Motorola's worldly Q9: "Napoleon" breaks cover for Verizon

It looks like Motorola and Verizon are getting ready to take a third crack at the Q9 form factor, following up the Q9m and Q9c -- and this time around, there's a little something extra in store. On top of the EV-DO Rev. A radio, the so-called "Napoleon" (codename, of course) features GSM, because -- surprise, surprise -- businesspeople who use Windows Mobile devices tend to do just a bit of traveling. It looks like Moto has taken this opportunity to give the Q9 meme a little nip-tuck job, too, with a rounded body and a tastefully-applied ring of chrome around the top edge. They've even tossed in a fingerprint scanner for good measure, a tip o' the hat to the suits who'll undoubtedly populate the upper 90 percent of this sucker's client base. No word on a release date or price, but can we cautiously submit a thumbs-up for the design direction here?

[Fred @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:20PM]

For a company that is supposedly about to hit the skids you'd think they'd have a better codename than "Napoleon" maybe they're next phone will be "Elba"? I dunno, too obscure?

[DefPo3t @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:30PM]

Moto Titanic maby?

[GaryZ @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:46PM]

Elba is the codename for the upcoming ROKR E8

[MrFairladyz @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:58PM]

lol not that obscure. i think its napoleon like the GOSH IDIOT napoleon.

[JerkfacedFed @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:45PM]

dumb comment.

anyway, looks like the old q9 with the bold's color set, running winmo. if it has wifi im in

[DefPo3t @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:23PM]

fingerprint scanner. 0_O?
talk about security

[rock99rock @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:57PM]

Ehh, nothing the dead owners' hand can't handle.

[Fred @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:23PM]

For a company that's supposedly about to hit the skids you'd think they'd have a better code name than "Napoleon". Maybe the next one will be the "Elba"? Too obscure?

Hope this doesn't double post, but sorry if it does. :)

[TRAFFICBLOWS @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:05PM]

yes, we know you're happy to be given the chance for first post... just have some patience man, it will show up!

[Fanfoot @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:25PM]

Sorry, but I had a Q. And while the hardware was nice, the Windows Mobile software just sucked. I wouldn't touch this thing.

[rock99rock @ Jul 4th 2008 12:00AM]

Windows Mobile software in general ROCKS, its the implementation by the carrier that usually sucks.

Good try though.

[yode @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:34PM]

If this has WiFi, 256MB of ram, WM 6.1 (it should..), and a speedy processor then yea it may be a good one for verizon, although that middle scroll wheel thingy looks ugly...

[yode @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:35PM]

Nevermind it has all these things, didn't read BGR's main post. It still is ugly though...

[yode @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:40PM]

except the RAM, not been confirmed yet

[initialxy @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:43PM]

for a moment there i thought it was a blackberry

[jeff-gilbert @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:46PM]

Is it just me, or does that totally look like a blackberry?

[yode @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:48PM]

Replace the center button with a trackball.

[jeff-gilbert @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:30PM]

Ha, I thought the center "button" was a trackball!

[Eric @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:48PM]

I was ganna say the same thing. I saw the picture at a glance and thought it might be a bold/some other model blackberry post.

[JR007 @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:50PM]

@Jeff-gilbert - I couldn't agree more mate! Looks very similar to the BB Bold.

[Stephen Barnes @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:56PM]

Cautious thumbs up, indeed.

[LP @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:00PM]

Er blackberry much ? WTF , ... why would i EVER choose moto or RIM . again WTF

[Joe H @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:19PM]

Actually the Q9 series is pretty damn good. A few other little design tweaks that I like, even if BGR says the keyboard isn't better. A dedicated backspace key on the keyboard is nice. Moving the numbers over a row so that the 5 is on the same key as the F makes a ton more sense too (so that the bump is on the F as most people are used to, not the D which just feels weird.) The percentage symbol being on the key instead of hidden in the Fn-Caps combo menu is nice. I just wish they didn't keep totally changing around the location of all the symbols.

Did they get rid of the GPS, or is it just locked down because its Verizon? Also, is this just a little narrower than the other Q9s? It appears to be.

[G-Man @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:30PM]

That's a nice looking handset.

[Michael Scrip @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:34PM]

That's very Bold of them!

[haX0r @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:42PM]

I guess they were making a "bold" statement.

[x3ph1r @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:28PM]

No, it's pretty small and quite fun to operate, if you don't mind a few kinks in navigation here and there.

[Jason @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:31PM]

No Diamond....
No Touch Pro....



No Care.

[2fast4u @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:26PM]

I actually admire this color.

[propagandery @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:30PM]

I have a Moto Qm, and it's the worst phone I've ever had. The interface is bizarre and confusing. It randomly dials numbers when I put it in my pocket - and locking the keypad is a chore. Changing the ringtone is a nightmare - in fact any personalization is very difficult. Voice dialing is crapola. So these cosmetic changes are just putting lipstick on a pig. The only thing nice about it is the speakerphone. Big fat deal.

[Joe H @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:43PM]

Uh. Changing the ringtone is simple. Put it in the right folder and go to the Settings > Sounds screen.

[JPitstick @ Jul 4th 2008 12:40AM]

Locking and unlocking the keyboard takes like two seconds on my Q9m. To lock- Hit home then space. To unlock- Hit left soft and then A. I just did it in four seconds so my first sentance was a lie. Sorry.

[propagandery @ Jul 4th 2008 1:05PM]

Uhhh, yeah, I know HOW to use it, that doesn't mean it's user-friendly or well designed. I still maintain this is the worst phone I've ever owned.

[lynn @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:32PM]

I see the resemblance to the Bold, but the keypad doesn't look all that different from the previous Q phones, honestly.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:56PM]

It doesn't matter how good or bad this Moto is. Changing of the guard 7/11 at 8:00 AM. Game over.

[Dorf @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:56PM]

False. Business doesn't care about what you are talking about. Sure it may get some Exchange email now, but it won't do any of the things that 6.1 and Mobile Device Manager 2008 does. Add to domain, apply group policy, deliver software packages, enforce encryption at rest, built in VPN. You know, things businesses care about.

[thefultonhow @ Jul 4th 2008 2:12AM]

Nice! I love my Q9c, especially now that it has WinMo 6.1. The keyboard layout on this one looks slightly better. Although, the Q9c definitely already has that chrome ring at the top.

I really wish MS didn't hate Java with such a passion, though. Getting the IBM MIDP on the phone in order to install the Gmail Mobile app is a PITA.

[tekdroid @ Jul 4th 2008 8:29AM]

no ring of chrome is ever tastefully applied. Perhaps you meant tackily? ;)

That is all.