SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Motorola’s "Blackberry Killer", the Moto Q, is finally coming. Once slated for launch in the fourth quarter of 2005, the company announced today that "the world’s thinnest QWERTY device" will be available – to Verizon subscribers anyway – on May 31.
The Moto Q is exclusively available in the States through Verizon Wireless and customers can purchase it online at www.verizonwireless.com on May 31 or at any Verizon store on June 5.
There’s been no official announcement in Canada which carrier will have it first, or when.
The Moto Q is a slick, sleek device designed to take a direct shot at Research In Motion’s ubiquitous Blackberry. While the Blackberry was a data-first device with a phone added on, Motorola says the Q’s design mantra was "phone-first."
The Moto Q runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software, so it is being billed as a "mini-notebook." The bright screen displays video very well, also.
"On Verizon Wireless’ broadband EV-DO network, the Moto Q brings together all of the converged solutions you need to work, stay in touch or have fun," said Ed Zander, Motorola’s CEO.
"The Moto Q is amazing," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corp., in the release. "It blends stylish design and fast network speeds with Microsoft’s powerful Windows Mobile software, empowering people to be mobile without concessions," he added, taking a veiled shot at RIM’s proprietary software.
Verizon customers can buy the Moto Q for US$199.99 after a $100 instant credit and two-year customer agreement.
