But being a music phone, it’s the sound that matters the most and this is where the EM30 scores with excellent quality both on and off the headphone. To add to this, this Motorola phone comes with a unique MusicID service that allows it to sample music from any source, say a TV or the radio, and analyse the file from the Moto Music store’s database. This obviously needs GPRS. Once the song is found, you have the option to buy it online. The phone is also compatible with Windows Media Player 11 and gives users the freedom to download music from more than 200 online music stores worldwide.

The EM30 stands out due to its bright colour contrast of red and black and its key pad which is otherwise hidden behind a laminated panel. However, this is also its main drawback. Despite the Modeshift technology lighting up the panel to highlight the keys, it’s very difficult to press the right buttons while dialling or texting. In fact, it took multiple attempts to get the numbers right while dialling.

But the intelligent landscape LCD display makes for a good web browsing experience. The main menu is user-friendly, though most of the features, except for MusicID, are similar to other phones available in the market.

The phone, which runs on a Linux-JAVA Operating System, has radio with a timeout option to automatically switch it off anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour. The MicroSD memory expansion slot supports up to 8GB of memory upgrade.

The 2MP camera has an 8X optical zoom with the option of capturing images in different styles—Black&White, Antique, Negative, Reddish, Bluish and even

Greenish hues. The USB port is tucked away on the top right side of the handset just above the lock key. The other side has the volume keys on top with the side select key under it.

The company claims the phone has a battery that can give up to 360 minutes of talktime and 300 hours standby. But given the experience with other Motorola phones, this claim will have to be verified. Priced at Rs 8,959, the phone scores high with its hi-fi audio, but is not a great option for serious users.