(Update 22 May) OMG OMG Motorola just officially announced the Motorola Q for real this time and it will be out May 31 for $199.99. See this link for complete details -> The Moto Q

The wait is over! The much anticipated Q smart phone from Motorola, is all set to take on blackberry head-on after its launch next week. Motorola Inc. is hoping to launch it's highly acclaimed Q smart phone this coming week. Though derived from the blackberry, this eagerly awaited Microsoft smart phone featuring a QWERTY keyboard is no less when comapred to the same and other combined data and voice handsets.

Running on the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, the phone will be ideal for applications such as using spreadsheets and CRM (customer relationship management) software on the road. Entering the 4-way battle of smart phones, Motorola will hope that the new Q-smartphone comes out on top. On the multimedia front the phone is no mean achiever as it boasts of a 1.3 MegaPixel camera, Windows Mobile Media Player, MMS and MP3 music-playing capabilities.

The Q will come out first for EV-DO, a 3G technology offered in the U.S. by Verizon Wireless Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. The other three smartphones that the Motorola Q is up against include, Nokia E61, Palm Treo and the mighty blackberry. No confirmation on the prizes as yet, though the rumours suggest that Verizon will offer it with one year contract for about $349, $299 with a 2 year, and $419 without any contract. We will keep you updated about this story.

ViaEngadget