At a briefing in Chicago back in April, the company gave me hands-on time with the rollable prototype.
What did we want this rollable to do?
She quizzed me and other reporters to glean feedback on what the next version might have.
The transparent case around the phone lets the screen roll while being held or resting on a flat surface.
Yet Valasek’s questions show how curious Motorola is about consumer needs and perceptions.
To Motorola’s credit, the Rizr smoothly unrolled and rerolled the screen without any trouble.
I saw two of these.
For all intents and purposes, Motorola’s rollable prototypes seem to be functional phones.
Motorola says it’s pummeled the Rizr to simulate real-life damage.
In the meantime, Motorola continues gathering interest on whether consumers truly want a rollable.
It’s really exciting right now," Valasek said.
Motorola wouldn’t comment on the Rizr’s hardware.
“[A traditional phone] just doesn’t do as much.
It’s kind of there.
It doesn’t offer you the opportunity and the extendability and the flexibility [of the Rizr].
It is what it is.
This…,” Valasek said, holding up the Rizr prototype, “…is not.”
