprets me, and even more because it works quite well if you speak with a strong southern accent. (which I do not, but I've done some... experimenting with it). In any case voice performance of the v190 is impressive considering that it's a much, much cheaper phone than the v710 (comparing retail prices).
So what was my first clue that the v190 was not a product designed [solely] for the US market? Check out those sevens...
That's right, those are european sevens. (gaudy visual example) While the text entry screens display the US-style seven, there are a few dialogs on the phone which display the seven in euro style, with a horizontal bar on it. Probably an oversight, but it certainly doesn't bother me since I always write euro sevens anyway.
I've read that the v190 is also very similar to the v180, sold in France and elsewhere in Europe I believe. I don't think it is coincidence that the v190 seems to be in many ways a step above the US-only v710. So far, I'm very pleased.
