Amp'd to get upgraded Motorola Q?
A microscopic, grayscale image is about all we have to go on right now, but that little sliver of evidence seems to corroborate the claim that Amp'd Mobile is all geared up to take on a variant of Motorola's Q smartphone. On account of Amp'd's target demographic, we might normally argue that there are other carriers in the world better suited to take on a business-oriented device like the Q -- but if the rumored upgrades are anywhere close to real (three megapixel cam, "new UI," and integrated SlingPlayer) at the also-rumored price point of $100 -- not to mention the nifty black shell -- Amp'd subscribers would be crazy not to dig it. Could this be the rumored Q Pro?[Thanks, MRa]
Update: Better eye candy of the Amp'd Q has surfaced, once again on HowardForums -- click through for the goods.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 3:04PM
Why does that seem strange to me? For some reason, I can't make "Moto Q" and "Amp'd" fit together. I think it's the marketing...
Otsego @ Nov 8th 2006 3:13PM
wtf? seriously. this cant be right.
Ben @ Nov 8th 2006 3:15PM
I am right in the target demo., and i love my moto Q. It is smaller than a BlackBerry, and PERFECT for texting. Lots of my friends have them for this reaosn. It is kind of the anti-sidekick to me, and way better then the V/enV (which is masive)
Ry @ Nov 8th 2006 3:28PM
If it's true, I may have found my next phone.
Brien Mizell @ Nov 8th 2006 3:30PM
well, seeing as this comes bundled with sling player i would call this a big negative. Verizon specifically states in terms and conditions that data devices cannot be used to stream video and or music through third party apps. it lists mobitv and slingbox specifically. Amp'd uses Verizons towers. Verizon would not allow that. period. keeping it real... fake anyone?
mr. mario @ Nov 8th 2006 3:41PM
Yo Brien,
you do realize that Amp'd leases the Verizon networks and currently runs apps on their phones which show live video, etc. right? It's not really that far-fetched to think that maybe Amp'd secured a deal that would allow for something like the Slingbox streaming. That would explain why Amp'd plans are expensive, even compared to the already expensive VZW plans.
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 4:23PM
I agree with Brien. You go over 2 GB, get ready for the disconnect. But, sometime next year, look for rollout of Rev. A. Verizon Wireless' answer to Sprint's new broadband rollout.
DT @ Nov 8th 2006 5:11PM
@Steve, Brien,
Guys, Amp'd leases service from Verizon, but they (Amp'd) dictate their own terms to their customers, not Verizon. I'm quite sure that streaming-happy Amp'd took Verizon's network limitations into consideration when they decided to sell devices and service based on mobile video. If Amp'd doesn't set limitations on users, then Verizon doesn't have anything to say about what Amp's users do on their devices.
nk126 @ Nov 8th 2006 6:49PM
Amp'd is definitely coming out with a branded, somehow modified version of the Q. Not sure about the specs, but this all makes sense -- harnessing the WinMob OS and roomy screen to run SlingPlayer or some type of advanced media player. Not to mention the messaging benefits of a QWERTY device.
Amp'd sells a lot of content overseas, if not so much stateside just yet. Interesting to see what this really is when it comes out.
Brien Mizell @ Nov 8th 2006 7:04PM
true they do. but not using third party apps that allow you to stream what you want to the device. That is completely different. they will not let anyone bog down the network doing things that are "illegal". That is why the unlimited internet laptop cards are not really true unlimited. Too much bandwith and they cut the line and you pay ETF.
DT @ Nov 8th 2006 10:13PM
@Brien,
Dude, yeah, that's Verizon's policy, NOT Amp'd's. They have entirely different terms-of-service, and your idea that Verizon would cut you off for using too much Amp'd bandwidth makes as much sense as saying Sprint would cut you off for violating Verizon's TOS. That's the whole point of having an MVNO. It's Amp'd's own network for all intents and purposes. I'm sure that there are rules governing what Amp'd can and cannot allow on Verizon's leased network, but that is all negotiated on the corporate level. If you get cut off for using too much bandwidth, it's Amp'd's policies you are violating, not Verizon's.
fyrestarrter @ Nov 9th 2006 12:07AM
I actually think that having the Qwerty Q would give AMp'd the huge boost it needs to stay Martket Savy & get a larger market share & demographic. Think about it, many people these days won't even LOOK at a phone unless it has a qwerty keyboard on it for e-mail & text messaging. Go Amp'd, this is a seriously bold & good move!
fuzzyzinger @ Nov 9th 2006 6:58AM
That's all nice, but where is our Sprint Moto Q announcement?
JL @ Nov 9th 2006 7:32AM
Yeah, I'm waiting for the Moto-Q from Sprint too. Hoping it will have beefed up apps compared to Verizon unit I sampled last month. Amp'd is an MVNO for Verizon so it makes sense that they have access to it now. VZW's exclusivity is about to expire and they are thrying to get as many Qs into the field as cheaply as possible, hense the recent price reductions. That also works over Sprint on their release price.
Lo Rob @ Nov 10th 2006 1:46PM
Having worked in a call center for verizon, vzw will not shut you off for too much bandwidth. They will shut you off for illegal use. Slingbox/Slingplayer has fcc approval but it's use is up in the air (am I the only one who reads this site) as of right now it's fine, plus hacks exist making the tracking of data over winmo devices nigh uninteligible to anyone not on the device. Given that Amp'd (as an independent company from vzw) makes their money b/c of their vid/music services they may just be using slingplayer as a cheaper-than-making-our-own video player for their existing services, as sling player beta was highly mod-able/hack-able it stands to reason that a proprietary version could be used to view existing content, and given that the exclusivity agreements that vzw gets usually only last 6-10 mos. Amp'd getting has nothing to do with vzw. What part of independent company are you not getting out of MVNO. vzw already has their own prepaid service. and frankly I like that a company that doesn't charge $1000 deposits to new credit persons gets this work of geek art. Oh and the fact that Amp'd doesn't wh0re out the "unlimited Nights&Weekends" farse is not a bad thing. They still are the LEAST used times for wireless users, accounting for less than 15% of total airtime used in most companies. Seriously if you can't get this info anywhere else go work at a call center for a month. It looks better to smile and look stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt
LiSa @ Nov 11th 2006 4:10PM
here's the link for some full-fledged color photos of this Amp'd "Q Pro"...
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1038990
Mike Nyce @ Nov 12th 2006 8:56AM
I can verify that ampd will be getting the Q and the krzk in 2007. will post the pic or send it to someone here who can verify. Pic coming tomorrow
Rick @ Nov 25th 2006 3:22AM
Well considering Amp'd mobile is for people living in poverty, and have no class such as good credit,I don't think there coming out with a phone that people with no career would not use what it is suppose to be used for," people with class and are smart, thats why its a smartphone". You have to get approved
Dre @ Dec 18th 2006 11:39AM
I had verizon wireless and had the treo 700 w and 700p with the data plans included costing me on average $140.00 per month. Then i tried Helio, excellent service but i was disappointed with the selection of phones, now i am with Ampd..... excellent services and unlimited calling plan and texting for 149.00. If Ampd adopts this motorola q this would be the best plan and phone because verizon, sprint and others will not beat ampd's unlimited data and voice and texting plan for 150.00. ULIMITED and GREAT reception everywhere.
Mike @ Dec 21st 2006 11:09PM
If you are going to make a post as arrogant as Rick (18)...
Can you say run on sentence?
Do, you have, any, idea,, how to use a comm,a,?,
"...there coming..." LET'S TRY they're coming
When is it ever classy to ridicule those in poverty?
With that said... If you yourself are using a smartphone I kindly suggest you return it.
This phone looks pretty sweet to me.
moe @ Jan 11th 2007 2:43PM
AMPD WILL LAUNCH THE MOTO Q NO LATER THEN EARLY MARCH. I AM AN AUTHORIZED AMP'D MOBILE DEALER AND I GOT WORD FROM OUR AMP'D REP
Lee Haushalter @ Mar 4th 2007 11:38PM
They have it on the Amp'd website you just need to find it :) I'll give you a hint, think details!!!!
N.JONES @ Mar 23rd 2007 11:50AM
HI, I WORK AT BEST BUY AND WE SELL AMP'D PHONES, THE MOTOROLA Q FOR AMP'D IS GOING TO BE RELEASED ON 3/27/2007 AND WITH A NEW 18 MONTH CONTRACT IT WILL BE 199.99. AMP'D WILL ALSO BE RELEASING NEW DATA PLANS FOR THE PHONE.
Mike @ Apr 7th 2007 9:41PM
Talked to Amp'd Rep. and they say they are holding back release due to software updates; they want to get the bugs out prior to release to optimize EVDO speeds. New Data plans will also to take advantage of the phones capabilities. They said release date pushed from April 3rd to the 20th.
Mike @ Apr 17th 2007 6:20PM
I work for a master dealer and manage an Ampd Mobile location, I have already held and seen this "postponed" device on Ampd Mobile. The Motorola Q is a seriously fast and capable handset.
Mike @ Apr 17th 2007 6:23PM
For information about Ampd Mobile Services and Devices please contact me.
mike.turner@cullcocorp.com
Cullco Wireless