Motorola Q9M

Everyone knows that sequels tend to suck. (Need I remind everyone of the extra-lame choreographed dance scene in Spiderman 3?) So when we checked out Motorola's follow up to the mighty Q smartphone, we were a bit apprehensive. But you know what? It's actually a pretty neat little deviceif not a tad derived. First off, the improved curved QWERTY keyboard and thumbwheel scrolling reeks of Blackberry and the heavily multimedia centered interface has more than a little iPhone flavor. Paired with a flashy paint job and its ability to download music and video from Verizon's speedy EV-DO network, this Windows Mobile 6 device seems more apt for garnering attention at a party rather than editing documents on the fly. But in an obvious attempt at constructing an iPhone killer, Motorola has stretched this device in too many directions. Having both multimedia and productivity-centered home screens is confusing, but the fact that the phone can't be charged off of the USB cable when the battery is low is absolutely perplexing. And annoying. The Q9m definitely makes the grade as an entertainment device, but for business we'll probably stick with the Blackberry.

WIRED Internal antenna ensures a slim profile. Booming stereo speaker is versatile enough for music and calls. Editing documents on the go is a cinch. MiniSD card slot promotes speedy operation via extra memory. Bluetooth tethering and file transfer are included. Dynamic light sensor automatically adjusts backlighting. Stereo Bluetooth headset compatibility eliminates proprietary earphone woes.

TIRED Lack of native Wi-Fi support. 1.3 Megapixels is so 2002. 5 minutes of use has it covered in fingerprints. No Java support. Awkward mic position distorts voice when holding the phone left-handed. Regular multimedia use makes an extended battery option mandatory. Menu navigation can be tricky with the recessed thumbwheel.

• Style: Smartphone
• Manufacturer: Motorola
• Price: $300