Moto, Cingular launch SLVR L7 phone


The Mercury News reports that Motorola and Cingular have released a second iTunes phone that doesn't address any of the major shortcomings of last Fall's ROKR, which was panned by critics and largely ignored by buyers.

The "new" SLVR L7 is a thin, rigid phone that's styled similarly to Motorola's best-selling RAZR clamshell phone. Cingular is selling it for $200 with a two-year contract.

"The L7 is really in what we call our 'self-expression portfolio,' where design and style is the key premise behind the product," said Steve Lalla, vice president and GM, mass-market products, Motorola.

It's been estimated that 84,000 ROKRs were sold last year, compared to tens of millions of RAZRs. Top complaints included that it would hold at most 100 songs, regardless of memory capacity, and that transferring songs took too long.

Editor's note: The words Contractual Obligation come to mind...

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