T-Mobile's Motorola Begonia to have Android 2.2, Wi-Fi calling support?

By on Sep 30, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Rumor September 30, 2010

Earlier this month, we saw a leaked document that indicated T-Mobile would be getting a handset known as the “Motorola Begonia.” Now, Engadget is reporting some additional details on the device. According to the site’s tipster, the Begonia will be an Android 2.2 device — complete with BLUR UI — that is Motorola’s refresh of the first Cliq; possibly to be called the Cliq 2. The device is also said to have an “interesting” keyboard design; as it appears to be “one solid piece” without any spacing between the keys (maybe like the DROID/DROID2?). The Begonia will also support 3G hotspot creation, and… wait for it… Wi-Fi calling (formally known as UMA). We’re bullish on the Android 2.2, Wi-Fi calling, and hotspot support, but a little bearish on the inclusion of BLUR. Thoughts?

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  • Aaron

    I have Blur on my Droid X. And while the widgets aren’t the greatest, so I don’t use them, why’s everyone a hater? Seems like Blur isn’t that much different than basic Froyo. If you don’t like the launcher, use a different one. I use ADW.Launcher instead, and love it. And I use Beautiful Widgets. Blur isn’t really a factor.

    • nicole

      The reason why everyone is a hater against MotoBlur is it make building custom ROMs more difficult to play with.

      Motorola is force feeding us garbage.

  • Different

    Wi-Fi calling and UMA are different. UMA includes the ability to roam between mobile networks and Wi-Fi networks, allowing the call to be handed back and forth between the two. Wi-Fi calling does not allow the handoff, so if, while on the phone, you move to a place where the network you intiated the call on is no longer available, the call will drop.

    • Jeremiah

      T-Mobile refers to UMA in general as “Wi-Fi Calling.” Take a look at their current UMA-enabled phones (the Blackberrys and the Nokia E73 Mode) and you won’t find “UMA” but rather “Wi-Fi Calling.”

      While I understand that you’re trying to point out that Android’s Wi-Fi calling won’t have seamless handoff like the current UMA crop can, it’s not in the name that’s different. According to PocketNow.com, Android’s Wi-Fi calling is “referred to internally as “WiFi Calling Without Hand-Off,” so technically, Wi-Fi Calling does include handoff generally speaking, otherwise they wouldn’t have to include the exclusion.

    • SI

      Yeah from what I’ve read, T-Mobile recently decided to ‘rebrand’ what was initially the ‘hotspot@home’ service which I don’t think anyone understood as simply:

      wifi calling.

  • Norm

    Sick of all these DROID imitations. Only VZW has real DROIDS. TMOBILE needs to turning out crap all the time.

    • Jeremiah

      Stupid troll. Of course only Verizon has real DROIDs, because that’s their marketing speak for their high-end Android handsets. Even Verizon releases “imitations” (i.e. the Samsung Fascinate, LG Ally, etc.).

      Judging by your definition, even the laudable Google Nexus One, HTC Desire HD, and the HTC Evo aren’t noteworthy because they don’t have the “DROID branding.”

      • WalterSobchak

        New to the site jeremiah?

      • Jeremiah

        hahaha no most definitely not–I’ve been a faithful BGR reader and commenter since 2006/2007, maybe even when he first founded the site, although not before he was big on Engadget.

        In any case, this article was just relevant to me in many ways, dealing with T-Mobile, Android, and UMA. Thus I felt compelled to give my rather lengthy and multiplied two cents.

    • mingkee

      May I eat this troll alive? I am “hungry like a wolf”.

    • SI

      The new G2 makes any of the verizon DROIDS look like KIDS TOYS.

      The T-Mobile G2 is just much more sophisticated.

  • Jeremiah

    In any case, it’s going to be really pathetic if the Wi-Fi calling and 3G hotspot comes to the “Begonia” before the G2 and Vibrant. I know that everyone is saying it will at some point, but it would be ridiculous for this mid-range Android phone to get it before its flagship brethren.

    Then again, I never have understood why UMA was always left out on Android phones when Blackberrys, Nokias, Samsungs, and even WinMo phones had it. But now that it is coming, it’ll definitely be a saving grace for international roamers and people in spotty coverage areas.

    • Alex

      It is not mid-range phone :)
      It is really cool looking and have very cool spec :)

      • Jeremiah

        I am sure it is, but considering that the CLIQ series hasn’t exactly been a flagship line, that’s why I’m assuming it’s a mid-range phone. I’m not trying to denigrate it, but unless Motorola intends to upmarket the CLIQ line, it’s not going to be on the same pedestal as the G2 and the Vibrant.

      • Winston

        This is a massive upgrade on the Cliq. Using the same name is a mistake.

        This is a legitimate high level phone.

    • SI

      Because Google itself has no support for it within the OS.

      They had to wait for Kineto Wireless to create an application for it.

  • Mark H

    Wifi…UMA….but WHY??? Why bother with all that garbage when one could go to a great network in the first place where it wouldn’t be needed. Only very few people would need internatioal roaming.

    • Frank

      1 major reason for UMA/Wifi calling.

      International travel. I’ve used UMA wifi calling back to the states while traveling internationally. I am on the high speed train in Europe and sign on their wifi network. Bam, I can make “free” international calls back home while on a 100 mile and hour moving train without getting charged extra.

      Of course I have the grandfathered Tmobile $10 family hotspot at home feature so all my calls are included. Also get free incoming phone calls while international on UMA.

      That’s why some people like me who travel extensively internationally love UMA on Tmobile.

    • mingkee

      UMA is good for indoor reception solution where wireless LAN is available.

  • http://theandroidguru.blogspot.com The Android Guru

    Moto blur? No thanks!

  • mingkee

    If it has WVGA, wifi calling, mobile hotspot support, and at least 512MB of internal storage, I will give it a try.

  • Ezrider

    If Moto includes the name “Cliq” anywhere regarding this phone, then thats it for me.

    I won’t even look at it.

    I won’t even have my dog look at it for me!

    I like android and for the most part Moto, but I had the Original Cliq and it was the smelliest turd of a phone I’ve ever had.

    The names “Motorola & “Cliq” when put together has the potential to inflict serious long-term psychological damage.

  • Danger

    Don’t like blur, don’t use it. It’s as simple as any other widget to take off…haters

  • Bill Gates

    T-Mobile is so poor i wud never use dat shyt

  • Stephanie

    Well right now I have a Cliq and I’m on my second one but the touchscreen is unresponsive most of the time and TMobile is sending me a replacement. :/ Thank goodness it was discontinued and I’m hoping when the Begonia is released they rename it because the Cliq name has been tarnished. Everyone I know that owns the Cliq hates it. Lol @ Ezrider

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