Hands-on with Motorola's MOTOMING A1600
By Chris Ziegler 
posted September 29th 2008 12:01PM
posted September 29th 2008 12:01PM
Thanks to the good folks at Wireless Imports for the hookup!
We spent a little time recently with the new A1600, and physically, we were blown away. It's a very small device which means the screen is a bit small at 2.4 inches, but it's bright, crisp, it's got a nice finger-friendly feel to it -- and thankfully, it's flush with the surrounding case. The back of the phone is done up in a great soft-touch plastic that we wanted to run our hands over, the hinge has a solid feel, and overall, we got the impression that this is a well-manufactured phone.
The software is a more disappointing experience, but it has potential. It comes out of the box with a full suite of productivity and entertainment apps, and we were delighted that we were able to spend almost all our time navigating with a finger alone. There's a stylus (a surprisingly long one, in fact) in the upper right corner for one you need it, which you will once you need to input text. This sucks, but it's a reality of a screen this small. You've got both character recognition and a QWERTY keyboard available, and one look at the keys on that keyboard are a stark reminder of just how badly you need the stylus here -- they're seriously just a few pixels wide.
If Motorola were to drop Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, HSDPA, and WiFi onto this exact physical form factor, they could bill it as a really unique, high-end fashion smartphone and make a little cash for themselves, because we really don't see a compelling reason why the MING has to be a China special. As it stands, though, the A1600's probably a little too raw for your average Joe -- and that's a crying shame.
People have managed to get Android running the original A1200 (in some form). I don't think I'd shell out and get another MING, as nice as it is. A bunch of neat Linux aps ports (mplayer being the best) have been done on the A1200 but my question is: Why should I buy this one? Software? The A1200 already runs Linux and people will flash the changes from the A1600 onto the A1200.
GPS doesn't seem to interesting to me since I would probably have to use some poor GPS software.
And no 3G?
Wasted potential indeed, since the clear flip screen is probably the coolest feature I've ever seen on a phone.
Having to use the stylus is definitely a HUGE pain. I had a ROKR E6, and I just couldn't stand having to text with the stylus ALL the time. You could try just using your fingers, but it's such a Herculean feat, even with my relatively skinny fingers, that I just had to exchange it for the Curve.
I've heard about the MING series, knew it was sold in China, but never realized the software was translated into English. The interface doesn't look all that different from Moto's Linux-based RAZR2 V8 that they sell on T-Mobile and unlocked elsewhere. The hardware seems to be at least on par with most of the junk they sell worldwide, so why, exactly, would this not be fit to sell in the US? I know, I know, styluses are "uncool" now, but I for one certainly prefer them to T9.
Most of Moto's Linux based phones were developed specifically for the Chinese market in mind and incorporate touch screens to make character entry easier. An english menu system has been an option on all of the units that I am familiar with.
One feature that is overlooked on some units is the ability to use handwriting recognition if you don't like tapping on the soft keyboard.
Yah, if you ever stop by a Chinese cell phone shop/hut you'll see them. Actually been around for some time in US. The plastic seems very flimsy especially front clear portion that's attached to the receiver and that's feels like an accident waiting to happen. But why not write it off like Engadget and call it a fashion device.
@Tacoshell, I believe the Ming does support handwriting recognition.
I've owned the ming 1200 and currently use the e6 rokr. This is the same software as both of those. The Razr2 from Tmobile doesn't use this software because it's just for touchscreen phones. I like the software. I don't think texting is a pain. I didn't find my ming to be flimsy at all - it was a really sturdy device - it took drops well too. I'm still waiting for the update to the Rokr e6 that's supposed to have a bigger screen.
i own the ming a1200, and it's an interesting phone for sure. oddly enough, mine has a spanish dictionary in it, which i find highly amusing. i've dropped it several times, and it still works, though the red outer coating is getting a bit dinged up. this is what i get for being so clumsy though, right?
next phone will be a samsung omnia if all goes well :)
God! the front of this phone looks SOOOO ugly!
Of course Moto won't release it here in the US, it doesn't look like a RAZR.
a1200 was the phone I bought for my GF. Works miracles: looks both very good and really original. Build quality was 6/5 (she does tries hard to physically destroy any gadget she can get her hand on, a1200 surviving for over a year in her hand could easily claim endurance badge.) Plus it's a full-on touch smartphone in hiding (in that you need some shamen dances around, but after all's done, there's a handy prog for most of anything you ever want for it).
So if a1600 is simply a1200 with trendy flush touchscreen, it's already solid. (Oh and I almost forgot, price for a1200 seemed very reasonable for what a nice device it is, so I could hope a1600 is not far away too).
So basically the ONLY question is why Moto doesnt want to put just a little more effort into this phone (little compared to RnD to get it up and running already) and market it worldwide...? I'm damn sure it could find a customer base even for original looks alone (and mind you yet again, its actually a solid phone underneath, too)... MOTO! Wake up while you still can!!!!
Until Moto installs half-decent hardware (they don't have wi-fi, or even EDGE) these phones are still piles of s**t.
This range of phones has had EDGE since the A780 about three years ago!
I'd say it's a good thing that they haven't released it here. It's too think and the interface is just aesthetic fail. I was really, really disappointed when I saw the interface in the gallery because I still cheer for the fallen giants like Moto and Palm. But the form factor + OS = FAIL.
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On a more positive not, I just noticed Engadget added a "related post" post button when in gallery. I had always been waiting for them to do something like that. Very, very nice touch.
I think they are releasing it in the US through Verizon, by the end of October. The phone codename was Blaze ZN4 and the release name will be Krave ZN4. The OS will be written to tailor it to Verizon’s needs. As for overseas, Motorola also has a version called the A1800, it’s CDMA with dual simcards.
Here is some info on the Krave;
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Motorola-Krave-ZN4-phone-p_3004.html