Motorola Q Forum | Everything Q - View Single Post

detroitmotoq · 03-24-2008, 01:17 AM

I am a veteran smartphone user. Ever since the Treo 600 I have been absolutely fascinated with the potential and functionality of smartphones. I've owned the Treo 600, 650, and 700p, along with a Blackberry 8730c, and currently the owner of a Motorola MOTO Q music 9m.

Each device has specific features that give it an inherent strength above competitors. The scroll wheel for example, was a great step forward for non-touch screen devices.

But never have I come across a smartphone I have ever been so displeased with.

The Q sucks because...

using symbols in text is difficult, sometimes the 'Fn' and 'CAPS' buttons seem to stick for no reason, causing unwanted screens and options to interrupt typing
no apparent means of "copy and pasting" of text
difficult of use of calendar... whose bright idea was it to make the 'D' key the way to turn AM to PM or vice versa?
No fixed calendar key... part of smartphone value is functionality, if I have to go through several screens just to glance at the calendar for the week there is a problem
Voice Dialing barely works. Sometimes it just closes itself even though it properly identifies the person I want to call. Voice Dial by # is useless.
Programs close after 2.5 seconds of inactivity (j/k but only in the sense that I'm exaggerating by about .25 seconds). This becomes irritating when using programs like the calculator and I have to think about the numbers, or the calendar and I have to think about setting timers, etc.
Low ease of use

I mean seriously, all of my previous devices were intuitive, yes, even the arcane Treo 600. I could pick one up and almost instantly know how to navigate and do simple things like edit calendar events and copy text. The Blackberry was a particularly smart-smartphone.

So Motorola take note:

You CANNOT make a smartphone without a dedicated calendar button.
Don't do dumb things like make "D" the key to change AM/PM. The natural thing to do, is for a person to reach for "A" or "P", who are you to screw with that?
Simplify text entry. Take a note from Treo on that. Blackberry would be even better.
Dont forget about copy and pasting! Or even copying events, which is important for a particular event that occurs on varying days.
Don't set the phone to close programs for inactivity. To my knowledge, no other smart-smartphone does this. If my Treo becomes inactive while using a program like the Calendar, the screen turns off which is fine because when I turn the screen back on I'm still on the same page of the same program with the cursor in the same place.
And how about a switch to Lithium Polymer batteries. If your going to make a device to compete with thin devices like Blackberry's, they need to have comparable battery life. My 8730 could go without a charge for 2 days even with fairly heavy internet usage.

These Q's consume a lot of battery power with their screen, unlike the 8730 which had a very basic screen and was lightweight on other features too. Don't make a feature rich device and pair it with a skimpy battery. That's like building an Escalade and giving it a Geo Prism engine... WAY UNDER-POWERED.

I don't have a problem with being "thin" but I do have a problem with dumb-smartphones which is what the Q is. And thats very bad because I paid for this dumb-smartphone which makes me a BIG DUMMY!

GIVE THE DAMN THING A LITHIUM POLYMER BATTERY!

03-24-2008, 01:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
detroitmotoq Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Why My Q Sucks I am a veteran smartphone user. Ever since the Treo 600 I have been absolutely fascinated with the potential and functionality of smartphones. I've owned the Treo 600, 650, and 700p, along with a Blackberry 8730c, and currently the owner of a Motorola MOTO Q music 9m. Each device has specific features that give it an inherent strength above competitors. The scroll wheel for example, was a great step forward for non-touch screen devices. But never have I come across a smartphone I have ever been so displeased with. The Q sucks because... using symbols in text is difficult, sometimes the 'Fn' and 'CAPS' buttons seem to stick for no reason, causing unwanted screens and options to interrupt typing no apparent means of "copy and pasting" of text difficult of use of calendar... whose bright idea was it to make the 'D' key the way to turn AM to PM or vice versa? No fixed calendar key... part of smartphone value is functionality, if I have to go through several screens just to glance at the calendar for the week there is a problem Voice Dialing barely works. Sometimes it just closes itself even though it properly identifies the person I want to call. Voice Dial by # is useless. Programs close after 2.5 seconds of inactivity (j/k but only in the sense that I'm exaggerating by about .25 seconds). This becomes irritating when using programs like the calculator and I have to think about the numbers, or the calendar and I have to think about setting timers, etc. Low ease of use I mean seriously, all of my previous devices were intuitive, yes, even the arcane Treo 600. I could pick one up and almost instantly know how to navigate and do simple things like edit calendar events and copy text. The Blackberry was a particularly smart-smartphone. So Motorola take note: You CANNOT make a smartphone without a dedicated calendar button. Don't do dumb things like make "D" the key to change AM/PM. The natural thing to do, is for a person to reach for "A" or "P", who are you to screw with that? Simplify text entry. Take a note from Treo on that. Blackberry would be even better. Dont forget about copy and pasting! Or even copying events, which is important for a particular event that occurs on varying days. Don't set the phone to close programs for inactivity. To my knowledge, no other smart-smartphone does this. If my Treo becomes inactive while using a program like the Calendar, the screen turns off which is fine because when I turn the screen back on I'm still on the same page of the same program with the cursor in the same place. And how about a switch to Lithium Polymer batteries. If your going to make a device to compete with thin devices like Blackberry's, they need to have comparable battery life. My 8730 could go without a charge for 2 days even with fairly heavy internet usage. These Q's consume a lot of battery power with their screen, unlike the 8730 which had a very basic screen and was lightweight on other features too. Don't make a feature rich device and pair it with a skimpy battery. That's like building an Escalade and giving it a Geo Prism engine... WAY UNDER-POWERED. I don't have a problem with being "thin" but I do have a problem with dumb-smartphones which is what the Q is. And thats very bad because I paid for this dumb-smartphone which makes me a BIG DUMMY! GIVE THE DAMN THING A LITHIUM POLYMER BATTERY!