AT&T Motorola Karma QA1: Basic Messaging Slider
AT&T have announced the Motorola Karma QA1, an entry-level slider with full QWERTY keyboard and homescreen access to Facebook and MySpace. Aimed, unsurprisingly, at teenagers and young adults, the Karma has a 2.5-inch 240 x 320 display, 3.6Mbps HSDPA, a microSD card slot and 2-megapixel camera with video recording functionality.
There's also A-GPS, and AT&T load their Navigator PND app onto the handset. The media player supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, RealAudio, XMF and MIDI files, together with H.263 and MPEG4 video, and the Karma has both a 3.5mm headphone jack and A2DP stereo Bluetooth 2.0 support. You can also access AT&T CV video.
Video hands-on after the cut
The Karma has a full HTML browser, with a dedicated shortcut key, together with threaded messaging, mobile email support including Yahoo!, AOL and Windows Live Mail, and can send and receive SMS and MMS messages. There's also a speakerphone, speech recognition, CrystalTalk active background noise filter and voice-memo recording.
AT&T will be selling the Motorola Karma QA1 from June 28th, priced at $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. You'll also need to budget for a minimum of a $39.99 voice plan and $20 data or messaging plan.
Press Release:
AT&T and MOTOROLA Get Ahead of the Social Curve with KarmaSupersize Your Social Status With IM-Style Texting, One-click Social Networking and aGPS, on the Nation's Fastest 3G Network
DALLAS and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., June 23, 2009 — Teenagers and young adults can get ahead of the social curve with the latest AT&T quick messaging and social networking phone from Motorola. AT&T* and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced Motorola Karma™ QA1, a curvy and compact messaging device that lets you express yourself the way you want, whether you text, blog, tweet or talk. Karma will be available in AT&T stores and online beginning June 28.
Motorola Karma is designed for effortless all-day, every-day mobile socializing with features such as text messaging, instant messaging and homescreen access to Facebook® and MySpace. A slide-out QWERTY keyboard, high-resolution display and access to the nation's fastest 3G network make it easy to follow multiple mobile conversations and stay connected to the people who matter most.
"Unique visitors to Facebook from AT&T's MEdia Net portal grew over 100% in 2008," said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Karma's one-click access to Facebook and MySpace will resonate with customers who are committed to keeping up with social networking sites on the go."
"Today's savvy mobile phone users are looking for more from their devices than just an easy way to text – they want to update their social networking status, instant message multiple friends, make calls and of course, text, all while on the go," said Jeff Miller, vice president, Motorola Mobile Devices. "Motorola Karma gives consumers ultimate control over their conversations, no matter how they decide to stay in touch."
Motorola Karma keeps the conversation going with multiple ways to stay connected on your terms. IM-style texting with an all-in-one view of messages and easy scroll navigation helps you keep track of conversations and stay organized. Take your social status to the next level by sending instant messages to multiple friends at once using popular services like Yahoo! Messenger™ and Windows Live™ Messenger. When making a call, Motorola Karma delivers outstanding voice quality using CrystalTalkTM technology to amplify your conversation and reduce background noise, so you can hear and be heard even in noisy environments.
Social networking addicts can add Facebook and MySpace quick launch icons to the homepage for one-click access to these must-have networks. Updating a status, sharing a comment or posting pictures and video from Motorola Karma's 2.0 megapixel camera is as easy. Meet new people, connect with friends and share your photos and videos directly from the device with JuiceCaster, a service that comes pre-loaded so you can connect immediately. Music lovers will enjoy the 3.5 mm headphone jack for use with a wide range of headphones.
Users can also access AT&T Navigator, powered by Motorola Karma's aGPS technology to help them find their way with turn-by-turn directions. AT&T Navigator is available for a free 30-day trial. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. AT&T customers can use Motorola Karma to make or receive a phone call in more than 215 countries and check e-mail, browse the Web or perform other data functions in more than 170 countries, including in more than 80 that have deployed 3G networks.
Pricing and Availability
Motorola Karma will be available in select AT&T stores or at www.wireless.att.com beginning June 28 for $79.99 after mail-in rebate with a two-year service agreement for wireless voice plans of $39.99 a month or higher and a $20 a month data or messaging plan. (Pay $129.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card).