Casio Ravine 2 Official Release Thread

[XRAM]

Since the phone is now released.

http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2011/11/pr2011-11-14d.html

[anettis]

I received this phone today and it dose not appear to have music player functionality. Under Media Center, then Tunes & Tones, there are only two options: My Ringtones and My Sounds. I tried manually loading WMA files into into the my_sounds folder hoping it would enable a menu option to play the music - nothing. I tried manually creating a my_music folder and loading WMA files into it - nothing. I did not own the original Ravine but my assumption is that one could simply load up the my_music folder with MP3/WMA files and then play them via an option under Tunes & Tones. Perhaps someone can confirm this.

This is not a cheap phone and considering the original Ravine had music player functionality this seems ridiculous. My suspicion is that Verizon pushed Casio to drop this feature because they wanted to make the "basic phones" less appealing, thereby nudging more folks over to "smart phones" that required a data plan.

[anettis]

OK, I ran the question of playing music on the Ravine 2 by Casio support. The representative did not yet have a Ravine 2 but was nice enough to track one down, run some tests, and call me back. He was able to get the Ravine 2 to play MP3's (but not WMA's) by putting them in the my_sounds folder and playing them as a sound. So apparently the Ravine 2 can be coerced into playing MP3's music tracks saved as sounds but this is a far cry from what the music player functionality that I have had available in past Verizon phones.

[Matt_]

This is not a cheap phone and considering the original Ravine had music player functionality this seems ridiculous. My suspicion is that Verizon pushed Casio to drop this feature because it wanted to make the "basic phones" less appealing, thereby nudging more folks over to "smart phones" that required a data plan.

I started wondering recently, too, if Verizon has been artificially limiting the ability of its non-smartphones. We have a flip phone the VX8370 that was released last fall that I guess could have been considered LG's top of the line flip phone if LG had been allowed to sell it in Verizon stores. The recording ability is limited to 176x144, yet it appears to be capable of a greater recording resolution on account of the video that I've converted to really high quality mp4 files that I've been able to play on it.

[XRAM]

That is absolutely ridiculous not to have music support. What the hell were they thinking? Verizon just lost a sale.
Forcing people to smartphones and data plans certainly seems like a plausible explanation.

[djjim]

They have been doing this various ways for years. It's sad. My family is leaving Verizon soon. I'm going to take Republic for a test spin soon.

Sent from my SCH-I400 using HowardForums

[FAUguy]

Wow, so the Ravine 2 doesn't have a music player?!?
I know they've removed it (and microSD slots) from budget phones, but since the Ravine 2 says it supports 32GB memory cards, I would have thought there would also be a music player in the software. Weird!

[anettis]

The Ravine 2 seems to have a lot going for it. But to be released without music player functionality amounts to a deal breaker for me so I will be returning it. I may go with the original Ravine since it looks like the refurbs are on a fire sale. I may also have to look more at other carriers.

In light of the “basic phone” versus “smart phone” data plan pricing I would not be surprised if Verizon set out to quietly discourage sales of the Ravine 2 with the thought that such buyers might opt for the Commando instead.

First there was very little promotion for the Ravine 2 both before its release and up through now. Second, with 2 year contract pricing, it is at the same price point as the Commando, which is a more advanced phone but just as rugged. Third the music player was lobotomized, which considering both the price of the Ravine 2 and the fact the the original Ravine had a music play, seems nonsensical.

[FriendlyViper]

OK Got the phone about 2 hours ago, have uploaded the phone book/contacts, have reset all the speed dials. Have inserted the micro SD and have all the pics. Changed out the wallpaper and Personal Banner. Used the SD card to upload my personal ring tones. With that is all accomplished...how do I change that stupid clock on the front!!I would like the same wall paper as I have on the inside.
Can this be done? Please tell me this is so! Hacked the Razr to allow, any hacks for this?
Don't care about listening to music, would not have bought this if I was going to use it for MP3 player. Meanu does have tunes and tones. Not sure if tunes allows for SD mp3 playback or not. They may have abandoned the WMP platform, and just use the MP3. But I agree that it should have the V'cast option. If the original had this option, there must be some seem that can be made to turn it back on.
Your probably right, Verizon is trying to get all to use 'smart' phones....Sorry NOT interested.

[FriendlyViper]

Looked over the Owners/use manual...
VCAST IS AVAILABLE. It is just not preloaded in the phone...so listen to all the tunes you like.

[anettis]

Looked over the Owners/use manual...
VCAST IS AVAILABLE. It is just not preloaded in the phone...so listen to all the tunes you like.

It does support V CAST Videos. As for being able to use the phone as a music player (i.e. full WMA/MP3 support, organization by album and artist, ability to shuffle tracks, etc.) I contacted Casio technical support and they suggested otherwise. But if someone can get can get V Cast Music to work I would probably reconsider the phone.

[FAUguy]

It does support V CAST Videos. As for being able to use the phone as a music player (i.e. full WMA/MP3 support, organization by album and artist, ability to shuffle tracks, etc.) I contacted Casio technical support and they suggested otherwise. But if someone can get can get V Cast Music to work I would probably reconsider the phone.

Yes, it appears that VCast works for videos (and maybe for music downloads or ringtones), but there is not a music player on the phone to play mp3 files from the memory card.

[outatime2001]

I'm not trying to be smart, but I could careless about having a music player on a phone. For those that have the phone how is the call quality. I know the main mic is in the same place as past models, which lead to some problems with call quality. Does the mic in this model seem any more sensitive or have they tweaked the software to help with where the mic is located. I did notice that this model has two mics so maybe that will help. I just need a phone that is tough and has good call quality, if I was concerned about multi media stuff I would switch to a smartphone.

[FAUguy]

My friend purchased two LG Clouts last year, his is still working OK, but his wife's has been dropped several times and isn't working good. I spoke to my store friend that we got them from, and he can sell either the Ravine 1 or 2 for $150 ( before $50 rebate) or the Samsung Convoy 2 for $80 (before $50 rebate). So since the price difference between the Casio and Samsung is $70, I'm not sure which one I'd advise my friend on buying. His wife needs one that's durable, which both models are, but only the Casio is water resistant. I've only used the original Ravine and Convoy a year ago, not the newer versions.

[VZWPeddler]

Just got a Ravine 2 into my store. Really nice looking phone, seems very durable -- very solid build, better then Ravine (1). Not sure what the deal is with eliminating the music player -- not sure very many use it, but seems like it should still be there. VZW will probably counter argue that the Casio Commando has a music player!