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Ever since Google unleashed Android, Motorola has been claiming that it would be at the vanguard of the gPhone revolution. One year on, and at last the first Moto Android mash-up is here. Dubbed the Motorola DEXT, it rocks a skinned UI, MotoBLUR, which the mobile maker claims will make staying up-to-date easier than ever. So can it live up to expectations? Read our full Motorola DEXT review now to find out.
Motorola’s failings in recent years have been well documented. So it’s great to see the former cellular king make a headline grabbing return. The Motorola DEXT certainly has an impressive spec sheet, guaranteed to get tech heads salivating. As well as MotoBLUR, there’s Wi–Fi, HSDPA, a 3 megapixel camera, video recording and that all important QWERTY pad for texting.
The keyboard is a huge factor and one we haven’t seen on an Android device since the T–Mobile G1. It’s a welcome addition, sliding out with a reassuring thunk and giving the device a hefty feel. It also makes the phone a bit of a chunky monkey, but definitely aids texting. The keys themselves aren’t isolated, looking more like an ageing laptop than a next-gen smartphone. However, once you’ve got used to the layout and reconcile yourself to the size zero space bar, you’ll be tapping out texts in no time.
Read our HTC Tattoo review now
It’s handy, because the Motorola DEXT’s on screen keyboard, while aping all other Android devices, can be cramped. Only working in portrait, you’ll find it easily misrreads taps. We were trying to use the delete button but kept hitting ‘l’, the key above, instead. And our fingers are more like chiplotas than Lincolnshire sausages.
That’s not the only quibble we have with the Motorola DEXT. MotoBLUR has been hyped beyond belief, and while setting it up is as simple as typing in an email address and password, it really does fall down in the looks department. Look closely and you’ll realise quickly it’s a few message bubbles and web feeds slapped on top of the classic blue background found on the G1 and HTC Magic. The Facebook app is, frankly, a mess. Feeds come through in dribs and drabs, often serving up hours old information. No good if you’re a Facey–B fanatic like us.
The ability to add feeds to one of five home screens is cool, allowing instant access to anything from the latest gadget happenings to signings in League Two. The Motorola DEXT also has a nifty browser, letting you surf simply by typing on the QWERTY board. Zooming is laggy, however, and with no multitouch, a tad disappointing.
The Motorola DEXT certainly won’t win any design awards either. Android is finding itself on some increasingly sleek devices, with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X3 and HTC Hero both outclassing it looks wise. Essentially, this phone is solid, but unspectacular. Android remains a cracking OS, but HTC Sense and Rachael are better skins than MotoBLUR, offering users more from it. The DEXT is great as a basic device, but if you want that, go for the cheaper HTC Tattoo or T–Mobile Pulse instead.
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