By 
As we mentioned last Friday, Skatter Tech was able to get a hold of the brand new Motorola KRZR K1m for Verizon Wireless. The KRZR’s features include a 1.3MP camera, MicroSD, speaker phone, external iPod-like touch-sensitive controls, Bluetooth, and V Cast Music/Video. We had high expectations and hoped that the phone would be as good as it looked, unfortunately we ended up being quite disappointed.
Motorola KRZR K1m Specs:
- Provider: Verizon Wireless (CDMA)
- Form Factor: Clamshell Flip Phone
- Dimensions: 4.05H x 1.73W x 0.67D (inches)
- Weight / Battery Life: 3.6oz / 4hrs30mins
- Digital Camera: 1.3 megapixels
- Storage Space: MicroSD expansion (2GB max)
- Communications: Bluetooth + USB
- Others: Speaker Phone and Music Controls
- Price: $199 with new 2 year contract
KRZR Body – 5/5 stars
The shape of the KRZR is much more comfortable and natural to hold compared the RAZR. The phone is way skinnier than the RAZR, but is slightly thicker and taller. At first glance the phone looks expensive, sleek, slim, and glossy, however just as a PSP or an iPod the, KRZR’s coat is prone to fingerprints from even the slightest touch. Motorola has improvised the keypad dividing them with more natural grooves which helps finding keys, without looking, much easier.
Digital Camera – 2/5 stars
The KRZR’s 1.3 megapixel camera is pretty much the same as the one in the RAZR v3m. Other KRZR models have a 2 megapixel camera, however Verizon’s K1m has been cut down to keep prices low. Motorola has also failed to add a flash to the phone, which although not too powerful often will be handy when taking close up shots in the dark.
Display – 4/5 stars
The internal display is much crisper and brighter than that of the Motorola v3m. However it is extremely delicate and placing even the slightest amount of pressure causes the “ripple effect” in the LCD which may damage the display. The external display is a bit dull and with the fingerprints all over, it may be hard to see in sunlight.
Music Playback – 4/5 stars
Unlike the RAZR, the KRZR supports Mp3 playback as well as WMA and V Cast Music. Verizon’s Media Player is well developed and makes browsing through music easy. Users can view songs by artists, albums, genres, or search just as iPods do. The media player also offers the use of playlists, library shuffle, and even display’s album art. The #1 problem is that users must navigate through many menus before they can get their music started. (Can be annoying for people who plan to listen to music a lot.)
External Controls – 3/5 stars
The addition of external touch-sensitive music controls, which the RAZR lacks, was a good concept, but is flawed. There is no way for a user to start music playback from the external controls, the phone must be opened to do so. The controls are also sometimes too sensitive and the current song may be skipped or paused when the phone is picked up.
Speakers – 4/5 stars
The speaker phone quality is quite clear and has minimal or no static. It sounds more clear and is louder than that of the RAZR, however it is still poorly position on the back of the phone. Both music playback and speakerphone will sound muffled if the phone is in your hand.
MicroSD – 3/5 stars
The KRZR now supports use of up to 2GB MicroSD cards. The space can be used for image, video, and music storage. The card slot is unfortunately placed underneath the battery pack lid making it a hassle to get to. If you don’t have a USB cable and the drivers to sync music back and forth, it will be a pain to remove the card every time to transfer files.
Bluetooth – 5/5
Because Verizon has finally “un-crippled” the Bluetooth, the KRZR can now send phonebook entries, pictures, and other data between devices. When testing the handsfree feature with the Lexus IS250, we found that he KRZR now sends the phone’s signal strength, battery level, and other data to the car’s display, unlike the RAZR.
Overall the KRZR is a decent upgrade from the RAZR v3m. There is however a major lack of innovation. Even so, the KRZR will probably be replacing the current RAZR’s place in the market. If all you need is a phone with basic features that can make calls and looks good, this maybe for you. If you are picky and like customizable feature packed phones, there’s not much that the KRZR can offer. The phone is a bit pricy, currently about $199 with a new 2 year contract or $99 for existing customers eligible for upgrade.
DEAL ALERT: FREE Motorola KRZR K1m (w/ new plan)
Related: Verizon Wirelesss – Moto KRZR
Update: Verizon currently charges about $30 for a USB cable and some drivers, but if you already have the cable and are just looking for the drivers you can get it from the link below. Once installed, your phone will be detected as a portable audio device and you will now be able to sync the music in your Windows Media Player Library with your KRZR. After installing you may need to restart your machine. But once complete you will be able to use your computer to charge your KRZR and sync music. To start, go to Get It Now -> Music -> Sync.
Download: Moto_KRZR_Driver.zip (Note: driver found on developer.motorola.com)
Update: If the driver above doesn’t work, try installing the patch from Verizon’s site.
Download: Sync_Music_Fix.exe [Thanks for the info Elizabeth]
I still can’t access the internet on my phone, even after I downloaded the update. Does everyone else have their internet?
Thank you, thank you! I was having so many problems charging my new KRZR k1m until I stumbled upon this site. Your driver info was just the trick.
I downloaded a ringtone and got it as a text message, I played it and then saved it as a sound but can’t get it to a ringtone. Any one know how to fix this?
All I hear are you people bitching on this website, mabey you should read about the phone before actully buying it, since it does cost a good chunk of change and all. Read up on what you’re buying before even doing anything. I love my KRZR. I bought it after I read all of the features it has and I was satisfied before I had even held it. It was even better once it came. I also know how to take care of my things and even though it does soak up fingerprinks like a sponge, you can just put a protector over it, or take care of your possesions. They wipe off easily in about a minute if you just take the time to do it.
Oh yeah and also, don’t buy Verison. Cingular is where it’s at…
ya I got the krzr k1m from verizon a week ago and so far I am having no problems with it.don’t know why all of your are bitching about it , but the krzr is a great phone.
JD,
I’m glad to see that you are not having problems with your new phone. The “bitching” you refer to started when VZ began selling this phone (check the posting dates) before there were working drivers available.
Now that Motorola has working drivers, I have nothing to complain about. I have control of the phone via P2K Commander, Motorola Phone Tools, and V-Cast Music Essential Manager, all of which are available for download if you search for them.
Now that I’m up and working, I can say that it is a fantastic phone. The fact that VZ wants customers to shell out additional money to use the phone features such as music and ring tones is (IMHO) criminal. It’s like buying a car and finding out that the trunk, glove box, and front hood each require an additional key to open which you can purchase if you need to have access to them.
F- VERIZON!! That being said with 3 Verizon cells and Verizon FIOS as my cable TV and internet service provider. :-)
John
I’m not to happy with this phone. You gave it a 5/5 on the body? I think it’s horrible. I very rarely drop my phones or any of my technology, but the second time I dropped this phone the front cracked from top to bottom. It didn’t even fall from a very great height, no more than a foot off the ground, it didn’t even land on the front cover. Maybe it was a freak accident or something, but I’m pretty upset about it. I guess I’m just lucky it’s only cosmetic damage and it managed to just barely miss the camera lens, but ugh. ):
My krzr lense cracked. Don`t put it your pocket. Motorola will not help me with it.So i have a new phone that looks like crap.
ours cracked too.. and has never been dropped.. we couldnt figure out how.. but I guess its just so cheap it cracked in my husbands pocket.
I would like to find out how many have cracked. I think there are or will be a lot.It would be nice if Motorola could help us out.
[Comment ID #27292 Will Be Quoted Here]
I know I just said mine is.. but Id like to be counted for this poll.
SO: 1
Ok thats 2 so far lets keep it going.Wish i could get the word out to get the poll going.
thi is a awsome phone i hiley recomend it
I have a Motorola KRZR k1m, that I just got with my ‘New every two’ Verizon contract. I spent 2 days this past weekend trying to get my phone to connect to my computer. I bought and installed the Music Essentials Kit, downloaded and installed the various software (including the Music Essentials Manager and the Sync Music Fix), installed driver after driver, uninstalled them, reinstalled them, talked to Verizon customer service (twice), talked to Motorola customer service, etc., etc., etc. The final outcome is that I cannot connect. I got this phone so that I could take pictures & upload them to my computer, and to download MY music, but I cannot. From my research on the web I find that this is a common problem with the KRZR. I want another new phone!! I have been a Verizon customer for 8 years – this is my 4th new phone. I WANT A PHONE THAT WORKS LIKE IT’S SUPPOSED TO – NOW!!!
I am apparently going to have to buy a microsd card. Can anyone suggest the best type/price/vendor to purchase it from? And how will it work with a Verizon MOTOKRZR?
i just got my krzr 2 days ago and already it is getting scratches, this phone also attracts finger prints, but over all the phone is very nice and a nice alternative to the crappy razr.
Issue 1 Description
The Sync Music Application does not successfully launch Windows Media Player to enable music file synchronization between the handset and the PC. This occurs when the user opens the “VCAST SyncMusic” application (Menu>GetIt Now>Get Music &Tones>Sync Music) on the phone and even though the phone is recognized and enumerates as a Microsoft Transfer Protocol (MTP) device after a few seconds it quickly enumerates back as a Motorola USB Modem.
This occurs when particular Windows Registry flags are changed to incorrect values during the first sync. The PC will not be capable of syncing music for any K1m device until the Windows Registry values are modified.
Issue 1 Solution:
1. Disconnect phone
2. Execute the new MTP Repair executable (CLICK HERE to download)
3. Reboot the PC
4. Open Windows Media Player
5. Connect phone
6. Launch Get It Now > Get Music & Tones > Sync Music
If this does not resolve the sync issue:
1. Disconnect phone
2. Uninstall Windows Media Player 10
3. Install Windows Media Player 10 or later
4. Reboot the PC
5. Open Windows Media Player
6. Connect phone
7. Launch GetIt Now>Get Music &Tones>Sync Music
Issue 2 Description
After the user has launched the Sync Music function, the phone displays under “Other Devices” in the Device Manager as K1m/L7c. Registry values corresponding to the device are not being populated. The device does not enumerate as a Microsoft Transfer Protocol Device and is prohibited from syncing music.
Issue 2 Solution:
1. Disconnect phone
2. Execute the V3m MTP Fix executable (CLICK HERE to download)
3. Reboot the PC
4. Open Windows Media Player
5. Connect phone
6. Launch GetIt Now>Get Music &Tones>Sync Music
If this does not resolve the sync issue:
1. Disconnect phone
2. Uninstall Windows Media Player 10
3. Install Windows Media Player 10 or later
4. Reboot the PC
5. Open Windows Media Player
6. Connect phone
7. Launch GetIt Now>Get Music &Tones>Sync Music
Issue 3 Description
Phone is recognized as a Microsoft Transfer Protocol Device and “MTP Media Player” Dialog opens up momentarily and then disappears. Phone reverts back as Motorola USB Modem and displays “Connect Failure”.
Issue 3 Solution Pending
VCAST third party application provider has determined that allowing a greater duration period for recognizing the phone may resolve this issue. Motorola is currently working with VZW and third party application provider to integrate into a future software release. Target date mid to late January.
Issue 4 Description
Phone displays “Connected” and Windows Media Player opens up. However it displays “Finding Devices” and stays in this state prohibiting the phone from syncing music.
[Comment ID #27388 Will Be Quoted Here]
Got mine on Ebay, 1gb paid 10.00 including shipping, works fine
Pete says
i have been having trouble getting my songs to load from my MicroSD memory card. its like my phone freezes every time i try to load the musc files and the my phone temporarily loses service. i think it might be a defect in the phone or maybe in the card. i have no idea. is anyone having the same problems or knows how to fix it ?
..
Pete ive been having the same problem with my phone, with the losing service when i try to load up pictures or songs from my phone, and i just dont kno what it is.. im on my 2nd krzr… i think this phone is horrible!!!! im gonna need help on this one too!!!
It would appear that most of the problems with the K1M are a result of Verizon software – either glitches or intentional disabilities. I have contacted Verizon and Motorola and they both say, “Do X, then do Y…”, etc., etc. I keep telling them that I have done X and Y multiple times and am still not able to get my phone to recognize the PC. I have a microSD card on order from eBay, but I just heard that people are also having problems with cards – especially with Verizon KRZRs. Is there an attorney in this forum? Can we start a class action suit?
i need help!!!! when i connect my KRZR K1 to the computer, it wont connect! i have installed all the software, but when i try to connect my phone a pop up says ‘to check the settings’ on my phone, and says i need to connect to the internet. i done that but it still wont connect! what the hell am i doing wrong?!?!?! help please!!!
Hey I live in western maryland and the only actual carriers that ne one has are either Cellular One or US Cellular. I have the better of the two US Cellular. They are reliable have a good customer service program and the only way that they change the motorola krzr k1m is by inscribing “US Cellular” on the phone. There is no dumbing down like verizon does and instead of the lit up verizon ad that everyone here has been complaining about the motorola sign comes up. In my opinion US Cellular is the best carrier around and if u have it in your area then i suggest u get it.
Does anyone know how to transfer pictures from the krzr to the computer ? Is it possible to do without having a memory card ?
The best way with out USB, bluetooth or the MicroSD card is TEXT! I sometimes just text the pics to my email..
ALSO…..Does anyone know why my K1M will not save my MP3 settings?