Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Sunday, March 23, 2008

PC Magazine Review the Motorola Q9c

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,281...,2276312,00.asp

"Since its inception, the Motorola Q has been successful. Versions of the popular slim handheld—originally billed as the "RAZR smartphone" at just 0.4 inches thick—can now be found on three carriers, with the device available in both CDMA and GSM versions. When Motorola revamped the Q, Verizon saw the new model first and branded it the Q9m. AT&T followed with its upgraded version, the Q9h, which bested the Verizon model with its excellent software bundle. Now Sprint finally has a new Q, and I'm pleased to report that the Q9c is a highly capable, inexpensive ($99.99 with a two-year contract, after a $100 mail-in rebate) smartphone, even if a few flaws hold it back from true greatness."



PC Magazine has reviewed Sprints Motorola Q9c handset. Though I'm sure Jerry probably cringed as much as I did at the sheer mentioning of the RAZR, this is still a good read! If you are a Sprint user who is looking for an inexpensive and sleek looking Windows Mobile Standard device, than head on down to your local Sprint-Nextel shop to pick up this bad boy!

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Motorola Updates Verizon Q9m

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 12:31 AM

http://www.phonenews.com/motorola-u...-firmware-2766/

"Motorola has issued a new firmware update for the Motorola Q9m. The update is not detected by the standard version of Motorola Software Update. Users must go to the MSU web site (Motorola Software Update), and select the Verizon Q9m from the list of available phones. A special version of MSU for the Q9m will download and install. The Q9m update upgrades the Windows Mobile 6 version from AKU 0.2 (which shipped initially) to AKU 0.6. The updated radio firmware version stands at 03.20.29P."


[Photo courtesy of PhoneNews.com]

There really wasn't much said on this upgrade besides the Motorola Q9m being upgraded from Windows Mobile 6 AKU 0.2 to AKU 0.6. If any of our users do own this handset and happened to apply the firmware update, let us know. I would love to hear if this software update is anything worth taking the time to reinstall of your handsets software and reconfigure all of your email accounts.

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• Source: Mobility Site

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Smartphones Patented... Just About Everyone Sued 1 Minute After Patent Issued

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 08:00 AM

http://techdirt.com/articles/200801.../16382062.shtml

"This past Tuesday, the US Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent on "a mobile entertainment and communication device." Reading the patent, you realize it describes the quite common smartphone. It's a patent for a mobile phone with removable storage, an internet connection, a camera and the ability to download audio or video files. The patent holding firm who has the rights to this patent wasted no time at all. At 12:01am Tuesday morning, it filed three separate lawsuits against just about everyone you can think of, including Apple, Nokia, RIM, Sprint, AT&T, HP, Motorola, Helio, HTC, Sony Ericsson, UTStarcomm, Samsung and a bunch of others. Amusingly, the company actually first filed the lawsuits on Monday, but realized it was jumping the gun and pulled them, only to refile just past the stroke of midnight."



I am so angry right now I can barely type. Do they just award patents to anyone nowadays?! You would think that after the whole three ring circus that occurred with Research In Motion, that the guys and gals over in the patent office might have sat down and had a meeting and realized that it just isn't a good idea to start handing out patents like they were pennies at old lady Miller's house on Halloween. I sure as heck didn't appreciate that when I was kid and I definitely do not appreciate this now. Come on, for crying out loud, this is why all the kids on the block toilet papered her trees every year! I mean sure, maybe it is a little unrealistic to think that we could be like Switzerland and hire geniuses like Albert Einstein to work in our patent offices, but is it really so farfetched to hope and dream that we could hire someone that has used a damn cellphone or computer before?! Heck, I would settle for someone that has used a toaster before or didn't beat on their chests when they saw fire! Even my four year old daughter wouldn't approve a piece of garbage like this and she’s still young enough to not realize that if an ACME anvil fell on your head you wouldn't be able to blow on your thumb and inflate yourself! This is almost as painful as reading through the Darwin Awards... actually, I take that back, this is a hundred times more painful because I know deep down inside someone at the patent office is still around to procreate.

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• Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office

Monday, November 26, 2007

Motorola Q9h: The Clone Wars

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 12:39 PM

Do you guys remember that Motorola Q9h review that I have been promising you guys? Well, I did not forget about it and I promise I'm not slacking. This weekend Motorola was kind enough to send me the AT&T version of their newest Windows Mobile Standard device. Seeing as I now have two of these devices, one European model and one US model, I figured the best way to showcase them would not be in a another boring old review, but in a round of no-holds bar bare knocking boxing! Now before I go off and pin these two devices up against each other, I thought it would be nice to snap a quick picture or two and post it up here for our readers.



The neat part about the above images is that they were taken with my original European/Asian Motorola Q9h. The camera is not half bad, huh? It is nice to finally use a Smartphone with a decent camera! Expect my review by weeks end.

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Friday, November 2, 2007

Motorola Q9h Unboxing Teaser

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 06:07 PM

I have fantastic news. I just sat down by my desk after a nice hearty lunch to find my brand new Motorola Q9h waiting for me. This is not the AT&T version, so their are a few tiny differences compared to our recent offering from the "Powers That Be" in AT&T Headquarters. For one, the packaging is different and as well as the name and nowhere throughout the packaging is the word "Global" used. Not a big deal, but I figured it would be nice to clue everyone in on this before I show the images.

Now that we have taken care of the disclaimer, it is time for a quick sneak peak at the unboxing on this surprisingly nice handset!


(Figure 1: The packaging that my brand spanking new Motorola Q9h arrived in!)
Read more...

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AT&T's Motorola Q Global Reports 9 Hour Talk and 30 Day Standby Times

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 09:58 AM

http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=670

"It has been a couple of years since I checked out a Motorola Q Smartphone and it looks like Motorola has made some major improvements. The Moto Q Global is now available from AT&T for US$299.99 after mail-in rebate and 2-year contract. The keyboard is curved and it actually looks like an solid Windows Mobile device. The Motorola Q Global is a Windows Mobile 6 Standard device that has a QWERTY keyboard, HSDPA radio, 325 MHz processor, 128 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM, integrated GPS receiver, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo support, and microSD expansion card slot. Battery time is shown on the specs as “strong battery life - up to 9 hours of talk and 30 days standby”. This was the Achilles heel of past Q devices and if this spec is true I think this new Motorola Q will have one of the highest capacities I have ever seen in a smartphone."



The Motorola Q9h Global is large and in charge. I wish I could get 9 hours of talk time out of my current handset, or for that matter, any handset I have ever owned! If all goes well, I should have one by the beginning of next week so be on the lookout for a ton of pictures!

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Motorola Genghis - To Replace the Moto Q9 Already?

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 11:51 AM

http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/rumors/motorola_genghis_to_replace_th.html

"Well check out this Windows Mobile Standard-Edition blur-shot from a leaked Motorola Roadmap. Details are as scant as scant can be - It's Windows Mobile, it's Yet Another Qwerty Keyboard Windows Mobile Smartphone, and strangest of all - it looks like Motorola is already making a gadget to replace the Motorola Q9. Unwired View is calling it the QX, though no word if the "X" is for "10" or for "We don't know what number to put on it yet." It is definitely "squarer" than the Q9 series, let's just hope that the featureset is improved a bit - WiFi and GPS would be at the top of my list."




While these is a bit of speculation that this device is a fake, it still looks pretty neat. Now if only AT&T will get off their rumps and actually release the Motorola Q9h! I'm starting to get antsy.

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Ginormous RAZR 2 Crashes Into Mercedes, Film At Eleven

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 12:43 PM

http://www.techtickerblog.com/2007/09/30/razr-2-cuts-off-the-mighty-merc/

"Hats off to the RAZR 2 Marketing team for pulling out an excellent campaign in Russia. Even the snobbish Merc can’t stand still to RAZR’s sharpness. Very well executed. More pics after the jump."



Oh man! I know this isn't really Smartphone related, but it is hilarious. Needless to say, you never hear about giant Window Mobile Standard devices falling out the sky and smashing cars! As the Hulk would say, "RAZR Smash!"

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• Source: Engadget Mobile

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Motorola Q9h on AT&T site

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 12:48 PM

http://phonearena.com/htmls/Motorola-Q9h-on-AT-T-site-article-a_2038.html

"The Motorola Q9h appeared over the AT&T webpage as the AT&T MOTO Q Global. The US version of the phone supports UMTS 850/1900 MHz for 3G in AT&T’s network in addition to the quad-band GSM support. Otherwise identical to the European variant we’ve reviewed earlier, the AT&T Q9h will also feature A-GPS for navigation to access location-based services like TeleNav GPS. Other features include Windows Mobile 6 Standard OS, QVGA landscape display, very comfortable QWERTY keyboard, Stereo Bluetooth and microSD slot up to 32GB."



At first, I was not to thrilled with the looks of the Motorola Q9h, but slowly the device has grown op me. Now that I have found out that it supports microSD cards up to 32GB, it has grown on me even more! Hopefully AT&T will stop teasing us by adding and pulling the device off of their site and just hurry up and release it.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Tilt, Duo, Inferno, and Q9h to blow out AT&T's October?

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/11/tilt-duo-inferno-and-q9h-to-blow-out-atandts-october/

"These are all devices we know folks have been waiting for, so we're delighted to finally hear some whipsers that launch windows are being put in place. First up, the AT&T Tilt -- alias 8925, alias Kaiser -- is rumored to be priced at $299 on a two-year or $374 on a one-year agreement. The Pantech Duo, which Amazon jumped the gun on over the weekend, will be launching for $199 on a two-year, which makes the Amazon pricing a bargain already. The Nokia 6555 "Inferno" gets priced at $49.99 on contract -- a steal for a sharp lookin' 3G flip, we figure. Last but not least, the Motorola Q9 global finally materializes for a cool $299, putting it head to head with the Tilt. All four of these are supposedly scheduled for shipment to stores on October 1, making for a very interesting month. Everyone know which of the four they're choosing yet?"



We were all dying to know when the Pantech Duo was going to be officially released, and now we just might! It is as if AT&T is on top of the US Windows Mobile Standard world (try saying that five times fast) with the upcoming release of Pantech's super slick looking dual slider phone as well as the upcoming release of the Motorola Q9. If all goes according to plan, October 1st will be the most confusing day of my life as I know my fiance will not let me purchase two new handsets! Now if only AT&T would officially release the new Samsung Blackjack firmware update for all us poor saps that are still using Windows Mobile 5!

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Motorola Intros MOTOMAGX Mobile Linux Platform

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 02:13 PM

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQTU14207082007-1.htm

"On the same day that Palm names Wind River Systems as its preferred Linux provider, Motorola has gone and unveiled a new mobile Linux platform of its own. The "next-generation" MOTOMAGX package is supposed to "lay the foundation to deliver new levels of openness, flexibility, and support for third-party applications on Motorola mobile devices." Notably, Moto also stated that up to 60-percent of its handsets would be based on Linux "in the next few years," and announced that the MOTOROKR Z6 and RAZR2 V8 mobiles would be the first two based on the platform."



Sure, this isn't Smartphone related news but it is still interesting nonetheless. Over the past few years, it appears that mobile phone manufacturers are starting to flock towards the Linux platform for their mobile computing needs. To be honest, it makes perfect sense and I'm surprised it has taken manufacturers this long to start doing so. The real question is, with so many devices finally starting to run Linux at their core, should Microsoft be worried? I personally see greater potential in Linux handsets than I do in Windows Mobile world due to the fact there are hundreds, if not thousands, of open source applications that can easily be ported over to the different flavors of Linux that these new devices will be running. Of course, I will continue to use Windows Mobile as it is my platform of choice, but it is nice to have more options available to us as consumers! As always, I would love to hear what you guys think!

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• Source: Engadget Mobile

Thursday, July 19, 2007

PocketNow Looks at the Motorola Q9 Smartphone

Posted by Mike Temporale in "ARTICLE" @ 08:30 AM

http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=973

"My favorite thing about the Motorola Q9h is the keyboard. It's got a great tactile feel and soft-touch buttons. The Q9h also has Bluetooth 2.0, a 330MHz TI IMAP 2420, Windows Mobile 6 Standard, 2.4" 320 x 240px 64K color screen, Quadband GSM/EDGE, 2100Mhz UMTS/HSDPA and a 2MP camera. The extra RAM and ROM are very welcome additions as is the fast processor."



Adam over at PocketNow, has posted a review of the Motorola Q9 Smartphone. He's included a lot of pictures, screen captures, and even a size comparison chart. The Q9 is high on my list to replace my aging BlackJack. I haven't made any decisions yet, but I'm really liking the Q9 and that new Samsung slider we talked about yesterday. Which would you pick?

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Friday, June 22, 2007

Motorola Q9 Reviews Start to Appear

Posted by Mike Temporale in "THOUGHT" @ 10:15 AM

http://www.mobileburn.com/gallery.jsp?Id=3490&source=HOMETOP

"For the past two days I've had the luxury of playing around with a pre-production Motorola Q9m, a Windows Mobile 6 smartphone destined for Verizon Wireless. After messing around with it and comparing it with the original Q, it seems quite obvious to me that the Q9m is a re-skinned Q with a new OS and a number of software enhancements. This is both good and bad. Physically, the Q9m is a near masterpiece. It is a simple but good looking device. It is very solidly built, and the metal frame around its edges make it look quite rugged."



Reviews are starting to show up all over the place for the new Motorola Q9 models. Mobile Burn has a review of the Q9m Verizon model and Gear Diary has a Quick Look post on the Q9h GSM AT&T model. Personally, I'm pretty interested in the GSM version of this device. If Moto has managed to adjust the battery life then this phone has the best chance of getting me to switch off the BlackJack.

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Thursday, May 24, 2007

Motorola, Kodak Collaborate on Camera Phones

Posted by Jerry Raia in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 12:00 PM

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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Motorola Announces Two New Q-Based Smartphones

Posted by Mike Temporale in "NEWS" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail.jsp?globalObjectId=8150_8079_23

"Motorola, Inc. today introduced two new MOTO Q products: the MOTO Q 8, the GSM version of the original award-winning CDMA-based MOTO Q, as well as the flagship, lightening-fast global quad-band 3G QWERTY, MOTO Q 9, which is available in Italy this week. The MOTO Q 9, based on the Windows Mobile 6� operating system, couples a new sleek form factor with a dual-processor HSDPA/UMTS engine, enabling broadband-like over-the-air downloads at up to 3.6Mbps1. Consumers will be able to download their favorite music tracks directly onto the Q 9 in approximately six seconds without having to touch a computer."



Moto sure managed to keep the Q 8 all hush-hush. I wonder why? It's not like it's the star here. The Q 9 is clearly the focus of the press release and everyone's attention. So why leak the 9 early and keep the 8 quiet? :? Anyway, the Q 9 will be available in Italy this week and launching in other locations over the coming months. No word on the Q 8 and when it will be available.

Update: I've added a picture of the two new Moto Q devices. I got it from the Moto Launch site. There are plenty of high res pictures there - if you can navigate past the slowness of the site. ;)

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Friday, May 11, 2007

Motorola Needs Feedback From Moto Q Owners

Posted by Kris Kumar in "EVENT" @ 05:20 AM

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=497443830880

"Greetings, EverythingQ.com visitor! Thanks for helping us learn more about how you use your Q -- what accessories, functions and additional programs do you use? This survey consists of just six questions (although they are rather detailed), plus a chance to provide general feedback. It should only take a few minutes of your time. If you care to provide your e-mail address at the end, we will put you in a drawing for a free Motorola HT820 Stereo Bluetooth headset."



EverythingQ.com has teamed up with Motorola to organise this user experience survey. One lucky participant will win a Stereo Bluetooth headset. So what are you waiting for? If you are a Q user then take the short survey. We would also like to hear from the Q users about how their Q is doing. The Web world is filled with BlackJack, Dash and Vox chatter. We hear very little about the Q these days, hopefully the Moto Q 9h will change this soon. ;-)

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• Source: everythingQ

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Hands-on With a Motorola Q 9h in the Wild

Posted by Kris Kumar in "HARDWARE" @ 07:15 PM

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/03/hands-on-with-a-motorola-q9-in-the-wild/

"Well lookey lookey, the cellphone fairy dropped us off an unbranded Motorola Q9 to fool around with. Cut to the chase: we're not going to lie: the fact that it's larger than the Q is somewhat unacceptable in our eyes -- we really don't care that it has HSDPA, 3G is no longer an excuse for a big ass phone. Also unfortunate: no more scroll wheel, you're now stuck with the usual up/down rocker buttons. ... Basically, we're not super stoked for the Q9, but hey, it ain't over until it's out, and this thing hasn't shown any signs of US release in the near future, so maybe they'll have time to work out some kinks."



Those lucky folks over at Engadget have managed to get their hands on the Moto Q 9h, and it doesn't sound like they are impressed. The Q 9h has been in the news lately, and it seems like the Q 9h will also be launching on the European circuit first. :-( After a long spell of US-first launches, it looks like we will be seeing the newer smartphones launch first in Europe. It also seems to me that a certain carrier might be interested in holding off the launch of any other smartphone till the iPhone launches <coughs>and flops</coughs>.

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Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Bell Canada Offer Motorola Q Music Edition

Posted by Mike Temporale in "NEWS" @ 07:15 AM

http://www.bell.ca/shopping/en_CA_ON/95735.details?tab=OVERVIEW&colourId=71&contractId=term36m

"It's slim, stylish and a mobile entertainment powerhouse. Includes 2 GB memory card, stereo headset, and $25 Sympatico / MSN Music Store gift card. Get the Motorola Q Music Edition by Bell for $129.95* when you subscribe to an Email, Internet and Voice plan."



Take one Motorola Q add a 2GB memory card and a $25 gift card to MSN Music store and you've got one of the new Bell Canada Motorola Q Music Edition devices. Anyone willing to sign up for a 3 year contract to save $25 on music?

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• Source: Engadget Mobile

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Motorola Q q9 Headed to Australia for August

Posted by Mike Temporale in "NEWS" @ 07:30 AM

Thoughts Media's man down-under, Darius Wey, found an interesting clipping in the newspaper this morning. Motorola's new Q q9 is heading down under for August of 2007. The new q9 is a great device with a much improved battery life over it's original older brother the Q. At least, that's what I have been told from some of the early beta test units. Size wise, it's about the same height, but a little wider than the BlackJack. Overall, I think Moto might just have another winner on it's hands. Only time will tell for sure. With any luck, an August ship date for Australia means a spring or summer ship date for North America. :mrgreen:


Click on the image to view a full size scan of the article.

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• Source: The Sunday Times Magazine (Perth, Australia) - March 25, 2007

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Motorola Warns of Quarterly Loss

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "NEWS" @ 02:56 PM

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