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All posts tagged "motorola"


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Microsoft And Nokia Stock Up On Google Play On Motorola?

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 06:30 PM

http://www.wpcentral.com/msft-and-n...rts+(wpcentral)

"While the long term impact of Google's acquisition of Motorola (Googarola?) is still anyone's guess, one short term effect appears be to Microsoft and Nokia's benefit. Microsoft's stock rose 1.63% (up .41 points) and Nokia's stock rose 17.35% (up .93 points) in today's trading activity."

On Monday Microsoft and Nokia made some stock price gains (they fell back slightly today). Whether these gains can be attributed to the Google announcement about their play for Motorola's mobile division is anyone's guess, but it is fun to speculate about the future impact of this development. Wpcentral had some fun with the speculation, as can be viewed by clicking the Read link.


Thursday, February 17, 2011

Not so Kind Word for Microsoft from Motorola and Verizon

Posted by Steven McPherson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 06:00 PM

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2199...ws_Phone_7.html

Its always an interesting proposition when your sometimes alliance partners in Motorola and Verizon indicate that your latest and greatest isn't so great. Microsoft found themselves in that very position today when Motorola and Verizon both seemed to insinuate that the Windows Phone 7 OS has failed or at least wasn't living up to expectations in interviews with CNET at Mobile World Congress today.

"I do want a strong third OS out there. It gives the carriers more flexibility and balances the interests of all the parties. But I still have doubts whether Microsoft will get the traction they are hoping for with Windows Phone 7."

Tony Melone, CTO at Verizon Communications indicated as such today. Mr, Melone went onto to state:

"I don't think Verizon needs the Nokia and Microsoft relationship. Right now the three OS players we see for our network are Android, Apple, and RIM"

Chris Wyatt, Corporate Vice President of Software and Services Product Management chimed in with comments from the same show:

"We would like an opportunity to create unique value and we don't feel we could with a closed platform"

Certainly over the years, Microsoft has established great relationship with both Verizon and Motorola, but the statements from Verizon and Motorola today seem to indicate that Microsoft has made their beds with these two partners, however, I think there could be another side to this story. Read more...


Motorola Exec Comments Not A Ringing Endorsement For WP7

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 09:30 AM

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2196...tml?tk=rss_news

""I don't envision us using Microsoft. I would never say never but it's not something we're entertaining now," said Christy Wyatt, corporate vice president of software and services product management for Motorola. She spoke to the press during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. "We're the only vendor who is 100 percent Android," she noted."

Citing limits on functionality and other issues like the fact Windows Phone 7 is not open source, Motorola's Christy Wyatt, Corporate Vice President of Software and Services Product Management for Motorola, contends they won't be releasing products on the platform any time soon. The door has not been closed completely (she comments "never say never"), but it is obvious that we won't be seeing a Motorola-based smartphone just around the corner. Motorola seems to have had a good experience to date with Android, although the upgrade process has kinks that they are continuing to work out. Personally, I like some of the new Motorola hardware quite a bit, and would love to see a Windows Phone 7 handset come to market.


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Phone Shipments In Q1 2010 - Motorola Drops Off

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 03:00 PM

http://www.unwiredview.com/2010/04/...akes-its-place/

The::Unwired recently reported on the latest marketshare numbers for phone manufacturers, and while not surprising, it does give pause. Motorola is no longer listed. It is just lumped in with "Other." Microsoft partner Samsung is ranked number 2, but they recently said they are focusing on Bada and Android, giving much less attention to Windows Mobile/Phone.

Keep in mind this list looks like phone shipments, not just smartphone shipments, so competing with Apple's iPhone or T-Mobile's HTC HD2 are the freebies from the likes of Nokia.


Friday, September 4, 2009

Motorola Working On WM7 Device?

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/...on-the-way-wit/

"Thing is, well-trained eyes at UX Evangelist have found a Moto software engineer's job experience on LinkedIn with app development and migration to Windows Mobile 7 beta -- yes, beta -- listed front and center. The project's mentioned for a device codenamed "Caesar," which would slot in nicely with Moto's trend of assigning ancient rulers' names to smartphones ahead of release."

This year has seen a slow but increasing migration by Windows Mobile OEMs and ODMs towards alternative OSs like Android, to the point where you have to wonder about the future of Windows Mobile. Granted, since the iPhone's release two years ago there was always the possibility that WM would be relegated to a niche - but that threat has never been so clear as it has been in the last six months or so. On that basis, it's encouraging to see a major device manufacturer still trying to progress with WM. Even if working on a beta of an OS not slated to be released in another year isn't exactly concrete proof of commitment, the fact that WM7 has some interest and backing this early means we'll at least see some devices in a reasonable timeframe. Whether that's enough to ensure future iterations would depend on how good the OS actually turns out. I'm hoping WM7 will do for Windows Mobile what Windows 7 is doing for the Windows franchise generally, which is to show that just occasionally Microsoft can actually do things right - changing branding every couple of years notwithstanding.


Monday, August 31, 2009

Moto A3300c In The Flesh

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/...-with-winmo-3g/

"sina.com.cn is reporting that the full-touch WinMo phone has sprouted a "c" on the end of its name, a shout-out to the CDMA radio it's packing as it prepares for a launch on China Telecom's EV-DO-based 3G network."

The last time we saw this handset, the images weren't exactly confidence inducing - blurry photos that advertised "believe at your own risk". These images on the other hand point to a product that has a better than even chance of actually hitting the market, and we also have some further details to report: AGPS, WQVGA display, WiFi, and CDMA. Still no news on a launch date or what flavour of WM will be on board, except that the unit is definitely destined for the China market.


Friday, August 7, 2009

Motorola A3300 Outed

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 03:00 AM

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009...ound-for-china/

"We can't say much about this tiny touchscreen handset for the time being but the Windows key in the bottom left corner is unmistakable - the A3300, should it actually reach market, will be a WinMo smartphone through and through."

Not a whole lot of info on this new Moto, apart from the fact it will likely run WM and have a 5MP camera. BGR also thinks it is destined for the China market. Hit the link for more (which is admittedly not much).


Monday, March 9, 2009

Motorola Launches MC55 In Two Flavours

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 05:00 AM

Motorola has just unveiled the MC55 as its newest, smallest, and lightest Enterprise Digital Assistant (EDA) with a 3.5" QVGA touch screen. It's available in two flavours. The first is the MC5590 (pictured above), which packs a 520 MHz PXA270 processor, 128 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, a 1D laser scanner, a 2D imager engine, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a microSD slot, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic. The second of the two, the MC5574 (pictured after the break), is much the same story, except that it loses 802.11a Wi-Fi, but gains an A-GPS chipset, quad-band GSM/EDGE connectivity, and as you'd expect, the Professional version of Windows Mobile 6.1.

Jump the break for the press release and a specification sheet.

Read more...


Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Motorola CEO Says Windows Mobile 7 Coming in 2010

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Pocket PC Talk" @ 11:39 AM

http://www.appscout.com/2009/02/mot...bile_7_comi.php

"As you know, Windows 6 series is available in 2009 and as compared to Android, we believe in 2009 Android is more competitive; more of our effort and focus in 2009 is going to Android, but in 2010 when Windows 7 will become available, we will then participate in a more focused way in Windows Mobile 7 in 2010."

If I were Microsoft, I'd be more than a little ticked off that my partners were blabbing to the media about the release dates of my products. On the other hand, I guess now we know that we won't see Windows Mobile 7 for at least a year - not surprising given than Windows Mobile 6.5 has yet to be officially announced.


Saturday, January 17, 2009

Motorola Not Ditching Windows Mobile After All?

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 05:09 PM

http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=6050

"Sources are repudiating earlier rumors that indicated bad news for Motorola's handset division... Also dispelled is a rumor that Motorola would stop manufacturing Windows Mobile-based smartphones in favor of Google's Android operating system. In an interview with Computerworld.com, Brian Viscount, Motorola's Vice President of Marketing for Mobile Enterprise Computing said that the handset division, 'remains 100 percent committed to Windows Mobile.'"

This is good news to hear as the previous Motorola rumors seemed suspect to me. Not too long ago we heard reports of Motorola opening up an office in Seattle to work closer with the Windows Mobile team. To have them just drop Windows Mobile would seem like a foolish business move to make after dumping all of that money into opening new offices and relocating staff there. Good to hear these rumors are not true. Motorola might not be the most fun Windows Mobile handset maker in the lot, but the Motorola Q and Q9 variants are all solid devices.


Thursday, January 15, 2009

CES 2009: Motorola's A3100 SURF

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 09:22 PM

This is a brief walk-through of the Motorola A3100 SURF, a Windows Mobile Professional 6.1 smartphone set to be released in Asian markets in 2009. It has a 2.8 inch, 320 x 240 touch screen, powered by a Qualcomm 528mhz CPU. No pricing information has been announced; it will be sold in Asian markets later this year.


Monday, January 12, 2009

Motorola Prepares For Layoffs, Focuses on Google's Android

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Smartphone News" @ 04:00 AM

http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=3804

"Phone Scoop has learned that Motorola's handset division is expecting a large round of layoffs as soon as this week, according to someone familiar with Motorola's plans. The layoffs are confirmed to be significant and may amount to 50% of the entire handset operation... Motorola is prepared to trim the number of new phones it brings to market down to just a dozen per year, and the only smartphones it will produce will be based on Google's Android platform."

I always hate to hear of layoffs like this, and in this economy, I am getting especially tired of it as another large one seems to come every few days. I am not surprised to hear they are going to use only one platform for their smartphones. Their success with Windows Mobile has been sporadic, though it would be hard to argue that the Moto Q is a device loved by many. Will you miss Motorola as a Windows Mobile handset maker?

Tags: motorola

Monday, January 5, 2009

Motorola Unveils MOTOSURF A3100

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 10:30 PM

"Managing your social and work life just got easier with the MOTOSURF A3100. The touch tablet's customizable home screen is layered on top of the familiar Windows Mobile 6.1 software and has many applications that can be accessed with the tip of a finger, a stylus or an omni-directional trackball. The home screen icons can be personalized to give 'live' feeds on weather, news, personal and work e-mail, messaging and calendar events. WiFi and 3G connectivity make the experience seamless and fast."

Motorola's worst kept secret, the Attila, has finally been unveiled as the MOTOSURF A3100. We're still waiting on an official specs sheet from Motorola, so for now, feast your eyes on the images above and after the break. A Q1 launch is expected for Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Other regions? Motorola's keeping mum.

Read more...


Monday, December 1, 2008

Motorola's Alexander and Attila Shipments Postponed

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 09:30 AM

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20081128PB200.html

"Compal Communications has received orders for two Windows Mobile-based PDA phones, codenamed the Alexander and Attila, from Motorola, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. While both PDA phones are supporting 3.5G and Wi-Fi technologies, the Alexander features a sliding-out QWERTY keyboard and the Attila features an iPhone-like touch panel, said the paper, which also noted that shipments of the two PDA phones are now set in the first quarter of 2009 instead of the fourth quarter of 2008 as originally planned."

According to a Commercial Times report, Motorola's Alexander and Attila won't make an appearance until Q1 2009. Leaks suggest the two aren't blessed with amazing features, so unless there are some hidden extras, Motorola will probably have a tough time pitting these against the competition.


Friday, August 29, 2008

FOX Business Showcases Windows Mobile Devices

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 08:30 PM

http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/w...red_on_fox.html

"Microsoft Mobile Communications Group Manager Scott Rockfeld was on Fox Business chatting up quite a lot of Windows Mobile devices. The context of the discussion is basically 'competitors to the iPhone,' which is a little aggravating because, let's face it, the iPhone and Windows Mobile aren't always going for the same demographic. Some of the smartphones shown off: HTC Diamond, HTC Touch Pro, and the BlackJack II."

I've watched this video several times, mostly because the Touch Diamond looked so swanky in it, but also because I thought Scott Rockfeld, Microsoft Mobile Communications Group Manager, handled himself brilliantly. Scott came out swinging showing off some of the more popular Windows Mobile 6.1 devices on the market, including the HTC touch Diamond, and was really hammering home that the Windows Mobile platform is all about choice. This seems to tie in exactly with all of the recent talk on the Internet of Microsoft’s new "Windows Not Walls" campaign. On top of that you throw in the fact that every device featured in this segment has sold over a million or more devices it starts to make a lot of the recent Apple sales hype start to look a little sad.

Microsoft builds fantastic products but unfortunately they're not the best when it comes to feeding the publicity machine. One of the biggest hurdles for Windows Mobile has always been lack of visibility in the public’s eye. All of us as Smartphone and Pocket PC fans have heard the pitch that Scott gave in this video dozens of times over but I think Microsoft is finally understanding that we are not the ones that need to be told this over and over again but instead the general populous needs to know. I just hope Microsoft does more of these segments on other news networks. So what did you guys think of the video?


Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Motorola Announces the MC75

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 02:53 AM

http://www.motorola.com/mc75

"The Enterprise Mobility business from Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced the MC75, the latest addition to its portfolio of Enterprise Digital Assistants (EDA), developed for mobile enterprises that require connectivity around the world. The MC75 EDA will help organizations increase worker productivity and efficiency, reduce operational costs and errors, and enhance customer service by delivering simultaneous voice, data, GPS navigation, and camera-based document capture. "At U-Haul, we aim to deliver the convenience that our customers demand, at the low cost that they expect,” said Sam Shoen, chief of staff, U-Haul International, Inc. “With the MC75, Motorola has brought a product to market that will continue to transform the way our organization serves the public and will positively affect almost every retail and logistical aspect of our operations. A technology investment at this level could not have been considered without Motorola’s reputation standing behind it." The MC75 combines high-speed access to voice and data with support for 3G networks based on the HSDPA and CDMA-EVDO (Rev A) standards for wireless communication. Equipped with 802.11a/b/g, a crisp color VGA display and a 2 megapixel digital auto-focus color camera, the new rugged EDA delivers the industry’s first mobile computer compatible with multiple 3G WAN network standards that captures high quality pictures, documents and signatures, as well as 1D and 2D bar codes. This unprecedented combination of real-time local and wide-area wireless communications coupled with advanced data capture capabilities enables businesses to improve workforce automation, reduce data errors, and enable productivity wherever work needs to get done."



Apple and Samsung weren't the only ones who unveiled 3G-capable devices yesterday. Motorola quietly introduced one of their own - the MC75. Designed for enterprises, this rugged handheld runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional and packs a PXA270 624MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, a 3.5" VGA touch screen, HSDPA connectivity, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, IrDA, A-GPS, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a barcode scanner, and a microSD slot. Phew, that's a mouthful, and far from everything this device has. Hit the product page for more.


Thursday, May 8, 2008

Motorola Launches New Website To Combat Bluetooth Confusion

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 12:30 PM

http://direct.motorola.com/hellomot...uetoothconnect/

"A new reference site launched by Motorola in the UK will allow Bluetooth users to check their devices for compatibility and help with a 'plain English' guide to the pairing up of devices. The website lets you do a compatibility search from either your mobile device or with the designated accessory. According to the manufacturer, 'Motorola’s Bluetooth headsets are designed to be compatible with over 200 Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones from more than 15 manufacturers, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG and Samsung, as well as Motorola devices.' 'The intention is to provide some much needed clarity to the market by creating the ultimate Bluetooth compatibility reference point,' said Steve Gaskell, General Manager, Accessories, Motorola EMEAI."



It is about time someone created a site such as this. During my time slinging handsets the most frequently asked customer question was "Can you help me pair my headset?" I guess one of the downsides of creating incredibly small and useful products is that they can be a bit hard to manage and figure out. If you have an urge to learn more about the magic known as Bluetooth, than check out Motorola's new site here.


Friday, April 4, 2008

Verizon Unveils New Lineup, Features XV6900 and Q9c

Posted by Janak Parekh in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=2876

"Verizon Wireless today revealed its spring lineup of smartphones and messaging phones...
  • XV6900: Verizon's version of the HTC Touch. Available in April.
  • Motorola Q9c: Similar to the Q9m, but with more business-friendly styling, plus support for location-based services. Available in April."


There's also a new Blackberry and a LG device. These two aren't exactly new or revolutionary, but it's good to see Verizon is finally carrying them, only a few months after everyone else. ;) If you're curious as to what the Touch will look like on Verizon, Engadget's got pics of both it and the Touch Dual. As they put it, the front is "bleached". What do you think of the look?


Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard and Professional Reviewed!

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone News" @ 12:00 PM

http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=po...ews&id=1050&p=2

"The latest Windows Mobile upgrade brings minor, but very welcome additions to the platform. In this article, we'll cover both the Standard (non-touchscreen) and Professional (touchscreen) editions and show you what's to love about the Windows Mobile 6.1 update. Now, you'll notice this is not a full version upgrade, but just a ".1" upgrade so you know you can't expect a full overhaul. It really feels like just a quick update intended to fill in a couple of gaps between the Windows Mobile and Apple iPhone functionality. You'll notice some similarities between the Standard and Professional operating systems (such as the Internet Explorer and Text Messaging updates), but you'll also notice some odd differences. Read on for our thorough rundown of the next version of Windows Mobile to hit your phone!"


[Windows Mobile 6.1 in the flesh! From left to right - Standard and Professional]

Pocketnow.com has brought us a quick review of Windows Mobile 6.1. This review contains a ton of screenshots and two videos of WM 6.1 in action on both the Standard and Professional handsets! All in all, I'm really excited to get my hands on either a device that is equipped with this new update or a Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM image for my Emulator. Oh man, good times! You guys have no idea how relieved I am that this didn't turn out to be a huge April fool’s joke from Microsoft!

You can see the videos (I promise it isn't another Rick Roll) for the Standard platform here and the Professional platform here. Enjoy!


Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Motorola To Split In Two - Handheld and Services Company

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Pocket PC News" @ 07:00 AM

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/s...04780238&EDATE=

Motorola, Inc. today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has commenced a process to create two independent, publicly-traded companies. Today's decision follows the Company's January 31, 2008 announced evaluation of the structural and strategic realignment of its businesses and represents affirmative steps to position its Mobile Devices and Broadband & Mobility Solutions businesses for success, while creating value for all Motorola shareholders.

?

Both the Mobile Devices company and the Broadband & Mobility Solutions company will be publicly traded. The Mobile Devices company will obviously focus on the devices while the Broadband & Mobility Solutions company will handle voice and data network solutions for governments, enterprises and consumers. The transaction is expected to be completed in 2009.

Tags: motorola

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