This pocket-friendly side-slider with QWERTY keyboard features one-touch access to both text and instant messaging as well as a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion up to 8 GB, bilingual interface (English/Spanish), 3.5mm headset jack, ability to use the phone as a modem with the optional Mobile Broadband Connect service, and up to 5.3 hours of talk time.
 Stay ahead of the social curve with the new Motorola Rival. |
In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.
With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps.
Getting on the Internet is easy using the Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. The Verizon Wireless Media Center wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Media Center service.
 A side– sliding, backlit QWERTY keyboard fires off IM–style texts as fast as your thumbs can move (see larger image). |
With Mobile Broadband Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with Mobile Broadband Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
 The 2-megapixel camera makes it a snap to capture still photos and videos while on the go. |
Out-thumb your friends with IM-style texting that organizes messages by contact, displaying them in a chat-like format. Messaging is made even faster with a backlit QWERTY keyboard that shows only the characters and numbers you need to use while texting in the dark. One-touch access to text message composition, emoticons, symbols and IM or email lets you quickly chime in and contribute to the chatter. Keep all of your important conversations handy by holding up to 500 text messages in your inbox and outbox.
The phone includes a digital audio player that's compatible with MP3, WMA and unprotected AAC/AAC+ formats. You can create and manage playlists directly on the phone as well as easily sync music from your PC to the Rival via an optional USB cable. You can store music on optional MicroSD memory cards, and the Rival is compatible with cards up to 8 GB in size.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone provides the latest version of Bluetooth connectivity--version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), which makes pairing with the Bluetooth devices a snap. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).
The 2-megapixel camera can capture still photos in four resolutions (1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, and 320 x 240 pixels as well as a small Picture ID size to add to your phonebook). It also features up to a 7x digital zoom (depending on resolution setting), white balance settings (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Darkness), a self-timer, and multiple color effects. You can also capture video clips in QCIF resolution (176 x 144 pixels) for as long as you have available memory on an inserted memory card.
The Rvial has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging, too, with support for sending and receiving text, picture, and video messages as well as mobile instant messaging (IM). There's also a complete e-mail client on the device for POP- and IMAP-based accounts. And of course, the QWERTY keyboard makes it a snap to type your messages.
 Left side. |
 Right side. |
Vital Statistics
The Motorola Rival weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 3.8 x 2.0 x 0.71 inches. Its 940 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.3 hours (320 minutes) of talk time, and up to 510 hours (21+ days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as 1X/EV-DO 3G frequencies.
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Average Customer Review: based on 10 reviews
I LOVE THIS PHONE!
August 7, 2009
Reviewer: Jo Beth (Illinois) -
I have been looking around for an upgrade and after a couple of months settled on this one - love it! The sound is great, no delay when talking cell-cell or cell-landline. Added bonus for me is the music player; I downloaded my music to a micro memory card and use it every evening for walking! I walk 5 miles a night and it doesn't even drop the battery one bar; great batter life! Also, did I mention it uses regular headphones; no need to buy the expensive one! Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase. If there is a downfall to this phone it would be the speed dial; you have to open up to the qwerty key-board to use it, it will not work from the touch keypad for dialing numbers (at least I haven't figured it out if you can).
Can't hold the phone too close to your ear!
October 19, 2009
Reviewer: C. Munro
This is my first "touch phone" so maybe they're all like this; I don't know. I picked this phone for the full keyboard to make texting easier. If you try to hold the phone with your ear (or even hold it too close to your ear), your ear will set off all kinds of unwanted processes on the touch screen. I rate it 3 stars because the sound and cameras are very good and in my opinion the battery lasts FOREVER. I frequently go 3 or 4 days without charging and I have no land line.
not my choice
September 24, 2009
Reviewer: Frank Fusco "Frank" (Arkansas) -
This was not my choice, it came with the renewal contract. Phone is akward to hold, is sorta 'slippery'. Controls are in bad locations and are very 'touchy', easy to activate features you don't want to activate. Sound quality is good. But trying to talk while holding to ear is difficult since it doesn't pick up your speech very well. I'm not young, this phone is difficult to just hold, it needs a more grippable surface and controls placed differently. The charges noted on the phone for accessing services are not necessarily what the carrier will charge you. Battery does not hold long, frequent talker would be out of luck after about four conversations.
DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE
January 11, 2010
Reviewer: T. McMahon (Erie, PA) -
I have had the Motorola Rival for 5 months and i have been through 4 already. Verizon will replace them on warranty so my problem is not with Verizon, i have had no problems with them,only this phone. On 3 of my phones the screen went blank and image would not return in any way, it has gone white on my last two and black on the second one. The first phone would not send or receive text messages from any other carrier, i was told by Verizon technicians that it was the phone, not the network. I cannot stress it enough, DO NOT BUY THIS CELL PHONE!!!
A455 Crap
November 16, 2009
Reviewer: Stephen M. Shaw (Deerfield, NH) -
I purchased 3 phones 5 months ago. 1st one lasted 1 month and the slide screws came out so the phone was replaced and the replacement died in a week (no display). They replaced that one and so far it has lasted 3 weeks with no problems.
The 2nd one lasted 4 months and the slide screws came out. I got a replacement and in less than a week the slide screws came out. getting another replacement.
3rd has not had that issue but if you close the slide too fast it will shut the phone off.
These are not a good durable phone for everyday use.
Interface all right--Device unreliable
February 16, 2010
Reviewer: James R. Maclean (Seattle, WA United States) -
This phone was my first smartphone; I did not actually get internet access in the plan, so I have nothing to say about its browsing/mail features. I believe the phone is somewhat overpriced for its modest capabilities, though. The camera is mediocre and photo management is very inconvenient; I got a USB adapter for interface with my computer, but it doesn't help with accessing the memory card. So, the user must carefully transfer each photo to the card, then physically remove the card and transfer it to a card reader. If you take a lot of photos, this is can take a long time.
(BTW, I did get an [[ASIN:B0012Y2LLE SanDisk 8GB]] memory card for this; considering the fact that it's the only way to access data stored on the phone, I think access to the slot is both difficult and endangers the case. I never did break the case removing the back, but I easily could have.)
The controls are _constantly_ being triggered unintentionally. Every single time I unlocked the controls, there was something extraneous pulled up. This was not such a serious problem, especially since I reprogrammed the controls to only access features I had paid for.
Finally, this phone (NOT the battery) is extremely unreliable; it broke down and had to be replaced twice. I don't believe I was particularly hard on the phone, but each specimen lasted only months.
Better than I expected
October 30, 2009
Reviewer: Faith "bleu clair rhapsody" (NY USA) -
This is my first qwerty phone, and I am very happy with it. As I know of the other phones available, I knew what I wanted and what I didn't want. I did not want anything too big. This is the perfect size for me, plus the keyboard is bigger than some as you turn it sideways to slide it open. I have read many reviews and wanted to write one as I'm happy with the design (which is cute and purple=), and the performance of this phone, but a customer should know what it is that they like and don't like. I did not want a touch screen either, and this one has a few features on the touch screen that work great so I have no complaints. The sound is excellent, it has a lot of great features (I've got a signature on my outgoing texts, and a different ringtone for some of my contacts - although they could each have their own!); the alarm works great and I use my notepad and calculator constantly. I've had it for almost two months with no problems.
Generally speaking, the manufacturers of these products should keep in mind that most people, including teens, keep their phones in their pockets; and too, drop them - so durability is a desired quality as well.
*Update: I've had this phone for almost five months, dropped it once or twice, and it's still fine. Plus I've used the voice command feature, which works great and is very convenient. There's a button for speaker phone, or if you slide the phone open the speaker phone automatically operates. So, I'm still very happy with this purchase.
Returning it today
December 12, 2009
Reviewer: R (USA) -
Pros: QWERTY keyboard, good speakerphone
Cons: NOBODY can understand me unless I use speakerphone. Touchscreen way too sensitive: end up hitting buttons just while holding the phone during every conversation, often putting the phone on mute by mistake.
I can't talk without either putting someone on mute when on speakerphone or my speech being garbled on the regular phone. Either way, the person on the other end can't hear me. Useless as a phone! Can't wait to get rid of it!
decent
February 3, 2010
Reviewer: Kris
i like mine ok for the price and available features. facebook is easy to use but very basic. i'm now craving a "smarter" phone with more internet capability. but the texting and controls are easy to use and in my opinion set up well. accidentally pushing the touch screen buttons can be avoided by "locking" the phone while you're talking or immediately after you're done using it. i've gotten used to that, it's easier than looking at your phone and wondering what in the heck you just pushed. also the phone is much smaller than i expected, but i could have avoided that by paying more attention when i ordered it! if i try to multi-task and balance it on my shoulder no one can hear me. all in all i'd like it to be BIGGER, that would solve a lot of my issues. but if you like small phones with a lot of features this is for you!
Piece of garbage
August 25, 2009
Reviewer: EDH Shopper
Don't buy this phone. It's a piece of garbage. Within the first week, the first phone we received kept powering down unexpectedly. The replacement phone doesn't work either. The speaker had no sound from the start, and within 3 days the screen went white and the phone is completely useless. Two phones and neither work. We HOPE that at some point Amazon will recognize that they sold us a piece of garbage and will trade in the phone for a different model. So far no luck. Not happy with Amazon right now!!!
