Linux multimedia phone launches in China

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Dec. 06, 2006

Taiwanese pop superstar Jay Chou launched Motorola's thin, Linux-powered Rokr E6 multimedia phone, at the ITU Telecom World tradeshow this week in Hong Kong. The fourth-generation music phone is just over half an inch thick (14mm), and features a 2-megapixel camera and business card reader.

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The Rokr E6 was previously known as the E690, when it was announced in September. The device has been approved by the FCC for distribution in the U.S., but is unlikely to see distribution here for several reasons.

As a tri-band, (900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS phone, only the E6's 1900MHz band would work here. And, its touchscreen dial-pad suggests the E6 was designed for the Chinese market, where technical flash is valued. In contrast, U.S. and European customers value the convenience of hardware phone buttons.

Motorola has indicated its intention to ship Linux phones in the U.S. and other high-volume markets outside of Asia. And, the thin, multimedia-enabled Rokr E6 shows a likely direction for forthcoming Linux-based phones, given its resemblance to the thin Razr models that have proven popular here.

Motorola CEO Ed Zander said, "The MOTOROKR E6 redefines users' experiences with traditional music and PDA devices."

Technical details about the E6, aka the E690, can be found in our earlier coverage, here.

At the ITU Telecom World tradeshow, Motorola also demonstrated its ultra low-cost Motofone, the first model in the SCPL ("scalpel") series, which will replace the popular RAZR series. It also demonstrated WiMAX networking, digital TV, and other technology.

Amusing Rokr E6 video

The following YouTube video appears to show Chinese pop superstar Jay Chou learning karate by watching videos on the Rokr E6, and then using his new skills (and a timely phone call) to defeat a martial arts opponent.

Motorola Rokr E6 promo
(Click to watch video)

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