The Motorola Q vs. the Treo 650

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000000051949/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000000051949/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"By request, the new Motorola Q Smartphone side-by-side with the Treo 650."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/MotTre.JPG" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />Well here they are side by side. I don't know about you but that landscape screen on the Q just doesn't look right. Another thing is how can a screen that big not be a touch screen? Of course none of this will matter because we all know the day it hits the shelves we will be on here saying which stores it is available in and how much we spent. :lol:

[mbranscum]

Too wide.

[chandler]

Another thing is how can a screen that big not be a touch screen?

Very well, thank you. You don't have to protect a normal screen as much as you do a touchscreen. The Q should be pocketable. The Treo is not without a hard case to protect the touchscreen.

... and then you have to put a screen scratch protector on it too, and hope you got it on right so the digitizer works OK, and then you have to poke at the screen occasionally (though the Treo is very good at one-handed navigation). No thanks. I like my Smartphone :D

[Janak Parekh]

Too wide.
It does look narrower than the Blackberries it's supposed to compete against, though. A narrower device would have a more cramped thumbboard.

--janak

[Mike Temporale]

Too wide.

I'm not too sure about that. It is wider than the Treo, but only by a little amount. It actually looks like a pretty decent size all around. I wouldn't complain if it was smaller, but for a Smartphone with a built in keyboard - I think it's a great size and a nice looker.

[mbranscum]

Too wide.

I'm not too sure about that. It is wider than the Treo, but only by a little amount. It actually looks like a pretty decent size all around. I wouldn't complain if it was smaller, but for a Smartphone with a built in keyboard - I think it's a great size and a nice looker.

This thing looks as wide and tall as the HP6315. If it was a full Pocket PC that would be one thing, but as a Smartphone??? I'm not sure. I've carried a Treo and this thing looks too big.

[droskill]

Treo 650: 4.4" x 2.3" x 0.9" - weight: 178g
Motorola Q: 4.4" x 2.51" x 0.5" - weight: 115g
Blackberry 7230: 4.5" x 2.9" x 0.8" - weight : 136g

Definitely a bit wider - could be significant. But check out the weight and thinness difference. Probably makes up for the width. Certainly it won't be like my Blackberry (which feel like I'm talking to a plank of wood).

My questions is this: what's with all the wasted space between the bottom and the keyboard - Treo just seems better designed from that standpoint.

[Damion Chaplin]

To me, this thing is obviously trying to compete with the blackberry, not the treo. This was even more clear to me this morning when I saw someone's blackberry with its horizontal non-touch screen. All this Q needs is a scroll wheel and tetris.

Besides, the treo is an actual PDA, wheras the blackberry is really a communications device with added functionality, much like a smartphone.

I think this would be close to the perfect smartphone for me... I can't wait!

[encece]

If they got rid of that space at the bottom, I could comprehend it.
Visually, the treo wins with the larger screen.

I'm going to pass on this one I think. Give me GPS. Give me WiFi.

[Jerry Raia]

Another thing is how can a screen that big not be a touch screen?

Very well, thank you. You don't have to protect a normal screen as much as you do a touchscreen. The Q should be pocketable. The Treo is not without a hard case to protect the touchscreen.

... and then you have to put a screen scratch protector on it too, and hope you got it on right so the digitizer works OK, and then you have to poke at the screen occasionally (though the Treo is very good at one-handed navigation). No thanks. I like my Smartphone :D

I must disagree. I carry my iPAQ in just about everything with a screen protector, no hard case, no problems. I would also think there would be a way to lock the screen just like we do with phone keypads now. You can't tell me in 2005 we cant have a touch screen phone!

[Mike Temporale]

To me, this thing is obviously trying to compete with the blackberry, not the treo. This was even more clear to me this morning when I saw someone's blackberry with its horizontal non-touch screen. All this Q needs is a scroll wheel and tetris.

Besides, the treo is an actual PDA, wheras the blackberry is really a communications device with added functionality, much like a smartphone.

I think this would be close to the perfect smartphone for me... I can't wait!

I agree. It's more aimed at the Blackberry's than the Treo's.

[encece]

I must disagree with one small comment above. Smartphones are more like PDAs than Blackberry's. They can do almost anything a PocketPC can do. Just in a different form factor.

[Mike Temporale]

Well, yes they are more like a PDA in fuctionality. However when you're comparing hardware, the new Moto Q is more in line with a Blackberry than a Treo.

[encece]

depends on how you use it I guess.

[encece]

that landscape screen is going to cause havoc!

[chandler]

I must disagree. I carry my iPAQ in just about everything with a screen protector, no hard case, no problems. I would also think there would be a way to lock the screen just like we do with phone keypads now. You can't tell me in 2005 we cant have a touch screen phone!

Well, I've broken screens on two PDAs over the years and have yet to break a screen on a cell phone. To me there is a significant difference in fragility on touch-screen devices.

I think a device with a QWERTY thumboard will do everything I need without poking at the screen with a stylus, and that to me is an advantage.

[dollardr]

A few thoughts:

PDA shipments are down according to a Gartner report I saw today. Smartphone devices is where you will see growth. PDA's are history.

Touch screen devices are a pain if you can't navigate without the stylus. I can use my Blackberry with one hand without any problems while walking, driving etc.. Touch screens are done, they are not functional in every day life.

Looking forward to seeing new devices evolve. Exciting times are ahead.

[subzerohf]

Treo 650: 4.4" x 2.3" x 0.9" - weight: 178g
Motorola Q: 4.4" x 2.51" x 0.5" - weight: 115g
Blackberry 7230: 4.5" x 2.9" x 0.8" - weight : 136g

Definitely a bit wider - could be significant. But check out the weight and thinness difference. Probably makes up for the width. Certainly it won't be like my Blackberry (which feel like I'm talking to a plank of wood).

My questions is this: what's with all the wasted space between the bottom and the keyboard - Treo just seems better designed from that standpoint.

The weight would be a significant factor. Also significant (at least to me) is the (lack of) antenna. The problem with the Treo is the antenna sticking out - you just can't pocket it comfortably. I can't wait to try out the Q. Sure hopes it works better than the MPX220.

[iJITSU]

I think the horizontal screen looks great. Much better for web browsing, video playback, etc. TV's have horizontal screens (Wide screen), PC monitors have horizontal screens, etc. I for one think the design of the Q rocks, but as others have noted this is MOTO we are talking about so I'll reserve judgement until it's released.