Described as "ultra-thin," the MOTO Q 9c is roughly half an inch thick, with a form-factor and basic specifications previously encountered on the music-oriented
MOTO Q music 9m introduced in August 2007. More distinctive than its hardware, however, is the fact that the MOTO 9c has been announced by four carriers: Alltel, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. We can't recall another Windows Mobile device that was available so widely, so quickly. With typical post-rebate pricing of around $100, the MOTO Q 9c is also one of the most affordable Windows Mobile smartphones to date.
Motorola's MOTO Q 9c as released by (from left to right) Alltel, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon
(Click on any to enlarge)The dual-band (800/1900 MHz) CDMA device operates on EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) networks. It also includes Bluetooth, though not WiFi. It offers hands-free operation via a speakerphone, and permits calling contacts or opening applications via speech recognition, Motorola claims.
Other features include a 2.4-inch screen, QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera, side-scroll thumbwheel for menu navigation, and Pocket Internet Explorer. Email support includes Direct Push, POP, and IMAP. In addition,
Documents to Go software is provided for viewing and editing documents in Word, PowerPoint, PDF, and other formats.
Complete specifications, as listed by Motorola, include:
- Processor -- Marvell PXA270, clocked at 312MHz
- Memory -- 64MB of RAM; 128MB flash
- Display -- 2.4-inch, 320 x 240 pixel LCD
- Camera -- 1.3 megapixel
- Wireless:
- EV-DO (800/1900 MHz)
- Bluetooth (version not specified)
- Camera -- 1.3 megapixel
- Multimedia support:
- Audio -- AMR NB, AMR WB, MWA, MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WAV, and MIDI
- Video -- H.263, MPEG4, WMV, and H.264 decode
- Polyphonic and MP3 ringtones
- I/O ports:
- USB presumably included, but not specified
- 2.5mm headset jack
- Expansion -- miniSD slot, accepts up to 32 GB of storage
- Battery life -- 273 minutes talk time, 212 hours standby
- Dimensions -- 4.6 x 2.6 x 0.47 inches
- Weight -- 4.76 ounces
According to Alltel, the MOTO 9c will be available in "licorice" or "lime" this summer for approximately $100. For those who prefer basic black, Sprint's version is available now, for $100, and Verizon's will be released in April for $150.
Pricing and availability for the U.S. Cellular version was not released. As usual with cellular carriers, quoted prices are dependent upon a rebate and a new two-year service contract, or equivalent.
Related stories:
