Motorola Cancels Smartphone Orders with Chi Mei

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20050415A5021.html' target='_blank'>http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20050415A5021.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Motorola plans to cancel the launch of its MPx230 Microsoft Windows-based smartphone, manufactured by Chi Mei Communication Systems (CMCS), according to sources at Taiwan handset makers. The vendor also intends to discontinue orders of the MPx200 and MPx220 models with CMCS and the MPx with Compal Electronics, indicated the sources. ...Sources in the China handset market noted that the cancellation of the MPx is partly because the China government has banned unapproved devices using Wi-Fi from being sold in the country. Rather than take the Wi-Fi out of the device, Motorola instead decided to no bother selling the model in China, according to the sources."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Motorola.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />I wonder how accurate this is. We know that Motorola decided to <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7391">cancel contracts with Chi Mei</a> after the horrible launch of the MPx220. So I'm guessing that this is related to that. The real question is; What is the MPx230, or is that just a typo? and does it really have Wi-Fi? :drool:

[rbrome]

I didn't read it that way.

The article talks about the MPx230 being cancelled with Chi Mei, then separately talks about the MPx being cancelled with Compal.

Then it talks about wi-fi in relation to the MPx, not the MPx230.

[cortez]

Moto, Moto, Moto... i'm not surprised. in today's environment, companies (like Moto) that subcontract production to other companies (like Chi Mei) know about product issues (e.g., MPx220 volume) before the product is relased for sale. you would hope that companies (like Moto) would do the right thing and delay the release date to ensure the product's basic funtionality works (e.g., MPX220 volume).

but...NOOOOOOOOO!!! they relase the product for sale, recoup some of the investment, appease the money s***s on Wall Street and take 2-6 months to address issues (e.g., MPx220 volume). you'd think that Moto would have learned a lesson from the problems related to previous "state of the art" products (e.g., MPx200, V600). maybe they did learn a lesson and that's why the MPx has not been released.

frankly, i'm not convinced they'll be able to build a quality product using their own facilities. on the positive side, a lower number of MPx220's in circulation means my MPx220 will command a higher price on ebay!! (yes, i'm dreaming and i'm enhancing my dreams with alcohol!).

:drinking:

[David Conger]

From what I can gather, the MPx230 is rumored to be a fixed MPx220. Either a response to the class-action lawsuit, a response to carrier problems, or simple a beefed up MPx220. Rumors read everything from dual SDIO and miniSD slots to EDGE to WiFi.

[Jerry Raia]

On the other hand, it could just be another piece of MotoJunk. :)

[xultar]

On the other hand, it could just be another piece of MotoJunk. :)

I vote for this take on the situation. :werenotworthy: Truer words were never spoken.

[jimfee]

Well if I remember my articles correctly the MPX230 could have been something like this

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7642&amp;highlight=chi+mei

The logical iteration of the phone would have had WiFi.


What I want to know is why the Chinese government in Taiwan would be that oppressive, sounds more like the mainland control over ubiquitous free communication. :(

Or for that matter, restrict what could be manufactured in the county for export.

OR are they trying to say that because the hardware cant be sold TO people on the Mainland, after it is manufactured in Tiawan, that the fat market is a bust and to can the whole idea.

FYI Sony of SONY-Ericsson (soon to drop the Ericsson name) just recently bought Chie Mei

I know this only because I was looking for a replacement screen for my wife's MPX220 and couldn't find one anywhere even from the OEM (Chi Mei)

[ovilla2001]

In 4 months I already had 2 MPX220 units that broken.
So... I must agree that MPX220 is a MotoJunk product: nice look and good features (when it works).

and now.... I am waiting AGAIN my MotoJunk return from the Motorola... probably to broke again in 2 months from now....

[jimfee]

I have worked with some Motorola equipment in my military experience and did some handset testing of TDMA and a few GSM models at a previous job, and have to say that the company is still around and kicking in a tough market (consumer or military electronics) for a reason. Their stuff is generally good stuff.

I myself returned two sets of two phones to Best Buy to get the latest sowtware revision on the MPX220, but since then the Phone has done everyting I've asked of it, and my wife's screen only broke because it somehow impacted the steel door on our garage :roll: The phone still works fine.

[Mike Temporale]

... and my wife's screen only broke because it somehow impacted the steel door on our garage :roll: The phone still works fine.


8O :rotfl: Sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but that just sounds funny. ;) I hope your wife and the garage door are ok. :)

[[email protected]]

Well if I remember my articles correctly the MPX230 could have been something like this

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7642&amp;highlight=chi+mei

The logical iteration of the phone would have had WiFi.


What I want to know is why the Chinese government in Taiwan would be that oppressive, sounds more like the mainland control over ubiquitous free communication. :(

Or for that matter, restrict what could be manufactured in the county for export.

OR are they trying to say that because the hardware cant be sold TO people on the Mainland, after it is manufactured in Tiawan, that the fat market is a bust and to can the whole idea.

FYI Sony of SONY-Ericsson (soon to drop the Ericsson name) just recently bought Chie Mei

I know this only because I was looking for a replacement screen for my wife's MPX220 and couldn't find one anywhere even from the OEM (Chi Mei)

Is Sony buying out Ericsson or why would they change the name?

[Ned]

FYI Sony of SONY-Ericsson (soon to drop the Ericsson name) just recently bought Chie Mei

I didn't know the Sony - Chi Mei Optoelectronics sale finally went through, but the sale to Sony only was for the Chi Mei liquid-crystal display operations in Taiwan.

Chi Mei Communication Systems is the company which had been making the cell phones for Motorola. Hon Hai Group is buying the Chi Mei Communications Systems. Essentially Chi Mei is selling itself piece-meal because they can make more money from the sale that way.

This deal could make Hon Hai the 2nd largest contract manufacturer of cell phones.

Separately, last year, Motorola agreed to sell it's Chihuahua manufacturing plant to Foxconn of Mexico, which is a subsidiary of Hon Hai.

Personally I think it's the corporate side of the story which is the important factor here, not the phones themselves. There is real corporate intrigue going on here and I think it's going to take a while until we really see what's happened, why, and what the future of this phone series is.

[scotsman]

What is this class action lawsuit and where can I find info on it? I get tired of buying expensive phones only to find out later its being discontinued or there aren't any accessories out there for it.