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The V8 makes more use of the external screen, but less use of the touch controls. The only thing accessible from the outside of the V8 when it's in standby mode is the camera. Holding the left key below the volume keys will launch the camera in in about 2 seconds. This is about as fast as on the V9m and much faster than on the V9. Otherwise the camera on the V8 works the same as the the V9, except that the left key is used to snap pictures instead of the right.

You cannot access the music player or voice dialing without opening the V8 first. However the V8 can be used to read and respond to text messages right from the external screen, using a combination of the volume keys and left side button, much the same way the music player on the V9 works. Oddly, this does not work for missed calls as well. Finally being able to read incoming texts from the external screen is a joy. Unfortunately the interface to do so was designed to look like a touch screen interface, confusing many users who we let try the phone.

Unfortunately that same sort of advanced navigation is not available when using the music player from the outside screen. Once you open the V8 and start music playing, the external screen is activated when you close the phone. The screen displays the current track information including album art if it is available. The touch sensitive area becomes play / pause, forward and back buttons. There is no track list or any way to see what's coming next other than to jump to the next track, nor is there any way to access any more information. Switching tracks is faster than on the V9m, and takes the exact same amount of time whether using the phone closed or open.

Despite its skimpy musical features, the V8 is a better music device than the ROKR Z6. It has the same music player, but much nicer external music controls. In fact it's almost surprising that this RAZR didn't get the ROKR moniker instead.

The V8 camera works the same as the V9, except the left side key acts as the shutter button instead of the right.

external home screen

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