Motorola Q
Phone Scoop Review
Jun 5, 2006 by Eric Lin
In Depth review of the highly-anticipated Motorola Q, the first EVDO Windows Mobile Smartphone and slimmest smartphone to date. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
"Q"uiet Frustration
First, the pros:
Strong signal/reception and call quality.
Now, to the cons:
Everything else.
The problem with the Motorola Q is its overall design. As a phone, it is great.
Unfortunately, it is not as small as a normal phone. The problem with the Microsoft Mobile version on the phone is that it is a stripped down version that should be relegated only to a real phone and not something the size of the Q.
Some examples: You cannot edit Microsoft Outlook Tasks on the Q. You are given the option to mark them completed or create new tasks, but not edit the current tasks.
E-mail for pop3 e-mail accounts is still light years behind blackberry internet mail, and the Microsoft Pocket Outlook is light years behind blackberry software. Microsoft just trys to cram functions or features using a computer mindset instead of focusing on how to create simpler functions on a smartphone.
Microsoft Mobile, even a stripped down version, is just too much like a full fledged computer OS, and doesn't take into account the lack of screen space or a miniature key board.
Software stability. Microsoft Mobile is NOT a stable operating system. If you want this phone, then be prepared to have it reset or freeze on you on occasion. Lower your phone standard to the same standard as your laptop or desktop.
USB synchronization. I have a laptop connected to a base station, and Microsoft gives a disclaimer that their synching software may not work properly if the USB connection is through the laptop base station. Huh? My palm PDA and my blackberry never had a problem syncing over a laptop base station or a USB hub, but for some reason, Microsoft cannot figure out how to do this.
Overall, the reason I am giving the Q such a low mark is not the hardware. The Q seems well built and works good as a phone, but it is not marketed by Motorola or Microsoft as a phone. It is marketed as a pocket PDA, which it is not.
Please, please, if you are looking at this phone, get the Blackberry 8703e instead!!!!!!
Don't Bother
I wanted to like this phone, I read the mixed reviews and figured I'd try it out for myself anyway. I made sure I got one with the updated software but unfortunately, this phone just doesn't work well. There are some good points, the screen is amazing and setting up my email accounts was a breeze. However, the phone would randomly turn itself off about 3 times a day and I'd have to pull the battery in order to get it turned on again. Also after making a phone call the end call button wouldn't work and again I'd have to pull the battery to get it re-started. Do I need to even mention the horrible battery life? I finally just had enough and got a 700p, it doesn't have quite the form factor of the q but it actually works. I really liked the looks of the q and wanted it to work for me, but in the end I have to say... in my opinion...big P.O.S.
Pros:
Great Screen
Email account set-up easy
Call clarity and speaker phone work well
Cons:
Constantly shutting down
Can't end calls
Buggy Software
btw...when I went to Verizon to return the q I asked them if they had heard about these problems and the woman in customer service told me that yes, these were common complaints, so it wasn't just my unit. I would stay away from the q and get one of the treos or the new blackberry that's coming out. Just my opinion...good luck.
Wonderful
This phone fantastic and great for the price. I would recommend the Motorola Q to anyone. Thanks Motorola!
Pretty decent for me.........
First off, I LOVE BrianH's review below!
I have been using the Q for about 10 days now. I agree that the support for MS Outlook Notes should be built-in, but Smartphonenotes works great and is not but a few dollars.
The boot up is annoying, but I only do that once a day and it works fine. The screen is great, the camera decent (for a phone) and the Bluetooth seems pretty strong (better than my v3c Razr). I like the loud speaker and that the "Profiles" can be edited and renamed (I did). I also like that it runs the Slingbox mobile player pretty well and overall it is a decent phone.
I would like a no-camera version and the key-lock could be easier to use, but overall it's a decent effort from Motorola.
If you are so inclined, some easy editing can be done to fix issues like silencing the start-up sound - see www.qusers.com forums for several tips & tricks.
Enjoy.
Hoppy
Even Microsoft didn't ruin the Q
For my first smartphone I'm really enjoying my Q. Just like everybody else I have only had it about a week.
The only gripes are all with the OS (thank you MS). As mentioned by others I feel that obvious key features such as a good multiple function alarm clock, note pad, and customizable home screen are missing. My feeling, however, is that these are not an oversight, but instead a purposeful act meant force users to purchase after market programs to perform these basic functions. I think that MS needs to feed this market to keep the developers active and thereby increase licensing income. That's my take on it anyway.
However since I purchased the Q purely for person use, as a phone and a dumbed down PDA, I love it.
LOVIN IT
I don't know where to start. The sound quality, the screen, the camera, the keyboard. Everything so far is great. I'm lovin everything about this phone. Let's hope it'll stay this way.
Well I got the Q
Well I got the Q yesterday and I am returning it tomorrow. One day is more then enough for me. I am a former Treo 650 user and a future 700p owner. Here are the issues I encountered: First -the MiniSD card slot is way to hard to open (I had to use a knife to life it off) Second - the MiniSD does not simply push into place I had to use a pen. Very poor design especially if you ever needed to remove the SD. Third - the phone powered itself completely off during the night.(so much for using phones alarm) Fourth -the unit has froze up a total of four times in the short 24 hours (I thought the Q was more stable). Fifth -when I tranfered pictures to the SD card and attempted to view one at a time the unit froze. Sixth issue was with pairing a HS500 Motorola Blue tooth, it paired and works until you get a call. Thats really handy and when I tried to re-pair the BT it keep attempting to find the BT (and never did). Overall I am really disappointed in the Q, I sold my Treo 650 to buy this unit, I had fewer issues with my Treo. Im not looking for perfection but all the Q really has going for it is the fact that its so slim, has a excellent screen and camera. My advice find out the return policy of the store before you purchase the Q....you may need it.
Agree...Very Poor Software Programming
I agree with everything written in the review titled, "Very Poor Software Programming". Plus, I noticed when I make an entry into the calendar and program it to repeat that entry every Tuesday (I say every Tuesday because I have meetings every Tuesday from 9 to 10 AM)...the phone logged that I have that 9 to 10 AM Meeting every Tuesday until the year 2099. This is a bug in the software that Verizon and Motorola acknowledged but couldn't tell me if a fix would be coming. Niether the Palm Treo or Blackberry have this type of software glitch. On both of these other devices you have the opportunity to tell the calendar when the repeating of a meeting should stop.
I would like to see a software patch for this and the other problems real soon too. For this reason, I'm giving this phone a zero and I agree that I will change my rating if Verizon does something about fixing this. (In the meantime, future buyers should beware)
Identity crisis
The Problem with the Q is it don't know if it wants to be a Treo or a Blackberry so it stuck in a NO MAN'S land. If Motorola would have took the time to come out with its own OS instead of us Window Mobile I believe that I would have been far better off.
I had the phone for a two month and now I've got a Blackberry and if I never use my Q again it would be TOO SOON!
Moto did it again!
Well thanks Motorola! Once again, you've made a great looking device that sucks. You guys are consistant!
This PDA is great if you are looking for an entertainment machine. Windows 5, Win Media Player 10, stereo speakers... my kids love it. But if you are looking at performance, keep looking on...
Poor battery life (why do you think Verizon offers an additional battery for only $19.99???). NO Office apps like Word, Excel, etc...
Again, great looking, yet worthless, like all products Motorola makes for Verizon.
