We know you like to hear the good stuff first when it comes to reviews -- in this case of the
Motorola Q9 -- so we'll start there: the Q9's keyboard is probably the best advocate for "good," with reviewers from
CNET,
Phonescoop, and
Trusted Reviews all digging its tactility (
even if we didn't). The only site to test battery life was
CNET, which discovered an acceptable and now pretty much standard "lasts all day without recharge" ability. The main negative aspect of the phone is its chunkiness, which we noticed
in our hands-on. Unfortunately that's something you'll have to deal with, along with the lack of WiFi, a slightly small screen, and yet another style of USB port (this time it's micro-USB). Other quirks include a default install of the Opera web browser over Pocket Internet Explorer (to each their own we suppose), an eschewing of MobileOffice in favour of DocumentsToGo, and a strange flash that blinks at random in viewfinder mode. It seems as if Moto made an attempt at the basics and got somewhere, but let themselves down in the details. As always, it's up to you whether you can put yourself above them.
[Thanks, Thomas]
Read - CNET
Read - Phone Scoop
Read - Trusted Reviews
posted Jun 2nd 2007 12:02PM
If you prefer Pocket IE over Opera, your life seriously needs to be re-examined.
I second that. No reasonable person who has tried both would make that statement. And who's the "we" in "to each their own we suppose?" Somebody should tell all the cell phone manufacturers not to waist their time sending preview units to these people.
It's not a proprietary USB port, it's a standard Micro USB connector. Motorola has already used these on their H800 Bluetooth headsets and it's the charging port on the RAZR2 V8 and V9. Yes, it's different and is a pain in the ass, but with every item you get from Moto that has this port, they include a mini->micro adapter so you can still use old chargers. Nifty.
the first two of the three "quirks" you list sound like "niceties" to me - unless you prefer MS products regardless of the fact that the alternative is much better (some do, that's fine.)
It's nice to see that at least one manufacturer realizes that the default Windows Mobile Standard software bundle is inadequate:
- Pocket Internet Explorer: Outdated.
- Mobile Office: Completely missing from WM5 and bizarrely missing document creation in WM6.
- Windows Media Player: Takes way too many button presses to play a track.
Thank God that you can install third party software to replace it.
Hey guys, are we going to talk about Motorola Q9 or problems with or problems/dislikes with Windows Mobile?
(just to keep the comments in line with the article)
All in all, this is a fairly unimpressive review. It sounds more like Conrad didn't get any time with the unit and complied a few quips from other reviews, (which he used up almost 20% of his paragraph telling us about). The photos are great, gives you a good idea what the unit looks like, and admittedly, WM6 is WM6, so there's not that much to say there, but perhaps a little more about how it works would be nice.
The CNet review says it comes with BOTH IE and Opera preinstalled, (if you get the licensed Opera, that's worth $24 by itself, and it runs rings around IE in case the previous comments didn't make that clear enough).
As for the USB port, just a little bit of research turns up, not a proprietary USB connector, but standard MircoUSB. Not the mini USB that you see on current phones and cameras, but a smaller version. Wikipedia says:
Micro-USB is a connector announced by the USB Implementers Forum ( USB-IF) on January 4, 2007.[4] It is intended to replace the Mini-USB plugs used in many new smartphones and PDAs. The Micro-USB plug is rated for 10,000 connect-disconnect cycles. It is about half the height of the mini-USB connector but features a similar width. The Universal Serial Bus Micro-USB Cables and Connectors Specification added Micro-A plugs, Micro-AB receptacles, and Micro-B plugs and receptacles, along with a Standard-A receptacle to Micro-A plug adapter.
So Engadget seems, at least in this quick review made an attempt at the basics and got somewhere, but let themselves down in the details.
Details aren't nessacery, all Engadget tried to do was make a consise format, and it's up to us if we want to click on the extra links to dig deeper.
Exactly ;) !!!! Engadget is supposed to give summaries of what's going on for those of us who don't spend all day looking up details about new products. Most people just want an overview... it's up to the people who are (excessively) inquisitie/obsessed to dwelve any deeper. :)
Anyone know when this is coming out in Canada?
I got an early version of the Q 9h and I really like it (great messaging device, super fast). But, the microUSB is a challenge because I would like to use my own headset with the phone instead of having to purchase a new BT headset. Does anyone know if Motorola (or someone else) makes a microUSB (not miniUSB) to 3.5 stereo audio adapter?
Does anyone know if or when it will come to the U.S. I read somewhere that Tmobile will probably pick it up along with at&t. I'm a tmobile customer and wanted to know if anyone knew if and when it will be out?
I am a T-Mobile user currently using the under-equipped Dash and would love to know when the 9h will be available through T-Mobile.
I am looking for a smartphone with a better processor and no wierd volume touch strip thing.
If anyone knows when it will be available for purchase and activation through T-Mobile please let me know.
Thanks :)