Gizmodo
After a quick download of the Motorola Q software and firmware update yesterday, we loaded it on our Q here with little incident. After a quick firmware flash, the software update revealed a slightly new interface, with four icons abreast instead of three. The best news is the Motorola Q operating system seems to work much better, with less crashes and noticeably faster speed, plus there's a more-stable implementation of push email. Now if Verizon could just get its shit together with its email server software, which was down for the count all night last night, this Q would be almost vindicated.
We only wish we would have backed up all of our mods and apps on the Q with Sprite Backup as our astute commenter SnowBoss recommended yesterday. It took us a while to get everything back to normal, but to answer another question, the contacts and appointments calendar were rapidly restored with a quick ActiveSync.
And yes, you can now use the Q as a EVDO modem, but it'll cost you $15 a month. Dang. We thought after paying $45 a month for "unlimited" broadband, Verizon wouldn't be clipping us for even more. Clueless Verizon notwithstanding, bravo, Motorola. Maybe the Q is not so bad after all.
Motorola Q Software and Firmware Update: What to Expect [Consumer Electronics Net]
Comments
Waht's the $15 a month fee for?
Doesn't the Q have bluetooth DUN?
Shouldn't be an extra charge for that.
A mobile phone using DUN actually establishes a separate data connection than that used by the phone itself for data sessions. The mobile switch is able to identify this as a "phone as modem" call. If the carrier wants to (I am not sure if Verizon has) they can prevent this connection from completing if you don't have the "phone as modem" on your account.
Confirmed, Sprite Backup thinks that the Q is a different device after firmware upgrade, so it doesn't work, I ignored the warning and restored the device anyway, then it wouldn't even get passed the Verizon screen. To hard reset: hold the action key (the shiny thiny in the center) and the red button until the Verizon logo appeares, release the buttons and press them again; should get a menu (green or sometimes white) with an option to hard reset the device. Gotta write down all of the mods prior to firmware upgrade.
Aftergoing through this process, the software updater says I'm current - but I now know I'm not, based on reports of a new menu interface with menu items being four abreast instead of three.
Meanwhile, my battery indicator icon is frozen as "USB Connected." Both Moto Q Technical Support and Verizon were unable to resolve.
The good news is that they're sending me a new updated phone. Nice, but still a hassle...
P.S. How do you know if the firmware is upgraded? I downloaded it and after opening and installing to my PC, I didn't see anything referencing the Q...
gadgetboy, gotta execute the "software update exe file" it'll install and run an app on your pc with instructions to connect the q, etc. You'll know that the phone is updated if: all of your mods are gone; after pushing start the icons are 4 abreast instead of 3, as mentioned above.
Thanks, where does the firmware download figure into the equation? It is listed first on the instructions - do you install it first? At least to me, the instructions are not clear (I thought I was much more savvy than this).
You can use the Q as a modem using PDANET. You have to use the usb cable, but it's better than a monthly charge. I've used it before and after the update with no problem. http://www.junefabrics.com/pdanet/index.php
The .msi file on the motorola website is the actual firmware. The .exe file is the PC application that installs the firmware onto the Q.
Thanks SnowBoss. Like I orginally mentioned, a new Q is in route (FedEx Tracking number says Tuesday). Aside from the frozen battery icon, the software says I'm up-to-date - yet no "four icons abreast."
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