Motorola Q9 Reviews Start to Appear

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobileburn.com/gallery.jsp?Id=3490&source=HOMETOP' target='_blank'>http://www.mobileburn.com/gallery.jsp?Id=3490&source=HOMETOP</a><br /><br /></div><i>"For the past two days I've had the luxury of playing around with a pre-production Motorola Q9m, a Windows Mobile 6 smartphone destined for Verizon Wireless. After messing around with it and comparing it with the original Q, it seems quite obvious to me that the Q9m is a re-skinned Q with a new OS and a number of software enhancements. This is both good and bad. Physically, the Q9m is a near masterpiece. It is a simple but good looking device. It is very solidly built, and the metal frame around its edges make it look quite rugged."</i> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20070621-MotoQMobileBurn.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Reviews are starting to show up all over the place for the new Motorola Q9 models. Mobile Burn has a review of the <a href="http://www.mobileburn.com/gallery.jsp?Id=3490&amp;source=HOMETOP">Q9m Verizon model</a> and Gear Diary has a Quick Look post on the <a href="http://www.geardiary.com/2007/06/18/motorola-q9h-quick-hit-review/">Q9h GSM AT&amp;T model.</a> Personally, I'm pretty interested in the GSM version of this device. If Moto has managed to adjust the battery life then this phone has the best chance of getting me to switch off the BlackJack.

[Rocco Augusto]

You know, as much as I ragged on the MPX220... I actually kind of liked it as my device didn't have a lot of the hardware issues that others had. I wouldn't mind a device with a larger keyboard and if the Q9 can deliver on the battery life and provide me with something larger for my fingers to navigate, I would jump all over it! :)

[dgage]

I just want a better Bluetooth implementation as I have tried many different Bluetooth headsets and they have all performed poorly with the Q. Even Motorola's HS850 didn't do to well with the Q. If the Bluetooth is better I will buy it immediately.

David

[subzerohf]

Mike, I don't see where the Q9h is substantially better than the Blackjack. Not in terms of hardware. On the software side, is WM 6 really that much better than 5 that you feel compelled to shell out another $199? Then again, no one buys new smartphones because they need to. :wink:

[Rocco Augusto]

Then again, no one buys new smartphones because they need to. :wink:

im not obsessed, i can stop any time i want! :worried:

[jhalsey205]

Then again, no one buys new smartphones because they need to. :wink:

im not obsessed, i can stop any time i want! :worried:

Wow - that hits home!!!

[heov]

why are they designed differently? the gsm vs cdma version? i prefer the gsm...

[Mike Temporale]

Mike, I don't see where the Q9h is substantially better than the Blackjack. Not in terms of hardware. On the software side, is WM 6 really that much better than 5 that you feel compelled to shell out another $199? Then again, no one buys new smartphones because they need to. :wink:

I never said it was substantially better. Just that it has the best chance to get me off the BlackJack. I like the looks and if the battery is better then it's all good for me.

And yes, WinMo6 is worth it. But then again, did you really expect me to say something different? ;)

[SassKwatch]

Gear Diary has a Quick Look post on the Q9h GSM AT&amp;T model. (http://www.geardiary.com/2007/06/18/motorola-q9h-quick-hit-review/)

This qualifies as a review.(?)

First.......the 'writer' (and I use that term *loosely*) uses 'then' in several places where he clearly meant 'than'.

And then (appropriate use) he calls this a 'major upgrade' over the B'jack and/or the original Q....despite the fact he went to a fair amount of trouble to point out the new non-standard charging port that will require yet another cable and the lack of available WiFi.

Near as I can tell from this 'review', the only reason this could be considered a 'major upgrade' is because it's new.

[Torturous Trevor]

SassKwatch,

Since I was the one who wrote the review, I appreciate your honesty and thoughts on the review itself, I will be the first one to admit that my grammer is way beyond perfect, and the review itself was truly designed as a quick hit type of review, due to the fact that I had only had the device for about a week, so I was more about letting people know what the phone was all about.

As far as an upgrade over the Blackjack, I believe it is, due to the radio quality and keyboard itself.

But after meeting with Motorola late last week I have learned some new things about the device itself.

It does have WiFi, software upgradeable in the future, why, I have no clue, ask AT&amp;T that question.

Documents to Go was put into place because it seems that AT&amp;T had an issue with the Microsoft Office Mobile licensing.

Also the device does have a Sirf III chipset in it for GPS, I am currently looking into that a little deeper.

And the new non standard charging port is actually a new version of mini usb from what I was told.

I apologize for not getting into more detail on the phone in the "review" but will gladly answer any questions I can.

TT

[SassKwatch]

SassKwatch,

Since I was the one who wrote the review, I appreciate your honesty and thoughts on the review itself,

I was probably more terse in my reply than was necessary to make the point. And if so, I apologize.

You just happened to *seemingly* hit on one of my pet peeves w/ a number of technology 'reviews' I've run across in recent times. And that is a trend that seems to bless anything 'new' as good and an 'upgrade' over existing tools. That in spite of the reviewer him/herself spending almost as much review time pointing out the shortcomings in a device/package as the positives....in some cases, more time. But yet the new technology still gets a 'Highly Recommended' review (or whatever similar terminology). And that just leaves me scratching my head.

Given your expanded explanation of the feature set (which is much appreciated), the Q9 may yet turn out to be a notable upgrade over existing tools.....*if* one needs that robust a feature set.

[Torturous Trevor]

Sass,

No problem whatsoever, at least you were being honest in what your thoughts were and as well being "politically" correct in this case, when it comes to alot of reviews out there. Granted, anytime something new comes out the first thing anyone seems to do nowadays is tear down all the bad stuff before looking at anything good, but I think that is more human nature then anything else.

Anyways, if AT&amp;T sticks to their "supposed" price point of around $199, which would be nice, I believe this device would be a nice buy at that point, reason being, well at least you get GPS now in a small device, and "supposed" wireless with a software upgrade, still don't get that one yet, this may end up being a very nice "buy" for the price.

I try to keep a business view of things when I review these type of devices, and the one thing that gets me every time is WiFi and why it is not on alot of devices, or hidden in this case. As a person who is trying to help move a company toward Unified Communications, VOIP is a huge part of that, and these bloddy devices really need WiFi for that to happen in a correct manner.

I will tell you that I am now carrying the Q9 on a constant basis, so I can get a better feel for the device and its little "quirks"

TT

[Mike Temporale]

Trevor,

Now that you have been carrying the device for a while, can you share your thoughts on the battery life. I've been told that it is significantly improved. However, the Mobile Burn review seems to indicate that it's improved, but not that much. What kind of usage are you getting out of a charge?

[Torturous Trevor]

Mike,

Well on the battery life as we all know it depends on your exact setup, for me though, I havent seen any improvement at all in battery life, here is my current setup to give you an idea:

Q9h
Bluetooth Off - No Headset at all for the last week
3G on, here in the Chicagoland area 3G coverage is pretty good

Now here is the other part that doesnt help, Intellisync OTA, since I work for a non-Microsoft shop, i.e. Outlook, we needed something that would sink OTA, well the Intellisync OTA product is intresting in and of itself, but here is the kicker, it keeps a data connection open all the time, not just when it needs to sync.

So, if I plug the Q9 in at night before going to bed, wake up at 5:00am, first sync starts taking place at 6:00am, and of course making a few calls on the device, no websearching or texting on 3G, I was lucky to get to 12 each afternoon with the battery life.

But you have to remember, each setup is going to be different, I think the setup I use is a major data hog, so that doesnt help. Now when switching to Edge, I get a full days charge no problem, but remember, this will be dependent on everyones setup.

TT

[[email protected]]

When do you think we'll start seeing these online or in Verizon stores?

[Torturous Trevor]

The one I am using is a AT&amp;T branded GSM model, I have not had the pleasure as of yet to see or use the Verizon version. Granted have seen a few reviews of the device on the web, and have noticed several different things between the 2 Q9's. I believe AT&amp;T plans on releasing the Q9 end of July, to the beginning of August.

Verizon is going to be releasing the XV6800 and 5800 in August as well. I have heard that the Samsung i760 has been pushed back again because of hardware problems. But no word on the Q9M at this point.

TT

[howiebcn]

Hello Trevor,

Regarding the build in GPS Sirf III chipset, is this "disabled" the same as the "wifi" function or does your Moto Q9 comes with some GPS software installed?

Pls let us know if you managed launch this function with some GPS softwares and get a GPS location fix. Thx for the update.

Rgds,
Howie