Motorola bows Krave ZN4 "clear-flip" touchscreen phone

Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:30PM EDT

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Yep, Moto's latest is yet another touchscreen handset, but with a twist: a clear-plastic flip that's fully touch-enabled. Interesting.

Available now on Verizon Wireless, the long-rumored Krave ZN4 ($149 with a two-year contract) might look familiar to anyone who's seen Motorola's old, Linux-powered Ming phones—and indeed, both handsets have the same, transparent plastic cover.

But Motorola apparently decided to throw a curve ball with the Krave, imbuing its flip with touch-sensitive capabilities that let you access several multimedia features (such features as streaming videos, the music player, GPS, and the photo album) even when the phone is closed. (A network of wire mesh baked into the flip carries any touch signals, as well as audio for the embedded earpiece.) That's a pretty neat trick—but in its early review of the Krave, CNET complains that the flip tends to get in the way when it's time to tap out messages on the Krave's internal, 2.8-inch (and haptic-enabled) touchscreen. Huh.

Anyway, the Krave works on Verizon's 3G EV-DO network, good for streaming video, full-track music downloads, and speedy Web browsing; the handset also supports Verzion's MediaFlo-powered Mobile TV service. Also on board: A two-megapixel camera, GPS, SMS and picture messaging, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and up to 8GB of microSD memory expansion. The ZN4 also comes equipped with an accelerometer that'll automatically turn the screen when you hold the phone sideways. Missing from the package: Wi-Fi.

Related:
Press release
Motorola Krave ZN4 full review [CNET]

Comments on Motorola bows Krave ZN4 "clear-flip" touchscreen phone

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  • 1 Posted by dlavyhot99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow this fone is old.... my friend had 2 years ago

  • 2 Posted by scani6 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow. That's pretty lame when the only thing that excites a person is to be the first at posting a comment. Low aspirations of today's youth.

  • 3 Posted by jmvarghese26 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    voyager is better...2 screens, keyboard, n looks more durable

  • 4 Posted by d_p_mueller on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    my friend bought this phone last week, because it was the only phone verizon offers that will link to his tom tom rider. Anyway right before I saw this article he called me and told me that it broke already, and verizon doesn't have the insurance on it yet cuz it is so new. Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone looking at buying this phone.

  • 6 Posted by honeedoo3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just got the Voyager, It is a cool phone!!!!

  • 7 Posted by the_sheepinator on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow well its about time they announced it...i had the earlier version of this phone like a year and a half ago...but it was called the Moto MING this one looks pretty nice, but i think the MING looks better (in my opinion)

  • 8 Posted by von_b_8 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    The lame thing is all the prostitutes advertising websites.

  • 9 Posted by apeanutbuta on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thats a nice phone, not really sure what the flip feature is 4. But its really nice

  • 10 Posted by donaldptwohig on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    So what, all i want is a phone that works, not games. not text messages for kids, just a fair priced phone that works. Hello out there thats all adults with brains want. Cheaper phone bills and a phone that works.

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