similar experiences
I too had a 3650 (I used to maintain a website devoted to it; http://3650anda12inch.blogspot.com) and just recently went for the new black Razr. The address book is very annoying. I wonder if a Java alternative would be possible...

Anyway, for some reason it didn't click in my head that the charger for the Razr was USB, so thanks for writing this. As soon as I read "charge via USB" I smacked myself in the head and ran over and grabbed my PSP's USB cable. Thanks!

I told you that...
...you would have preferred the T610 to the 3650 back when you were in Iraq. But you didn't believe me! You said the phone would spend most of the time in some bag of yours, so the form factor wouldn't make a difference. Next time, listen to me! :)

Speaking of which, it's next time already! Perl is a mess of a language. Drop it for some something better.

I told you that...
Yeah, I know. I know.

The form factor really wasn't the reason I bought the Razr. I wanted a Motorola flip phone. I still don't carry these things directly on my person which is why anyone who calls me usually gets my voice mail. :)

I looked through the Motorola Java SDKs today. It looks like I can make socket connections. There has to be some catch though. Surely someone is selling what I need somewhere. I just have to find them.

similar experiences
How is it that I'm following you around (virtually)? I'm thinking about writing my own address book if I can't find anything else. Mine would be really simple though: a read only sort of thing since I never edit that stuff on the phone (yeah, how often have you heard that :)

Making your own phone book...
...is non trivial. You'd need the programmable layer (that'd be Java, on the Razr) to support:
* a decent amount of storage for the data
* a way to sync that data
* a way to dial numbers and initiate calls
* a way to label incoming calls with the details of the caller, as looked up in the address book.

If all of those are available from a Java MIDlet (especially an unsigned one), you have a bunch of security holes... thus I suspect you're not going to find your replacement address book app. It's non-trivial to develop one for the Series 60 phones (like the 3650) where there's a decent Symbian operating system in place, and Java is way more restricted.

Making your own phone book...
Storage isn't a big deal. I have plently of room to store pictures and videos. :)

Syncing data is just file transfer. It would be great if I could do it over iSync, but I know that's not going to happen.

The SDK has a way to initiate calls.

I don't care too much about marking incoming calls. The built-in phonebook will handle that.

None of that really matters in my case, because I probably won't have the free time to do it.

ContactManager app
I don't know how good this $5.50 app is, but it seems to have basic "real" address (i.e., street address, etc.) book capability:

http://motorola.handango.com/entertainment/PlatformSoftwareDetail.jsp?siteId=522&jid=8C8XA4395CA255BC44F36A724691245A&carrierId=2&partnerId=61&javaDevice=V3&productType=2&productId=69388§ionId=4740&catalog=90

I agree with what you wrote in your blog - nice phone, but crappy interface, I was hoping to be able to transfer all my Palm Vx info (via USB) to this phone (after spending the $30 on the lackluster PhoneTools S/W that should be included with the phone IMHO - I'm stuck with Windoze).

I'd be willing to pay more than $5.50 for a "real" address book ...

lOl

ContactManager app
... at least $5.55 !

ContactManager app
This looks like it could do the trick! It's odd that I have to create an eWallet to get this. I could fund it for $5, $10, $20, and some higher value, so I acually ended up paying $10 for the app.

Apparently it doesn't have an Import feature and expects me to type all that info again. I'll have to poke around to see if I can figure out it's file format (it doesn't seem to be straight vCard since it has certain limitations).

ContactManager app
Right, that was the major drawback in the feedback I saw on the HelloMoto/Handango site from other users ... all info has to be entered manually :(

It seems I am not the only one
I bought a RAZR v3 BLK this week. I too was greatly disappointed with the interface and particularly the "phone" book. However, before receiving the phone I really wanted a smaller, easier to carry phone than my old Nokia 6340i.

I could never remember to lock the keyboard with my old phone. I must have used up a quarter of my minutes each month accidently calling people. So, I really liked the idea of a flip phone.

I too discovered the trick to making the "phone" book more palatable, but you are correct, it does not fully solve the problem.

I have downloaded an MP3 and exchanged graphics via BT File Exchange, but the newest issue that I have not seen many people talking is the lack of full support for the Mac OS X Address Book applications' BT features. When you set up the connection between your Mac and the RAZR, you'll notice that the "Use with Address Book" selection is grayed out. Hence, the RAZR does not support (from Mac OS X) the ability to send and receive phone calls and SMS messages from within the Address Book application. I am not sure why that is because I was able to perform the same steps with a demo version of BluePhoneElite.

Is Apple planning additional RAZR support enhancements?

I would be great if someone developed an "address" book application in Java for the v3 that would sync using iSync!

We'll here's to waiting another 2 years before I can try and buy a basic phone with good BT support and a decent "address" book. In the meantime, I wish someone would marry the Motorola hardward designers with the Nokia software engineers to produce the perfect blend of both hardward and software functionality. If we could only put together such a team!

One more thing....
When you sync the RAZR with iSync and then read the iSync log, why is there no mention of how many additions, modifications and deletions of records the RAZR sends the Mac?

Will this work?
I'm not sure if you want a brand new phone book on the phone or just a way to share the data so it's more useful. Here's an app that is compatible with the RAZR with a whole lot more than what you are asking for...

http://www.datapilot.com/mac_features.htm

e-mail addresses via iSync
It took me a couple trys to get e-mail addresses over. I found a setting in iSync--simply click on the Razr icon, click the Options... button next to the Synchronize drop down, and make sure you check Synchronize Email addresses.

Will this work?
Actually, DataPilot seems to only support the features that your handset already supports. It doesn't add anything new other than editing the phone numbers, which I can already do in Address Book.

DataPilot seems to be about pulling data from the phone, not making the phone handle stuff it wasn't designed to handle. I want a real address book, not simply a bunch of phone number.

Showing only one entry per person in the address book
Go to the address book. Hit the middle button (the one that corresponds to the four vertical lines at the bottom of the screen). It will bring up a "Phonebook Menu". Select "Setup". Hit the center enter button. Go to "View" and change from "All Contacts" to "Primary Contacts". You can then designate which contact is the primary contact for each person. I believe this information could have also been had by RTFM.

developing contact manager for RAZR V3?
I am thinking of writing a contact manager for my RAZR. I have done a bit of web-thumping and so far I have come up with the following details:

(1) The relevant J2ME SDK is easily downloadable from the MOTOCODER web-site.

(2) The first hitch is that I don't think I have any IDE that I can use. (I had jbuilder around somewhere, where did I put that?)

(3) According to their developer guide, the consumer phones, which is what I have, have the Java-download-via-usb-cable feature disabled. The only way to download is via a special WAP-enabled gateway server on the internet, which sounds painful. They say you have to contact MOTOCODER to get a handset with the java-download enabled, and you may have to order a different usb cable, or it might be the same usb data cable that one uses to sync your phone with phone-tools. I wish they had just allowed download of apps via bluetooth.

Anyways, if you're interested in doing this, maybe we can collaborate.

Regards,

Warren Postma

Razr phonebook
I have one of these stylish, inept devices as well. I like that I can create my own MP3 ringer, but that's about it. I understand it needs a 3rd party driver to charge via USB. I have a Mac desktop and a PC laptop. I expected to be able to charge from the laptop when I bought it.

Aside from that, I have 600 or so contacts in my phone list. I am frustrated that it won't accept the second letter of a name to refine its search. I find myself having to press the down arrow button 20+ times for some of my entries. The lack of physical address infuriates me.

My Nokia 6610 crapped out on me, or I would return to using it. It misses some of the flash, but has MUCH better reception, better sounding speakerphone and a perfectly workable address book.

I'm intrigued by the new Samsung t608, but can't find any info about its address book on the web. I'm now cautious about this.

Anyone wanna buy a razr?

Samsung t809
correction, Samsung t809 intrigues me..
anyone know about its user interface?

I will never buy Motorola phones again
Before my NOKIA 3650 I had a Motorola StarTec phone about 2-3 years ago, and I was very happy with it. I just replaced my NOKIA 3650 phone with the RARZ, and now I see the importance of a good phone/address book that can actually handle a real vCard format, which includes addresses, etc.

I was also very disappointed with that fact that Motorola is not including the software CD with the phone. I received the CD with my NOKIA and I did not have to pay $40 just like did with my Razr. (I finally bought the CD on E-bay for $10, because they do not deserve any money for it.)

I bought the software CD to the Razr, because I hoped that I might be able to synchronize my Outlook with the phone, although I might not be able to edit it which would be fine. It still not doing it, so what is the purpose of the software?

In summary, I still do not want to believe that the Razr's address book suck this much. It is a very cheap address book, and ones you had a NOKIA you will not want a phone like the Razr anymore, therefore I will return it.

Robert

RE: Showing only one entry per person in the address book
Go to the address book. Hit the middle button (the one that corresponds to the four vertical lines at the bottom of the screen). It will bring up a "Phonebook Menu". Select "Setup". Hit the center enter button. Go to "View" and change from "All Contacts" to "Primary Contacts". You can then designate which contact is the primary contact for each person. I believe this information could have also been had by RTFM.

I did RTFM, but the book is very difficult to follow. I even downloaded the pdf from Motorola and did a search for address. I went through each page, but it doesn't really go into detail. I finally had to say "wow" when I changed the setting to primary contacts. Then I went to the contact and used the left arrow and the right arrow to scroll through the contact list.

By the way, when you are inputing the data, you have to sort of piggy back off the contact name, don't use NEW CONTACT for each phone entry of the person. It will create separate entries.

go into ADDRESS BOOK > click NEW ENTRY > click SELECT > Enter Name and Phone > choose TYPE of contact (home, work, mobile, etc) > scroll down to MORE > SELECT > ADD NEW phone number or e-mail address. Keep doing this until all the information is entered select DONE > you are put back into the address book.

I totally agree with you dude...the address book on the razr pretty much sucks.

Thanks for letting me know how to fix the phone book on the RAZR. That was a major problem for me. The RAZR would be a perfect phone for me if it had Nokia's contact management software on it. Plus would be nice if I could access EDGE on it. But alas I have my Nokia 6101 for that, it's a great phone, just no Bluetooth. . .

I've been holding off from buying the RAZR simply because it doesn't seem to store Street address, State & Zip in the contacts. Has anyone figured this mess out yet?

In regards to the t-mobile motorola razr phonebook menu view. Your post helped me to change the setting so each person had only one name and many phone numbers attached. I did it by Phonebook - phonebook menu - setup - view - primary contacts

thanks, Trent

I'm glad I found your site. 'Just spent 2 hours of my work time searching for a solution to this extremely annoying phonebook on this gadget. The manual that came with the book is just crap! Your hint was quite helpful. Thanks!

The Razr (was actually doing a search on 'razar' for about an hour) is a pretty cool phone, but I hate the ring tones provided and the phonebook is a MAJOR disappointment. -I guess the ringtones issues is because these phone companies are trying to make money off selling ringtones, but I just don't get how this phonebook application got to be implemented in a 2006 phone! It's a disgrace to the engineers who designed it.
That's all I have to say.

"I've been holding off from buying the RAZR simply because it doesn't seem to store Street address, State & Zip in the contacts. Has anyone figured this mess out yet?"

you need to "store to phone" instead of default "store to sim"

One thing about the primary contacts "fix" to the phonebook, it doesn't work if your phone numbers are saved to your SIM card, at least it doesn't for me. I only get the "set primary" option for numbers stored to the phone.

I just purchased the Razr and the phone book is terrible. I switched from the nokia 3600. If you find anything to fix the phone book keep us posted.

Here's another me too about the broken phone book. Hoping someone figures out how to fix Moto's brain damaged fubar.

* Phonebook - I have to tackle this separately because most people think that you CANNOT have multiple numbers under one name. That simply isn't true. They are the type who don't care to read the manual it came with. On their defense like I said the menu system is bad that a simple feature as adding numerous numbers under one name is not evident. There are two steps you MUST do in order to refrain from the phone from displaying the same names multiple times in the address book.

Step 1: Under the Phonebook menu go to Phonebook Setup (find it!) and change the VIEW from All Contacts to Primary Contacts. This will refrain the phonebook from displaying the names multiple times.

Step 2: Under each names, make sure to assign a primary contact number so that this number is the one displayed when you view that name. If you want to scroll thru the list of numbers of, all you have to do is simply press the left and right keys (from the 4-way Navigation key...for those that don't read the manual it's that circle key with a center button).

Oh yeah, you can only assign multiple numbers to one name IF you save your contacts to the phone, not the SIM. And by doing this you expand the features by being able to assign photos, voice dialing and custom ringtones to EACH number (not just to each name).

SOURCE: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006I2E1O/103-2883042-9683825?v=glance&n=301185

Hi,

What about the E-wallet application (like Safe in V3i)? Do you have any idea about where can i get a good simialr app for V3 ?

Thanks,

I'm glad to see others have the same complaint about the phone book. I went to the Cingular store to ask how to have multiple numbers to one name. The clerk said it was easy and then spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to make it happen. In the end, they took my name and email and said they would research and send me a note. This was 3 weeks ago. I like almost all the other features except the contacts.

I had the same problem as everyone with the phonebook on the V3. The solution that is listed on the forum works: phonebook menu - setup - view - primary contacts.

• However when I go to send an SMS message - each Contact with multiple numbers associated to it appear as separate listings again!!! I have to scroll for ever to find the contat I want to send an SMS too!
Please help.

Don't forget, they also need to add an ability to sync with local time from the tower. I had an older motorola phone that did this (v500 I believe), why can't the great new razr? If you travel at all it gets annoying VERY quickly to have to manually reset to local time.

I've never had a problem with my T*Mobile Razr and local-time syncing.

I'm having problems with my razr. For some reason some of my phone book entries don't show up. I think it might be cuase I stored some onto the sim card and for some reason it's not showing the sim card ones. I don't know right now.

Hey buddy, I too can't stand the Razr's "phone book"! I had this problem for over a year and cant' find an application to replace it. I particularly hate the fact that you can't search for a contact you have to scroll and scroll! It really SUCKS!

Address Book
I purchased the razr also and the phone book takes some time to get use to. The only problem I have is all my contacts in outlook are listed at Full name ( first name then last name ) and filed as (last name, first name). When I trasfer then to the zazr v3. They all enter in as first name then last name. Do I need to change all my names in the Outlook Contacts or is there a way to reverse them on the telephone?
Ed@sektelcom.com

I bought 4 Razrs for my family (exchange tips, extra chargers). My kids like theirs but my grown daughter could not make the Data Pilot ($40) work with her Sony PC, ended up entering numbers manually. I have no problem using isync with the razr but I tried to limit what I transfer by using a directory called Razr. Than had limited success. I read on another site that entering the word Phone as the first work in the Note field will transfer only those entries. I haven't tried it but I will. I do read manuals and I cannot figure out what you can do with info stored in the sim card. I know the reason to store it there is so you can transfer it to another phone but if you can just sync the other phone why bother? Also, I thought the voice dialing was a big help for the lame phone book and problems are that you gotta say the name in 2 seconds and on my cingular phone I can only use 20 voice tags. Anybody else exceeded this limit?

I just got a RAZR for 'free' with a small subscription fee (10 euro's / mo incl 45 minutes calling).

I must say I'm also very disappointed with its interface and capabilities. No adress book, no task list, no memo's, every phone number / email stored separately, incomplete calendar support. How hard can it be to do it right?

I'm sorry now I didn't opt for the more expensive T-Mobile MDA (QTek?) which can do everything. I'll go send a customer (dis)satisfaction report to them. Maybe they'll (re)boot the software development team.

Cheers,
Richard

Is there a number or email that one could use to bug those Moto people to redesign the address book? I had a siemens CT66 and the address book was perfect, I am very disappointed in the one on the SLVR.

The address book doesn't suck. The directions to use it suck. Here's what they don't tell you...

When you add a phone entry, you have to make sure that you select Store To Phone, no SIM. This allows you to select different Entry Types (i.e., work, home, main, mobile, fax, pager). After you finish entering the first number, cursor down to and select More to enter another number for the same person. Repeat as necessary. Enjoy!

Vani (the spouse-unit) gave up on her Razr and started using a Blackberry I had gotten but never figured out to use. Main complaint about the Razr (until the hardware fell apart, that is) was indeed the UNBELIEVABLY CRAPPY SOFTWARE. It's not just the phone book, but the whole UI seemed, at least to me, incredibly ugly and not-nice-to-use.

Sure, it was better than the Nextel branded Motorola phone I had ~5 years ago (to edit a phone book entry you had to go to "edit" and then press a number between 1 and 99, no searching - that sort of thing...), but come on...

- ask (happy Treo 650 user).

After my Nokia 6200 died, I bought the SLVR, which has a similar interface at te Razr. I agree that the phone books needs help. The Nokia interface is much easier and simply works better. For example, the SLVR would not port over an entry from my Outlook that only had an address for someone (w/o any number). Since I use my "phone book" as my address book as well, this does not do me any good.

Also, does anyone know if there is a way to store notes for an entry? For example, I'd like to add my friend's children's names to her entry; or my bank account information the bank entry. (With my Nokia, it would sync that information from my Outlook contact entry. It was great - I had all the information I needed w/o carrying around a separate PDA or address book!)

I'm contemplating returning the SLVR for a Nokia...I've got 28 days left to think about it...

I've just "down graded" from my bulky Treo 650 to the Razr, my old phone was just too much to carry around. I've downloaded AirSet (www.AirSet.com) to keep my calendar and contacts synced between Outlook on my laptop, Calendar/Contacts one the web as well as Calendar and Contacts on my phone. This has helped to limit the manual entry. The monthly price is around $7, but well worth it to be able to carry around my life on my Razr. The AirSet contacts can be synced with the phone contacts as well, but I'm running into a max limit of 50 on the phone, so I'm just living with all my contacts inside of the AirSet contact list. So far, I really like it, and you might want to give it a try.

Its nice to hear from people offering solutions for the phonebook problem. But still motorol phone software is a piece of junk. All my contacts from the old phone are in SIM. That was basic SAMSUNG model and it used to diaply pic for each type (home, mobile...etc.). And now i see one entry for each type. I dont want to neither reneter everything nor store contacts in phone instead of SIM. Being a software guy i really have no clue why it cant work with the numbers stored on SIM . And there is no Memos feature which really sucks. I can live with phonebook but not "no memos" . I would never use Motorola again !!!

Wow, I know what you mean, I too just want a cell phone with a good phone book that I can use in place of my palm. It seems that the only option is to buy a palm/phone but the cost is like 400 buucks....oh well i guess if I demand something as complicated as a isyncing phonebook I am going to have to pay for it.

Has anyone found software on the slvr, that can enter phone numbers via a computer?

How did you transfer the numbers from 3650 to the new phone ( I got a Samsung T509 and cannot do anything right to transfer). When using bluetooth, it does not carry over the home phone number

You are not alone. I can't agree with you more on how bad the phone book is, especially if you came from the Nokia world! I am thinking of returning the phone. Can't imagine why Motorola cannot do something simple as an address book better! Or they did it on purpose? What is worst is that they are selling their so-called Phone Tools for more than 30 dollars! Pathetic way to make money I should say. I am through with Motorola!

I couldn't agree more. I am in the same boat. You left out one thing you can only make changes to those names stored on your phone not just your sim card. Therefore the sales person had to duplicate every entry in my phone book. nightmere.

Excellent Phone
Reviewer: radsmd on Fri Feb 17, 2006

I just wanted to join in the chorus in support of this phone. I love this phone and it does everything as advertised. Enough said. I want to keep the post short, but I would like to address one specific point of error I noted in aprevious post and one opinion:

1) The phone book is not as limited as some might have you believe. You can search either by first letter (which is the default) OR by SEARCH which allows you to put as many letters in as you like, then press the search key. Change this setting by going into the address book, pressing the menu key (top middle key), scroll down to "setup," then select "search method." Change from "jump to" to "find." This is very helpful if, like me, you have a large number of contacts in your book.

Excellent Phone
Reviewer: radsmd on Fri Feb 17, 2006

I just wanted to join in the chorus in support of this phone. I love this phone and it does everything as advertised. Enough said. I want to keep the post short, but I would like to address one specific point of error I noted in aprevious post and one opinion:

1) The phone book is not as limited as some might have you believe. You can search either by first letter (which is the default) OR by SEARCH which allows you to put as many letters in as you like, then press the search key. Change this setting by going into the address book, pressing the menu key (top middle key), scroll down to "setup," then select "search method." Change from "jump to" to "find." This is very helpful if, like me, you have a large number of contacts in your book.

I got a comment from a reader about fixing the search feature in the phone book. This didn't work for my Razr, but newer ones may have updated software.

----
You can search either by first letter (which is the default) OR by SEARCH which allows you to put as many letters in as you like, then press the search key. Change this setting by going into the address book, pressing the menu key (top middle key), scroll down to "setup," then select "search method." Change from "jump to" to "find." This is very helpful if, like me, you have a large number of contacts in your book. "
----

I just bought mine and have the same complaint - funny thing is we bought 6 in our office and one phone does have a place for street addresses - cant fin it in the setting yet!

Turns out that the new Razr Gunmetal Grey one does allow you to enter street addresses etc - must have upgraded software - I am going to exchange mine today!

Allfocus.com has recently introduced MobileLiving Planner, a contact manager and event calendar application for the RAZR and SLVR phones. Each contact record can include multiple phones and email and street addresses. Each event, picked from category icons, is conveniently attached to your contacts, with notes from category-sensitive word lists without typing. The click-to-call phonebooks are accessible from daily to-do lists, comprehensive reminders, search results, and the contact list, which also open to the full-screen profile editor for quick updates. The Verizon Wireless version will be available for future release.

Hey guys, the v3i addresses many of these annoying issues.

With MobileLiving Planner, you can import your address book from Yahoo! Mail, MS Outlook, or Outlook Express to Motorola Razr with instant access to click-to-call, search, and profile creator for scheduling to-dos and remniders.

Perhaps I'm daft but I cannot find where to the address book on my new V3M from Verizon. "Hit the middle button (the one that corresponds to the four vertical lines at the bottom of the screen). It will bring up a "Phonebook Menu"." What middle button? I can find a basic Contacts menu but no Phone book. Am I not seeing something which really is there somewhere?

correction - where find the address book noted in some of the postings here

Hello all

Auto page

bracelet page

cap page

cash page

charm page

commerce page

company page

debt page

domain page

download page

dvd page

escort page

forum page

glass page

guitar page

I have a different senario, true life. I'm sick of getting yelled at by people for not answering the phone or not calling them back. It's not my fault. It's the Razors design.
Motorola Razor does NOT have a lock out feature for the buttons located on the outside of the phone.
Hence, with the phone in your jacket pocket, pants pocket, anywhere expcept on a desk alone, it has an annoying habit of clicking over from Master Volume to Alarm Only, or Vibrate Only or any other of the four creature features.
I've talked to technicans who work for Verizon. There's nothing you can do. Even the belt clip, which broke within two weeks, can NOT prevent the buttons from 'rolling'.
Why do I complain?
I'm tired of people thinking I'm screening my calls, avoiding them, or simply not returning calls at all.
It's tiring, and I've come to the conclusion that I must NOT be the only one.
As to Customer Service of Verizon, there is no e-mail #, nor Phone #. Just a simply mail address to vent your problems. Funny, being in the 21st century.
Add to this: For the past 3 months I have been carrying my Verizon Razor AND a Cingular (Motorola) Razor on behalf of another job.
Conclusion: I get better reception on the Cingular (more bars) and it has stiffer buttons on the outside of the phone. Maybe once or twice, it has clicked over.
AND the Verizon is a Milwaukee, WI based phone which is where I live, while the Cingular is based out of Chicago, Illinois. Yet, the Cingular phone gets far better reception!
Any comments?
www.wkeller@firstweber.com

Personally, I am loving my new Razor Phone. It has withstood quite a beating so far.

The delema still continues in 2007. You think these cell phone makers (Motorola and LG) would make a non-PDA phones that could sync your Outlook contacts and calendar. If I want a camera or MP3 player I'll buy one. But I just want a phone that manages my phone numbers with a Sync software that works. It still doesn't exist!!!

I'm with you Brian. It may seem silly, but I don't really care about cameras, games, speech enablement or anything like that in my phone. I just want to be able to sync my phone book on my computer with a phone book on my phone and use the phone book in the phone to call people. I now have to carry my Palm Pilot and my cell phone and I'd love to be able to combine them into one device. My cellular provider doesn't carry the Treo (US Cellular) and their recommending the RAZR, which is why I'm reading all these posts. Thanks for the info!

I have a razr and the phone book (or lack there of) just sucks. I have to carry a separate device (rex6000) just to have email addresses with me. I have decided to go with a different solution, and the solutions is...iPhone. Funny that it would take a computer company to get what is needed in a personal communication device, phone guys just don't get it.