Verizon will start selling the long-awaited Motorola Q smartphone on May 31 through their Web site, and through stores in June, according to an e-mailed press release I got today from the fabulously named Nicole Nolte. I'm getting the "Blackberry-killer" tomorrow, and I'll give it 48 Hrs. of hard-core testing before putting up a review as quickly as I can.
The Q is a RAZR-thin slab (11.5 mm thick) with a QWERTY keyboard and 320x240 screen that runs Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphones, and it will include Microsoft Office and PDF document viewers. The gadget doesn't have a touch screen, but it does have a Blackberry-style scroll wheel. It works on Verizon's high-speed EV-DO network for Internet access; it also has Bluetooth, but not Wi-Fi.
Verizon's service plans for the Q will be the same as their new plans for the Palm Treo 700p: $79.99/month for 450 minutes plus unlimited data, $109.99 for 1,350 minutes plus unlimited data, and $169.99 for 4,000 minutes plus unlimited data. All three plans also include unlimited in-network calling and unlimited nights and weekends.
My one big question: will the Q be upgradeable with Microsoft's Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP), allowing push e-mail from Exchange 2003 servers? Verizon's emphasis on their own Wireless Sync solution and on GoodLink push e-mail in the press release is a little ominous.
The Q will be $199.99 with a voice plan and two-year contract. That makes it $200 cheaper than the Palm Treo 700p, putting Palm under fire from some heavy Windows competition. My view? If the Q is as good as it looks, everybody wins. Check out Verizon's flashy Q Web site here.
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May 22, 2006 4:08 PM
When is it going to be available with faminly plans?
May 22, 2006 5:23 PM
My only question is can the Q be used as a bluetooth modem for my powerbook and/or my windows xp laptop?
May 22, 2006 10:01 PM
Ok if you are a Verizion User in that Market but as slow as things are when will the rest of the carriers get on the band wagon ?
May 23, 2006 12:50 PM
If the Q was a full fledged mobile device that would be great (and at that price unbelievable) but considering the formfactor/keyboard and screen not having a touchscreen is too limiting so it doesnt realy compete with the Treo (or the treo 650 for that matter) or any other pda phones. Why have the keyboard and a 320x240 screen and not have a touchscreen and the full version of windows mobile?
May 24, 2006 11:36 AM
I like the scroll wheel, good idea to copy that from RIM. I also like the slim design.. BUT: - no touchscreen? Are they stupid? - why not run the full version of Windows Mobile 5 ? - with the slim design, nobody has mentioned battery life. A nice looking unit as this is still garbage if it needs recharging after 5 hours. Just my $.02. YMMV. - G
May 24, 2006 12:11 PM
Not Having a Touchscreen is a deal breaker for me. I really like the phone otherrwise. I currently have a XV6600 (WM2003SE) and I can't imagine using it exclusively with the navigation pad. A lot of times it is Soo Much easier to use the touchscreen, than fumble with the pad. Missed the boat is right... Ken PS I would like to hear about the Battery Life too, my XV6600 needs recharging twice a day with heavy phone and data usage.
May 24, 2006 12:18 PM
I like the motorola Q but I am not going to switch to verizon, I had Verizon in the past. Can't wait to the other carriers step up. Also what is the different between wi-fi and bluetooth?
May 24, 2006 12:59 PM
if you had used the blackberry you'd know that touchscreen is a poor way to use a phone. voice command, qwerty, thumbwheel is the only way to go. blackberry has had the best phone for this reason. too bad about their enterprise server requirement.
May 24, 2006 1:51 PM
Hey guys. I'll be answering questions here: http://gearlog.com/blogs/gearlog/archive/2006/05/24/12556.aspx ... so click over and see!
May 29, 2006 6:41 PM
Please.. No wifi, prolly no usb, & no touch? If the blackberry users had custom apps to run, perhaps they would know how much we like the touch screens. I cant use the programs I write for the pocket pc. & it sounds like even though the data plans are "unlimited" , verizon is still requiring I use their service to send all data. Does that include syncing? big files? I haven't checked to see if there is an SD or SDIO slot, but at this point, don't think I care.
June 27, 2006 2:03 PM
There is no release date (they won't even speculate)for the Microsoft Messaging and Security Feature Pack, without it my company won't even think about letting me access my email with it. I tried to use Internet Explorer to access email with OWA, but it also won't support the frames. It's a lot a flash without the substance to back it up. I'm going to return mine.