Motorola Aura fashion phone defines "mobauble"

Posted by Joel Johnson, October 21, 2008 8:13 AM | permalink

Motorola today announced the "Aura", a peculiar high-end phone that is trumpeted as a piece of precision engineering. At its center is a circular LCD screen around which the top swings open on a "Swiss-made main bearing". Flip the phone over and a small window shows the gears turning.

Even though it's clearly being marketed as a luxury item, the Aura still has what is fair to consider as basic smartphone features: Email, audio and video playback, and all the Bluetooth connectivity you might desire. It's a quad-band model, but limited only to EDGE data speeds — not a huge deal since there's no web browser. (And who'd want to use one on that circular screen anyway?)

No price has yet been announced, but rest assured that it's pricey. I'm not knocked out by the overall designed, but elementally there's quite a bit of craftsmanship apparent.

Motorola Aura product page [Motorola.com via Phone Scoop]

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Discussion

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#1 posted by knyghtryda , October 21, 2008 8:40 AM

Umm... the 90's called an they want their V70 back.

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#2 posted by jpanega1 , October 21, 2008 9:14 AM

I loved my V70, nice update!

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#3 posted by mr.skeleton , October 21, 2008 10:52 AM

It looks like a bad Winamp skin from ten years ago.

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#4 posted by hohum , October 21, 2008 11:02 AM

$2,000

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#5 posted by stygyan

, October 22, 2008 5:36 AM

I have a question. How the hell could you text adequately with a round LCD screen?

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#6 posted by seeford , October 22, 2008 6:39 AM

ooh, I like it! (Though not that price!)

Also, a phone without too many gadgets appeals immensely to me - I still use a cell that is basic features only: phone, voice mail, and address book.

My DH wants me to get a new phone, but I don't want all those stinkin' gadgets - I already have a good pda, digital camera and computer with internet access - I don't want to carry crap versions of them around in my pocket.

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#7 posted by Halloween Jack , October 22, 2008 6:55 AM

I think that I could fit the market for this thing in my clothes closet.

It's not a big closet.

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#8 posted by Itsumishi , October 22, 2008 3:41 PM

There are some beautiful quotes on that website.

From the Store Page
"From the moment an AURA owner picks up his or her device they embark on a journey of discovery."

"The effect is more like opening the door on a luxury car versus accessing a mobile phone."

From the Product Page
AURA delivers a sensory experience that is second to none for those with refined tastes. From the moment AURA owners pick up their devices, they elevate their own experience in luxury and unmatched quality.

I can't decide which is more wanky. The press release or the product.