Motorola SLVR L7c with EV-DO

The Motorola SLVR L7c, also known as the candy bar version of the Motorola Razr and Krzr phones, is different from its predecessors in ways that are not obvious at first glance. The closest match would be the SLVR L7 but the L7c has a secret. This phone operates on CDMA network technology. Previous SLVR cell phones have used GSM network technology. Why is this news?

The speed of the EV-DO network (CDMA) matched with this 3-G phone can launch you into multimedia heaven with options such as real time streaming audio, video, and downloads - all at a significantly faster rate than the EDGE network (GSM). The L7c is the first CDMA phone offered by Sprint and is a welcome addition to the Sprint lineup.

The L7c is available in red, silver and black depending on the carrier.

Although iTunes is not available on the L7c as it was on the L7, Sprint Music Store is. While connected to the Sprint Music Store you can download music directly to your phone to be listened to through the built in music player. The purchased songs can then be downloaded and saved to your PC. The number of songs stored is only limited by the size of the microSD memory card.

There is a caveat to this service. Songs downloaded to your PC are in the WMA format which cannot be played on the L7c. Also, the protected WMA files need to initially be played through the Windows Media Player on your PC before loading them to an MP3 player that is likewise able to play the WMA format.

When you'd rather listen to something different, Sirius radio channels are also available through Sprint's on demand service as well as a mobile NFL application.

For your watching pleasure the L7c is compatible with Sprint's Power Vision which is similar to V Cast offered by Verizon. In addition to the small downloadable snippets of news, music and entertainment videos, Power Vision offers live TV feeds. News broadcasts such as Fox News, Bloomberg, ABC News Now and the Weather Channel are available for news junkies. Sports junkies are not left out due to the NFL Network and Fox Sports. Other feeds available include Fashion TV, Discovery and the Learning Channel. Full length videos can be watched on this phone. More feeds are coming available so check it out when purchasing the service which should cost between $15.00 and $25.00 per month depending upon your package.

Users and reviewers of this phone appreciate the bright 1.9 inch screen. However, some disappointment was voiced about the low resolution of both the camera and of the screen itself. On the other hand, they were impressed with camera features that range from a self timer to it's 8 x zoom. Brightness and white balance can be adjusted as well as the shutter sounds. The camcorder feature includes the ability to take up to 30 seconds of video with sound with editing abilities as well.

Organization can be accomplished with the built in calendar, contact lists, photo ID capability, calculator, voice recorder, and with its two clocks - an alarm clock and a world clock.

Communication can be assisted with its voice commands, voice dialing commands, text messaging, instant messaging, email, Bluetooth and a speaker phone option. If your favorite ring tone is not welcome in your surroundings use the vibrate mode.

Navigation is made easier by the integrated GPS capability. Telenav provides a strong GPS navigation service as a subscription.

Compared to the SLVR L7 the SLVR L7c is just a tad larger. The SLVR L7 measures 4.47" x 1.93" x 0.45" and the SLVR L7c measures 4.5" x 2.0" x .5". Other features such as the camera, backlit keyboard, communication features, the organizational features and the messaging features are virtually the same. The videos included with this hub are actually of the Motorola L7 but I hope that you will get the overall feeling of the L7c.

The Motorola SLVR L7c has a few less than honorable features such as its low resolution VGA camera and screen. Motorola must have decided that resolution would not be all that important. In my opinion it is a shame that this decision has left room for lack luster reviews.

Admittedly the other features are so impressive that most potential buyers of this phone will probably overlook minor flaws to get the latest and greatest.