Sprint V9m
• Obigo HTML web browser works well
• Can view video on external screen
• Start camera from external screen
• No e-mail option

Verizon V9m
• Start camera from external screen
• Very good sound
• Best for basic Windows Media users
• WAP browsing (which sucks)
• E-mail for extra pay

Alltel V9m
• View text messages on external screen
• Best for experts and iTunes lovers
• WAP browsing (which sucks)
• No e-mail option

T-Mobile V8 (which Segan did not review)
• Linux-based OS
• CrystalTalk active sound-quality management during calls

Bottom line: All this variation represents carrier control, not freedom of choice. Says Segan: “We’re stuck with the mediocre choices picked by our carrier overlords for us—and if you want something different, no soup for you!” I hate to say I told you so, but I freakin’ told you so.
[PC Mag summary and individual reviews of each carrier's RAZR2]

AU: This is actually pretty interesting even though it has bugger all to do with our local scene. Seeing that a phone set to be marketed as the same thing on different networks can have genuinely different features and hardware on board can be a big problem as a buyer. If you stick with your network whatever the case, you won’t get a choice. But if you want the best handset of the bunch, it pays to know what’s what. -SB

•The RAZR V9m is the CDMA version, and will be available on Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, Us Cellular, and MetroPCS. Many of the differences here are on the “CLI”, the RAZR2’s haptic external touchscreen. Oh, and none of the CDMA versions have crystal speak, the tech that turns up volume of the earpiece when a bus rumbles by, while also noise cancelling the rumble in the microphone. (CDMA quality is better than GSM, and doesn’t need this, according to Motorola.)

Alltel and US Cellular’s V9m has the CLI buttons in this layout: Recent Calls, Music, Messaging.

Verizon’s V9m has vCast music stores, and it’s CLI buttons like so: Camera, Music, Voice.

Sprint has its music store, TV, and a multimedia CLI like this: SprintTV, Camera, Music.

•The V9, sans “M” is AT&T’s. It’s a hair thicker, because it has a lot of stuff in there for GSM/GPS (Assisted, likely)/ HSDPA, UMTS. AT&T’s CLI interface is actually very music oriented: Play, FF, and RW. It also has MobiTV, XM streaming, and a full HTML browser.

•The V8, which is not so dumbed down that it needs a different number designation, is T-Mobile’s. It is different, though. EDGE, of course, and 2GB of built in memory that can’t be swapped out by MicroSD like the other phones with the “9″ in their names. It also has a music oriented CLI interface, with Play, FF, and RW, but that won’t show up until your music is playing. The home page has that TMO faves menu, too. It also is a linux based OS, maybe their MOTOMAGX OS. Like the AT&T GSM phone, it has a full HTML browser.

All have stereo bluetooth streaming, and all the specs we noted back on the handset’s May launch.

[RAZR2 at Giz]

Sprint Launches RAZR2 press release:

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Aug. 10, 2007 – Bringing the “third screen” of mobile video to two screens instead of just one, Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced plans to launch the latest Motorola handset, RAZR2 V9m with key features that make it stand out from the crowd. Sprint’s RAZR2 V9m provides the ability to watch video on the external screen with the flip closed – a first for the U.S. wireless market.

Harnessing the speed of Sprint’s Power VisionSM EVDO network, the RAZR2 will deliver exclusive access to multimedia content1 including:

· NFL Mobile, a Sprint-exclusive wireless application that brings fans access to same-day audio and video highlights, a live stream of NFL Network’s broadcast, real-time statistics and scores, customizable team and player alerts, injury reports and other information updated every two seconds.

· Sprint Music StoreSM, powered by Groove Mobile, which allows users to browse and wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone from a selection of more than 1.6 million songs.

· Sprint TVSM with more than 50 channels of live television and on-demand video and audio including a comprehensive portfolio of ABC news and entertainment video programming from ABC Entertainment, ABC News and Disney Channel such as on-demand, full-length episodes of ABC programs, including the hit shows “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost” and “Ugly Betty.”

· Sprint Power View, the industry’s first made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video programming network.

· Sprint Navigation, powered by TeleNav, providing full-feature GPS navigation including voice and on screen turn-by-turn driving directions with real-time traffic alerts and more than 10 million business listings.

(Standard data charges apply to all downloads from Sprint.)

“We are excited to pair our advanced multimedia capabilities and network speeds with this beautifully designed wireless phone,” said John Garcia, senior vice president of product management and development for Sprint. “Customers will find Sprint’s version of RAZR2 to offer exclusive video content that is both enjoyable and relevant. They will also appreciate that this device is the first clamshell in the industry to provide the option of watching video on both the internal or external display.”

The design of RAZR2 has a sleeker, more sophisticated look and feel than its predecessor. At the core of RAZR2 is a stainless steel internal frame to help provide strength and durability. The large exterior lens is made with chemically hardened glass to be more scratch resistant.

Both the internal and external screens on the RAZR2 are significantly larger than the original RAZR- external is 2.0″ and internal is 2.2″ – with twice the resolution. The external display incorporates Motorola’s breakthrough haptics technology, which provides users with vibrating feedback in response to their finger taps. This allows the user to effortlessly control their music, video and camera without opening the flip.

Additional features available on RAZR2 V9m by MOTOROLA include a 2.0 megapixel camera with digital flash and zoom and advanced stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology.2 The device will also offer OnDemandSM with customizable up-to-date sports, weather and news information, Sprint PCS® Picture Mail for sharing and printing digital pictures and Wireless Backup to quickly restore contact information if the device is ever lost or stolen.

The RAZR2 V9m by MOTOROLA will be available at www.sprint.com and by calling 1-800-SPRINT1 on Aug. 22. It will be in all Sprint retail outlets by Sept. 4. The device will cost $249 with a 2 year agreement (without any required rebate).

Customers purchasing RAZR2 V9m by MOTOROLA as a replacement for an existing mobile phone are encouraged to recycle their current phone, battery and accessories through Sprint Project Connect. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from Sprint Project Connect are used to help keep kids safer online through Sprint’s 4NetSafetyprogram with partners that include the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the NEA Health Information Network. More information, including a free postage-paid mailing label, can be found at www.sprint.com/projectconnect.

1 Network dependent feature, not available in all areas. Airtime, data charges, and/or additional charges may apply.

2 This device supports Bluetooth BIP-ImagePush, BPP-SenderDev, DUN-GW, FT-Server, GAP, GAVDP, Headset-AG, HFP (1.5) AG, OPP-Client, OPP-Server profiles. In order for Bluetooth devices to communicate with one another, they must utilize the same Bluetooth profile. To determine the profiles supported by other Motorola devices, visit www.hellomoto.com/bluetooth. For other devices, contact their respective manufacturer.
Certain Bluetooth features including those listed may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices, or by certain wireless carriers.

The press release trips me out a little bit, because it talks about how great the RAZR2 is for such Verizon apps as V CAST Music and VZ Navigator, rather than singing the praises of the device itself as a unique product that might do something that other Verizon phones can’t. There’s no Linux-Java, for instance, and I’m not sure about Highspeed USB 2.0 for sideloading songs you didn’t buy from Verizon. I’m also pretty convinced there’s no Windows Media Player compatibility, or AAC friendliness. All of those features will be available in one of the GSM-based RAZR2s, probably just the one that T-Mobile will sell.

VERIZON WIRELESS INTRODUCES THE MOTORAZR2 V9M
Next Generation RAZR Features External Display and Touch-Sensitive Keys and Bluetooth Support

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless company with the most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), today announced the sleek multimedia MOTORAZR2 V9m will be available to Verizon Wireless customers in September. Offering a combination of sophisticated style and Verizon Wireless’ first-class multimedia features, the MOTORAZR2 V9m is perfect for customers seeking a sleek, music-centric multimedia mobile phone.

Equipped with external touch-sensitive keys for quick access to music, camera and advanced speech recognition and wrapped in cool stainless steel, the MOTORAZR2 V9m is V CAST-capable and perfect for use with popular Get It Now® applications, such as VZ NavigatorSM. Customers can enjoy over-the-air full-track music downloads from V CAST Music, Verizon Wireless’ exclusive catalog of over two million songs. To enhance the true mobile music experience, the MOTORAZR2 V9m comes equipped with Bluetooth® stereo support for listening to music.

Adding to the list of impressive multimedia features, the MOTORAZR2 V9m also has a 2.0 megapixel camera with 4x zoom and picture, video, text, and instant messaging (IM) capabilities, which allow Verizon Wireless customers to capture priceless moments while staying in touch on-the-go.

Pricing and Availability

MOTORAZR2 V9m will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement.