CES 2009

The sleek Surf has a stylus.

(Credit: Motorola)

Anyone who's used Windows Mobile knows it's not the prettiest smartphone operating system around. A few manufacturers have attempted to make the OS more intuitive by adding deeper levels of personalization, but the results can be hit or miss. Fortunately, Motorola's new Surf A3100 accomplishes its goal.

Though the Surf uses Windows Mobile 6.1 it offers a series of customizable menu pages that sit on top of the OS. Not only are the pages convenient, but also they're easy on the eyes. You can cycle through them by swiping your finger across the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, you can use the stylus or the included trackball (more on that later). The 2.8-inch display is bright and vibrant.

The first page features nine icons in a grid design. Indeed, we liked it immediately when Moto gave us a quick walkthrough. The icons give one-touch access to nine user-programmable features, allowing you to bypass the standard Windows Mobile start menu. That's in its usual place if you need it, but we liked jumping straight to our chosen feature by selecting its respective icon.

The Surf's nifty shortcuts menu.

(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)

Another menu page is reserved for your favorite contacts from your phone book. But rather than showing just a list of names, the page features photos of your friends in a grid design. Naturally, you'd populate the photo boxes with shots taken with the Surf's camera. A third page shows upcoming appointments, your e-mails and messages, an icon for the phone dialer and a shortcut to your voice mail.

The aforementioned process for cycling between pages was intuitive, whether we were using our finger or the stylus. The trackball was roomy and tactile. The interface was a tad slow, but it wasn't too bothersome.

Talk and End buttons sit on either side of the trackball. They're smaller than we'd prefer and too flush. You'll also find a volume rocker and a camera shutter. The memory card slot is stashed inconveniently behind the battery cover but we're grateful Moto put a 3.5mm headset jack on top of the phone.

The Surf's keyboard is small.

(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)

The virtual QWERTY keyboard is a tad cramped so we advise using the stylus. You can type in both landscape and portrait modes, but the Surf doesn't use an accelerometer. Instead, you must press the End button to switch between them. You also can use the stylus in a graffiti mode.

On the whole the Surf has a comfortable, solid feel in the hand. We like the appealing curved edges and the chrome detailing that's offset by the basic black on the front face. At 4.3 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.5 inch and 4.2 ounces, the Surf is relatively compact for a smartphone.

Features are relatively plentiful on the quad-band GSM device. You'll find 3G support, integrated Wi-Fi, a 3-megapixel camera with a secondary VGA shooter, Google Maps, Bluetooth, messaging and e-mail, a media player, and video conferencing.

Motorola phones at CES

Compared with last year, Motorola is having a quieter CES. While a year ago the company held a high-energy media event at the swank Wynn Hotel to announce its media-friendly phones, in 2009 the company announced its new handsets via a news release even before CES began.

Yet, that's not to say the new models aren't notable. First off, is the Motorola Surf A3100. This touch-screen smartphone offers Windows Mobile 6.1 and a selection of multimedia features. The Moto Tundra VA76r is a rugged push-to-talk phone for AT&T. Besides enduring bumps and bruises, it also has Assisted-GPS. Lastly is the Motorola Renew W233. The basic phone is green in more ways than one. Not only does it sport a green skin, but also it is made from recycled water bottles. Check out our Motorola CES slide show for the three phones on all their glory.

The Motorola Surf is a tablet device with a phone.

(Credit: Motorola)

Motorola got a jump start on CES when it announced its new crop of phones two days before the show opens. The most high-end of the bunch is the new Surf A3100 smartphone, which offers an expansive touch screen and support for Windows Mobile 6.1. Starting Thursday in Las Vegas, it will join the Earth-friendly Renew W233 and the rugged Tundra VA76r at Moto's booth on the show floor.

Sporting a sleek, attractive design with rounded edges and chrome detailing, the Surf offers three ways for users to interact with it. They can use a stylus, a trackball, or their finger. Features on the quad-band GSM device include 3G support, integrated Wi-Fi, a 3-megapixel camera with a secondary VGA shooter, Google Maps, Bluetooth, messaging and e-mail, a media player, and video conferencing. A customizable user interface sits on top of the Windows mobile OS that will allow users to customize the UI with widgets.

The Surf will arrive first in China during the first quarter of this year. At present, Moto has no plans to bring the A3100 to a U.S. carrier.