Motorola Q9m slated for Verizon next week

A source close to Verizon on Friday confirmed the final feature set and release date Motorola's media-focused Q9m smartphone. Coming in a red trim that separates the phone from other Q models, the handset will also have a custom media front-end that allows quicker access to music and video both stored locally and available through Verizon's V CAST services. A flip-back button will let traditionalists bring up a conventional front-end with easier access to e-mail, texting, and the web. Compared to the original Q, the Q9m will also support an expanded 4GB of memory on miniSD cards, an upgrade to Bluetooth 2.0, and expanded support for AMR audio.

Verizon intends to promote the Q9m heavily and will release the phone to business and web customers on August 22nd with a 128MB miniSD card preloaded with media from Fergie. The company will encourage subscribers to buy the phone for $300 with a two-year contract and a $50 rebate but will also offer a shorter one-year term for $400 before the rebate and will allow a contract-free sale for $470. [via BGR]