Motorola queues up next Q phone

Schaumburg (IL) - Motorola has launched the latest handset in its "Q" phone line, offering more than 32 gigabytes of removable memory and a new keyboard layout.

Based on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6 operating system, the Q Music 9M has a strong multimedia focus with video/music controls operated by a clicking scroll wheel on the side of the phone.

It has a 2.4-inch screen ad two built-in speakers for stereo sound. It also sports a 1.3 megapixel digital camera. The somewhat clunky keypad from the original Q has also been dumped in favor of a more traditional straight-laced Qwerty keyboard.

The capacity limit is 16 times greater than the original Q. Up to 32 GB of removable memory can be attached to the 9M, compared to 2 GB of internal storage on the Q.

Using EV-DO network spectrum, the phone has advanced 3G mobile Internet features, including the ability to link to as many as eight e-mail accounts. It also has complete access to Verizon’s V Cast service, which offers music and video downloads, as well as mobile versions of YouTube and MySpace.

The first Q phone has sold more than 1.5 million units since its debut last year and complements a series of Motorola phones that have garnered significant notoriety. The Razr, Krzr, and Slvr handsets have all been top sellers for Motorola.