Unpacking the Motorola Q

by Peter Rojas posted May 24th 2006 at 8:41AM

Check it, we just got our hands on a brand new Motorola Q yesterday evening and we figured we'd snap a few pics of the unpacking ritual.

Sadly, they went for the standard black-and-red packaging you'll get with any run-of-the-mill Verizon handset. You'd think they'd steal a page from Apple or iRiver or Helio's playbook and realize that good packaging (usually) makes people feel like they've just bought something special.

Anyway, we haven't had a ton of time to play with it yet, but we've already noticed some improvements over the pre-production model we, uh, obtained a couple of months ago. For starters, the D-pad is way better. You can't even compare 'em. The QWERTY keyboard is a little better than it was before. It's still not perfect, but it's gotten better on every successive version of the Q we've handled over the past 10 months or so (it'd be nice to compare this final version with the original prototype they showed off last year to see how it's evolved). The other major difference we've noticed so far is in the responsiveness of the UI, it's definitely snappier than it was before.

Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, Windows Mobile, 1xRTT, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: ev-do, features, motorola q, MotorolaQ, verizon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Highly Ranked

Adam @ May 24th 2006 8:51AM

What build ID of MS Mobile is it running? We're dying to know...

Neutral

arcanic @ May 24th 2006 9:01AM

Awesome, I can't wait for one of these!!!!

Neutral

phi @ May 24th 2006 9:17AM

they need to get rid of that verizon logo on the front, it makes it look chintzy

Neutral

Luch @ May 24th 2006 9:25AM

they need to make a gsm version of this soon and bring it to Canada!!!!

also where is the holster? does it not come with one??? thats one of the reasons why i loved my BB because of its holster!!

Neutral

DJ @ May 24th 2006 9:26AM

Maybe it's the resolution or lighting, but it looks chunkier than the original shots. Kinda like the difference between the Acura RDX concept and the production RDX.

Neutral

Brian @ May 24th 2006 9:26AM

You guys want to sell it? Today? Overnite shipping?

Neutral

Korey @ May 24th 2006 9:29AM

I love the very vibrant screen shows well even in pics doesnt look like WM 5.0 but it is i guess? if cingular gets one ill be maybe gettin rid of the l6

Neutral

Matt Carlson @ May 24th 2006 9:31AM

I think there should be a side by side comparison to the palm 700m

Neutral

Nijle @ May 24th 2006 9:32AM

Maybe the reviewers hands are just REALLY small, thus making it look bigger than it actually is with normal human hands.

Neutral

Mike @ May 24th 2006 9:33AM

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST DAMN IT!!!!

Neutral

MacroEQ @ May 24th 2006 9:33AM

That's so unfair. The unpacking pics (above) look almost like pornography. Any news on a UK launch anyone? lol

Neutral

Alan A. Reiter @ May 24th 2006 9:34AM

I'd be very interested in how you think the Q keyboard compares to the BlackBerry 8700 and the Treo 700.

Neutral

theattack @ May 24th 2006 9:46AM

$299 w/2 yr contract
$349 W/1 yr contract + 39 activation
(Also $100 credit for data plan activation)

$419 retail

Neutral

Steven @ May 24th 2006 9:46AM

"6. I think there should be a side by side comparison to the palm 700m

Posted at 9:31AM on May 24th 2006 by Matt Carlson"

700m? And what version would that be? 700p or 700w?

Neutral

Jason @ May 24th 2006 9:48AM

No Holster? What the hell?

Neutral

GlancingAft @ May 24th 2006 9:50AM

Forget the phone, what I would do to have that floor...

Neutral

Eric @ May 24th 2006 9:53AM

2 Questions:

1) At CES the UI was very choppy when scrolling the screen down (either in e-mail or on the main today view). Is this still a problem?

2) How well does Slingbox work with it and what kinda battery life do you get while using Slingbox?

Neutral

Shaun @ May 24th 2006 9:55AM

Can I have it for free? I would love to stick it to cingular right now...

Neutral

iam25boy @ May 24th 2006 9:56AM

I want a GSM version! I hate CDMA!!!

Neutral

Jim L. @ May 24th 2006 10:01AM

Two words - YOU SUCK.

Neutral

Ogre @ May 24th 2006 10:09AM

How does it compare with the 7130e?

Neutral

Alex B @ May 24th 2006 10:10AM

What version of Outlook does this phone come with. Is it still the old Outlook 2002?

Neutral

Ryan @ May 24th 2006 10:14AM

Are you required to have a data plan in order to get one of these or get it for $299? I also thought I read it was $199 w/ a two year plan?

Neutral

Phil @ May 24th 2006 10:15AM

I'm with Eric - tell me how slingplayer mobile works on the Q? Is the screen big enough to make it useful?

Neutral

John Z @ May 24th 2006 10:19AM

Where can I get one unlocked?

Neutral

Mystech @ May 24th 2006 10:28AM

Very nice looking phone. Can't wait till the more detailed reviews start coming in. And please Lord, let someone other than Verizon (the overpriced short bus of mobile providers) pick this phone up! :-)

Neutral

Jose A. Roldan @ May 24th 2006 10:29AM

Its a CDMA device, that means its Verizon (I think) only and I doubt it can be found unlocker...

Anyway did Verizon Cripple this one like they do to every other handset? Any hopes of a GSM version?

Neutral

Marty McFly @ May 24th 2006 10:31AM

If you guys are big fans, you should check out the forums over at http://www.qusers.com
Slingplayer Mobile will work on it as soon as Sling releases a client for smartphone...which will be really soon from what I hear

Neutral

Jim L. @ May 24th 2006 10:32AM

The GSM version is scheduled for early 2007, or so I've read.

Neutral

Manatee @ May 24th 2006 10:33AM

I too am looking forward to a comparison with the Treo 700w. The Q will only cost me $420, versus the $620 for the 700w, so it'll be interesting to see how they compare.

Neutral

NeonLeon @ May 24th 2006 10:39AM

I love you long time.

Neutral

Flooty333 @ May 24th 2006 11:12AM

Can you check if they are running WM5 with AKU2 (for push email w/exchange)??

Neutral

Froggy @ May 24th 2006 11:16AM

oh baby... take it off, take it all off. ;)

Neutral

redban @ May 24th 2006 11:18AM

anyone know if this has the same memory issues as the treo 700, as in the treos small amount of ram, that causes it to crash almost daily..

Neutral

Mike Hillyer @ May 24th 2006 11:21AM

Now to just get used to the lack of a touch screen. I'm sure it's fine without one but coming from a PDA background it could take some getting used to.

Neutral

Josh @ May 24th 2006 11:28AM

Anyone know when we can expect to find a unit in a local corporate store? I know I shouldn't be changing horses mid contract but it is tempting.

Neutral

mr. mario @ May 24th 2006 11:35AM

oh man i waited so long for this phone. But when it came time to renew my VZW contract (and after the V710 class action lawsuit) I decided to get the PPC 6700 from Sprint.

Why Sprint?

Because Im not willing to pay $45 per month for the data plan. That is ridiculous, Sprint is only $15. Can someone tell me why there is such a huge difference?
It was also on engadget that the VZW EVDO was slower. *sigh* maybe soon Sprint will get the Q.

Neutral

Jim @ May 24th 2006 11:45AM

Announcements say store availability June 5th.

Interestingly, Motorola often designs and has available extremely high-end packaging... and the US carriers rarely take it. They show up more in Asia and Europe.

Neutral

Mike @ May 24th 2006 11:50AM

God that thing is ugly.

Neutral

shon Dempsey @ May 24th 2006 11:50AM

Ya gotchyourselves a partner Q.

Neutral

some dude @ May 24th 2006 11:52AM

How does it compare to the Nokia E61?

The fact that it's a Motorola heavily suggests that the UI will be frustrating and ugly.

Neutral

theattack @ May 24th 2006 11:54AM

#37- the 15 per month on sprint is only for the slower speed. I believe the power vision plan is also 45. the only differnece, and its a big one, is power vision includes tethering, while Verizon allows it for extra 15 per month. but if you dont tether theyre the same roughly.

and you need a data plan to get 199/mo. otherwise its 299/mo

Neutral

Mitch @ May 24th 2006 11:55AM

No WiFi!!! This thing LOOKS nice, but isn't nearly as good as my SDA for that reason alone. Not to mention the ridiculous EVDO prices!

Neutral

gr1zz @ May 24th 2006 11:55AM

How it preforms at test.orb.com is what i want to know!

Neutral

ben @ May 24th 2006 12:11PM

I guess the GSM version is real. According to cnet.com, while talking to motorola people, they said that they would have a GSM trial phone by the end of the year. Here's the link(scroll down to the very bottom): http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6530594.html?tag=cnetfd.sd

"One final note. For those with Cingular and T-Mobile service, Motorola said it would have trials for a GSM version by the end of the year."

Neutral

Windinhispants @ May 24th 2006 12:20PM

I wonder how many features will be disabled. Verizon is terrible. Its a shame that this phone will not be able to show its full potential under the verizon ball and chain. New Verizon Tag line: "Verizon... You get nothing and like it."

When it gets to cingular..... Spread your wings Q! Fly like the wind! Fly I tell you! Fly!

Neutral

Andrew @ May 24th 2006 12:54PM

God it's ugly! No thank you! But I agree with #16 the floor looks great!

Neutral

Dave Zatz @ May 24th 2006 1:17PM

Eric, the Slingplayer for MS Smartphones (not PPC) is still in beta so they couldn't really comment on its performance. Though I'm very interested in finding out as well! Too bad Verizon really sticks it to customers with their super expensive data plans - they can get away with it since they largely target business.

Neutral

Sascha Segan @ May 24th 2006 1:32PM

Obviously, you can ask these guys, but I'm also open for business answering questions. Not that I want to take traffic away from my good buddies at Engadget. In fact, if they're edgy about my offer, they should feel free to delete this comment!

I'd love to get a copy of Slingplayer for Smartphone so I could use it on the Q. Can't get it yet.

Ask me stuff at:

http://gearlog.com/blogs/gearlog/archive/2006/05/24/12556.aspx

Neutral

Clarence @ May 24th 2006 1:48PM

Hmm, I thought WM5 looked more like XP? That UI is more like Windows 2000. I've not used a WM device before, is that theme something that can be changed?

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