Motorola Q Software and Firmware Update: What to Expect

A walk-through of the installation and a peek at the result

By Charlie White

Have you been experiencing inexplicable crashes and slow response from your Motorola Q? The company has offered a software and firmware update on its website, so we downloaded the two files and loaded them up onto our Motorola Q. If you're considering doing this, here's a preview of what to expect.

When you decide to update your Motorola Q, the first thing you'll do is download two files. One is the Motorola software update stand-alone file that's just over 10MB, and then there's the stand-alone firmware file which is 43.7MB. Before you get started, you might want to back up your user settings and any media that you have on your device with Sprite Backup. If you do decide to buy that package, make sure you choose the version of the software specifically designed for smartphone, and confirm that it's at least version 5.2 or higher. If you don't want to spring for that $25 software, not to worry, because you can still go back and reconfigure all of your personalized settings and reinstall your applications that you added after you bought the Q. Regardless, you won't lose your calendar or contact information, because that will be restored on your first sync after you've finished the update. After you've double clicked on the firmware update file, plug your Q into the PC using the USB data cable, and you're off and running.

Installing the firmware update goes quickly, and seems too fast for the size of the file. But before you know it, that part of the operation is done. Even if you're not normally someone who dives into software documentation, I would recommend reading the instructions on the download page for the software update. There's a PDF file that is also recommended reading, and it will ease your mind as you go through the various permutations of this update. The main point is its warning to you that you'll see a progression of progress bars, a restart or two, and that the update will take 30 to 45 minutes. This is indeed the case. Let's take a look at the screens you'll encounter during the update.

 

The first actual installation screen is just blather telling you to watch out, that old "all hope abandon ye who enter here" screen that tries to separate the lightweights from the intrepid warriors, and even requires that you click an "Accept" radio button if you agree that yes, you are brave enough to go on to the next screen. If you've backed up your data, the screen won't scare you a bit, and even if you haven't, it's not that big a deal to put everything back the way it was before.

 

Next the update load gets underway, and there you'll sit, staring at a progress bar for the next half-hour. Up pops an "attention" box, warning you that you'll see an error message and to click Cancel. Easy enough, no sweat.

Uh-oh. If this happens to you, never fear. It happened to me. For some reason, my Q choked on the software, and left me asking myself, "why me?" But I did the suffering for you, so you won't have to. What else could I do but disconnect the USB data cable, power off the Q, turn it back on and reconnect? Then, everything resumed just as stated in the dialog box. Mysterious but true. It could happen to you.

At this point, just follow the instructions and don't disconnect your device. You're not going to be making or receiving any calls while the software is being updated, are you? I didn't think so. Play some solitaire while you wait, talk to your children; call somebody on your land line. No need to worry, this is going to go well and you'll be glad you updated your device.

                                                                                        

And here you are, arrived at the station. You've succeeded in updating your Motorola Q.

So what is the result, and is it worth it to install this update? Yes, it certainly is. For one thing, this update drastically improves the email push of the Motorola Q, which before the update would invariably crash every time I booted up the device. Now, it works flawlessly. Secondly, the entire user interface operates more quickly, and it feels like its processor is twice as fast. Third, there are slight usability improvements in the interface as well, where there are four icons abreast on the start menu now, where there were three before. Fourth, the update allows you to use the Q as a wireless EV-DO modem for your PC, giving you faster-than-dialup connectivity wherever you go with your PC and Q. But the Verizon rep told me that this privilege will cost you $15 extra per month. Yikes, wasn't that $45/month charge for "unlimited" service enough, Verizon? Gee, thanks.

That said, after this software and firmware update, you'll notice that it's a little easier to get where you need to go on the Q. Overall, the update amounts to an upgrade, giving the Motorola Q a much-needed shot in the arm.

Download the updates here.

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