Motorola Officially Announces the Q9 ... and Q8 Smartphones

This seems to be the year for refinement of devices. My new Treo 755P doesn't bring a lot of new technology to the table, but is one of the most refined PDAPhones that I have used, and definitely moves the Treo closer to the elegance of devices like the Motorola Q... which On Tuesday, Motorola updated with the introduction of two new MOTO Q products: the MOTO Q8, the GSM version of the original award-winning CDMA-based MOTO Q, as well as the flagship, lightening-fast global quad-band 3G QWERTY, MOTO Q9, which is available in Italy this week.

The MOTO Q9, based on the Windows Mobile 6™ operating system, couples a new sleek form factor with a dual-processor HSDPA/UMTS engine, enabling broadband-like over-the-air Downloads at up to 3.6Mbps. Consumers will be able to download their favorite music tracks directly onto the Q 9 in approximately six seconds without having to touch a computer. The MOTO Q8 has global quad-band GSM and class 10 GPRS and EDGE.

The MOTO Q8 also features:

QWERTY tablet form factor
128MB Flash memory, 64MB RAM (approximately 40MB user memory), plus miniSD slot for up to 1GB of optional storage of music, pictures and other media
Vivid 2.4", 64K TFT display
1.3 megapixel fixed-focus camera with LED photo indicator light
Enhanced music experience featuring Windows Media Player and integrated music player that supports multiple audio files: MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV.
2.5 millimeter headset jack
Video capture and playback with sound using Windows Media Player supporting MPEG4, H.263, WMV formats
Connectivity using USB 1.1 Full Speed, Version 1.2 Class 2 Bluetooth wireless technology1, 802.11b/g through optional miniSDIO connectivity
Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition
Email via IMAP4, POP 3, SMTP, Exchange with Push email Clients; also RIM and Good support2
Messaging via SMS, MMS, Microsoft IM applications2
Full web browsing with Microsoft Explorer2
Support document viewing and editing

The MOTO Q9 features:

Video capture at 15fps and playback at 30fps
Connectivity: EMU, USB 2.0 full speed transfers and data access
Integrated Class 2 Bluetooth wireless technology (A2DP, AVRCP - stereo) for hands-free connectivity with compatible Bluetooth enabled stereo devices2
Messaging via MMS, SMS, Instant Messaging and Windows Pocket Outlook
Supports a variety of audio formats including AMR NB, AMR WB, MWA, MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WAV, MIDI
Video formats supported includeH.263, MPEG4, WMV, H.264 decode
Integrated 2.0 megapixel camera with digital zoom and LED photo indicator light
Special productivity features: Opera browser, Attachment Viewer or Editor, Voice Recognition, File Manager, Voice Notes, VPN capability

The MOTO Q 9 will be available in Italy this week, and is expected to launch in other parts of the world throughout the coming months. It can be immediately pre-ordered at www.motorola.com. For specific regional availability and pricing, contact your local Motorola representative.