Motorola lets loose dual SIM card-packing MING A1800

Motorola's Linux-based A1600 MING 2 may still not have seen a release 'round these parts, but that apparently hasn't stopped the company from churning out a new model in the form of the A1800, which has now wound up in the hands of The Boy Genius Report. According to BGR, this one shrinks things down even further while still staying "sturdy as a rock" and, somewhat interestingly, includes two SIM card slots. Apart from that, you can expect the CDMA / quad-band GSM handset to pack a 3-megapixel camera and built-in Bluetooth, but any other details seem to be a bit hard to come by at the moment. That unfortunately also includes any word on pricing or availability, though BGR says not to expect a launch at CTIA next week.

[KazSur @ Mar 27th 2008 2:03PM]

Can someone explain to me how 'Useful' are dual SIM card slots. I understand you may be able to switch services really easily, but apart from that?

[bachviet @ Mar 27th 2008 2:08PM]

Two numbers into one phone so you could easily answer either one. Now you only need to carry one phone instead of 2. Great for travelers since you could easily slip a prepaid SIM card into the phone while keeping your original SIM active.

[KazSur @ Mar 27th 2008 2:20PM]

Thanks,

Well, I understand using two SIM cards isn't that special that multiple portals will open in the world,.. I was just wondering if using dual would introduce some more advantages then (like you said) multiple lines/services usage...
Or are the SIM cards still relatively primitive for that?

[letstakeawalk @ Mar 27th 2008 2:22PM]

Why hasn't anyone done this before? I would certainly spend $$ to have only one phone to carry with two discrete accounts and numbers. One personal, one for business. (drives me nutz when I have to carry both around...)

[SurKaz @ Mar 27th 2008 2:25PM]

There are phones out there... It's just not Mainstream yet.. (Depending on where you are)..

[Iain @ Mar 27th 2008 4:19PM]

@KazSur: SIM cards are too primitive for what?

A SIM card is a connection to a network and nothing more.

[不告诉你！ @ Mar 27th 2008 6:58PM]

I live in Shenzhen, China, but work in Hong Kong. There are thousands of other people who do the same, and hundreds of thousands who make the trip for other reasons... every day! We are always switching SIM cards in out phones. You can get 1 SIM card with a HK and Chinese number, but they are expensive as f*ck!

I will look into this phone for sure!

[Naveed @ Mar 27th 2008 9:36PM]

@letstakeawalk

isnt it possible to forward calls from one phone to another so that you only have to carry one phone?

[Twitchy @ Mar 28th 2008 5:26AM]

Yeah you can forward calls. Except you pay for it by the minute. Having 2 SIM card slots is also awesome for those that have one work and one private number.

However, the big question is are they hot-swappable? Most phones that can handle two SIMs that I have seen require one to turn off the phone an turn it on again in order to switch SIMs, which is a pain in the arse.

[Todd @ Mar 27th 2008 2:12PM]

Like a cat coughing up a hair ball, this Ming ( which is actuall kinda cool )represents the last few signs of life from the Moto consumer phone division. Sad.

[retro77 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:21PM]

Would you buy a phone from a company that you don't know will be around to support it?

[retro77 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:21PM]

no

[SurKaz @ Mar 27th 2008 2:24PM]

Lemme answer your question...


No.

[L @ Mar 27th 2008 2:30PM]

@retro77

Just how pathetic is answering your own question immediately after you stating it?

And anyhow, Moto is certainly not disappearing within the a year, and that's usually as long as anybody keeps a phone. Not buying a Moto *now* because of service problems that might arise in 3 or more years, if at all, is pretty ridiculous...

[retro77 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:37PM]

So that my anser is right there with all over your guys answers. Sorry.

[anonymouspimp @ Mar 27th 2008 2:48PM]

I dunno, maybe.

I can't remember the last time I had to contact the manufacturer for any of my cell phones (and I've had a lot of 'em!). I've had a couple phones break in the past but I was planning on buying a new phone anyways, so I never tried to contact the manufacturer.

I think twice I've had problems with phones and I just took it back to the T-mobile store and to the store I bought my old Nextel phone and they took care of it.

But i'm also not one of those people who keeps a phone forever. If I were, I probably would say "no" to your question.

[Jamar @ Mar 27th 2008 9:48PM]

Recently because of support troubles I've always been buying phones with the expectation that I will get no support. So that's perfectly OK with me.

[Ping Wang @ Mar 27th 2008 2:24PM]

Because in today's society, there are cell phones for toddlers, old folks, even cavemen.

[SurKaz @ Mar 27th 2008 2:28PM]

Hey, I've go a question... Do all articles in Engadget HD/Mobile show up on Engadget as well?.. Or only some?

[Phoenix @ Mar 27th 2008 2:57PM]

Some are posted to both. they are however separate articles with different comments.

[SurKaz @ Mar 27th 2008 3:07PM]

Thanks, Phoenix..

That's what I thought.. Same articles in Engadget Mobile.. no comments..

[SurKaz @ Mar 27th 2008 3:09PM]

Anybody else feel that the markets about to get flooded(or up till the ankles) with Dual SIM card phones... They were out there.. but I feel a small wave coming...

[jahl2001 @ Mar 27th 2008 3:31PM]

You can't have two SIM cards simultaneously active in one phone. The best Moto can offer is a feature to let you switch between them, maybe read stored contacts from both.

[Iain @ Mar 27th 2008 4:28PM]

Do you mean that it's impossible to use both at once or just that this phone can't do it?

Because if it's the former, then you're mistaken, there are some phones out there that allow it: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/02/12/be-safe-have-two-carriers-on-the-go/
If it's the latter, I don't know but I'd guess you're right.

[Jamar @ Mar 27th 2008 9:50PM]

This is a dual-mode phone. China uses cards for CDMA as well as GSM. Thus, you have two cards active simultaneously- one on CDMA and one on GSM, because they're separate transmitters.

[poopie pants @ Mar 27th 2008 3:53PM]

one for personal use. one for business

[Joji @ Mar 28th 2008 9:59AM]

How do the phone software manages two SIM's/numbers. Are they both active simultaneously? Can you have call waiting for incoming calls across both SIM's/numbers? Can you take a call on line 1, put it on hold, call out on line 2?

[SNP @ Mar 27th 2008 4:43PM]

with dual SIM AND CDMA, I wonder I can do Verizon, TM, and ATT all at the same time, or having GSM and CDMA both active is not possible?

[Jamar @ Mar 27th 2008 9:51PM]

It'll take a bit of work; China uses R-UIM for its CDMA service, meaning it'll expect a card in the slot for CDMA service. You'll have to manually create a card with the necessary Verizon network data and your number. Once you get it working, though, that would be cool.

[SNP @ Mar 27th 2008 10:27PM]

Oh, I didn't know that's what the 2nd SIM is for CDMA, I was thinking both are GSM...wait, I guess it's interchangable depends on the SIM's carrier.
As for a Verizon CDMA SIM, I think the one that they put in the 8800 world edition may have the info I need...

[Max @ Mar 27th 2008 6:42PM]

I had a Ming for about 2 years - it was about a year before it started to act up... I had to replace the body (with one of those cheap knock-off housings they sell on fleabay) because the stylus wouldn't stay in. Then the touchscreen started becoming inaccurate and I had to squeeze on it to get it to kinda work right. It made typing text messages very difficult. I ended up buying the e6 rokr because I like the software on these, but I really had my heart set on the e7 that has phantomized. The rokr is a lot more sturdy.

I'm hoping Motorola pulls themselves up by their bootstraps. I have a feeling this bleeding money thing will get tightened up before the company goes under. I'm optimistic about a second coming for them.

[Max @ Mar 27th 2008 6:44PM]

Oh yeah - relevant to this... oops... well, even though my first Ming wasn't so sturdy - I loved it. I want to get this one when it arrives.

[Taylor @ Mar 27th 2008 7:16PM]

This runs linux, which means that as soon as the full kit is released, someone will end up porting Android to it, which makes me really want one!
-Taylor

[wraith808 @ Mar 27th 2008 8:12PM]

I actually had this *several* years ago in a Motorola phone from Nextel. Other than the fact that it was Nextel service which was *expensive* and *sucked* in my area, it was heavenly. I'd give my family, friends, and close business acquaintances one number, and everyone else the other. I miss that ... sigh.

[NewJohnny @ Mar 27th 2008 11:21PM]

Two sims is a cool idea. Work phone and personal phone together.

[Nick @ Mar 28th 2008 9:21AM]

Dual SIM cards are popular in Asia as business types move around from one country to the next - switching accounts so not to quickly add up roaming fees. Asian markets have been requesting this for a very long time. Nice to see somebody finally address it. Easy to see the need in Europe as well.