It has been a very long time in coming, but Motorola is finally starting to put out devices based on its new Linux platform. The new platform was originally called JUIX ("juice"), in homage to its Java and Linux UNIX roots, but these days the company merely calls it the Linux platform or sometimes the Linux Java platform since Java now plays a much smaller part in the system than it did in early versions. In any event, the Motorola ROKR Z6 is among the initial handset designs that Motorola has built on this new platform. As such, it has a brand new user interface and a significantly faster processor to ensure that things move along at a quicker pace than the older devices did. The quad-band GSM/EDGE ROKR Z6 supports Bluetooth stereo with its music player and offers the user the ability to take 2 megapixel photographs with its built-in camera. The Z6 may look much like the MOTORIZR Z3 that we recently reviewed, but the similarity is truly only skin deep. Inside, the Z6 is all new.

SUMMARY OF FEATURES

• Enhanced music experience featuring Windows Media Player 11
• Integrated music player that supports multiple audio files: Windows WMAv10 plus Janus DRM, MP3, AAC, AAC+, AAC+ enhanced, AMR NB, WAV, XMF
• USB 2.0 for high speed transfers and data access
• 64 MB on-board user memory, plus 2GB removable MicroSD memory card slot for music, pictures and other media
• High end finishes including a mirror-like finish, soft-touch feel, glass and metal
• New Linux operating system that incorporates kJava
• Enhanced user interface
• Enhanced chipset
• 2 Megapixel camera with light and landscape viewfinder
• Video capture and playback, MPEG 4 3GPP, h.263
• Airplane mode
• Messaging via MMS, SMS, IM, Email/POP3
• Mobile Phone Tools support for PC synch of phonebook, contacts, and media
• Quad-Band (GPRS/EDGE) functionality
• 320 x 240, 2" 262K colors TFT display
• Dimensions: 105x45x16.2mm
• Weight: 105g; Size: Approximately 69cc
• Talk Time: 180-420 minutes; Standby Time: 200-400 hours
• Battery: 780 mAH
  
  The MOTOROKR Z6 is expected to be available in the first half of 2007. For more information regarding pricing and product availability in your region, please contact your local Motorola representative.