DaveMG:
I believe the "problem" that the consumer group identified is a deliberate software interlock. Most carriers do not want to sell a heavily subsidized phone, only to have the customer use it for a year, and then switch the handset to another less expensive provider. To wit, a Sprint phone cannot be enabled on a PrimeCo network and vice-versa due to this interlock.
Both my original QCP-800 and my current Q-800 are generic models that were shipped directly to me by Qualcomm (much to the consternation of GTE Wireless). Other than an occasional experience with a market without GTE roaming reciprocity, my phone has worked flawless in virtually every geography in the country. I will say that I can generally tell the difference between a MOT network and everybody elses, i.e. MOT networks tend to be somewhat warbly and often exhibit duplex problems (clipping of words if people speak simultaneously).
As a funny aside, back in 1996 when CDMA was just being deployed, I received my QCP-800 and it was the first digital phone the folks at our local GTE office had ever seen. While I was sitting around, waiting for activation, I noticed a commotion around the manager's office. After much delay, the manager came up and informed me that "he was going to have to confiscate the phone because it was stolen." Needless to say I rather angrily disabused him of my larcenous proclivities and, after a quick call to Qualcomm customer service, I was on my way. I am certain that Tero would have preferred me to be incarcerated.
Having used my Q800 for over a week now, I really believe that much of marginmike/Jason's concern for the competitiveness of the Q800 vis-a-vis the MOT StarTac is overstated. My Q came with two Lithium Ion batteries, the smaller purported to provide 1.5 hours of talk time with the larger a more robust 2.5 hours. Believe this or not, on a fresh charge I got more than 197 minutes of talk time out of the smaller battery over the last three days. It is important to note that I never left a digital coverage area, so the phone never had to stand-by (or talk) in the more power consumptive analog mode. I understand the concept of "underpromising and overdelivering", but QC may be excessively conservative since my Q doubled the talk time attributed to the small LiIon battery.
To this point, we all need to be careful in comparing specifications. Elroy Jetson indicated that his Q weighed twice as much as the MOT StarTac, but my Q, with its standard battery, weighs 5.7 ounces. The MOT phone is said to "weigh as little as 3.7 ounces" with talk times between 90 and 250 minutes. Clearly juggling the battery size impacts both weight and talk time, while various manufacturers have, shall we say, differing approaches to specification honesty?
Since CDMA phones vary their power output in response to network conditions, the actual battery life will be influenced by the specific network conditions. It is quite possible that Qualcomm and Motorola used different assumptions regarding underlying network conditions when formulating talk time estimates. As for the 3.7oz verses 5.7oz, I really think one would have to be a "girlie man" to have a real world concern for this weight differential. Differences in form factor, user interface, keypad feel and voice quality are, to my eye, far more significant. But then, what the heck do I know?
Best to all,
Gregg |
