Motorola MOTOFONE F3 gets by FCC

The FCC is many things to many people, but for us, it's a library and an informant. In its latter capacity, the agency has scooped literally dozens upon dozens of phones for us; in its former, it serves as one of the most comprehensive sources of mobile phone user's manuals on the 'net. They're putting on their starched, three-piece suits and playing their librarian role this time around, releasing a cornucopia of PDFs relating to Motorola's low-cost MOTOFONE F3. The draft manual is a breath of fresh air for the manual haters among us -- we know who you are -- if it carries through to production in its current form, bearing just 10 (yes, ten) panels of important information on what appears to be a foldable pamphlet. Ultra low-end or not, we have to admit an irrational excitement is building around Engadget HQ to play around with this thing -- especially if the brief documentation suggests it's going to take like 90 seconds to learn.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2006 1:55PM]

This is going to be hit.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2006 9:56AM]

As usual great reporting chris and engadget guys! although i do feel this phone is horribly designed, it most likely will take popularity as another cheap krazr / candybar slvr alternative. I just wish someone could bring in the next fad already, these blockish skinny phones that all look alike are really hitting a nerve now after two years+....

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2006 12:52PM]

I think the fact that this thing uses e-ink is a really interesting bit- SLVR design & all.

I certainly like the display on my Sony Reader & would welcome a low power consuming Symbian S60 3rd ed. phone (years to come, but this is a start)!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2006 3:14AM]

Anybody look at the manual for this thing? There is no menu to access settings :-)

Just number codes. Sweet.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2006 12:13AM]

more interesting is that this is the 1st device from moto's new line up of phones caled scalple (SCLPL?).

the cool thing is that this phone has two antenna, at the top and bottom of the phone, so no matter where you hold the 'fone' it'll preform well. that's an awesome concept, but can they do that with 3G yet?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2006 9:23AM]

Does the screen have a backlight?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2006 7:52PM]

This posts are always good for a chuckle:

"more interesting is that this is the 1st device from moto's new line up of phones caled scalple (SCLPL?)"

No you dork, it looks nothing like the SCPL phone. It's a knockoff of the SLVR. Geez, read up on this stuff before you go spoutin off at the mouth. Google Motorola SCPL and you'll see it looks nothing like this. N-O-T-H-I-N-G

And while I'm on the subject...

"these blockish skinny phones that all look alike are really hitting a nerve now after two years"

aww... poor baby. I'm sure all the phone makers will ditch all of their marketing research and kill these very popular selling phones just because poor little Prophet is tired of the 'blockish' phone that the rest of the world is snapping up as fast as they can turn them out. Yeah, hold your breath... no really.

Really guys, go get a life. Sheesh!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 2nd 2006 12:05AM]

Actually after taking your advice and googling the Motorola SCPL it looks identical to this phone. so before you go spouting off at the mouth how about you take your own advice and do a little research for yourself...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 16th 2007 1:25AM]

got this phone recently for less than $30 in India with 1 year warranty (Unlocked). This phone had a B&W display and bascially is as low end as it gets. Good for making/receiving calls, and 1 line messages etc.. One can even limit making calls to the entries in phonebook. Good phone to give to children as its durable and relatively dust proof. not recommended for ppl who use text messaging etc...
Display is very clear even in broad daylight, but hey you only need it for dialling numbers right as its not very friendly for SMS's.