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The MOTO Q q9 and MOTO Q gsm continue to build upon the QWERTY phone that made thin in.

The MOTO Q q9 runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 and Motorola’s Good Mobile Messaging technology. The handset provides personal and corporate email, calendar access and content management wherever you are. HSDPA connectivity makes listening to music, watching videos or sharing pictures fast and “PlaysForSure” enables compatibility with music and video stores. A removable micro-SD card compliments the 256MB of on board memory. Motorola has also redesign the keyboard and five-way navigation key to enable fast, accurate text entry. MOTO Q q9 also boasts one a smart screen display, automatically adjusting to produce the best visual experience, indoor or out. Finally, the battery has been optimized for superior performance.

The MOTO Q gsm maintains the layout of the original CDMA Q (found on Verizon and Sprint) but includes quad-band GPRS and EDGE and upgrades to Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 OS.

MOTO Q q9 will be available in Q2 2007. MOTO Q gsm will be available in the second half of 2007.

Read [Motorola]

Wow we really missed the ball on this one. Motorola and Verizon launched the black version (you knew it was coming) of the handset that started the slim smartphone revolution. The black Q has all the same specs as its older brother “silver” but in a black plastic shell. It will ship with a software update dubbed MOL2 that will be available to the silver models via a web download. Unfortunately the new model will set you back $149.99 while the silver version is currently selling for $99.99 (both prices are after rebates). The handset is expected in stores on January 12th, but can be preordered now online.

There was speculation that Sprint would be releasing a black Q first, but apparently Verizon has beaten them to the punch once again.

Read [Verizon] Via [Engadget Mobile]

Smartphones are getting thinner and thinner these days.  Motorola started the trend with the release of the Q back at the end of May.  Now, others are trying to catch up with devices that are of similar thickness: the Nokia E61, T-Mobile Dash, Samsung Trace, etc.  Meet the Samsung BlackJack, AKA Samsung i607.  A device that is thinner than almost any other QWERTY smartphone.  Eric over at PhoneScoop got his hands on the Samsung BlackJack for a full review and pictures, so show him some love and head over there.

Read [PhoneScoop]

The guys over at Gizmodo have made a little size comparison chart with the two popular smartphones, the Moto Q and Palm Treo - and thrown in the new guy on the block, T-Mobile Dash.  As you can see, the Q and Dash are almost the same size while the Treo is as well - until you take into account its gurth (great word).  It’s twice the thickness of the other two competitors...which is just plain sad.  Palm, lets get a thin Treo already, ehh?

Read [Gizmodo]

The Vaja case for the Q comes in two varieties, both with the same hand craftsmanship and style as you expect from Vaja. The first is the M0111 classic case. Starting at $60 this is the classic slip in case with openings and cutouts for all important aspects of the smartphone (camera, speaker, mic, screen, keypad, etc.). An added benefit is a screen protector so you don’t get that sharp screen all scratched up.

For those of you who require more protection and expansion card storage the Vaja M0112 classic is your best bet. For $80 (and up) you get a leather case with all the same cutouts, a spot for 2 memory cards, and a magnetic snap closing screen/keypad guard.

Read [Vaja]

With all of the recent Verizon exclusives (Chocolate, Q, and the 2 GB microSD card) you may forget that there are other cellphone providers out there. Well there are a bunch of them, and Sprint is one that wants to be heard.

In the company’s quarterly earnings call the COO said that they plan to add handsets from Motorola’s ever popular RAZR line. This will include the fully-qwerty Q, which is only available on Verizon--for now. 

So for all of you Moto loving Sprint subscribers, get ready for your world to become a whole lot thinner.

Read [Mobility Today]

When I learned that there was a plastic shield that would protect my new Motorola Q from scratches and other nasty’s, I must say I was suspect that I would actually keep the Invisible Shield invisibleSHIELD (by Shield Zone) on my brand new Q for fear that the visual acuity and clarity of the screen would be impaired. So, pressured by a Gadgetell editor, I began the installation half hearted - not really reading the directions that were included in the simple package that also included a mysterious bottle of liquid that you are supposed to use to saturate both sides of the Mylar before applying it to your device (does anybody read instructions nowadays?).

I was impressed to find that each piece of clear Mylar film was precisely cut to the Q’s exact dimensions including the exact location for all cut outs for the microphone and speakers. When the installation was completed a couple of minutes later, I was puzzled that one precisely cut piece of Mylar was left over.  I then got the same sickly feeling as I did when I was a kid spending hours building a model airplane or car, only to discover at the end of the seemingly endless project, there was a critical piece left over that was supposed to be installed way back in step # 2!  While the packaging didn’t say it, I later realized that invisibleSHIELD even thought to include that perfectly cut piece of Mylar for the optional extended battery that I happen to also have purchased. If I had been more careful reading the directions, and applying the shield to the screen, perhaps I wouldn’t have allowed dust particles to get under the screen’s shield.

I must say, I prefer the way the Q feels in my hand as compared to before the shield was applied and the way it naturally protects against scratches by placing a protective barrier on top my Q. The full body protection is $24.95, just the screen is $9.95, and prices vary for other handset models as well as other products such as iPods, laptops, and more. 

By the way, the screen’s shield is indeed invisible and needless to say, this shield is a keeper and a perfect shield for my Q.

Product Page [Shield Zone]

Thinking about getting the upcoming Motorola Q but worried about the email situation? Well we are happy to report and RIM must be sad to say that Moto will deliver push email to your Qwerty handset. Good Technology will power the GoodLink push email.

GoodLink on the Moto Q provides business customers with:

• Continuous, two-way push-based wireless synchronization of all corporate PIM functions including e-mail, calendar, contacts, notes and tasks, as well as access to other applications including corporate intranets, CRM and ERP


• Intuitive, zero-learning-curve interface with full access to attachments and thousands of personal and professional productivity applications developed for the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform


• Enterprise-class, FIPS-certified security including end-to-end AES data encryption, remote data wipe, and remote password policy management


• Secure Over-The-Air device provisioning and management for improved TCO and simplified IT administration featuring Zero-IT-Touch activations and upgrades of GoodLink and third-party applications.

GoodLink on the Moto Q is available for Microsoft Exchange users today, and will be available for IBM Domino/Lotus Notes users this summer.

Read [Motorola]

Motorola and Verizon have finally come out and announced the specs, pricing, and a launch date for the Q.  The device will be available online starting May 31 and in stores on June 5 and is set to retail at $199 after a $100 instant rebate and two year plan.  The Q will feature EVDO, Bluetooth 1.2, stereo speakers, Pocket Office, etc.  If you decide to roll with an EVDO plan, it’s going to set you back between 80 and 170 bucks per month.  Hopefully we’ll get our hands on one soon to give you a first look.

Check out the Motorola Q product page.

Via [Engadget]

We still do not know when or how much but we do know that Sprint is now out of the picture. Previously it was expected that the vaporware Motorola Q, when it eventually hits the market, would be available for Sprint and Verizon. Unlucky for your Sprint folk, Verizon put up a new Q promo page early yesterday (yes we know we’re late) stating that the razor thin handheld will be exclusively from Verizon Wireless. Now it should only be a matter of days until we get a official launch date (currently we are expecting the 22nd).

Via [Engadget]