Product FeaturesExternal display with elegant clock
Integrated Digital VGA Camera with 4 x Digital Zoom and light
Video capture and playback
Class 2 Bluetooth Technology - connect to PCs, headsets and other
devices wirelessly via Bluetooth?
Speaker independent speech recognition
Dimensions Size (LWH): 3.41 inches, 1.93 inches, 0.79 inches
Weight: 3.84 ounces
Product Features Network Compatibility: GSM
Phone Book Capacity: 100 Entries
Minimum Rated Talk Time: 360 minutes
Minimum Rated Standby Time: 250 hours
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Product Description Motorola's PEBL U6 is the second model in
Motorola's high-end "four-letter word" line, following the super
popular RAZR V3. The PEBL takes some of the same materials and
technologies used in the RAZR and packages them into a completely
different kind of clamshell handset. While the RAZR is all about
thin, sharp angles, the PEBL is more about design, making use of
soft curves and smooth lines throughout. The graphite black finish
on the smooth, rounded exterior of the PEBL U6 manages to very
glossy while still having a visual texture to it. The effect is
very cool in person, but the downside is that the phone is an
absolute magnet for finger prints. But that's just the cost of high
fashion, isn't it?
The PEBL's biggest claim to fame is perhaps not its shape and look,
but its unique opening mechanism. A series of custom hinges, a
dampening device, and some magnets allow the PEBL U6 to be opened
up one-handed in a very smooth, elegant manner. When holding the
device, you simply use your thumb to pull the top cover towards the
bottom of the device a bit, which releases the magnetic latch that
keeps the spring-loaded opening mechanism at bay. At that point you
simply move your thumb out of the way and let the spring do its
job. The motion is smooth and slow enough not to cause the device
to become unbalanced.
Once open, the PEBL's unusual keypad is ready for use. The
directional controller and its center select button are very
typical of mobile phones, but the rest of the keypad builds on some
of the design elements we saw in the RAZR's keypad. The PEBL's
keypad and softkeys are completely flat. The actual buttons are
hidden behind a single sheet of metal that has a bit of give to it,
allowing finger pressure to make its way to the switches
underneath. Thin strips of translucent material let light filter in
from behind, just as they do on the RAZR's keypad. The net result
is a very distinct-looking keypad that probably sacrifices a bit
too much in the name of fashion. Individual keys are simply much
easier to find and press, even if they don't look nearly as sharp.
The inner workings of the PEBL U6 seem to be stock Motorola. The
handset comes in two variations, each of which supports three GSM
frequency bands and EDGE data. The North American version supports
the 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 Mhz bands. The internal display is a
262k-color unit with a pixel resolution of 176x220. The battery
should be good for over 6 and a half hours of talk time, or up to
as long as 10 days of standby time according to Motorola. Bluetooth
support more than makes up for a lack of infrared connectivity. The
only aspect that seems a bit dated is the PEBL's VGA camera. For a
high-end handset like the PEBL, you certainly would expect more
resolution in the camera, at least it's capable of recording MPEG4
video clips.
Other highlights include 5 MB of internal storage that can be used
for MP3 or MIDI ringtones, photos and video clips, and downloaded
Java games and applications. The addition of speaker-independent
voice dialing and voice commands is welcome, and the PEBL's
relatively low weight of 3.7 ounces (110 g) makes it quite
pocketable.
Pros: Unique design
Automatic opening mechanism
Bluetooth
Cons: Low-resolution camera
Difficult keypad
Motorola's PEBL U6 is a unique handset. Where it goes, stares and
longing gazes will follow. It might not have the full range of
high-end features inside, but for the see-and-be-seen crowd, it
probably has everything to get the job done.
--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com
Product Description
Inspired by nature? smooth curves and organic lines, Motorola PEBL
is the essence of mobile sophistication and stylish simplicity.
Hold it in your palm and you?l understand its mysterious pull.
Enjoy both form and function, with complete imaging, video capture
and playback, and voice recognition features. Design at its most
breathtakingly simplicity, Motorola PEBL reshapes the way you view
mobile communication. No hard edges. No fussy lines. Just a sleek
and smooth contour with an evolutionary single-touch open hinge
