CTIA 2008 - Live Report - Motorola (Phone Arena)

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CTIA 2008 - Live Report

CTIA 2008 - Live Report

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Published on: 01 April 2008 by PhoneArena Team

Motorola MOTO Z9

Motorola Z9 images and info actually leaked in July 2007, so pretty much there isn't anything new. The device is already offered from AT&T and about the only really exciting thing is that it is the first non-smartphone to have the AT&T Navigator service. The GPS service includes mobile access to YELLOWPAGES.COM, real-time traffic updates and route information, ETA calculation for every route, plus constant updates. The Navigator also provides both flow (average speed of traffic along your route) and incident information (auto accidents, freeway construction, etc.). Another interesting feature is the Gas By Price feature. It gives you directions to the nearest gas stations, sorted lowest to highest price.

We got a Z9 unit and went outdoors to give it a try. The cold restart took a good 4-5 minutes, but after that location locking was quite quick. Even though the service is provided by Telenav – the same company behind Sprint and Verizon's service, AT&T's seems a lot more sluggish and time-taking. This might be just because of the area we were in or…

The actual device can be considered to be the slider variant of the RAZR V9. The overall dimensions are quite … large and the weight is heavy. The front (and the inside) are mostly flush, with just small metal "nipples" designating where the button are. All keys, including the D-pad offer good tactile feedback. Sliding the front up or down is very smooth, with strong spring assist.

We were really hoping to see the Z9 TV capable, as the display is a whopping 2.4" with great quality. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Still, if you intend to heavily use the device for navigation, the large and bright screen will definitely help a lot.

The UI is the old Synergy, and not the Juix which is used in the V8 for example. Icon animations present in the V9, are seen here as well. An innovation is the fading effect in the main menu. One thing to be noted, is the extremely fast speed of the whole UI!

In conclusion, the Z9 looks like a great mid-range device if you do not mind the extra weight and dimensions!


Motorola MOTO Z9



Motorola MOTO Z9




AT&T Navigator on Motorola MOTO Z9

Motorola V950 for Sprint

One of the devices in the Sprint's line of Qchat capable phones is the Motorola V950. Expected to launch in specific markets later this month, the Qchat service will be similar to the famous Push-to-Talk currently available, but instead on the iDEN network, the fast EV-DO Rev.A CDMA will be used. Our sources tell us to expect a national launch around the end of May – beginning of June.


Motorola V950

Motorola V950 is a mid-level ruggedized clamshell with a large color display on the front and what seems like music touch-sensitive controls, but in actuality, are regular keys, which have to be pressed. Just above the display are the 2.0 mega pixel camera and the LED flash.

Opening the shell reveals the 2.2" display and the keypad. All buttons (except for the D-pad) are raised and well separated, thus very easily distinguished one from the other. All were kind of stiff on pressing, but this might be because most of the models shows at such events are prototypes.



Motorola V950


Motorola V950 Interface

Motorola Q9c Lime Green

Nothing spectacular here: Alltel and U.S. Cellular will launch the same Q9c Sprint is offering (Verizon have the Q9m but will also offer the Q9c) in both the standard black and the new Lime Green color variants

Motorola Q9c Specifications | Review