Motorola ROKR EM30 Extends LiMo's Linux Mobile Lead, Again

Linux seven more Linux-based devices

Today's addition of the Motorola ROKR EM30 gives the LiMo Foundation a total of 22 available devices, while rival Google Android and its Open Handset Alliance have yet to put one into the market.

The ROKR EM30 was one of three new devices Motorola launched Tuesday to expand its ROKR portfolio, cellular phones that are "music optimized" for mobile music fans. Along with the MOTOROKR EM30, a candy bar-style phone using Motorola's ModeShift technology, Motorola unveiled the ROKR EM28, a clamshell device with sonic features and touch-sensitive keys; and the ROKR EM25, a slider with FM radio sharing capabilities. The new line of ROKRs builds on the success of Motorola's ROKR E8.

"Following the path of our award-winning ROKR E8, the newest additions to our ROKR family make listening to and discovering new music accessible and affordable to everyone," said Steve Laila, corporate vice president of Mass Market Products for Motorola Mobile Devices, in a statement. "From uncovering new music with friends through our FMShare feature to enjoying surround-sound quality audio, these new ROKR phones deliver the music you want whenever, wherever and however you want to hear it."

First up is the ROKR EM30, a Linux-based mobile-phone-slash-music-player that uses Motorola's ModeShift technology to illuminate the keyboard based on function. For example, red keys illuminate when the device is in music mode, and the keypad morphs to a blue glow when in phone mode. The transition from talking and texting to music requires the tap of a button. Motorola added that the ROKR EM30 features color-coded cues that let users know which mode they're in.

The ROKR EM30 comes with other features for the mobile music lover, including high-fidelity audio and ultra-fast MP3 downloads. Users can know the artists and songs playing on the FM radio with Radio Data System technology. The device also features a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack for use with the headset of their choice. The ROKR EM30 is also compatible with Windows Media Player 11 which lets users download music from more than 200 worldwide online music stores.

Next up is the ROKR EM28. While not a LiMo Foundation device, the clamshell style phone and music player lets users control music using touch-sensitive keys that appear only when they're needed. The front of the phone shows the name of the artist and song without opening the flip. It has what Motorola is calling "sonic features' that enhance music performance, like a 3D sound effect that gives music a surround-sound quality and an audio equalizer that offers 11 pre-set music genres, including rock, reggae and pop for optimal listening. ROKR EM28 users can also bump the bass up to nine decibels.

Finally, Motorola unveiled the ROKR EM25, which offers a music player experience and access to a stored music library and built-in FM radio. The handset has a dedicated music key so users can access stored music and familiar controls to play, pause, forward and rewind songs. The ROKR EM25, also not a LiMo Foundation handset, also features FMShare, which lets users share a favorite station with friends by sending it in a text message and SONGID technology to identify a song while out and about.

The new ROKR devices are offered in several designs for specific style preferences and each supports GSM technology and comes equipped with a host of features, including support for several digital music formats; FM radio with RDS to provide the name of the artist and song playing, and industry standard connectors, like a universal jack and stereo Bluetooth.

The ROKR EM30 is expected to launch first in Taiwan, then in other markets throughout the quarter, while the ROKR EM28 and EM25 will be available globally later this quarter.

The new devices from Motorola also come a day after the Schaumberg, Ill.-based communications company appointed Sonjay Jha, former Qualcomm COO, as co-CEO and CEO of its Mobile Devices business, following the decision in March to splice Motorola into two separate business: Mobile Devices and Broadband Mobility Solutions.

The addition of the MOTOROKR EM30 to the LiMo Foundation comes just one day after the Linux mobile consortium announced seven new open source devices had been added to its roster. At the same time, LiMo also announced the addition of 11 new partners to the foundation, bringing the total number to 52. It also marks the eighth Motorola device to get the LiMo Foundation's seal of approval. The Motozine ZN5 was added to the LiMo roster earlier this week.

The rapid growth of the LiMo Foundation, formed in January 2007, is eclipsing that of rival open source and Linux-based mobile consortiums also working to create devices based on open standards. The most notable, Google Android, has been reportedly plagued by setbacks and has yet to release a device through its 30-plus partner Open Handset Alliance, despite Google saying that Android plans are on track. Another group, Nokia's Symbian Foundation, is also working to extend the reach of mobile handsets that operate on a Linux platform, creating yet another rival for Google.

The Symbian Foundation was announced last month, creating speculation that Symbian and Google Android may partner up to create a blockbuster Linux mobile consortium to compete against LiMo.