Rumor Mill: Motorola MPx220 To Go On Sale On...

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.phonemag.com/index.php/weblog/read_more/09172004_motorola_mpx_and_mpx220_smartphone_updates/' target='_blank'>http://www.phonemag.com/index.php/weblog/read_more/09172004_motorola_mpx_and_mpx220_smartphone_updates/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Cingular will be the first to get the Motorola MPx220 smartphone on <b>October 18th 2004.</b> This is an update from our <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6044">previous post</a> citing the September 27th release date of the MPx220. We also got word that the integrated camera on the MPx220 has not been improved very much from first release."</i><br /><br />:cry: <br /><br />Wonder what is keeping Motorola and Cingular/AT&T from releasing this Smartphone? Is it some firmware bug? Is it the quality of its mega pixel camera? Or is it the Cingular and AT&T merger? Whatever it is, they must resolve it quickly and get the most anticipated model of the year into the stores quickly. Since the HTC Typhoon models (C500, i-mate SP3 etc.) haven't made it into the US markets yet, shouldn't Motorola's strategy be to get its model out before the competition enters the field? I wonder if this delay applies to the <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6187">Brazilian launch</a> of the MPx220? Motorola and TIM had made a joint press release stating that the Smartphone will go on sale in Brazil sometime in September 2004.

[Kris Kumar]

Another thought that just came to my mind - what if Orange knowingly released the SPV C500 with the gaming bugs. Could it be possible that they knew about o2 Germany's plans to launch the MPx220 and T-Mobile's plans to launch the SDA? And decided to release the product early.

[Jerry Raia]

I cant wait for this phone :D

[mar2k]

Any guesstimates as to the non-contract pricing for this phone on Cingular?

[jfreiman]

I'm seemingly alone on this, but I really want the MPx100 phone.
To me flip phones are ugly and annoying to cradle on your sholder. In addition, phones like the 200 and 220 are too "fat" and don't fit easily in my pants pocket.

[Kris Kumar]

I'm seemingly alone on this, but I really want the MPx100 phone.
To me flip phones are ugly and annoying to cradle on your sholder. In addition, phones like the 200 and 220 are too "fat" and don't fit easily in my pants pocket.

C500, i-mate SP3 and T-Mobile SDA are far better candybar models than the MPx100. They are slimmer, smaller and lighter than the MPx100. The only area where I am sure the MPx100 is/was better is the fit and finish department. I haven't seen the new models in person, but they seem a little plasticky from the photos.

Bottomline, if you like candybar style, you will love the newer models. :-)

[jfreiman]

C500, i-mate SP3 and T-Mobile SDA are far better candybar models than the MPx100. They are slimmer, smaller and lighter than the MPx100. The only area where I am sure the MPx100 is/was better is the fit and finish department. I haven't seen the new models in person, but they seem a little plasticky from the photos.

Bottomline, if you like candybar style, you will love the newer models. :-)

Thanks for the input on candy bar shaped phones, I was also under the impression that the MPx100 had a higher resolution camera? - Anyways, It would be nice to see the Sagen come to the US or possibly the others you mentioned.

[Kris Kumar]

I was also under the impression that the MPx100 had a higher resolution camera?

True, but MPx220 which I believe has the same mega-pixel camera hasn't done too well in the preliminary reviews. And my guess is that it is not a firmware issue, but hardware issue. The optics on the camera is probably not good.

Do these camera phones use glass lens or plastic lens?

[possmann]

You know I am wondering if this is really a Moto thing anymore or just a carrier thing? Meaning the delay.

You got to think that Moto is a bit annoyed that their phone is not to market yet after all of this hype - and the fact that the HTC models are getting closer and closer to release.

For me, I'm actually thinking about getting one of the HTC models - I know, back to a candy bar type again - but given the specs and the price points, it looks like any one of the HTC models is going to be a far better deal than the 220.