End of the line for the Motorola Q?

By Phil Nickinson
last updated

Oh, Moto, say it ain't so. Word on the streets (that'd be the EverythingQ streets) is that the foundering Motorola has given up the ghost on the Q line and replacing it with ... well, that remains to be seen.

EverythingQ is confident in its sources, but this is still unofficial news, so anything's possible. But consider the following: The lackluster Q11 (lackluster as in minor cosmetic changes, no 3G but the addition of WiFi) was released in a few nations but still has yet to be seen in the U.S. The Q9 "Napolean" (pictured above) is still MIA for most people, though EQ does note that it made into a government contract.

So what, if anything, will take the place of the venerable Q? How about the Alexander? (And speaking of the Alexander, that vertical slider idea isn't looking so crazy now, is it?) Or something else entirely?

One thing we do know for certain is that the death of the workhorse Motorola Q line would leave more than a few of us a bit teary eyed. (Listen to Dieter sing its praises in the latest WME podcast as he preps for CES this week). We'll just have to see what's next, and hope for the best for Moto.

Phil Nickinson
Phil Nickinson

Phil is the father of two beautiful girls and is the Dad behind Modern Dad. Before that he spent seven years at the helm of Android Central. Before that he spent a decade in a newsroom of a two-time Pulitzer Prize-finalist newspaper. Before that — well, we don't talk much about those days. Subscribe to the Modern Dad newsletter!

8 Comments
  • I'd do a vertical slider in a minute if they had the Q9 keyboard. I think the Q9 keyboard is second to none. I hope Palms' release will use this keyboard and not the dinky one on the Treo Pro. I would buy one NOW!
  • After watching the Android dude's Blackberry Bold video, one can't help but wonder what the Bold would be like with Windows Mobile Standard running on that hardware. If Motorola would just copy the Bold for the next Moto Q I think they could have a good hit on their hands....though the market does seem to be demanding touch screen devices for phones in this price range.
  • Seems to me that the WM Standard platform is all but dead. Other than the HTC mentioned in a post below, there has been little else on the market. I have had a Q9c for a year and had the original before that. It is a pretty good device, but it is showing its age. So, other than the BJ and BJII, is there any other WM Standard phone in the US or one coming (again, other than the HTC which seems to not have a carrier subsidy either)? Edit - just remembered - the new updated T-M Dash just came out.
  • My official response can be found recorded here: http://darthno.ytmnd.com/
  • sad news. winmo standard devices are so much better than their professional counterparts in many ways.. the Q helped launch the winmo growth curve.
  • I was looking forward to seeing the release of the Motorola Napolean version of the Q9 lineup, looked like quite a slick phone. I guess we will never see that come to light now which is sad.
  • in the picture it looks like the q has a blackberry scroll ball. now that i would probably buy.
  • Seems to me that the WM Standard platform is all but dead. Other than the HTC mentioned in a post below, there has been little else on the market. I have had a Q9c for a year and had the original before that. It is a pretty good device, but it is showing its age. So, other than the BJ and BJII, is there any other WM Standard phone in the US or one coming (again, other than the HTC which seems to not have a carrier subsidy either)? m65 kamagra attorney lawyer scrub Edit - just remembered - the new updated T-M Dash just came out.