On the other hand, the Aura's clock function, shown when the handset is closed, shows off the screen beautifully. In fact, the clock is one of the phone's best features, and almost made us wish the Aura was a watch rather than a mobile. Motorola has obviously recognised the clock's importance, adding a shortcut from the home screen so that you can switch quickly between the five different styles available.
Sound effort
The Aura's media player supports several formats, including AAC, MP3, WAV and WMA. We found the sound acceptable when compared to that of the SanDisk
Sansa Fuze through some beautiful Audio
Technica headphones, but we had to
test using the handset's included headphones due to its proprietary socket.
The Aura's output lacks the depth and resonance of the dedicated MP3
player, but we felt it would be fine for casual listening.
We used the Motorola Phone Tools software to transfer audio files to the Aura's 2GB of on-board memory via USB. The software looks amateurish but is easy to use, and we had no trouble setting it up or transferring files. But be warned: Motorola has no love for the Mac. You'll need Windows XP, 2000 or Vista to sync the Aura.
Conclusion
Motorola has joined Vertu and luxury-watch makers TAG Heuer
and Ulysse
Nardin in the rush to serve the few users who are crying out for more expensive, blinging phones. Like its rival offerings, the Aura is
primarily aimed at blinding us with its beauty and price tag, rather than its features.
It's not good for much besides making calls, but its stunning screen, stainless-steel body and rotating cover are certainly glamorous. If you have deep pockets and you're not worried about advanced features like surfing the Web, the Aura could be for you.
Edited by Charles Kloet
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swifty21 11 June 2009
Good: brilliant reception which i cannot get from my storm or htc even set on 2g , build quality, call quality
Bad: texting can be a bit of a pain until you get used to it
Comment: I purchased this phone because i cannot get any reception in my house from either a blackberry storm, htc , samsung tocco ultra even set on 2g or even a bog standard 2 g mobile, and i suffer from servere migraines , This motorola gives me 5 bars of reception whereever ever i am in the house. Yes it is lacking gadgets (but they are not worth having if you cannot make a call) The screen quality is unbelievable and you can save a picture so that it fully takes up the round screen . The build quality is excellent. I read in the other review that they found the menu circle difficult you just have to get used to the top being like 12 oclock and using the keys half way up towards it and going the other way to reach it that way. the camera even though it is 2mega is very good quality and is better than some 3-4 and even 5 mega pixal camera phones that i have had. One thing that i have found a pain is texting which takes along time to get used to, but i have now cracked it. The call quality is so clear and no hot ear. brilliant. I paid about £100 more than a htc pro 2 in the end, so it was well worth everypenny. If you want a brilliant phone, that makes clear calls that looks and feels as though it may out live you, with an amazing screen , that has reception better than none this is the phone. If you want gadets it is not the phone for you, but i have found my ideal phone. One very pleased moto customer and no i do not work or have any connection to them,
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