Motorola's V8

Motorola's V8
IF there's a tag that fits this phone, it's 'good-looking'.
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Not only is it slim and sleek, it is made with state-of-the-art material that is scratch-proof.

That's not all. You can see yourself in it because its reflective casing doubles up as a mirror.

The new V8 from Motorola is a 'pedigree' phone because it is designed by the same people who made Moto RAZR, one of the world's best-selling phones.

Indeed, the V8 is touted as the Gen-2 RAZR that will replace the current range of phones.

At first glance, it looks and feels like its predecessor. But there's more than meets the eye.

For a start, the V8 is built to withstand more than the usual knocks and rough handling.

Its screen is made with 'chemically hardened' glass that is scratch resistant and the aluminium-cast hinge is lab-tested to last more than 100,000 flips.

Despite its relatively slim size, the V8 packs in some of the most advanced features that can be found in today's phones.

Like a mini computer, the phone is powered by a 500 MHz high-speed processor, which makes the V8 10-times faster than the original RAZR.

While RAZR owners previously complained that it was a chore to download songs, the new model can transfer a song in just two to three seconds.

SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS

And for those who look for nifty features in phones, here's one that will allow the phone to talk to you.

The V8 can be programmed to talk to users as they scroll through the interactive menu, contact lists, e-mails and even SMS texts.

After all, the phone was designed with the visually handicapped in mind as well.

Just how effective is this feature?

As long as you can type the word, the phone will try to read it out.

There is another handy feature if you prefer to read your messages subtly during meetings without your colleagues knowing.

Without opening the phone, V8 users can use the large external screen to read messages and reply with pre-programmed text messages.

Of course, for users who have grown used to the stylish design of the RAZR, they need only one reason to buy the phone - it looks good.

The V8 is expected to hit stores next month with a recommended retail price of $718 (without contract).

Phone rating: 4/5