This is a leaked picture of the forthcoming Motorola ROKR E3. You remember the Motorola ROKR E1, the much hyped, heavily criticized iTunes phone? And the Motorola ROKR E2, Motorola’s second attempt at an iTunes phone, but this time without iTunes? Actually, you may not remember this, as it was announced at CES 2006, but hasn’t actually been released yet. Well, hot on the ROKR E2’s heels will come the ROKR E3, what Motorola must be hoping is third time lucky. But will it be? Well, details are sketchy, but first impressions aren’t exactly promising.

More details and pictures of the Motorola ROKR E3 after the jump.

[Source: EngadgetMobile]

Motorola ROKR E3 – Third time lucky?

So, is the Motorola ROKR E3 third time lucky in the heavily-criticized ROKR family? Short answer: no! According to EngadgetMobile, who got the scoop:

“The Motorola ROKR E3 is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset with 512MB of internal memory, Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a TransFlash memory card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and some multimedia software. No iTunes, and that round thing that looks like a scroll wheel is actually just four buttons surrounding a run-of-the-mill joystick. Oh, and the keypad wasn’t very easy to use either.”

As you can see, it’s not the best looking design in the world, and for a phone that was originally billed as a great mobile music phone, its 512MB of internal memory and appalling keyboard design are just lame. Couple this with the lousy 1.3 megapixel camera and you have to ask why Motorola are even bothering with it.

Indeed, this is a very good question: Motorola severed ties with Apple, and with no iTunes on board, they’re under no contractual obligation to continue pumping out versions of the ROKR. Worse, the Motorola RAZR, SLVR, and PEBL are all damn good looking mobile phones, making the whole ROKR family look like the butt-ugly relation of the Motorola range. Clearly unloved by both public and company, then, and with no redeeming features whatsoever, for god’s sake Motorola, put the ROKR out of its misery!