Motorola's Linux-based Ming 2 in Q2

According to Bill Chen, General Manager of Motorola Taiwan's Mobile Device business, the second generation Linux-based Ming handset won't launch until Q2 of 2008. Not February as initially rumored. What's more, the handset will be introduced in high-end and entry-level configurations -- unfortunately, both are GSM/EDGE, not 3G capable. DigiTimes says that Inventec won the manufacturing contract of this MOTO Beijing designed handset. Given the unusual (for MOTO) use of a lower-case vowel in the name, there's a good chance this was never meant for Stateside consumption anyway. Too bad, eh?

[sr @ Dec 18th 2007 4:59AM]

No 3G? ARE THEY SERIOUS? I guess the iPhone showed them that it is possible that people will buy a "high-end" non-3G phone in 2007. I guess Motorola thought they could try it in 2008. I guess it's better than another RAZR clone. At this rate, I wonder how long Moto plans on staying in the mobile phone business.

[TaylorEffect @ Dec 18th 2007 5:36PM]

Because my Mom doesn't need 3G... Motorola isn't going anywhere anytime soon - and although it may be hard to see this as a "technology enthusiast" mobile browsing for the masses' LEAST significant problem is speed.

[sr @ Dec 18th 2007 3:34PM]

^^^ Stupid this is a PDA phone running Linux not some barebones entry level phone that mom might buy. Think a little. Try using a laptop in 2007 without Wi-Fi.

[TaylorEffect @ Dec 18th 2007 5:41PM]

I'm stupid?... but you implied that the lack of a high speed data connection on this and similar devices is somehow going to bankrupt one of the worlds more powerful telecommunications companies.

Suggesting that the future of Moto somehow hinges on 3G integration is downright idiotic.

You sir... are downright idiotic.

[sr @ Dec 19th 2007 4:16AM]

This is just one of many stupid decisions Motorola has made. No it won't bankrupt them obviously moron. But it will make them lose more and more market share until they are no longer a major player in the cell phone hardware business. Remember that they used to be #2 worldwide and now they lost that spot to Samsung. They will continue to lose market share with dumb decisions like this. A fucking smart phone without high speed data in 2008? Even an imbecile like you should see the problem with that.

[sr @ Dec 19th 2007 4:18AM]

You need to learn to read more carefully moron. 3G is obviously not needed in low to mid level phones, but is necessary in a smartphone released in 2008. Is that so much for your thick skull to absorb?

[sr @ Dec 19th 2007 4:22AM]

Look at the words "high-end" carefully fucktard.

[L @ Dec 18th 2007 5:27AM]

"Given the unusual (for MOTO) use of a vowel in the name..."

Erm, R_A_ZR, P_E_BL, R_O_KR and R_I_ZR all have vowels, and all have them as second letter. So what exactly is "unusual" about Ming?

[J @ Dec 18th 2007 9:53AM]

The text you tried to quote is:
"Given the unusual (for MOTO) use of a lower-case vowel in the name"

You omitted the "lower-case" part. That's what makes it unusual.

[Eto @ Dec 18th 2007 9:11AM]

"Given the unusual (for MOTO) use of a _lower-case_ vowel in the name"

All of the names you mentioned are entirely capitalized, 'Ming' is not.

[Christopher Price @ Dec 18th 2007 5:31AM]

The Ming name pre-dates Motorola's "MOTONAME" platform... hence its continued use with vowels (and yes, name has two vowels in it, I'm well aware).

As to the lack of 3G, Motorola has had difficulty integrating MOTOMAGX (Linux) onto their UMTS and CDMA2000 platforms, as such, they continue to be Synergy-only. This is why Motorola has signed onto Symbian as an interim solution (or replacement, if MOTOMAGX fails) for high-end phones.

Christopher Price
http://www.PhoneNews.com

[Christopher Price @ Dec 18th 2007 6:17AM]

Correction, I meant to say Ming's lower-case terminology... instead of MING. As other commenters have posted, vowels are not exempt from Motorola nomenclature.

Christopher Price
http://www.PhoneNews.com

[freakmarket @ Dec 18th 2007 7:46AM]

It's been my experience most smartphone's CPUs can't process the high speed data fast enough to keep up.

On my old Palm Treo 750 and Samsung BlackJack there wasn't a very noticeable difference between EDGE and 3G.

[davisbacon @ Dec 18th 2007 9:56AM]

I have a mOtOrOlA mIng and my wife has an HTC Touch, I find the mOtOrOlA mIng to be the "BETTER" phone of the two. Even with a new versions of Windows Mobile, its slow and cumbersome to use. I find that the Windows user interface has to many layers and gets in the way of using the phone. The HTC Touch might have more software and better hardware specs, but my Ming is smaller and faster at doing everything.

I can't wait to see how this newer version stacks up, and wish that mOtOrOlA brings it to the Americas.

[sr @ Dec 18th 2007 3:35PM]

Yeah the old Ming was a decent phone, pity this one will be like an anachronism lacking 3G.

[Max @ Dec 20th 2007 2:52AM]

Not enough of an upgrade from the original Ming and too friggin late if it doesn't come out until q2. Aside from that, it's not as stylish as the original Ming. I'm waiting for the Rokr e7.

[ChrisLinux @ Dec 22nd 2007 4:38AM]

Will this time provide LINUX syncing tools??!!! It is inconceivable to have a phone based on Linux kernel and don't provide tools for all Linux users out there to sync with Evolution or Kontact. I am new linux convert have hell trying to sync my WindowsMobile PDA (bought when I was running Windows) and trying to find a smartphone to replace it that syncs with linux efortlessly.
There is nothing out there. Even Ming or A1200e as it is called in Europe or Iphone who are essentialy linux based don't work. I have placed my bets on a Palm Treo for now but still looking for a better option...