Juicy Motorola Rumours on SlashPhone

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.slashphone.com/71/481.html' target='_blank'>http://www.slashphone.com/71/481.html</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/374_thumb.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />"Inside source reveals new information about the Motorola A630 and MPx100...the Motorola A630 is a unique phone that incorporates a camera, external display, and external keypad that flips open horizontally to reveal a keyboard (in a manner very reminiscent of a Nokia Communicator). SlashPhone recently found out that the A630 will run on Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone instead of Windows Mobile 2003 platform for Pocket PC, which was previously stated in the Motorola A630: Rumor update article. The A630 will have a built-in VGA digital camera offering resolution of 640x480 pixels. It will operate on GSM 850/900/1800/1900, with support for bluetooth, and WAP 2.0."<br /><br />The post goes on to say that the Motorola MPx100 will be based on Smartphone 2003, and will have a 1.3 megapixel camera. Motorola is suddenly the dominant player in the Windows Mobile Smartphone world, and it's easy to see why - they're innovating hard!<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b> Upon further consideration and discussion, it seems as though the A630 isn't a Smartphone...I'm betting it's likely a Linux-based smartphone (lowercase 's').

[Phoenix]

If the Moto A630 has quad band GSM, the MPx should, too. I know this story doesn't cover the MPx, but rather the A630 and MPx100, but I figure if Moto puts quad band in one device, they should in all of their devices all across the board.

Wishful thinking? I hope not. :D


They are indeed innovating hard. And that's so great to see!

[rbrome]

I am extremely skeptical of this rumor.

Motorola's Microsoft devices all come from their MotoPro group and have model numbers starting with "MPx". "A630" would be a typical model number for a non-MS phone from Motorola.

Plus, looking at a hi-res photo I happen to have of the A630, this doesn't have the right keys for a MS smartphone. The keys are right, however, for a typical Motorola non-smartphone.

I'm betting this is simply Motorola's answer to the Nokia 6800 series, and just like the Nokia, it will use a traditional (proprietary) phone "OS".

Since this has a square screen, I'm betting it will be 128 x 128 pixels, just like Motorola's C380, C650, V180, and V220.

Which reminds me - Smartphone does not yet support square screens! The new version of Windows Mobile, (officially, at least,) adds square-screen support for Pocket PCs only. Although Microsoft's Mike Wehrs did contradict that during an interview at CES this year, so I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility square-screen Smartphones.

[possmann]

Still waiting to hear about the 220 - anything about it actually - :lol:

I hope that with moto's push into the Smartphone market (which I think is just what Moto and MS needed) they won't get stuck on that MiniSD format that they are putting into the 100 for future Smartphones - just does not make sense to further fragment the market - especially since the Sd size is so prevelant out there now - MP3 players, Cameras, PDA devices...

I agree that IF this rumor is true, it's a product that we won't see out until the next rev of Smartphone OS (sqaure screen) is published.

[Jason Dunn]

I am extremely skeptical of this rumor. Motorola's Microsoft devices all come from their MotoPro group and have model numbers starting with "MPx". "A630" would be a typical model number for a non-MS phone from Motorola.

I agree with you Rich - I think this is going to be a Linux-based phone.

[Mike Temporale]

They also mention that the MPx100 will be offered by T-Mobile for $199. Nice.

I thought we had reports a while back that confirmed the A630 was not Windows Mobile? Too bad if that's the case.

[Kris Kumar]

If the Moto A630 has quad band GSM, the MPx should, too. I know this story doesn't cover the MPx, but rather the A630 and MPx100, but I figure if Moto puts quad band in one device, they should in all of their devices all across the board.

Wishful thinking? I hope not. :D


According to Motorola's announcement at MDC, all the MotoPro phones launching this year will have quad band in them.

http://www3.mscorpevents.com/mdc/Resources/documents/BIZ206_Narendra_MOTOPro%20Innovation_for_Comnet.ppt

Connectivity Road Map slide (one of the last slides)
- GPRS Class 12, Quad Band TODAY in entire 04 portfolio
- EDGE, CDMA EVDO, UMTS in development

Its funny, even though I attended the presentation, I overlooked this point, and it was Mike who pointed it out.

Kris

[Kris Kumar]

I am extremely skeptical of this rumor.

Since this has a square screen, I'm betting it will be 128 x 128 pixels, just like Motorola's C380, C650, V180, and V220.

Which reminds me - Smartphone does not yet support square screens! The new version of Windows Mobile, (officially, at least,) adds square-screen support for Pocket PCs only. Although Microsoft's Mike Wehrs did contradict that during an interview at CES this year, so I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility square-screen Smartphones.

I agree, the current/planned versions of smartphone OS does not support square or landscape mode.

[Malte]

rbrome, possmann and kris_kumar:

Do I need new glasses? To me that screen is definately not square.

[rbrome]

rbrome, possmann and kris_kumar:

Do I need new glasses? To me that screen is definately not square.

You may be right. Looking closely, the photo I have does seem to show the screen straight-on. I had assumed it was at an angle, and that's why it looked short. So... doing some measurements and comparing against available LCD sizes, I'm now inclined to think it will be 160 x 128 landscape.

No matter what, I still don't see see how it can be a Windows Mobile device. The screen aspect ratio doesn't even come close to anything even rumored for Windows Mobile. I know 128 x 160 might seem close to 120 x 160 (QQVGA), but believe me, in terms of aspect ratio, it's not even close. Unless the photo I'm looking at is very distorted, this is not a Windows Mobile device.

[possmann]

Nice to hear that T-Mo is going with the 100 - any news on when T-Mo will release this? June? July?

Now the BIG question - What is up with the 220?

[Mike Temporale]

Now the BIG question - What is up with the 220?

I get the feeling you're really anxious about the 220, eh? :wink:

[possmann]

:lol:
Yup

Bluetooth, SDIO and 2003.... in a flip phone - that's all I want.

[ben865]

I am extremely skeptical of this rumor. Motorola's Microsoft devices all come from their MotoPro group and have model numbers starting with "MPx". "A630" would be a typical model number for a non-MS phone from Motorola.

I agree with you Rich - I think this is going to be a Linux-based phone.

Nah...

Proprietary Moto.

Think V600 on it's side with a keyboard...

[Jerry Raia]

It looks more like a color version of my PageWriter 2000 than a phone.

[rbrome]

I agree with you Rich - I think this is going to be a Linux-based phone.

Nah...

Proprietary Moto.

Think V600 on it's side with a keyboard...

You're right. I've found more new evidence to support that. Along those lines, I was wrong about the screen res - it will definitely be 220 x 176.

[thetruth]

Disappointing that none of the Moto or upcoming Smartphones will be released for cdma(well, VZ). We are locked into the i600 and have no signs of hardware in development... :cry:

boo...