Review: Motorola Q
Jun 5, 2006, 11:45 AM by Eric Lin
In Depth review of the highly-anticipated Motorola Q, the first EVDO Windows Mobile Smartphone and slimmest smartphone to date.
Almost a year ago, Motorola announced the Q and everyone was clamoring for it. To date, no one had announced such a slim smartphone - especially one with a QWERTY keyboard. But now that the Q is finally coming to stores this week, the Q isn't so special anymore. Everyone (well, except for BlackBerry maker RIM) has announced an ultra slim "BlackBerry killer."
The Q is definitely more pocketable than a BlackBerry, and certainly more versatile than one. With a camera and the ability to load a wide variety of applications, it is clearly not just for corporate users. But Exchange synchronization, the keyboard and the familiarity of Windows will make the Q a strong contender for corporate users as well.
While the Q is still a looker, and worth looking at, it is no longer unique. It is a solid phone for many, but with so many similar models, there may be better options out there now - especially if you plan on using the keyboard quite a bit.
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Motorola Q
Comments
this may be an obvious question...
... but when the Q syncs with Outlook, does it sync all aspects, like the calendar, notes, etc? Or does it only sync contacts?
Dropped calls???
I just picked the Q up 5 days ago and out of nowhere today I have had two dropped calls.
Anybody experienced the same??
Anybody experienced the same??
THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FIRST SUBSCRIBE OR UPGRADE WITH VERIZON WIRELESS, EVEN WITH THE RAZR IT HAPPENED TO ME BUT IT WILL GO AWAY IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND LET EVDO/1X COVERAGE DO THE REST :-)
Many Issues, not to many resolutions
I waited monthes for the Q, I have been a Nextel customer for almost 6 years, through the good and the bad. But I wanted a Smartphone, cooler and maybe sexier than the pack of smart-bricks that slow you down and dont allow you to type using at LEAST 26 keys. The Palm based units lack the familarity of the windows mobile units, as well as the usual features.
I had this phone for a week, it's in the box waiting for Fedex, and My 7100i is back online and I am back with Nextel. I found my blackbeery to be the best phone I had ever used, but it lacked the flexibility and multimedia that does come in handy, even in business situations.
The Q was small, a bit wide, but so thin and a real attractive phone. it had some really great features...
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I had this phone for a week, it's in the box waiting for Fedex, and My 7100i is back online and I am back with Nextel. I found my blackbeery to be the best phone I had ever used, but it lacked the flexibility and multimedia that does come in handy, even in business situations.
The Q was small, a bit wide, but so thin and a real attractive phone. it had some really great features...
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I love how all New Yorker's think there time is somehow more valuable than the rest of the countries...that's neither here nor there.
IT'S A PHONE...calm down. It's not going to hold your hand. The Q has been a great phone so far. I too work for a...
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IT'S A PHONE...calm down. It's not going to hold your hand. The Q has been a great phone so far. I too work for a...
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Thanks for the honest review and personal experience. I will take what you said into consideration as I wait for further reviews of this phone to appear in leading publication and websites.
And Jmart...take a powder. Are you so small minded? Are y...
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And Jmart...take a powder. Are you so small minded? Are y...
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Very unbiased concerning brands, carriers, etc...I have few issues with my blackberry 7250 (RIM) and treo 650 (palm of course), but decided to upgrade to the Q phone and it has a lot of issues. Nothing to do with manual reading or understanding the f...
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The Q's compatibility???
I am shopping for a smartphone and am interested in the Q. However, I have been unsuccessful in discovering its compatibility with the software Time and Chaos. I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this or if anyone could point me in the right direction???
PC Remote options?
I just discovered how to use PC remote via bluetooth for controlling power point, media player, and even the mouse. It's friggin' sweet, but I was wondering if anybody knew how to get keyboard entry through the application? Is there any way to customize the bluetooth PC remote interface?
Alternative to Outlook backup and/or email?
I just got a Q and am in a Q-uandry, I do not run outlook on any of my machines or use outlook mail. Does anyone know of an alternative program to back up my data which is compatible with the Q o/s? Also, is there an easier way to get my yahoomail. (Tech support has been less than helpful...)
Motorola Q Active Sync Problems
Picked up the Motorola Q 2 days ago and I installed the Active Sync 4.1.0 that came on the cd with the phone. When i connect the phone to the computer via USB the computer recognizes the phone, but when i go to dbl click it, it's empty no files or folders....The active sync is constantly trying to connect while spinning the green circle...i tried opening up the Active sync in the phone while connected to the computer and hitting sync and messing with the menu...but to no luck....
Tried installing and uninstalling twice.....any advice or anyone going through same thing ???
Appreciate the help. THanks in advance.
Tried installing and uninstalling twice.....any advice or anyone going through same thing ???
Appreciate the help. THanks in advance.
Ringtones
Can anyone tell me how you can select a downloaded mp3 file as a ringtone on a q phone?
Thanks
Thanks
Mike; I do not have a Moto "Q", but I do have their previous Smart Phone, the MP220. I struggled with this also until I dug through the folders to find where they kept the "canned" ringtones that come with the phone. See if you can place the MP3 ri...
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Here's the Link for Ringtones
http://motorola.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/motorola.cfg/ph ... »
http://motorola.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/motorola.cfg/ph ... »
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Best accurate review to date- The "Q" gets a F
I was pleased to see someone actually critique the Q as it should be and not just join in the hype. Ditto on the user unfriendly keyboard and scroll device, they ruin the Q, as does the funciton buttons atop the keyboard that are not raised but flat and surrounded by plastic line seperaters that get in the way when pushing these in(very poor design), as well as the navigation in the middle which is difficult to use the down function because of the plasitic round unit that is used as opposed to seperate buttons. I have had my Q to test out since 6/2 and can say without a doubt that it is going back. $45 per/mo unlimited DATA PLAN THAT YOU MUST HAVE IN ORDER TO USE WEB BROWSER(OR .015 per/kb if you want $1500 phone bills), NO BRIGHTNESS CON...
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unless you live in Europe or the Far East where cellphones are like candy in one of the $.25 dispensors, you'll always be a couple of years behind in phone quality. You can thank the FCC for that faux pas.
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This phone is the biggest load of hype that I have ever come across! After owning it for a couple of days, I ended up nearly throwing it at the wall in pure frustration!
Not logical what so ever. In fact I am stunned at how bad it is.
Coming from ...
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Not logical what so ever. In fact I am stunned at how bad it is.
Coming from ...
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Where are the voice independent phones with Qwerty. Full Qwerty! not 2 per key. No such thing with Blackberry. Nokia, E61, Samsung one, others barely one.
Go to Motorola's site for tips on how to use the phone better. My second time using the ph...
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Go to Motorola's site for tips on how to use the phone better. My second time using the ph...
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Voice independent control is excellent
I tried the phone several times, and an quite diligent about checking things out.
I have had 2 Palms in the past and use for notes and phones and putting in expenses, no phone though. I have had Nextel for over 10 years or longer. I love the durability of Nextel phones, which is motorola.
I typed my name in and pute the phone # in and then save button to save. And then I pushed and held speakerphone button for a couple of seconds and then the voice recognition comes on and I said "call Greg" and it started dialing immediately!
I like the back arrow to go back like on the web browsers. but it is a dedicated arrow button. I like the toggle switch and the edges are nice as they are easy to catch and press.
Key pad seems easy enough ,...
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I have had 2 Palms in the past and use for notes and phones and putting in expenses, no phone though. I have had Nextel for over 10 years or longer. I love the durability of Nextel phones, which is motorola.
I typed my name in and pute the phone # in and then save button to save. And then I pushed and held speakerphone button for a couple of seconds and then the voice recognition comes on and I said "call Greg" and it started dialing immediately!
I like the back arrow to go back like on the web browsers. but it is a dedicated arrow button. I like the toggle switch and the edges are nice as they are easy to catch and press.
Key pad seems easy enough ,...
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Treo 650 comparisons
I'm a Treo user --- had the Treo 600 and liked it and now have the Treo 650 and love it.
Does anyone out there know how the Q compares with the Treo 650 ?
Does anyone out there know how the Q compares with the Treo 650 ?
Need a review on APPLICATIONS use on the Q
I was hoping this review would delve into something very important to Smart Phone users. The capability of this phone to handle applications.
What is the processor power like, what is the speed like, what is the memory like? Does it crash easily, run out of memory easily?
What is this phone like playing simple games like Yahtzee or Monopoly? What is it like with productivity software..such as Mortgage calculators, more advanced contact management programs...things you WILL buy and WILL use from Handango?
Please Phone Scoop...start considering that kind of testing. This is the real world and people need to know. It would be a valuable service to your readers.
What is the processor power like, what is the speed like, what is the memory like? Does it crash easily, run out of memory easily?
What is this phone like playing simple games like Yahtzee or Monopoly? What is it like with productivity software..such as Mortgage calculators, more advanced contact management programs...things you WILL buy and WILL use from Handango?
Please Phone Scoop...start considering that kind of testing. This is the real world and people need to know. It would be a valuable service to your readers.
AIM on Q?
Hi. I'm new to pda's and I'm going to be a light user. I'm basically looking for a phone that will allow me to check e-mail, browse the web and go on Aol instant messenger. I have seen the treo has a good aim program but have heard nothing about the Q. I went into Verizon and they said it had AIM but I didn't see it and wanted to hear from people who knew what they were talking about! Do you think this is the phone for me? Thanks!
Phones w/ better QWERTY keyboards
The review was pretty indepth, but in a couple of places they make mention of the Q's keyboard not being up to the standards.
In closing they even say the Q is not for people who need to do a lot of emails and text messaging from it, more for the casual user. But they lack comparisions to what they consider better QWERTY phones.
I don't have QWERTY phone today, but I am interested in getting one soon. I've been going back and forth in my mind between the Treo devices or the Blackberry's and I've been waiting on the Q but it seems I should pass on it because I will need it for heavy email. Is there better options I should consider and why?
In closing they even say the Q is not for people who need to do a lot of emails and text messaging from it, more for the casual user. But they lack comparisions to what they consider better QWERTY phones.
I don't have QWERTY phone today, but I am interested in getting one soon. I've been going back and forth in my mind between the Treo devices or the Blackberry's and I've been waiting on the Q but it seems I should pass on it because I will need it for heavy email. Is there better options I should consider and why?
my own personal opinions. rich's differ. as will those of many other users on here. some people i know even like the Q's keyboard. anyhow, here's keyboards that i think are better:
RIM 8700 series
hiptop 2 / sidekick II
nokia e61
htc apache / wi...
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RIM 8700 series
hiptop 2 / sidekick II
nokia e61
htc apache / wi...
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Black Colored Q???
does anyone know of the black-colored version is going to be made available by verizon?
-m
-m
Of course there will. That's what they did with the RAZR to keep peeps buying them. You will proly see a pink one too. 🙄
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The Q is exclusively for Verizon.
The Q is exclusive for VZW today, but if the sales are good, you know that motorola will build it for other carriers, it's not like they dont have the radio technology for CDMA, TDMA, IDEN and all the rest.
Killed Features?
I wonder how many features on the Q Verizon has ordered killed. I am sure OBEX is dead, as it is with most, if not all of their phones. Of course, I am sure Verizon is offering a way to get all these features thru their Get It Now program, at an extra cost of course.
Ron
Ron
the unit we reviewed was the verizon release of the Q, not a motorola sample. obex worked just fine. perfectly, in fact.
Verizon warns of a known issue with the Q accessing the net!
I ordered a Motorola Q last Wednesday; it was promised for Friday. Showed up Monday. Opened the box and the unit was damaged (it had been dropped) but it dialed calls and surfed the net. I took it to a VZ store and exchanged it for an undamaged phone. Got it home and - discovered the new phone won't surf the net. Called data tech support; after 30 minutes on hold with the rep she finally tells me there is a KNOWN ISSUE with the Q and the Verizon system; that they have had a number of calls about this problem. She has to "escalate the ticket" and it will take 24 to 48 hours before I hear back from them. Great; another 1 or 2 days wait to see if the thing even works...
I am a Cingular customer and got this phone because of the Q. So ...
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I am a Cingular customer and got this phone because of the Q. So ...
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You have 15 days, return it.
I have had little time to explore and experience the Q, however, from the little time I played with it I loved it.
The only thing that put me off about it was it had a slow reaction time. I'm the type of user that li...
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I have had little time to explore and experience the Q, however, from the little time I played with it I loved it.
The only thing that put me off about it was it had a slow reaction time. I'm the type of user that li...
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Lovely Phone; Ugly Software
Before you get too hot and heavy over the Motorola Q, if you are a serious user, you might think twice.
The New York Times technology editor just wrote a very critical review of the Q, using numerous real-life examples of how this phone comes up short:
http://tinyurl.com/jvjl4 »
If you are a Blackberry or Palm user, you might want to stick with your current phone so you don't buy into the hype and get disappointed.
While I don't know yet for sure, the brand new Nokia E61 (similar QUERTY smartphone design) seems like it is getting better reviews -- although unlike Motorola, Nokia has put zero marketing dollars into the E61 launch in the US.
You can see a detailed [and yes, critical] review of the E61 here:
http://tinyurl.co »...
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The New York Times technology editor just wrote a very critical review of the Q, using numerous real-life examples of how this phone comes up short:
http://tinyurl.com/jvjl4 »
If you are a Blackberry or Palm user, you might want to stick with your current phone so you don't buy into the hype and get disappointed.
While I don't know yet for sure, the brand new Nokia E61 (similar QUERTY smartphone design) seems like it is getting better reviews -- although unlike Motorola, Nokia has put zero marketing dollars into the E61 launch in the US.
You can see a detailed [and yes, critical] review of the E61 here:
http://tinyurl.co »...
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at the Eseries launch nokia said they intend to launch the e61 (or possibly it's fraternal twin the e62) in the US. both have been approved by the FCC. i can see no reason why we won't be doing an in-depth review of whichever one launches here. we hav...
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Don't like it
😡
I have had the Q for almost a week, and quite frankly its frustrating. I spent probably $500-600 having my IT contractor correspond with Verizon and Msoft before we got my exchange server working properly. Noone at VZ or MS understands the deal well yet, and we have to learn at their expense.
I have had a BBerry since the beginning, and the keyboard works completely different. The ? symbol is on another page, sentences dont end auto with a "." period, etc. It takes a lot of getting used to. The auto phrase technology makes me say things I dont want to.
Battery life is poor when using with bluetooth as I did in my car. Phone is dead dead dead after 8 hours with no charging. Car charger makes no impact.
Some features are...
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I have had the Q for almost a week, and quite frankly its frustrating. I spent probably $500-600 having my IT contractor correspond with Verizon and Msoft before we got my exchange server working properly. Noone at VZ or MS understands the deal well yet, and we have to learn at their expense.
I have had a BBerry since the beginning, and the keyboard works completely different. The ? symbol is on another page, sentences dont end auto with a "." period, etc. It takes a lot of getting used to. The auto phrase technology makes me say things I dont want to.
Battery life is poor when using with bluetooth as I did in my car. Phone is dead dead dead after 8 hours with no charging. Car charger makes no impact.
Some features are...
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Actually the reviewer is wrong, and your response indicates others missed this as well - the question mark is on the keyboard, and doesn't even require an alt mode to press - it's the "0" key when you're not in numeric mode (as when you're typing an e...
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