The Motorola Krave ZN4 is not your typical touch-screen phone. That's because the Motorola Krave features not one, but two touch screens.
When closed, the Krave looks like many other touch-screen phones. But instead of just a plain old touch screen, it features a clear, plastic cover that flips open, transforming it into a clamshell-style flip phone. The design is unusual because this clear plastic cover also serves as a second touch screen, allowing you to access a few of the phone's key features.
Price and Availability
The Krave ZN4 is available from Verizon Wireless for $180 when you sign a new two-year contract. That price includes a $50 online instant discount.
Design
The Krave is pretty compact, measuring 4.1 inches tall by 2 inches wide by .8 inches thick. But its dual touch-screen design is its most notable feature: When the phone is closed, the clear plastic cover sits over the main display. You can still see the 2.8-inch screen, while the plastic cover protects it from scratches. But this cover serves as a touch screen itself, allowing you access to the phone's music player, Verizon's V Cast Mobile TV service, your photos, and Verizon's VZ Navigator. You also can make calls (over the speakerphone) when the phone is closed.
When you flip the plastic cover open, you can use the phone like a traditional cell phone, and have access to the rest of the Krave's features.
Voice and Data Access
The Krave ZN4 is a dual-band CDMA (800/1900) phone that also supports Verizon's 3G EV-DO network. But it lacks support for Wi-Fi wireless networks, so you'll have to rely on the availability of the 3G cellular network for speedy access to Web pages and e-mails.
Software
The Krave does not run a true smartphone operating system (like Palm or Windows Mobile), so your access to software titles is limited to those you'll find available from Verizon. You'll find a handful of titles available, but not much in the way of true business or productivity applications. You do get access to Verizon's handy Visual Voicemail app and its VZ Navigator application, which delivers turn-by-turn directions to your phone.
Messaging
E-mail access on the Krave ZN4 is limited to most Web-based e-mail and POP3 accounts: The phone does not include full Exchange support, so access to IMAP4 accounts is limited to those that support Outlook Web Access. You also can't sync your Outlook calendar or contacts to the phone.
Camera
The camera is a 2.0-megapixel model; that resolution is lower than what you'll find on many of today's phones. It includes a digital zoom and can capture video clips, but the camera lacks a flash.
Music and More
The Krave ZN4 includes plenty of music and multimedia features. For starters, you get access to Verizon's V Cast Music with Rhapsody service, which is an excellent--but pricey--mobile music service. You also get access to the V Cast Mobile TV service, which lets you watch network and cable TV broadcasts on your phone, if you live in one of the areas where the service is available. (For more information on the availability of Mobile TV, see Verizon's Web site.)
