Rated 
Sweet When it Installs Correctly, but a Pain if it Doesn't - Find out how to Install...
Started Oct 24, 2005
Strengths: Performs tasks no "free" software can pull off.
Weaknesses: Poor support as noted
Here's a review for those having problems and those wondering just what this software does and if they want it.
Is it worth it?
Definitely, if you own the V3 or other Motorola phones. It will sync Outlook on your PC with your phonebook in your Motorola phone. From there it only gets better. It will modify any file intuitively and quickly for transfer to your phone, save all files on your phone except the locked files, and you can edit just about anything. All done using USB, Bluetooth, or Infra-red.
It also allows fast USB charging at your PC, using the phone as a modem for your PC, answering and making calls from your PC, and messaging using your keyboard.
Wondering about Media Functions?
You can use the included Multi-Media console to edit and install short MPEG-4 movies, MP3s, pictures, all which can be saved on your PC and installed at will. For one thing you will never need to purchase a ring tone in you have any MP3s you really like. The edit options here are very nice and fast. So many in fact, that it requires some getting used to. It works so well it can really be great...if there are no problems during the install. 5 stars here due to the great performance when correctly installed.
Fast USB charging requires this software as the driver is proprietary and although Windows can recognize a connected device, it must have the driver from the disk to install the feature.
Installation - The Big If:
Microsoft and Motorola, maybe BVRP (the software writer), have some issues that prevent many installations from working. This is due in 2 parts, one to Microsoft updates and the other to the Motorola FTP servers.
When it doesn't work properly after an install, it could be all, some, or no features will work correctly. The work around is not fun. That disk is called ver. 3.0, but in fact is ver. 3.11. This can entail multiple restarts to get to ver. 3.25. From there to ver. 3.28 requires no restart.
Those restarts require time as the software will load slowly. The software does supply tutorials as it installs to aid the user. It is required they be read.
Currently, there is no patch to solve the updates problem in Windows if encountered. The Motorola update is automatic and 20-30 Mb. to ver. 3.25. Version 3.28 is 10-16 Mb. This is not something you can download to install later as it comes straight though from the FTP updates server. BVRP does supply 2 patches at their site under Motorola Phone Tools Deluxe. These update the auto updates feature and provides some checking for proper operation before updating.
The bad news is if your install didn't take well, the only way to get it working right, currently, is to clean your hard drive re-format and re-install Windows - installing the phone tools CD and updating before adding the Windows updates. Maybe, before too long, a Hotfix will repair the Windows problem and Motorola Phone Tools will be an easy install as it was once before.
How do I know this?
I have it installed on a number of computers and removed it from one just to see what it takes now for a re-install and a new install. I did this just to see what others were howling about.
Oh, and if you have ver. 3.25 already working and properly installed, the update to 3.28 works fine - just be sure to save all old files if prompted.
Is it right for you?
Be well advised. At any rate it is a great software when it installs properly. The Bluetooth and USB works great for me, but the actual transfers from the phone or to it are a little slow but error free. Initialization is also a bit slow when using the software. Just wait until the phone screen on your computer has finished loading - the 8 buttons on the side will all darken.
Update 4/6/06:
The Motorola Phone Tools updates are now to version 4.04b. This is a full install which removes the old version. The install went well, requiring no restart, but slowly on my computers and everything continues to work properly. I noticed a marked improvement in initialization with the new version, while running the program, and a new look with improved controls.
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